Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-08-21
CYCLONE HORRORS.
WBAT DAYLIGHT REVEALED IN AND ABOUT
WILKESBARRE.
Fearful Destruction in the Devastated
District-How Men, Women and Children
Were Crushed to Death-The Loss
Of Life and Property.

Of life.
As time goes on, the severity OF the
cyclone is more and more demonstrated,
and IL is singular that so comparatively
few lives were lost. Immense buildings
containing many people We're unroofed,
and in many cases destroyed in the
twinkling Of an eye, and this at an hour
when the people were about the streets
amid flying timber and debris Of every
character.
The city in its most freQuented part
around the depots presents the worst APP
pearance. and when 1t is remembered
that passenger and freight cars We're
lifted from the tracks upon which they
stood and laid on their sides, while other
ears were rushed along the track by the
force Of the cyclones swirl, a small con-
ception OF its terrific velocity may be
obtained.
HOW THE CYCLONE STRUCK THE CITY.
The cyclone made its appearance sud
| denly, and was accompanied by such
portentOus skies that at once the stout
est hearts were appalled,. Especially
so when at high altitude were seen tin
roofs. timber and all sorts Of movable
| things, and the skies were thick black
mass, such rs is shown at the time OF an
immense conhagration.
About $50 o'clock huge black cloud
which had been gathering southwest OF
! the town I'm the direction Of Plymouth,
began to discharge tremendous thunder
bolts. The lightning played with re-
markable frequency. and streams OF the
electric fire poured from mid-heayen.
That Il heavy down pour Of rain was inn
minent was readily seen, and all sought
shelter. Later an unusual center Of ac-
tiyity was noticeable in the vicinity Of
Lee Park. The lower clouds began
ScuddiEg in great circles at tremendous
speed. Their vortex seemed close in
the vicinity, but to the north Of the Cut
lery Works at South Wilkesbarre, a sud-
den gust Of wind Sprang up and In a
moment had increased TO a roar.
The Vulcan Iron Works, James Nor
ris' Foundry and the keystone Flour
Mil felt the first shock, the wind DASH
ing the heavy metals ABOUT like StrawS.
The wind swept on up Main
street. razing the buildings on
the west side OF that thoroughfare.
Everything was touched with heavy
hand. The benutiful shade trees were
east into the street. Then it struck the
handsome residences. stores, green
houses, pottery works, etc, along May
street aS far as Academy street.
The western edge OF the storm eX-
tended to the lower side OF Franklin
and Dana Place. Brick dwellings were
unroofed and the upper stories torn
away. and some were levclled to the
ground. South Main and Franklin
streets were completely blocked with
| fallen trees. roofs, timberS and wire.
| Veering eastward, the storm swept out
Ross and Hazel streets, then up South
| Washington street, extending aS far
east on Ross as the Hazard Wire Rope
Works. II followed Washington street,
wrecked ST. Mary'S Church, then jump
ed TO the Lehigh Valley Depot, the Jer-
sey Central Depot, Stegmair'S brewery,
and swept along the railroad to Five
Points. Here it turned eastward again.
swept up Pearl street, out by Baltimore
shaft No. >, then dashed up the noun
tain and spent itself In the woods.
THE INMATES CRUSHED TO DEATH.
The scene at the Hazard Wire Rope
Works was terrible. The immense
building was badly wrecked. and In the
debris lay the dead and injured. the lat
ter helpless until assistance came to
them. Here one Of the worst phases Of
the cyclone's work could be realized, the
pondcrouS machinery being mixed with
brick. mortar and debris in a confused
mass. The number of seriously injured
men at these works exceeds T. ana
there were two killed.
Terrible was the sweep Of the cyclone
at Five Points, portion Of this city.
Mothers with their children in their
arms cried to Heaven for help. Their
| frail homes were falling about them,
the streets were filled with falling build
ings and debris Of all sort. They knew
not which way to turn, and in their
agony implored Divine aid.
Near the Delaware and Hudson rail
road. on Scott street, were houses occu-
pied by the families OF James McGlnley
and James Henegan. All the members
OF these two families were at home while
the fearful destruction was going on,
powerless tOdoanything FOR their safety.
Both houses were lcvelcd to the ground
and the inmates were held in the ruins
by the debris Mrs. Eliza McOiinley,
AGED about twenty-cight years, and the
babe she held TO her breast, were
crushed To death. John Mckinley, aged
thirteen years. was also crushed TO
death. Mary Jane Mckinley, little
daughter. was so severely hurt and
crushed that but little hope is enter
taincd of her recovery. The family OF
James IIenegan could not be found in
the ruins Of their home and fears are
entertained that all periShcd.
The Barber Asphalt Works were
blown down; 5. l.. Brown a Co. : mann
moth business block on Market street,
containing ten wholesale stores, Is
among the ruins; the Murray coal break
er was partially destroyed, with heavy
loss.
RESCUE OF THE IMPRISONED MINERS.
The mammoth Hollenback breaker is
81 comDlcte wreck, the roof being blown
off and the windows all blown in. The
structure IS completely disiointcd and
viii have TO be entirely rebuilt. The
front of the engine house was blown 10.
The fans were stopped while - men
wore at work in the Hillman vein. but
Inckilv they were able to stast right
au.av and although the hosting ma
cbinerv was damaged, the work oil con-
veying men to othe top was accomplished
without accident.
II was very narrow escape. touT
,,a, standing OH the mills were able to
rnide the rope, and it took several hours
saLoist them from the Hillman to the
D.i,f,,orc vein. The men were able 70
,,aiI. nm n the surface safely. As show
- ,I,c force OF the storm the large
tre.tle work held down by the rope was
| tio,,., from under IL and carried away
ploss & Whites Mining Drill Works
.. c,.,tt street. are destroyed. as Is also
The bouse adjoining it, The house oe-
tween the Valley tracks on the same
s,r.ct are gone. Bright's oil warehouse
oI barrels and all. are blown away LP
p,,v,non Scott aud kidder streets an
dTtbc houses at the lower ends Thereon
ore either blown down or severely
- The -r' cyclone went up Pearl street. to to
Baltimore No. ., the new breaker o,
Which is damaged 10 the extent oil
thousands Of dollars. The boiler mouse },1
and snJ' barn were blown over. Frank tui-
roj who was at work there was 80
Iou' lorionsiy injured that his death is look
ed for at any moment. ....-i. -,
Three hundred girls were at work I'D
c.iland.s underwear factory on South
Washington street. All were pA"''