The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1890-07-11
DESTRUCTIVE TORNADO.
Loss Of Life and Property In North
Dakota--Fargo in the Path OF the

Loss Of Life and Property In North
Dakota--Fargo in the Path or the
Storm.
The city Of Fargo was struck by most
terrific wind storm, which lett behind it
scene OF wreckage never before Witnessed in
that section. 1t seemed more OF q tornado
nature than q cyclonic, and the manner in
which the buildings are wrecked and the de-
bris distributed bears this out. Accompany
ing the wind. however, was terrific electri-
cal storm. which undoubtedly played an i'm
portant part in wrscking the electric light
towers.
Northern Pacific train had just started
out consisting of eight passenger coaches and
sleepers, Supt. McCabe's private car and the
baggage, express and mail cars. The force
of the wind rapidly increased until the train
reached the roundhouse. when it became
necessary to put on every pound of steam in
order to keep it moving. By the time the
last car had gone over the bridge across the
slough the train was brought to q standstill
by the sheer force of the wind and the air
brakes were put on. It had been standing
but short time when the cars began to
tilt over to one side, and few minutes later
the entire train was blown over, the rear cars
going over first and the others in succession,
until nothing was left standing except the
engine; even the tender being on it's side.
There is a double track at this point, and
and was blown over on the south one.
Had it been on tho latter it would
have gone over the high embankment,
and the injury both to the cars and pas
sengers would have been much more serious.
As it was none Of the cars were badly wreck
ed and although there was a large number
of passengers on board none of tn m are
fhn11nht IN no Aourorouc1ru iuiurod Az
soon as the train went over Supt. McCabe,
who was in one of the sleepers at the
time, pulled himself out through the top Of
tho car and hurried back to town to get ply
sicians and arrange for the rescue of the pas
sengers. In the meantime some OF those in
the smoking car had succeeded in getting out
and began at once forcing the door and get
ting others cut. One OF the most fearful re-
suits Of the storm occurred at the residence
of the late Capt. Mccarthy. The family
sought shelter in narrow hole beneath the
kitchen, WHOM the building was moved
from ito foundation. crushing down upon
them, resulting in the death of seven chill
dren and the probable fatal injury of Mrs.
Megarthy;, Hrs. Mccarthy tells the follow
About 2 o'clock during the height of the
storm, the children urged that the house
would surely blow away, and wanted to go
to the coal bin for safety. The bin was
place cut in the floor Of tie shed and sunk
into the ground a couple of feet. The hole
in the ground was about even full with
COAL On the north side Of this bin was
pantry about tour or five feet wide. Mrs.
Mccarthy decided to go to this bin, and &C
cordinglv laid carpeting on the coal. Belle
and Mamie went in first and sat down, each
having younger one in her lap. Mrs. Nc.
upon her lap; the other child was on the carpet
between Mrs. Mccarthy and the older girls.
They were necessarily huddled close together.
Suddenly the house was felt to move and in
an instant every one of the children were
crushed together under the pantry, the house
having fallen toward the south.
Mrs. Mccarthy found herself firmly pinned
down by q sill which rested across her right
arm and both legs and she was absolutely
helpless. She was held in such q manner as
to be almost doubled up and it was
between two and three hours before she
was released. She felt her strength
fast leaving her, when she heard
the barking of dog, and concluding that
some one was about she screamed for help.
1t was a man looking for a COW and he imme-
diately answe. ed the call aud went for help.
She says that all of them died almost imme-
diately One OF the little ones means contin-
ued for an hour or more before death relieved it
Gifts suffering. When help at last arrived she
was completely exhausted. 1t was but tho
work o. Il moment to saw off the sill that
pinned her down and subsequently, by means
of jack screws and levers, the floor was rails
ed, when the lifeless forms of her seven loved
ones were one by one removed. Among the
more notable places destroyed was the fol-
lowing: The Great Northern freight depotis
in ruins. The walls collapsed and the twist
ed and severed root settled down over the
platform. 1t is total loss. The North
ern Pacific and Milwaukee freight
depots are also sadly demolished.
The damage to the Northern Pacific % acline
shops is estimated at 100000. The Ply
mouth Congregational church is scattered
to the four winds of heaven covered by tor
nado insurance. The First Congregational
church is wrecked and twisted out of shape.
The Episcopal church is damaged $4,000.
From the surrounding country within
radius of thirty miles reports of damage to
the growing crops come in. In many places
where wheat was standing two to three feet
high and heating out. reports say it is bad.
ly lodged and in some instances whipped and
torn to pieces or broken of, but in a major.
ity of casee it will probably not suffer ma.
terial in ury. Farm houses, barns and out
buildings in all directions are reported lev.
eled to the ground, and trees along the river
banks for miles in both directions rom this
city ar broken off entire or shorn of verb
age.
NICHOLAS McAFEE DEAD.
The Death Of Nicholas McAfee
Learned With Regret by st. Paul