Los Angeles herald. [volume] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1890-1893, 1890-08-21
THE WINDS WORK.
Awful Swirl Of the Cyclone
at Wilkesbarre.
About Four Hundred Buildings
Demolished.
A Dozen or More Fatalities and
Many People Injured.
The Busiest Portion of the City Uttered
With Wrecks-Soldiers Working to
Clear the Ruins.
Associated Press Dispatches.

WILKEsBARRE, Pa, August 20.-As
time goes on the severity of yesterdays
cyclone is more and more demonstrated.
Immense buildings containing many peo-
pie were unroofed, and in many cases
almost destroyed in the twinkling of an
eye, and this at an hour when many
people were about the streets amid fly
ing timbers and debris OF every charac-
ter. The city in its most frequented
part, around the depot, presents its
worst appearance, and when it is
remembered that passenger and freight
cars were lifted from the tracks upon
which they stood, and laid on their
sides, while other cars were rushed
along the track by the force of the
cyclones swirl, small conception of its
terrific velocity may be obtained.
An unusual center of activity was
noticeable in the vicinity of Lee Park.
The lower clouds began scudding in great
circles at tremendous speed. Their
vortex seemed close in the vicinity, but
to the north of the cutlery works at
South Wilkesbarre, a, sudden gust of
wind sprang up, and in a moment had
increased to roar. The Vulcan
iron works, James Morris
foundry, and the Bristone flour
mill felt the first shock, the wind dash
ing the heavy material about like straw.
The storm swept on up Main street.
gazing the buildings on the west side of
that thoroughfare, then it struck the
handsome residences, stores, green
houses, pottery works, ETC., above Main
street, as far as Academy street, at the
western edge of the city,
The storm extended to the lower end
of Franklin street and Dana place.
Brick dwellings were unroofed and the
upper stories torn away, and some were
leveled to the ground. South Main
and Franklin streets were completely
blocked with fallen trees, roofs, timbers
and debris.
Veering eastward the storm swept out
Cross and Hale streets, then up South
Washington street, extending as far east
on Ross as the Hazard wire rope works.
1t followed Washington street, wrecked
small church, then jumped to the
Lehigh Valley depot, Jersey Central
depot and Stegmaire's brewery, and
swept along the railroad to Five Points.
Here it turned east and again swept up
Pearl street, out by the Chatmore shaft
No. 2, then dashed up the mountain
and spent itself in the clouds.
The scene at the Hazard wire rope
works was terrible. The immense
building was badly injured, and in the
debris lay dead and injured, the latter
helpless until assistance came to them.
Here one of the worst phases of the cy-
clones work could be realized, ponder
Gus machinery being mixed up with
brick, mortar and general debris, in
confused mass. The number of seriously
injured men at these works exceeds
twelve, and there were two killed near
Delaware and Hudson railroad.
On Scott street were houses occupied
by the families of James Mckinley and
james Henegan. All the members of
these two families were at home while
the fearful destruction was going on,
powerless to do anything for their safety.
Both houses were leveled to the ground,
and the inmates were held in the ruins
by the debris. Mrs. Eliza Jane
Mckinley, aged about % years,
and the babe she held to her breast,
were crushed to death. John Mckinley,
aged Is years, was crushed to death.
Mary Jane Mckinley, little daughter,
was so severely hurt and crushed, that
but little hope is entertained of her re-
,covery. The family of James Henagan
could not be found in the ruins of their
home, and fears are entertained that
they all persisted.
The ninth regiment is on duty in
answer to proclamation of the mayor.
The soldiers are assisting the police in
maintaining order, and are everywhere
eager to assist and do whatever is asked.
A careful estimate places the number Of
buildings demolished and partially de-
st~nyed, at nearly 400. The loss will
probably reach nearly if not quite
$1,O00,OO0. The number killed is eleven /;
fatally injured and severely injured
tWpntV-f four