The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-08-21
THE CYCLONES PATH.
A Dozen Victims Of the Wilkes
barre Storm.
ONE MILLION DOLLARS GONE.
Houses Fall in and Crush the Inmates
Lists of the Killed and
Injured.

WnKEsBARRE, Aug. 20.-As time goes on,
the severity of the cyclone is more and
more demonstrated. Immense buildings
containing many people were unroofed.
and in many cases almost destroyed in the
twinkling of an eye, and at the hour when
the people were about the streets amid fly
ing timbers and debris of every character.
The city in its most frequented parts,
around the depots, presents its worst APP
pearance, 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 tracks by the force OF the
cyclones whirl, the mere conception of its
terrific velocity is obtained.
An unusual center of activity was notice
able in the vicinity of Lee park. The
lower clouds began scudding in great circles
at tremendous speed. Their vortex seemed
to be close in the vicinity but to the north
of the cutlery works at South Wilkesbarre.
A sudden gust of wind sprang up and in
q moment had increased to a roar. The
Vulcan Iron Works, James Morris foundry
and the Keystone -four mill felt the first
shock, the wind dashing the heavy mater
ials about like straws.
The storm swept upon Main street, rails
ing the building on the west side of that
thoroughfare. Then it struck the hand
some residences, stores, greenhouses,
pottery works, etc., along Main street as
far as Academy.
The western edge of the storm extended
to the lower end of Franklin street and
Dana Place. Brick dwellings were un-
rooted and steps torn away, and some res
licences were levellsd. South Main and
Franklin streets were completely blocked
with fallen trees. roofs, timbers and wires.
Veering eastward the storm swept Ross
and Hasell streets. then up South Wash
ington street, extending as far east on Ross
as the Hazard Wire Rope works. 1t fol-
lowed Washington street, wrecked st.
Marys church, then jumped to the Lehigh
Valley depot, the Jersey Central depot,
Stegmaier's brewery, and then swept along
the railroad to Five Points. There it
turned east and again swept up Pearl
street, out by Baltimore shaft No. 2, thence
chased up the mountain aud spent itself
in the woods.
The scene at the Hazard Wire Rope
works was terrible. The immense building
was badly injured and in the debris lay the
dead and injured, the latter helpless until
assistance came to them. Here one of the
worst phases Of the cyclones work could
be realized, the ponderous machinery being
mixed with brick, mortar and general de-
bris. The number of seriously injured
men at these works exceeds twelve and
there were two killed.
Near the Delaware Il Hudson railway on
Scott street were houses occupied by the
families of James Mckinley and James
Helegan and all the members of these two
families were at nome while the fearful
destruction went on, powerless to do any
thing for their safety. Both houses were
leveled to the ground and the inmates held
in the ruins by the debris. Mrs. Eliza Jane
Mckinley, aged about Is years, and the
babe she held to her breast, and John
Mckinley, aged - years, was crushed to
death. Mary Jane Mckinley, a little
daughter, was SO severely hurt and crushed
that but little hope is entertained for her
recovery. The family of James Helegan
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 an
swer to proclamation of the mayor. Sol
diers are assisting the police in maintain
ing order, and are everywhere eager to do
whatever is asked.
A careful estimate places the number of
buildings demolished and partially de-
stroyed at nearly 400. The loss will prob
ably reach nearly. if not quite, 81, 600, 900.
The number killed is eleven; fatally in
iured, ten; severely injured, twenty-four.
The list of the killed is as follows:
NErTIE THOMPSON
EVA MARTIN.
JOHN FRITZ.
PETER RITTENMEYER.
Mrs. ELIZA MCKINLEY and infanA
JOHN MCKINLEY.
JOSEPH KERN.
ADAM FRASTZ.
GEORGE HAMILTON.
IA unknown Hungarian employed at Steg-
maiers brewery
Those fatally injured are:
FRANKLIN WEIGH.
JOHN HoUscH.
JOHN LONG.
An unknown EN- ploye of the Delaware& Hud-
son railroad.
JAMES MCKINLEY.
BERLIN VASDERLARK
FRANK FULRoD.
MRS BARRETT.
MARY MCKINLEY.
ISAIAH NEUsBIso, prominent contractor OF
Davis street.