The historic times. [volume] (Lawrence, Kansas) 1891-1891, 1891-07-18
CYCLONE DEATH.
A Sudden Storm Strikes West
Superior, Wis.
NEW HOTEL BUILDING IN RUINS.
Scores of Men Buried-Fiye Killed ut Least
The Work of Rescue Proceeding
Much Damage Done In the
City.

WEST SUPERIOR, Wis, July 17.-In
an instant yesterday afternoon, by the
giant play of cyclone, half a hundred
human beings were Gagged in death
trap.
A number of buildings were de-
stroyed throughout the city, but the
climax of the storm was at the hotel
being constructed at the intersection OF
Lamborn and Third streets. Over two
score unfortunate workingmen were
the victims
Scarcely five minutes elapsed from
moment when the men were progress
ing with their tasks till the frightful
whirlwind was miles distant in its path
of destruction and the remains of the
begrimed and mangled men were being
brought out of the debris.
The storm lasted only about thirty
minutes, but during that period many
thousands of dollars of damage was
done, besides taking five lives.
During the progress of the storm an
alarm of fire was turned in from the
Fifth ward and the department re-
sponded to find the new large four story
frame hotel on Third street near Lam
born avenue a mass of flames. The
structure had blown down and the cry
went up from hundred excited indi-
viduals that the wreck was the tomb of
many men.
In spite of the pouring rain the visit
ors at the scene gave their assistance
in the cause of rescue. Men in all
walks of life stood shoulder to shoulder
and worked with one thought of hui
mainly. The work is still in progress,
fresh men taking the places of these
who give it up through fatigue. F41y
5000 were at the scene.
Drs. Conner and Willis did excellent
work in caring for the injured and pro-
viding for their convenience.
An assistant chief of the fire depart
ment sustained broken leg during the
work of rescue. While rope was
straining on mass of broken frame
work the crib work to which it was at
tached parted and struck him.
A scene of intense excitement reigned
Men worked with desperation. Women
ran about regardless of rain and mud,
waving their hands and crying, filed
with the fear that their husbands or
brothers had been buried in the ruins
An eye witness of the disaster said
he saw crowd of workmen running to
the building to seek shelter from the
storm. Fully thirty or forty men must
have been inside. They were distrib~
uted over all the floors.
1t appears that all the men o. the
third floor took warning first and five
were seen to jump and get away in
safety.
In this building was the main damage
done, but other property was injured.
The Silver Creek Morris Coal Co. worIz5
were badly damaged and this will de-
lay the handling of coal
A large frame building at the corner
of Byrd and Lower street, South SGpe-
rior, was wrecked and the steel plant
reports number of buildings leveled,
| but no casualties The wind played
havoc with the Unitarian church, union
| depot and other buildings, but no Sc
rious fires resulted. Had one broken
out it would have found the city prac-
tically helpless. There are no reports
| of disasters on the lake or harbor.
When the storm came up Boss Car
penter Gross called to his men who
were working on the three-story build
| ing at Third street and Lamborn ave-
nue. to get out of the building and
twelve of them jumped from the win
dows. At the same moment number
of passers-by ran into the structure to
| escape the storm. AS they entered the
| building, without an instant's tremor
or warning. collapsed, burying seven
teen men. The structure did not move
foot from its foundation. 1t sim~ly
flattened out as though by terrible
blow from above. Three timers on
| the roof remained where they were and
escaped serious injury. though the fall
was thirty eight feet The ruins stood
not six feet above the ground and the
roof seemed to cover the whole, great
| ly retarding the work of rescue.
1t was an hour before the first body,
| that of Herman Roussey, was recov-
cred. He was found in a sitting posi-
ton, bent nearly double, with spikes
| driven into his spine and almost every
bone in his body broken
John Lauer was found on his back
with four timbers lying across him, cut
ting his body into as many pieces II
was horrible sight and the over
| worked rescuers weakened in removing
| the body.
Schofeld was found in what evident
" had been a room on the third floor
and was still alive, though he died as
| soon as the weight was removed from
him, his back being broken
1t was over an hour before another
body was found. The bodies Of Lucius
and an unknown man, evidently one OF
| those who took shelter in the Inflated
| building, were found in the wreck Of q
room on the ground floor Both bodies
were fiattened out of all resemblance
| to humanity.
While the work of rescue had been
going on, rain and lightning with high
| wind had set in and the violence of the
storm became terrific, forcing the men
TO leave. 1t is probable that all the
bodies will be recovered before morn
ing. Contractor Gross insists that none
remain, but that Is hardly probable
Five of the number escaped almost
miraculously with slight injuries The
building was fiimsy affair for hotel
with eighty rooms
Petition For Mercy.
SEDALIA, Mo. July IA petition Is
being circulated in the city asking tina,
| A. sartarna ~ ry,rxSersareTorn William,