Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1892-06-22
CYCLONE IN ILLINOIS.
Many Buildings Blown Down or Greatly
Damaged-Twenty Persons Killed.

Damaged-Twenty Persons Killed.
PEORIA, ILL.,, June 14-Meager reports
of a terrible cyclone at Galva, small
village forty-fve miles north of this
city, on the Rock Island & Peoria,
reached this city late last night From
what can be learned almost the entire
village, which contained 1000 people,
has been swept away, and there is con-
siderable loss of life.
The storm was preceded by terrible
lightning, which did great damage. The
temperature fell rapidly, and the cy-
clone which followed the electrical
storm swept the town away. Many fled
to cellars, and scores of people were
found after the storm in cisterns and
wells, where they had taken refuge.
People who cane in from the district
say there is great loss of life. It is es-
timated that there are twenty or more
dead. It has been thus far impossible
to get particulars or names, as the wires
are all swept away, and there is no COM
munication with the town.
Train dispatchers along the line of
railway say there will be an appalling
sight to greet the relief party when the
sun rises in the morning.
Dead bodies are strewn over the de-
vastated fields, mingled with the ruins
of the homes. The storm was so vio-
lent that it was felt in this city. The
electrical storm here was the worst
seen in many years, and the tempera-
ture fell many degrees in a few mo-
ments
The day was intensely hot, and there
was premonition of impending trou-
BILE in the breathless atmosphere.
Later in the evening there was terri
BILE rain storm, which flooded every
thing. This is supposed to be the out;
skirts of the cyclone which wiped
Galva from the face of the earth.
There are eight telegraph lines between
this city and Chicago belonging to
Western Union, and all but one of them
are down. This leads to the belief that
the storm was widespread.
Up to noon to-day it has been almost
impossible to get any detailed state
ment of the loss OF life and proper ty.
The only word received comes from La
fayette station, six miles south
of Galva. Trainmen who came
through Galva after the storm
report that the cyclone struck there
about s o'clock. The Chicago, Burling-
ton & Quincy round-house was COM
pletely destroyed, the Rock Island &
Peoria depot was ruined and many other
buildings were wrecked; but no list Of
accompanied by loss of life, but no
accurate estimate is possible. 1t
is known that several were
killed and injured, but there is so much
confusion in the unfortunate town
that the names cannot be learned.
Every church in the city was
more or less damaged. The Haye
pump and planter works, which gives
employment to about 200 hands, was
quite badly damaged. Telegraph wires
being down in all directions, full details
of the disaster are unobtainable. Re-
ports of the destruction Of the town of
Wenona. in Marshall County, have
been current. No definite news from
there has been received.
GALEsBURG, ILL.,, June IA destruct-
i've tornado passed through the north
ern part of this county last night. At
Galva great damage was done to railroad
property and factories, while many
houses were unroofed. A number Of
residences were blown down and
churches damaged. It is reported that
ONE man was Killed and mum Der
severely injured. North OF Altoona
much damage was done, eight houses
were blown over and barns were de-
stroyed. Orchards and crops were laid
to. Large barns on the farms of Q. A.
Cole and Mr.. Johnson we're demol-
ished. The wires are down so that COM
plete returns cannot be had.
Will County experienced heavy
rain storm last night. In Joliet trees
were blown down, chimneys were
swept from the houses and small build
lngs blown to pieces. The lightning
struck several buildings