The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1892-06-04
a TORNADO.
leaves Death and Destruction In ITS Wake
In Kansas-Thc Principal business street
of wellington, Kan, in Ruins.

Leaves Death and Destruction In It's Wake
In Kansas-Thc Principal Business street
of wellington, KAN, Ia Ruins.
WELLINGTON, May 2s.-The city had
visitation Friday night, from the fun
nel-shaped cloud, which plowed its de-
vastating track through the business
part of the town, with immense de-
struction of property and some loss of
life, just how many it is impossible to
tell at this writing. A heavy storm OF
wind preceded the tornado about half
an hour A few minutes after o'clock
the tornado struck the city, coming
from the southwest. There were no
premonitory signs. Everybody was in
doors, and the cloud passed with its
destructive rush and awful roar un-
seen.
Washington avenue, the principal
business street, is lined on both sides
for blocks with ruins. To add to the
horror fire broke out among the debris
of Col. Robinson's block, and woman,
Mrs. Susan Ashor, is supposed to have
perished in the flames. A solid block
of brick buildings containing u half
dozen stores and the Monitor Press
anu NolCG OlllICSy llGo a
tumbled heap of bricks and NOR
tar. Just across the street la
borer named Tanning was taken
out of the ruins, and there are supposed
to be other bodies in them. Hundreds
of dwellings are either totally de-
stroyed or more or less damaged. The
city is in darkness, as broken mains
made it necessary to shut down the gas
works and save destruction from fire.
Hon. James Lawrence, candidate for
attorney general. had an arm broken.
Walter ForsthCn was taken from the
ruins dangerously injured, and his
brother Ed was heard calling for an
hour before his release.
Seven bodies have been taken out of
the Phillips house ruins, and large
force of men is at work removing the
debris. Two members of the Salvation
army are expected to die of the injuries
received. At Squire Smiths residence
seven persons are more or less injured.
The streets are Uttered with tin roofing,
cloth awnings and broken timbers. Ev-
erybody is on the streets carrying LAM
terms, and it is utterly impossible to get
at the exact facts.
The destruction is simply awful, and
every minute adds to the horror of the
situation. The Standard and Mail
offices are wrecked. The opera house
and dozens of the best business build
ings are useless. Fine school buildings
and churches are ruined, and the loss
will foot up many thousands of dollars.
No reports have been received from
other points. Wellington is the county
seat of Sumner county, and has popula-
ton of over ten Thousand inhabitants.
1t is in the center of thickly settled
agricultural district. 1t is the most
prominent town in southern Kansas
Silva and Walter Forsythe were taken
out of the ruins of Conrads' restaurant
in dying condition, and have since died.
Ida Jones was one of the killed in the
wreck of the Phillips house. The de-
struction south of Harvey avenue was
comparatively insignificant, and no
lives have been lost in that section SO
SO far as is known.
Grand Army hall has been converted
into hospital, and there are now there
fifty killed and injured