The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-05-31

The storm at Harper Friday night was
| TO some extent the most disastrous that
has ever visited Southern Kansas. Its de-
vastating effects have been much more ssri-
Gus than the effects OF the storm at Well
iugton except in the matter Of fatalities
alone Huadreds OF houses in Wellington
remained untouched while IN Harper not a
single house, small or large, escaped the
ravages of the storm. In certain space
the ruin wrought by the tornado at Well
ington is indiscribably complete while IN
Harper it is quite different At Yelling
ton all the houses in he main course OF
the storm went down crushed into
splinters, without any exception. while al
Harper many houses stand in
tact around ruined one The
character of the storms was entirely
different, too. The Wellington storm was
a genuine tornado, while the Harper storm
was combination of cyclone and tornado.
A tornado is never more than from go 10
600 feet wide, while this storm was at
least four miles in width.
Cyclone, tornado, or whatever it may be
called. it was terrible beyond description
and the fact that it did not kill hundreds
of people should be classed Ms one OF the
wonders OF the century. Within the
corporate limits OF Harper it injured,
more or less, over 200 houses and killed 10
one, all the fatalities occurring on the
surrounding country. Another remark
able fact is, it did not kill single animal
in the city of Harper, although it killed
and manned many in the surrounding
country. Opinion is divided as TO where
the storm originated. Some say 1t
had its birth in the cemetery at
Medicine Lodge, while others say it
formed five miles north of Attica. The lat
ter is most probable, although there IS nc
doubt but that other cyclones formed in
Medicine Lodge. Then again there is a diff
ference of opinion as to how it originated.
Some say it was never anything more than
an unusual strong straight wind, while
others who claim to have seen 1t form say
that it was fusion OF two separate and
distinct twisters into one powerful body
of wind which extended over distance of
three miles in width and travelled a dis
lance of fiftee miles, its course being in the
shape Of a sickle with the point resting in
the northwest portion OF the county. The
main force of the storm struck the north
ern half Of the city of Harper and the
heaviest damage done is in Main street
and Central avenue, which are the two
principal business streets in the city. Some
miraculous escapes were effected. the re-
cital of which would tax the credulity OF
the most unsuspecting. a description of
them would be Intensely interesting. but
unfortunately limited space forbids in this
issue, at least.
The unfortunate event had one good
effect, however, and that is it has created
a feeling of true fraternity among the peo-
pie of Harper and Anthony. When the
Anthony people heard that the formar
bitter rival OF their city had been over
taken by dire calamity they came TO her
assistance like men, brothers and true
Kansans and did all in their power
towards relieving their distress. The
Harper people thoroughly appreciate this
kindness and genuine era of good feeling
has commenced between both communi-
ties that cannot be otherwise than mutu-
ally beneficial.
The estimated loss of the city and coun-
try effected by the storm is between $780,
900 and 800. COO, while a few say it will not
fall very far short Of 500 600 The mayor
and council met Saturday, and, after dis
cussing the situation thoroughly, issued
the following