Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1893-07-14
Death in the Cyclone.
ABOUT 100 PEOPLE KILLED IN VIOLENT
IOWA STORM.

IOWA STORM.
FORT DODGE, Ia, July THE climax
of destructive cyclones in all Iowa's
experience with those terrible outbreaks
ofnature was undoubtedly that which
swept through so miles of country west
Of here last night, and left behind in its
wide swath at least 70 and possibly 100
slaughtered victims. The property loss
is beyond estimation.
The storm apparently first reared its
grim bead near Cherokee, where it was
comparatively mild. Gathering force as
it moved, it sped eastward through Buena
Vista and Pocahontas Counties, follow
ing with little deviation the line of the
Illinois Central Railroad.
Town after town became the victim OF
the fearful blast, whole families being
wiped out. At POmeroy, the most unfor-
innate of all, SO dead bodies have been
found. which is probably not all. Fonda's
death roll has reached 16 and there are
many others missing. At Alta, Aurelia
and near Cherokee there were fully a
score slam altogether, the bodies being
crushed and manged almost beyond re-
cognition. The whole section has become
as it were, a house of mourning.
SCORED DEAD IN THE RUINS.
The great wind storm reached its dis
astrous height at Pomeroy, a town OF
900 inhabitants in Calhoun County,
which was practically wiped out of ex-
istence. Fifty-three people were killed
outright, Is fatally injured, and l5O
left with broken limbs or severe bruises.
The storm broke about 7 o'clock. All
day long the clouds were skurrying
across the sky. An occasional shower
would be followed by hot burst Of
sunshine. Just before dark great banks
of black clouds massed in the southwest
and another in the west. About : o'clock
the two threatening piles moved toward
each other and then joined The clouds
took on a green tint, which was pierced
by the suns rays for a moment Then
darkness set in rapidly.
The elements seemed to form about the
combined clouds, through scarcely q
breeze stirred the tree tops in the streets
of Pomeroy. Those watching the phe-
nomena say that a column as if Of smoke
dropped to the ground and gathered in
strength as 1t advanced toward the town.
They recognized 1t as a cyclone and gave
the alarm. Many sought shelter in cellars
and Others mounted horses to flee from
the path OF the coming destruction.
TIE STORMS BURST OF FURY.
There was dash of hail, binding
flash of lightning, and deaisning peal OF
thunder. Men and women ran wildly
about the streets shouting and gesticu-
lating. The cyclone struck the town at
the southwest, among the scattering,
houses in the outskirts. Roofs and
shingles and sides of buildings were
wrecked loose, and were thrown to o2e
side. On through the more densely pop
ulared district the monster Of destruc-
ton swept, leaving al before 1t and
leaving in its wake a oloud Of splinters
wrecked houses and death in all horrible
forms.
The utmost confusion followed the
MASSAGE Of the storm. The town was in
total darkness, and the streets were filed
with wreckage. The scenes were appall-
lag. as men with lanterns went about
among the debris. In some instances
entire families were wiped out, the
maneled remains being found in the
rims Of their homes. The cries OF the
injured were heartrending, AMI the
general confusion was increased By the
wailing of survivors, separated from
friends. or who had relatives in the
wreck.
All telegraph communication, ofc)urse'
was cut off, and it was several hours
before the condition of affairs at Pomeroy
was known here. Then relIet trains
were sent out, with a corps Of physicians
and provisions.
FIVE FAMILIES BLOWN AWAY.
Five whole families were blown away
at Alta, but full list of the fatalities
cannot be had. Ten were killed and sew
eral Injured south of Amelia.
The experience of Fonda was only less
terrible than that of Pomeroy, from
which it is only few miles distant. The
storm of wind was attended by a heavy
fall of rain and some bail and an unusual
electrical disturbance. 1t was one OF the
most terrific cyclones ever known 10 this
section, killing or mutilatns every lily
ing thing within its boun Is. The width
was about loco yards
NEBRAsKA's CYCLONE THE DAY BEFORE.
ROGERS, NEB., Jnly IA destructive
cyclone passed over the central part OF
this county Wednesday evening. The
storm struck the house of Christ Miller
about 8 P. NJ, while the family were
eating supper, aud all were injured ex-
cept the youngest child, Mr.. Miller bad
three ibis broken and was ininred in
ternally. East and west of this place
barns, houses and wndmills were blown
down end trees torn out by the roots.
1t was the most disastrous storm that
ever visited this county.