Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-07-07
WORK OF A CYCLONE.
Many Persons in Iowa Killed and
Injured.
DAMAGE AND LIFE LOST AT POMEROY.
Distressing Reports From Through
out the State.
A LONG LIST OF THE DEAD.

Fort DODGE, Iowa, July z-Pomeroy, q
town Of 800 inhabitants in Calhoun county, was
partially wiped out last evening by a cyclone
Between 80 and 100 were killed and nearly 200
were injured, many Of whom will die. The
utmost confusion followed the advent Of the
storm
THE STORM BREAKS
The storm broke about z o'clock. All day
large clouds we're skurrying across the city. A
slight shower would be followed by a hot burst
Of sunshine. Just before dark great banks Of
black clouds massed in the southwest and
another in the west Just before 7o'clock
the two threatening piles moved toward one
another and then joined The clouds took
on green tint, which was pierced with the
suns rays for . moment. Then darkness set in
rapidly. The elements seemed to form about
the combined clouds, though scarcely breeze
stirred the tree tops in the streets Of Pomeroy.
Those who were watching the phenomena say
that q column Of smoke like q cloud dropped to
the ground and gathered in strength as it ad-
vanced toward the town.
They recognized it as a cyclone and gave the
alarm. Many sought shelter in caves and
others mounted horses to dee from the path
Of the coming destruction. There was q dash
Of hail, binding flash Of lightning and deaf
ening peal Of thunder.
Men and women ran wildly about the streets
shouting and gesticulatiEg. The cyclone struck
the town at the southwest among the scatter
ing houses on the outskirts.
Roofs and shingles and sides Of buildings
were wrenched loose and were thrown to one
| side.
On toward the more densely populated dis
trict the monster Of destruction swept. leveling
all before 1t and leaving in its wake cloud Of
splinters and wrecked houses, death and de
moralization.
THE WORK OF RELIEF.
As soon as the true state Of affairs was
learned relief trains over the Illinois Gen.
trail were sent out with a corps Of physicians,
tents and provisions.
The town was in total darkness and the
streets were filled with the wrecks OF homes and
business houses. The scenes were appalling a.
| men with lanterns went about in the debris.
| In some instances entire families were wiped
out, the mangled remains being found in the
| ruins Of their homes. The cries Of the injured
were hesrtrending and the general confusion
was increased by the wailing Of the survivors
| who were separated from friends or who had
| relatives in the wrecks.
The work Of rescue was slow, and the trair
| load Of help has made little headway. The
| south half Of the town was rased. There wa.
| no place to care for the injured. and a church
which was just outside the track Of the storm
was turned into q hospital In here the sur
geons worked by the aid Of lanterns and lamps
Those who had broken bones were stretched
upon the large pews, while others who needet
surgical attention for less severe injuries wer'
compelled to stand or lie upon the floor and
await their turn.
The dead were laid upon the ground, in a va
cant lot, at the edge OF the devastated district
! Through the narrow aisles left between tn
dead bodies the survivors passed, looking fo
lost ones. In the confusion it was impossible
to secure . list Of the fatalities.
rHRopaHour TIE STATE.
ono q, the most terr;6c cv,,onas eve
- ,,n:-
known IN TINS secuon' knnns on mu'naun'
every living thing within ats bounds. HI
width WAS about 1000 yards Two women wert
killed and several injured six miles south
of Cherokee. Ten were killed and severa
| injured south Of Aurelia; one killed and severa
| injured near Storm lake: nine killed and tw'
| injured south of Fonda The names Of tn
| injured near Cherokee were Mrs. Lester an,
| Mrs. Molineaux. Only one Of the Gordon fam
| ily out Of seven has been found. 1t is reporte,
| four Of the family Of Borgess. near Aurelia wer
killed The loss Of property is beyond estima
| ton.
| Five families were blown away at Alta, but
full list Of the fatalities cannot be had. d.
can be found OF Edward sargesnt ana fsmii
OF nye. iney are saPposeur 70 oe oe~o- oamue