The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1893-07-12
CYCLONE IN IOWA.
FIFFY-THREE ARE DEAD.

PoNKEoT. Iowa. July 7.--Fiiy-three dead.
seyenty-fve fatally injured and one humid
red and fifty with broken limbs, cuts and
bruises more or less severe.
FoRr DoDeE. Iowa, July THE most
terrible cyclone in the history of Iowa swept
over this section last evening. Pomeroy, a
town of 500 inhabitants, in Calhoun eonn-
iy, was practically wiped out. Between 50
and 100 persons were killed and nearly 30
were injured, many Of whom viii die The
utmost confusion followed the advent Of
the storm. and il was several hours before
the condition of affairs there was known.
As soon as the true state of affairs was
learned relief trains over the Illinois Cen
tral were sent out with a corps of physi-
clans, tents and provisions. The town was
in total darkness and the streets were filed
with the wrecks Of homes and business
houses. The scenes were appalling as 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 in
juTed were hear,rending, 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 train
load Of helpers made little headway.
The southern half of the town was razed.
There is no place there 10 care for the iDjur-
ed, and a church which was just outside the
track of the storm was turned into hospi-
tai. In here the surgeons worked by the aid
Of lanterns and lamps. Those with broken
bones were stretched upon the long pews,
while others who needed surgical attention
on less severe injuries were compelled 70
stand or lie upon the floor 10 await their
turn.
The dead were laid out upon the ground
in a vacant lot at the edge of the devastated
district Through the narrow aisles left be-
tween the dead bodies the survivors passed,
locking for lost ones. 10 the confusion it
was impossible TO secure list of tn e fatali
ties. All telegraph communication was cut
off and trains could only be run 10 the edge
Of the town.
The storm broke about : O'Clock in the
evening. All day long the clouds were sour
rying across the sky, and 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 Just before O'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 a moment. Then darkness
set in rapidly. The elements seemed 10 form
about the combined clouds, though scarcely
a breeze stirred the tree tops in the streets Of
PomerJy.
Those who were watching the phenomena
say that a column of smoke like a cloud
dropped to the ground and gathered in
strength as il advanced toward the town
They recognized it 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. There was
a dash Of hail, = binding flash of lightning
and deafening peals OF thunder, while men
and women nan wildly about the streets,
shouting and gesticulatirg.
In the midst Of this wild excitement the
cyclone swept down upon the doomed town,
and in moment completed its work of de-
struction aud passed on to find other vic
Tins The wires being badly crippled. the
particulars are hard TO get. \ dispatch re-
ceiyed this morning stated that 32 dead per-
sons aHd 20 injured had been taken from the
ruins. It was also stated two cyclones
struck Pomeroy. one between and O'Clock
in the afternoon and the second between
and oclock.