The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-07-08
WILD WESTERN WINDS.
TIrTY-THREE DEAD AND SEVENTT-
FIVE F1TALLY INJURED.
In the Matter OF Casualties Is the Exon
Of Iowa's wild Winos-Great Deal
OF Property Destroyed.

the matter Of casualties.
The town Of Pomeroy is one complete
wreck. There is scarcely a house left
standing. About fifteen acres OF debris
constitute now what was yesterday a
thriving village. Splinters are all that
remain. Scarcely a tree remains. Piles
Of broken timbers and occasional pieces
Of furniture are all that can be found
Of what was once the largest buildings
I'm the town.
Two hundred and fifty houses were in
all destroyed, and the money loss on
these and their contents is placed at
100000
POMEROY. IA. July THE tornado
for such 1t was-came from the North
west. All those who saw II agree that II
was not Of the funnel-shaped species.
but came bounding along the prairie like
huge ball. 1t was Of a dark green color
and was accompanied by a terrific noise
Many saw IL when II was far out Of town.
These gave the alarm. and some were
prepared for the monster when il reach
ed the village. Most Of the people how
ever, became panic-stricken They ran
out OF their houses and ned up the
streets, crying and shrieking. and a
great many OF them were struck
by the flying timbers or whirlng trees.
The cooler ones, however. especially
those who were near 10 them, made for
the two caves in the southeast part Of
the town, built especially for just such
as this. Into one Of these caves collected
twenty-five people. and in another five.
IL Is pretty well agreed that the tor
nado struck the town about 6:5O o'clock.
A half hour before this it was exceedingly
hot and sultry. and, save for a few small
clouds, there was no evidence Of the APP
preaching whrwind. The cyclone was
but Of a few minutes duration. and was
followed by "A terrific rain storm. which
continued at intervals more or less
throughout the night. The path of the
storm seems 10 be about an eighth Of a
mile wide. and twenty miles long. The
death list I'm the country IS heavy. and
many OF the neighbOrlng towns report
many casualties.
In Fairfield I'm Cherokee. the number
Of dead is fifteen. Eight more are re-
ported killed at Storm Lake. and may
other places give notice OF one or two
deaths. II was not until noon to-day that
the work Of rescue really began. By that
time there was a good supply Of doctors
not large enough, however. 20 care for
the wounded. The ladies' Of Fort Dodge
went as nurses, and there was a plentiful
supply Of bedding and food AS rapidly
as possible the injured were taken 10 the
improvised hospitals and given medical
attention.
Governor Boies Takes Charge.
Governor Boies arrived at 4 o'clock
and took charge OF the whole Attain. He
was first driven out over the ruins then
he visited the hospitals and the morgue
consulted with those who had thus fan
directed things, and then issued a proc
lamation setting forth the needs Of the
sufferers, and calling upon the people
OF Iowa 10 contribute literally.
The Governor said the situation was
far worse than he expected, and as
sured the people that nothing that would
add 10 their comfort and relief would be
left undone. He ordered tents from Des
Moines, and said he would have another
company or more OF soldiers on the
grounds before tomorrow There was
much trouble in securing cOfiins. and by
tonight the supply of the towns I'm this
vicinity had been thoroughly exhausted.
Hundreds Of willing hands dragged the
dead and dying animals with which
the grown seemed literally strewn, TO
the outskirts Of the town, piled them I'm
big heaps, and covered them with the
remains Of the houses and applied the
torch. Fully a dozen Of these strange
bonfires were kept going all the after
noon. Whole families were in many in
stances wiped out by the tornado. and
In houses that contained from four 10
eight persons. no more than one escaped |
alive. Husbands have been left without |
wives or children; children are left or |
phans. and there are fifteen or more |
women in Pomeroy tonight who have |
neither husband nor children left.
NJ. 1r.I . - q.
reached the surrounding towns than |
thousands OF people commenced 20 fl0cll |
here Excursions to accommodate the |
sight-seers were run from Fort Dodge. |
These people were at all times in the |
way. and got themselves generally dis |
liktd by the people who were conducting |
the work Of relief.
great deal OF suffering was the re-
suit Of these excursions. There was |
nothing 10 eat in the town. The pro- |
visions that were sent in were intended |
for the victims alone. Many Of those
who were injured were taken 10 Fort |
Dodge and Fonda by friends and rela-
ives The wounded have been sent out on
nearly every train to-day. Not only Is
there death and desolation in Pomeroy. |
but NE whole country in the path Of the
tornado is wrecked. Groves OF immense
trees were twisted out by the roots.
houses anc barns were blown away |
Fields Of corn were destroyed fences |
hewed TO kindling and many killed
Everywhere is evidence Of the havoc
wrought by the hurricane Droyes Of cat
tie have been slaughtered and carcasses |
DOT the fields on the way from Cherokee
county TO this place.
Tonight the situation in Pomeroy Is a
ireary one. The single hearse is stW
making its trips 10 the burying ground. |
Collins are being moved through the
streets from the trains to the morgue |
and the hospitals. Every once in a while
the list OF the dead is increased by the
announcement that another one OF the |
injured has succumbed, and yet above
he hustle and confusion is heard the wall
If the bereaved.
Governor Boies will spend the night
here. He intends TO remain on the
'pot until everything possible has been
lone for the sufferers.
Quinfby south of Cherokee where the
storm started. Mrs. Molynaux and Mrs
ester were instantly killed. Five miles
south OF Aureia. Samuel Burch and
wife and three children were killed. Also
farm hand named Johnson Lulu and
ella Slater and a Swede girl were killed
Five miles southeast OF Storm Lake |
T. J. Breton and child and man
lamed Bottman were dashed To death
family OF five persons living Ave miles
outh of Newell died in the awful temp
st. Mrs. Gordon and children and John
)etwiler were killed three miles south
vest Of Fonda.
Five Families Blown Away.
SIOUX CITY. IOWA. July IA tele-
YAM fro,n Fonda states that five entire