The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1893-04-13
The Whole Western Country Swept by
d disastrous wind and Rain
Storm.
The Greatest Damage Done in Iowa,
Kansas, Nebraska and
Missouri.
Particulars Very Meager, Telegraph
service Being I,emoralized West
of the Mississippi.

CHICAGO. April IL. Tuesday nights
storm wrought such havoc with the
telegraph wires that it is almost impos-
sible to obtain particulars OF the dam
age done in the West, where destruction
seems to have been general and wide
spread in the States of Iowa, Illinois,
Nebraska, Kansas and Missouri. Prob
ably the greatest damage was done in
Iowa, although reports from Nebraska
indicate that when full particulars have
been received that state will lead In loss
of property and human life. Along the
line of the Chicago, Milwaukee and st.
Paul railroad in Iowa and Nebraska the
storm Cut a Wide Swath.
The town of Akron, in the former
state, was wrecked, and Westfeld
few miles distant, was totally demoral-
lied. Meager reports from localities in
the interior show that devastation was
widespread, although its full extent
will not be known for several days,
owing to telegraphic facilities being
cut off and the washing out OF the coun-
try roads, which render communication
difficult, and in many cases impossible.
Continuing along the railroad into
Nebraska, the storm sweet farm build
ings, fences and bridges. Fnd finally
swooped down on the town of Page,
which is wrecked. At this point the
Loss Of One Lifs
was reported, Mrs. Clara Magee being
the victim. Her two children were
dangerously injured, and several other
persons were hurt. The storm travelled
with great velocity, covering the dis
tance between Akron and Page in an
hour and half Damage was done
farther west. but owing to the complete
prostration OF the telegraph wires, abso-
lutely no particulars are obtainable.
The cyclone was accompanied by q
downpour of rain, which added greatly
to the discomfort of those who were
rendered homeless, and the situation in
Page is described as being distressing.
The streets are filled with debris of all
sorts, and the water has made progress
in every direction almost impossible.
Several Reported Killed.
From Kansas the news is still more
meager 1t is known that the town of
Parker, on the Missouri, Kansas and
Texas, was struck by cyclone. and
that the residence portion of the village
was almost completely destroyed. Sew
eral persons are reported killed and q
number seriously hurt The towns Of
Willis and Powhata. a short distance
south OF Hiawatha. are also said to have
been wiped out, but nothing authentic
can be learned. In the northern part of
the state the storm swept over the town
of Walnut, causing great damage. and
then swept off northward into Missouri.
Three Towns Wrecked.
In the latter state the towns of May
wood, Page City and Higginsville were
wrecked, and all along the route houses
were blown down. outhouses and fences
destroyed and cattle killed At Page
City William Welkin and his two chill
dren were killed. At Stansburg num-
Der Of houses were wrecked and Will
lam Ward lcolored) was killed and his
wife fatally injured. Kansas City was
visited less severely, but thousands of
windows were broken by hail and cell
lars on the fats were flooded. The
storm extended to st. Louis also.
Two Steamers Missing.
The steamer Ell. 8. Pike, with five men
aboard, was blown adrift and has not
since been heard Of. The harbor boat,
City of st. Louis, with several men ON
board, Is also missing. Twowharf boats
anchored close by met a similar fate but
it is believed that no one was on board.
Throughout the city the wind caused
general destruction Trees were blown
down, roofs carried away and outhonses
demolished. A new building on North
Broadway was completely wrecked,
causing q loss of $50, 900. Several per-
sons are reported seriously injured. /
From Texas to North Dakota.
The storm seems to have been gem
eral throughout the West and South.
extending down into Texas and North
and South Dakotas. In Illinois cloud
bursts occurred at various places. the
most destructive being at Centralia,
where the water rose to height Of
three feet in the streets. At Springfield
the street cars were compelled to sus-
pend operations and other damage is re-
ported. The entire country south Of
| Springfield to East st. Louis is flooded.
Floods are also reported from Ottumwa
and Burlington, and Mitchell, s. b.
The telegraph companies have prac-
tically gone ont Of business, so far as
the country west OF the Mississippi
river is concefned. Whole sections of
| poles are down and the wires are III aii
| inextficabte condition Itwill probably
bessverai days bsfors the damage can
Be repaired.