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.

FoRr DODGE, Iowa, July 7-Pomeroy, a
town Of 800 inhabitants IN Calhoun county, was
partially wiped out last evening by q 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 o'clock. All day
large clouds were skurrying across the city. A
slight 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 q moment. Then darkness set in
rapidly. The elements seemed to form about
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 1t sd-
vanced toward the town.
They recognized it as . cyclone and gave the
alarm. Many sought shelter in caves and
others mounted horses to Zee from the path
Of the coming destruction. There was q dash
of hail, . binding fash Of lightning and deaf
ening peal Of thunder.
Men and women ran wildly about the streets
shouting and gesticulating. The cyclone struck
the town Ut the southwest among the scatter
ing houses on the outskirts
Roofs and shingles and sides OF buildings
were wrenched loose and we're thrown to one
side
On toward the more densely populated dis
trict the monster of destruction swept, leveling
sphnters end wrecked houses, death and de-
mobilization
THE WORK OF RELIEF.
A. soon as the true state Of affairs was
learned relief trains over the illinois Gen.
trail were sent out with . corps of physicians,
tents and provisions.
The town was in total darkness and the
streets we're filled with tho wrecks OF homes and
business houses. The scenes were appalling as
men with lanterns went about in the debria
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 heartrending 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 help has made little Roadway. The
south half Of the town was RACED There was
no place to care for the injured. and . church
which was Just outside the track Of the storm
was turned into hospital In here the sur
geons worked by the aid Of lanterns and lamps.
Those who had broken bones were stretched
surgical attention for less severe injuries were
compelled to stand or lie upon the floor and
await their turn.
The dead were laid upon the ground, in q va
can't lot, at the edge Of the devastated district
Through the narrow aislee left between the
dead bodies the survivors passed, looking for
lost ones. In the confusion it was impossible
to secure q list Of the fatAlities
THRoUaBoUr THE STATE
It was one Of the most terrific cyclones ever
known in this section, killing or mutilAang
every living thing within its bounds The
width was about 1000 yards. Two women were
killed and several injured six miles south
OF Cherokee. Ten were killed and several
injured south of Aurelia; one killed snd several
injured near Storm lake; nine killed and two
injured south of Fonda. The names Of the
Mrs Molineaux. Only one Of the Gordon FAM
by out OF seven has been found. 1t is reported
four Of the family Of Borgess. near Aurelia were
killed. The loss OF property Is beyond estima-
ton
Five families were blown away at Alta. but q
full list of the fatalities cannot be had. d. I.
Miller ID known TO have been killed. No trace
can be found Of Edward Sergeant and family
of five. They are supposed 10 be dead. Samuel
Hersham, wife and two children are missing
MIS- herFnam was IN confinement when the
storm broke. All were blown away and are
thought to be dead.
Trains arriving from the east on the Illinois
Central came in last night with all the glass in
the cars broken. Trsinmen say they ran through
a severe hail storm, but encountered no great
wind.
When news can be had from the country il is
expected that the loss Of life will be found to
be very heavy, as the region through which the
cyclone passed is thickly populated.
The storm reached Storm Lake between
and 6 O'Clock. Four business blocks were
wrecked and number of residences literally
reduced TO splinters. Fires we're started in
three localities by lightning. The storm
center appeared to pass four miles west OF
the town. where for many miles nothing was
left standing. Several lives we're lost Jacob
Breecher, a farmer, was struck by a flying
timber and instantly killed. His fve-year-
old daughter was also killed and his wife and
four children dangerously hurt Charles Lot
man, another farmer, is reported dead. Thos.
Wall and his children had their legs broken and
his wife was fatally injured. Others in the
same neighborhood dead are Joseph Slate,
Thomas johnson and Henry straub.
An old man named w. r Clemens and his
wife were severely injured.
The Atlanta to he Repaired.
Orders have been issued to put the United