The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1895-07-12
HAVOC BY TEMPEST
Wild Waters Sweep Away All
of Winona, Mo.
ELEVEN LIVES LOST IN THE FLOOD

Disaster That Was Like shipwreck on
Land--No Time to- Get Out of the Line of
the Torrent sweep, Which Occurs I'm
the Night-Baxter springs, Kan, Wis.,
tied by Cyclone That Sends Five
Persons To Eternity.
SPRINGFIELD. Mo-, July 8-A storm
awful in its terror and total in its work
Of destruction has wiped out the town of
Winona, on the Current river branch of
the Kansas City, Fort Scott and Memphis
railway in Shannon county, at 1880
o'clock at night. 1t Is known that eleven
persons lost their lives and eight men are
missing. The dead are: Rev. G. w. Dun
can, Mrs. g. W. Duncan, Matte Duncan,
Mrs. Crawford daughter of G. w. Dun
CAM, Crawford Cert, George Nevins Nor
ma Nevins, little daughter of Lloyd
Wright, Maggie Cannon, John Morris,
and Mrs. Nevins. The bodies of Rev. G.
w. Duncan, his wife and daughter, and
George Nevins, Norma Nevins and the
Wright girl were recovered, but the others
have not been found
Like a Shipwreck on Land.
A slashing rain preceded by fierce
wind set in at o'clock at night. While
the wind ceased the rain increased in
tensely, until at 10 o'clock it became a
warning tumult. At 1915 four feet of
water was on the streets. In fifteen min
utes more the buildings could no longer
stand the strain and began to careen and
fall to pieces in the waters. Vivid flashes
of lightning pierced the downpour, which
came like the falls of Niagara. Houses
hundreds of men, women and children,
dashed about like corks. 1t was like
shipwreck on land. Cries of terror and
shouts for help from the struggling peo-
pie clinging to pieces of timber made the
scene one that baffled intelligent effort to
save the helpless. The strong current
rushing down The ravine or valley carried
many to higher land and places of safety.
When the torrent had TO degree SUBJ
sided the men who had seen to their own
families turned their attention to others,
and by 3 o'clock in the morning tho
worst was over.
Shelter for the Unfortunates.
Bnt those who escaped found them
solves homeless, without food and nearly
without clothing AS soon as the dc.
Stroyed telegraphic communication was
restored Mayor b. f. Evans telegraphed
to this city for aid. The inhabitants of
Winona are now scattered among farm
houses, or have gone to neighboring
towns. In oil thirty buildings were de-
stroyed, most of them being dwelling
houses. The total loss is about $50, 900. |
At places tho water was twelve feet deep |
in Winona. 1t is now known that Birch |
tree, eight miles west OF Winone, had its |
greatest storm at the same hour. No |
lives W ere lost there, however, but Cortez |
& Fisher, lumber dealers, lost 81, 600 by |
the destruction of their building. Other |
wero slightly damaged there
The Way tho Flood Came Down.
Winona, in point Of population and |
business, was the most important town
n Shannon county. The railway that |
passes through the town follows valley |
east and west and deep ravine goes out
northwest toward the river. Along the !
sides of this ravine or valley were
clustered houses occupied by the
antilles OF the men who had been
Employed in the Ozark Lumber COM
)any's sawmill. When the clouds opened
IN the hills the water rushed dowd this
avine, carrying all before it. The rail-
way track was torn up and residence
Houses and business buildings were swept
long with it into the torrent.
Birchtree In Hard Luck.
At Birchtree on the morning of July
here was a downpour that was almost
quail to q cloudburst. Great prepara-
ions had been made for celebration,
nd mammoth dinner was spread under
he trees. The storm swept everything
way, and many had narrow escapes from
rowning. Again late in the evening
here came another flood that was most
its results.