The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1896-05-29
ST. LOUIS HEARD FROM AT LAST.
How the Storm Came Down on IA City De-
voted to Destruction.

How the Storm Came Down on IA City De-
voted to Destruction.
ST. LOUIS, May 2S.-Death and destruc-
ton reign supreme in st. Louis and
vicinity last night as u result of the most
terrible storm that ever visited this sec
ton of the country. So widespread is the
destruction in both St. Louis and East
St. Louis that it is impossible TO even esti-
mate the amount of the damage and loss
of life. Buildings of every description are
in ruins, and as q result hundreds of peo-
pie are reported dead and injured. The
city is nearly in darkness, as the electric
lights and trolley wires are down. With
one or two exceptions all the street car
lines in the city are mt a standstill, and
thousands of people are compelled to re-
main down town or walk home.
The storm broke about p. III. after a
most oppressively hot day and the rain be-
gan to fall. 1t soon developed into fierce
thunder storm, with the wind from the
east. A little later the wind had gained
velocity of eighty miles an hour, driving
the rain before it and tearing loose signs
cornices, chimneys and everything in its
way. Many buildings of every descrip-
fire by lightning and crossed wires. The
fire department responded to fourteen
alarms. The streets were full of people
going home from work, and panic en-
sued as soon as the storm broke.
Men were picked up and hurled against
the buildings, horses and carriages were
sent flying here and there, and falling
wires full of deadly fluid added to the
horror of the scene Suddenly the wind
veered around to the west and completed
the destruction. 1t is asserted by some of
those who have traversed the downtown
part of tho city that there are but few
buildings in st. Louis that have not suf-
fered in some way from the storm. Last
night the streets were in complete dark
ness, and travel in any direction was dam
gerous because of fallen live wires and
debris lying everywhere.
The wagon way Of the Eads bridge on
the East st. Louis side is crumbling
mass of mortar and stone, and parts of
the tower and pier No. 1 were also torn
away. A trolley car loaded with passen-
gers bound for the west side is said to
have fallen through to the railroad track
below, but with what result Is not known.
The roof of the Republican convention
hall was blown off. The tanks of the
Waters Pierce OIL company, on Gratiot
street, blew up, spreading destruction on
every hand, and it is said, killing four
men and possibly more. Three stories of
the Coe Manufacturing company's build
ing, Ninth and Gratiot, and nearly half of
the Wainwright brewery were blown
down.
The engineer of the Etna iron works,
Twenty-flrst and Pappin streets, was al
most instantly killed. The walls blew in
and he was scalded to death by steam.
| The Consolidated wire works, Twenty
first and Pappin Streets was almost total
| ly wrecked. Seven people are known to
have been injured seriously by this wreck
| and many more are said to have been hurt
| by falling walls.
! The two-stcry building of the O. Fl. Saw
! yer Manufacturing company, 1919 Chou
{; teau avenue, was demolished. John Saw.
yer, member of the firm, and Emma