The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-05-28

ct. Louis, May c7-Death and destruc-
ton reigns supreme in ST. Louis and Vi
cinity tonight. as n result OF the most
disastrous storm that ever visited this
section Of the country. 30 widespread Is
the destruction In both St. Louis and East
St. Louis that II is impossible to even
estimate the amount Of the damage and
loss Of life. Buildings OF every descrip-
ficn are In ruins. and M result hun
dreds Of people are reported dead and In
jured. but until daylight comes and or
der Is restored it will be impossible to
make definite statements. Reports are
In circulation that seven steamers lying
Mt wharves both on this and on the East
St Louis side Of the river have been sunk
with all on board. The city Is nearly in
darkness, as the electric lights and troll
ley wires are down. With one or two ex-
ceptions all the street car lines are at
standstill and thousands Of people are
compelled to remain downtown or walk.
The Breaking OF the storm.
The storm broke about o'clock In the
afternoon, after a most oppressiveiy hot
day, and rain began to fall II soon de-
veloped into a fierce thunder storm. with
the wind from the east A little later the
wind gained a velocity OF eighty miles
an hour, driving the rain before 1t and
tearing loose signs. cornices. chimneys and
everything in its way. Many buildings OF
every description were demolished ana
others set on fire by lightning and crossed
wires The fire department responded 10
fifty-four alarms. The streets were fun OF
people going home from work and panic
ensued as soon as the storm broke. Men
we're picked up and hurled against build
ings horses and carriages were sent n.y.
ing here and there. and falling wires fuii
OF deadly fluid added to the horror OF the
scene Suddenly the wind veered around
TO the west and completed the destTuc-
ton.
IT is asserted by some Of those who have
traversed the down town part OF the city
that there are few buildings IN St Louis
that have not suffered in some way frou
the storm. Tonight the streets are In COM
piete darkness. and travel in any direc-
ton is made dangerous by the falling OF
live wires and debris. The wagonway OF
the Eads bridge on the East st. Louis SIDE
Is a crumbling mass OF mortar and stone,
and parts Of the tower and pier No. were
also torn away. THOUSANDS OF dollars VIII
not repay the wreckage-
An outbound accommodation train on
the Chicago 4 Alton railroad was wrecked
by broken rail. but fortunately nobody
among the fifty passengers was hurt. A
trolley ear loaded with passengers bound
for the southwest side Is said 10 have
fallen through TO the railroad track below.
Eul RttG what IrStAt - AVA h3ONh-
Rcpn biican Convention Hall Unroofed.
The roof Of the Republican convention
hall was blown of, and 2f-foot section
Of the western wall OF the city Jail was
blown clear down. exposing the interior.
II was during exercise hours. and 20
prisoners were exercising In the building.
They were panic-stricken. ard too fright
ened 70 escape. Jailer Wagner was on the
scene in moment. and with the a,d OF a
number OF detectives and policemen the
prisoners were placed in their cells.
Details OF the Damage.
The oil tanks OF the waters-Pierce Com
paay on Gratios street, biew up. spread
in1 destruction on eTerv hand
Three stories OF the Cote Vinegar Conn
pany's building at Ninth and Gratiot
streets. and nearly all OF the Wainwright
brewery, were blown down TIE Sumner
high school. at Eleventh and Spruce
sfrsers: McDernotcs saloon Eleventh and
Chestnut streets: the Central Ennixrans
hotel. on the opposite corner. and Jere
sheeasn's Every stable. at Eleventh and
W slsaE streets were unroofesi.
The engineer OF the Etna Iron Works.
az T~snty-arst and Papin streets was in
s,antly Killed The walls hsew IN. and he
vas scaldsd 20 death by steam
The Consolidated Wire Works. at Twen-
ty-arx. and Papin streets. was almost to-
tally wrecked. Seven people are known 10
have been injured seriously by this wreck.
and many more are said 70 have been hur,
ey falling walls
The two-Story building os the c. II Saw
yer Manufacturing Company. az iSis Cho-
teag avenue vas demolished John Saw
yer, a member Of the a-ra- and Emma
Cheney and Isabella Hznden. typsvrltsrx.
were crashed 10 death under the walls. H
II. Sawyer. a member of the nrn. was fa-
tally injured
The s.. Louis Refrigerator and Wooden
ware Comrany's factory was completely
destroyed By ere caused by agataing- TIE
loss i estimated az SSr Esa
A rusuor waS widely circulated taas tie