Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-05-28
A NIGHT OF DREAD.
People in Rock Island APP
prehensive.
MUCH UNREST IN DAVENPORT


Storm Center was In This viclnity-fhs
News From the Stricken Territory and
How It Was Rsosived-signal Service
Hits II.
There was more oil burnt in Rock
Island homes last night than has
been the case before in years. The
warning of storm dangers pu blished
in TIE ARGUS of yesterday served to
justify the vigil which was kept.
Every appearance of a cloud was
viewed with apprehension. aud when
at 10 O'Clock an ominous black cloud
whirled up in the west and swept
across from the northwest to the
southeast people down town feared
that the worst might be coming. 1t
was. in fact. night of dread to
many in the city. although the sud-
den drop in the, temperature shortly
after 6 o'clock convinced many that
the storm had spent it's fury some
where, ana when the meagrs tidings
came in OF the devastation at St.
Louis and elsewhere south within
500 mics there was sense of realiz-
alton Of how CLOSELY the signal SER
vice bad been able to judge of the
conditions of the elements.
It Was Right with Us.
In substantiation OF Observer
Walz's observations, on the strength
Of which he advised the dismissal of
the schools in Davenport-a very
wise precaution, let it be said-Prof.
Gariott, of Chicago. said to Chicago
Re ord eorrespon dent last evening in
speaking of the havoc at St. Louis:
1.-The low which has caused the
mischief is central tonight over Dav-
export, Iowa, and is coming in this
direction. In fact, as nearly as we
can calculate. Chicago lies directly
in its path and l expect for tonight
and tomorrow morning local storms
with high winds and electrical dis:
play, clearing perhaps by 10 O'Clock
tomorrow forenoon. 1t is always in
the southeast quadrant of the low
or storm area that tornado storms
are most liable to crop out. II any
damage is done it will probably be
to the southeast of u.s."
This morning Observer Walz in.
formed THE ARGUS that the threat.
ening condition had passed and that
the prospects for the DeXt "a hours
were for clearing weather and cooler
atmosphere.
In Davenport.
In Davenport, where the signal
service station is located, the
feeling partook OF a psnicky
nature and the bureau Of
representation was besieged with
constant inquiries. While the in
formation was impaired that the bar
ometsr still foretold threatening dis
lurbapce, merchants locked their
stores and went home and the business
portion Of the city was deserted. The
ferry made but few trips and the river
WAS angry in its appearance through
out the evening.
News From st. Louis.
Today many anxious inquiries have
gone from Rock Island to St. Louis
concerning the welfare of friends and
relatives there. At East St. Louis
Dr. j. NJ. Barth, late of Rock Island,
resides. but no news has yet been re-
ceived of him. Indeed, all tidings
from that direction of personal ma
ture are hard to obtain.
A telegram was received by the
Rock Island Plow company this after
noon announce g the destruction OF
the company's warehouse at East
St. Louis The Moline Piow com.
pany's warehouse and contents were
also destoyed.
Col. W. X. King, of the engineer
corps. located in this city. has been
notified by the war department tn
render such aid to the stricken dis.
trict as may be possible. He has
ordered the Barnard. which is in tina,
vicinity. to proceed at once to St.
| Louis.