The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1896-06-02
FROM ST. LOUIS DIREoT.
The Details OF the Tornado are Given
to Some Extent.

to Some Extent
Death and destruction reigns SUI
preme in st. Louis and vicinity as a
result of the most terrible storm that
ever visited this section of the coun-
try. So widespread Is the destruction
In both ST. Louis and East st. Louis
that it is impossible to even estimate
the amount OF damage and loss OF life.
Buildings of every description are in
ruins and as a result hundreds of peo-
pie are reported dead end injured, but
until daylight comes and order Is re-
stored, 1t will be impossible to make q
definite statement. A report Is in
circulation that seven steamers lying
at wharf boats 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
trolley wires are down. With one or
two exceptions, all the street car lines
in the city are at standstill and thou
sands OF people are compelled to re-
main down town or walk home
The storm broke about o'clock in
the afternoon, after a most oppressive
ly hot day, and the rain began. to fall.
1t soon developed into fierce thun-
derstorm, with the wind from the east.
a little later the wind had gained a
velocity of eighty miles an hour, driv-
ing the rain before it and tearing
loose signs, cornices, chimneys and
everything in its way. Many build
and others set on fire by lightning and
crossed wires. The fire department.
responded to fourteen alarms. The
streets were full of people going home
from work and q panic eusued 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 the deadly fluid added to the horror
of the scene.
Suddenly the wind veered around to
the west and completed the destruc-
tion. 1t is asserted by some of those
who have taversed the downtown part
OF the city that there are but few
buildings in ST. Louis that have not
suffered in some way from the storm.
Tonight the streets are in complete
darkness and travel in every direction
is dangerous 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 andpier No. were also torn
away. Thousands of dollars will not
cover the wreckage.
A trolley car loaded with passengers
bound for the west side is said to have
fallen through the railroad track be-
low, but with pnat result Is not known.
The roof of the Republican hall was
blown off and a 20-foot section of the
western half of the city Jail clear
| down, exposing the interior. It was
during exercise hours, and two hum
dred prisoners exercising in the build
ing were panic stricken.
Temporary hospitals abound in every
part OF the city. The armory at
| opened for the care OF the wounded
and many injured have been taken into
private houses. The city authorities
at midnight we're sending mounted
policemen through the city to ascer-
tain IL possible what loss OF life and
the number injured really is. So far
as absolute facts are concerned, moth
ing definite can be learned before
tomorrow.
To add to the dismal situation, the
rain which fell shortly after the lorna
do passed, began again about 7:3C
O'clock aud Is now coming down In
torrents. 1t Is impossible to get re.
ports from the police stations, where
many Of the dead and injured have
been taken, and consequently all state
ments In regard to the dead and
wounded up TO the present time are
the merest conjectures, but there is nC
doubt that the loss of life is greater
than anything the country has knowr
since the disaster at Johnstown, Pa
Il Three fire alarms were sent In to
! night from poor house which hat
, 200 inmates. The roof OF that struc
ture was blown off and 1t is feared tina
the number OF fatalities there Is great
The loss OF life on the river wa
great. 1t Is reported that the magnifi
cent steamer Grand Republic wa
sunk with all on board The steame
Z ID. "a. Pike, with thirty passengers oil
! board, bound up the river for Peoria
j, was blown bottomside up The steam
or Conger was blown nearly. across tn
: river and sank at POINT opposit
: Ca scndelet, ten miles below.
Tho steamer pauphins pleaeur