Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1896-06-04
OVER 1000 ARE KILLED
The Result Of Terrible Cyclone
At st. Louis-City In
Ruins.
MILLIONS OF DOLLARS LOST
All DOno I'm Thirty Minutes-C City
in Darkness-FlOOd and Fire
Completes the Destruction.

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destruction reign supreme In st. Louis
and vicinity as the result Of the most
terrible storm that ever visited this
section Of country. So widespread
10 the destruction In both st. Louis
and East st. Louis that it IL impossi-
BILE 90 even estimate the damage and
loss Of Life. Buildings of every de-
scription are in ruins, and Is . result
hundreds Of people are reported dead
and injured.
The storm broke ct s O'Clock in the
afternoon after . most oppressively
hot day, and rain began to fall. It
soon developed into q fierce thunder
storm, with the wind from the
east. A little later the wind had
gained q velocity Of eighty miles an
hour, driving the rain before 1t and
tearing loose signs, cornices. chimnsys
snd everything in its way. Many
buildings of every description were
demolished and set on fire by light
ming and crossed wires.
The streets were full of people Co.
ing home from work and panic en-
sued. Soon as the storm broke mon
we're picked up and hurled against
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 de-
structlon.
Seven steamers lying ct the wharf
boats on this and tho East st. Louis
side OF the river have been sunk with
al on board among which we're the
steamer d. H. Pike, with thirty pss-
sengers ON board, was blown bottom
side up.
The steamer Libby Congsr, OF the
Dirmond JOHN. with Capt. Seaman,
wlfe and crew OF six men, was sunk
In the middle Of the river.
The steamer Conger sank ton miles
below Carondolet.
The excursion steamer Great Rspub-
lie, one Of the largest steamers ON the
lower river. Not . man escaped from
her, and It is said she was crowded
With exCursionists when the storm
came.
The city bears the appearance Of
having been shelled by an enemy. In
some places structures are entir oily
destroyed, while In others high, jagged
wallis still stand.
The city Ia nearly in darkness a. the
electric light and trolley wires are
down.
All the street-car lines in the city
are ct . strndstill
The wagon way Of the Eads bridge
on the East st. Louis side IL Crumb-
ling mass Of mortar and stone and
parts OF the tower and pi or No. / are
also torn down.
The roof Of the repu blican conven-
ton hall was blown Of and . twenty
four-foot section Of the western wall
Of the city jail is clear down, expos
ing the interior. It was during the
exercise hours and 200 prisoners who
were exercising in the building were
panic stricken. They were too fright.
ened to escape.
The tanks Of Waters & Pierce Oh
company ct Gratiot street blew mp
spreading destruction on every hand
Three stories Of the Coe Manufac-
turing company's building on Ninth
and Gratiot, and nearly half Of the
Wainwright brewery was blown down
Summer high school on Eleventh
and Spruce.
The Consolidated Wire works are
almost totally demolished.
The two-story building Ut the q. III
Sawyer Manufacturing company was
destroyed.
The st. Louis Refrigerator and
Woodenware company's factory was
completely destroyed by fire caused By
lightning. Loss is estimated ct $780,.
Three FIRE alarms have been sent in
from the poor house, which has 1,2OC
inmates. The roof Of that structure
was blown of and the number OF
fatalities there Is great.
At Liggett & Myers tobacco works
ten were killed and twenty injured.
A corner of the city hospital was
blown out.
The Siddell l. Shenley building fell
in and eighteen women were buried in
the ruins.
Engine house No. was blown down
and all the 6remen buried.
No words can do justice to the hor.
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