The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-05-29
ABOUT ITO PEOPLE KNOWN TO BE DEAD
Many Others Still Buried in the Wreck of
Buildings and Hundreds Injured.
Scenes and Incidents Depicted the Journals Special Representa-
tve-St Louis Streets PatroIIed by Soldiers.

It's work and carried death and destruction
into what was already perhaps the poorest
kind OF human life about ST. Louis
East st. Louis has yet to make its reputa-
ton as moral community. but as the
storms wrath was visited equally, or about
so. on the good and the bad. it's ruin in East
st. Louis may not be taken as vindication
OF righteousness On one side 1T attacked
wealth and prosperity; on the other degra-
dation and poverty. It-made no choice. The
poverty stricken wretches whose novels
were blown from over them probably felt
their losses less than those who had much
in hand. Beginning at the river the storm
isolated the two cities by destroying the
means of communication between the sus-
pension bridge over the gloomy Mississippi
and the ferry boats. Only one boat with
stood the assault of the storm, but 1t was
not until daylight that it ventured across the
river. For period Of nearly twelve hours
there was absolutely no communication be-
tween the two cities. except few tugs used
for private purposes and some few boats
By this means newspaper men and railroad
officials went back and forward. 1t was
some time, however, before each city was
aware of the disaster that had befalIen the
other. Not until long after daylight was
the truth realized. During three hours of
isolation many heroic attempts were made
nv daorara "a ,,o,o r< . - 49, ~, *h;-
In nine cases out of ten, after gaining the
goal. they found their wives and families
unharmed.
AT an early hour it was realized that the
loss Of life was almost If not more than
three times that at Louisville six years ago.
Everywhere in the path of the storm lie
heaps OF debris and broken buildings WILL
ing hands were soon found in multitudes to
attempt the work OF rescue and recovery
In this the police and fire departments could
be of little benefit. With the water supply
cut off by the partial demolition of the
water works. and communication between
offices severed by reason of broken wires,
they were of little value. Added to this
came the terror of fire. which started in sew
eral places. and which was fought nobly by
the firemen and volunteers with buckets.
Once the fire seemed to make certain of the
destruction OF what the wind had not ru-
ined, and the panic of the people increased
rainfall. 1t is described by nearly all as a
deiuge, and as such ii is likely to pass. into
history. The universal blackness was made
hideous with fantastical electrical disturb
ances, which only added to the frenzy Of
the people. After the deluge had ended
there came soft patter of rain; then silent
darkness. The rest Of the night passed or
without incident. as compared with the
scenes described, and when day came, a
bright and beaming sun came with 1t, laying
bare the desolation of the two cities and
holding UP it's sufferers to pity and favor.
PARKS RUINED.
From Lafayette Park to the levee. in an
erratic course, the storm made its path. The
park was one of the noted spots of the city,
visited it. To-day its forests are broken and
uprooted. and but few trees are without in
jury. The gardens that added to its beauty
are deserted and the fences that protected
them are twisted and some of them driven
with gigantic force into the earth.
AT Tower Grove and Folsom avenue un-
wearying hands are .delving in the ruins
of the great buildings that were being con-
Company for the bodets Of the
workmen under the ruins of the
structures. The workmen. about twen-
ty-five in number, saw the danger and
flew to building adjoining for safety When
the wind struck the iron framework it was
shattered and fell. burying the workmen in
the place of their refuge. At the fair
| grounds, where the races were being run,
three thousand people saw the roof of the
grand stand lifted like the lid of fig box
and hurled away. 1t Was marvellous that
any escaped death. AT the Republican con-
vention auditorium debris was driven
through the windows and roof. and the rain
that followed almost ruined the interior In
Chouteau avenue and Papin street great
havoc was wrought and several lives were
lost. The Four Courts felt the blow, and
the magnificent Planters Hotel was in its
path. but that escaped. Not so with the City
Hospital which was a mass Of ruins, and the
probable tomb of some helpless inmate. The
river also claimed its dead.
Another cement that figured in some
deaths was the swapping of telegraph and
electric poles like matches. the highly