The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-05-28

walls. The main damage was done at
the big institution. however, and was
caused by the destruction Of the tower
which stood on the top of the central
building
The tower was blown down and
crashed entirely through the building
down into the basement There were
eight columns supporting the roof, and
the falling of these carried the floors
of the building beneath it. There were
eighty inmates of the poor house who
received numerous wounds from flying
glass and bricks but it is not thought
that their injuries are in any way
dangerous.
AT THE COUNTY POOR HOUSE
Several of the attendants were cut
slightly by spIinters of glass Incred-
ible as it sounds, with 1850 in the build
ing, $50 Of whom are insane, not life
was lost at the poor house during the
storm. The attendants caused a great
deal of trouble during the spell of the
fierce wind They could not be con
trolled and filled the building with
their shrieks and cries After the
storm had abated a little the men were
induced to quiet down. The damage
to the buildings is estimated at $3.50. O0O-
The wires in the city are dangling
from the poles, but every electric light
circuit is shut off
The Postal Telegraph company was
the first to secure communication with
the outer world and now has seven
wires working TO Chicago
The storm did not vent all its fury in
St. Louis. After working its chaos Of
destruction in South st. Louis it moved
westward and out in the country. leav-
ing another trail Of ruin in its wake.
The tornado proper was preceded by
a fierce blow from the east. Strong
and steadily the wind came and then it
swelled to q hurricane and there were
three distinct attacks which ripped up
roofs and commenced the general de-
struction which followed. When this
wind met one which was coming from
the southwest, the tornado was born,
and returning began its work Of de-
struction. Tt struck St. Louis on the
southwest at q point just north of
Tower Grove park and Travelled in a
northwestern direction till it reached
Grand avenue. From there it followed
Mill river valley clear to the river,
swerving slightly to north when it
reached Tenth street. At the levee it
swung around almost at a right angle,
and swept straight up the river to be-
yOnd Venice and Madison, where it
veered to the east again.
TOP STORY BLOWN OFF.
The top floor of the four story build
ing at Second and Chestnut streets was
blown off The structure occupied bv
Dan Gum as a notion store, at 2102
Clark avenue, was demolished The Cen
tral Home of Rest was demolished and
one man killed, name unknown. Three
were injured.
The copper roof Of the Shields build
ing, on Seventh, between Riddle and
Carr streets. was blown off. No one was
EEBoILE0 HI uLEA- Il ne front wall OF the
building at 4O6-408 South Twelfth street
was blown down. Some of the occu-
pants were slightly bruised. The house
at No. 1 Market street. the lower floor
of which is occupied by Mr.. Plummer
as a saloon, was unrOofed and deluged
with water throughout
Women tainted and grasped the near
est objects for support
AT LIGGETT & MYERS
At the Liggett & Myers tobacco
works, ten were killed and 20 injured.
One corner Of the city hospital was
blown out and the building otherwise
damaged. One patient died from fright
and two others were killed by falling
debris with many seriously injured a
number of whom will die Arrange
ments were made to move the patients
to another building.
The Sideu & Shenley building at Sew
enth and Rudger streets fell in and it
is rumOred that is women are buried
in the ruins Engine house No 1 was
blown down and all the iremen buried
Every hospital in the city is filed with
the wounded victims Of ehe storm and