The new North-west., 1897-04-02
A CYCLONE IN TEXAS
WINDSTORM THAT TEARS HOUSES
FROM THEIR FOUNDATIONS.
Roofs of Great Buildings Torn From
Their Fastenings and Carried
II Hundred Yards.

Austin, Texas, March 2S.-This after
noon at o'clock this city and surround
ing country was %!s!tea By a cyclone tha
did great damage to property. The wint
came from the southwest at about 6
miles an hour for nearly 20 minutes, tear
ing down trees or splitting them aSundel
with terrific force. Several electric ligh
towers were blown down. quite mum
ber of houses in the residence portion o
the city were raZed, and In several cases
narrow escapes from death are report
ed. The new and unoccupied residence o1
Burt Mcdonald, one OF the prominen
citizens, was blown down, striking
against the residence of William Vinlng
knocking In one side of the building.
Two little children who were in the
room playing, narrowly escaped.
The roofs Of a number of houses were
torn off. and in addition to doing much
damage to the state university, the wind
blew off the entire roof of the adjoining
dormitory.
Inestimable damage was done to the
buildings and the property of 200 stu
dents therein, many of whom fled for
their lives when the roof was torn away.
The roof was carried 100 yards, alighting
on and crushing the top Of cottage in
which four people were seated, but none
was even injured, though they were en-
tombed by falling debris.
church just to the north Of the uni
versity had the entire east side blown
In and was unroofed, the wind carrying
the roof block away. The residence of
DR.. Graves, Immediately north Of the
church, was lifted from its foundations
turned completely around and set down
IN the same place, SO badly damaged
however, that none of the doors could
be opened to permit the escape Of the
frightened inmates.
The small town of Clarksville, near this
city, was swept by the winds, and many
horses were killed by flying debris, while
a number of small houses were blown
down, though fortunately the inmates
were not killed. Several were badly
manned, however.
With the terrific wind came driving
rain, that was little short of a flood. and
swept everything before it,
passengers on the evening trains bring
reports from the surrounding country to
the effect that the storm was general In
this section.
The small town Of Buda, near here
was roughly handled by the storm. quite
number of houses being blown down
ana one or two persons killed though
their names are not obtainable, owing to
the fact that most of the telegraph wires
are down, and news is very meager This
rs IS the worst storm that has ever visited
the section, and 1T has laid waste every
thing In Its track, though, fortunately
so far the reports of deaths resultant
are rev. The storm was over in an hour,
and the sun came out as brightly as
though nothing had happened
Late details of the storm show that the
loss OF property will reach into the thou
sans. Many fine dwellings We're demolish-
ed. AT Calvert an old lady and two chill
dren, VINO We're in their house, were fatal |
~ injured by the collapse of the building, |
winch was partially destroyed by fire, |
the torrents of rain
which We're falling. The loss to property |
IN n ana aln around Calvert is estimated at |
sloOOo0. Many roofs and chimneys were
blown down. People living here for 25
years say they never witnessed such a
feartul storm before. All telephone as
well as telegraph lines were Frustrated.
Cors1cana, Texas, March 2S.-News has
oeen received here tonight from Calvert
IeAas, that terrific tornado visited that |
pace th1s evening, and did great dam
age by unroof1ng buildings and tearing
houses from their foundations
Forth Worth, Tex, March 2S--The rain
all following today's storm was the hard
sst for years. The water Is over the CITY
several feet deep in some places and
much damage has been wrought. No cas-
lalt1es have been reported, but adyices
ome In from the suburbs detailing severe
amage to dwellings. The cotton belt |
ountry for miles around is inundated
rains running into the city are much de-
aged.
The Storm Was General,
DdldS, IeNaS, March 1.-TeXaS WAS
listed by general rain and wind storm
oday. The rain was general over nearly
ne Wnole . stats wBSFI}te wBShFII}te IN th tbe %
raj section.
Austin and Calvert suffered the most,
hree fatalities resulting at the latter
lace. el0i 8
The average rainfall was one and a
alf inches, and as much as three inches S
l some places.
All trains south of Dallas were aban-
oned on account Of the washouts. The
anita Fe was the worst sufferer, nearly
alf dozen bridges between Dallas and
emple going out '
Ielegraphic communication with the
uthern part of the state is completely ;
It Off. Galveston and Houston could II
u pe reached at all. Hearne being the
rthest position reached. 1t will be sew
al days before the details will be re- a
ived.
N Calvert alone the loss is over s1Oo n
J. AT Austin 1t will reach the same y
yures 500 The he railroads are damaged at Z