The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1897-04-01
A CYCLONE IN TEXAS
WINDSTORM THAT TEARS HOUSES
FROM THEIR FOUNDATIONS.
Roofs of Great Buildings Torn From
Their Fnstenir rs and Carried
Hundred Yards.

Austin, Texas March 2S.-This after
noon at o'clock this city and surround
ing country was visited by a cyclone that
did great damage to property The wind
came from the southwest at about 60
miles an hour for nearly 20 minutes. tear
Ing down trees or splitting them asunder
with terrific force. Several electric light
towers were blown down. quite num-
Der of houses In the residence portion of
the city were razed, and In several cases
narrow escapes from death are report
ed. The new and unoccupied residence of
Burt Mcdonald. one OF the prominent
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 a cottage in
which four people were seated, but none
was even injured. though they were en-
tombed by falling debris.
A church just to the north of the uni
versity had the entire east side blown
in and was unroofed, the wind carrying
the roof a 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 Clarksvllle. 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 a driving
rain, that was little short of a flood, and
swept everything before 1t.
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
and 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
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 few. 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 were demolish-
ed. AT Calvert an old lady and two chill
dren, who were in their house, We're fatal
ly injured by the collapse of the building,
which was partially destroyed by fire.
Notwithstanding the torrents of rain
which were falling. The loss to property
| in and around Calvert is estimated at
| 100000. Many roofs and chimneys were
| blown down. People living here for 25
| years say they never witnessed such a
| fearful storm before. All telephone as
well as telegraph lines were prostrated.
The Storm Mt Calvert.
Corsicana, Texas, March 2S.-News has
been received here tonight from Calvert
| Texas, that a terrific tornado visited thai
| place this evening, and did great dam
age by unroofing buildings and tearing
| houses from their foundations.
Terrible Rainfall.
| Forth Worth, Tex, March 2S.-The rain
| fall following today's storm was the hard
| est for years. The water is over the city
several feet deep in some places ant
| much damage has been wrought. No cas-
ualties have been reported, but advice.
come in from the suburbs detailing sever,
damage to dwellings. The cotton bel
country for miles around is inundated
Trains running into the city are much de
1 layed.
The Storm Was General.
| Dallas, Texas, March 2S.-Texas wa
visited by a general rain and wind storm
today The rain was general over nearl,
the whole state, while the wind seem
to have done its worst In the south-cen
| trail section.
Austin and Calvert suffered the most
three fatalities resulting at the latte
place.
| The average rainfall was one and
half inches. and as much as three inche
| In some places.
All trains south of Dallas were aban
| doned on account of the washouts. Th
Santa Fe was the worst sufferer, nearl
half a dozen bridges between Dallas an
Temple going out.
Telegraphic communication with tn
southern part of the state is completed
cut off. Galveston and Houston coul
not be reached at all. Hearne being tn
farthest position reached. 1t will be sey
eral days before the details will be re
ceived.
In Calvert alone the loss is over 500
600. AT Austin 1t will reach the sam
figure. The railroads are damaged g
least 100000.
|