Cottonwood report. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1893-1901, 1898-01-21
REIGN OF RUIN AND DEATH
TORNADO SWEEPS FORT SMITH
Fifty Persons Are Reported to Have
Lost Their Lives-Residences and
Business Buildings Wrecked
Hundreds Are Homeless.

Fort Smith, Ark, Jan. l3.-One of the
most terrible storms that ever struck this
section of the country tore through this
city shortly before midnight Tuesday. Ev-
/ erything is in confusion as the result OF
the great destruction of life and property
and as yet it is impossible to give any
! thing like accurate estimates of the num-
Der killed or injured. Fifty persons are re-
ported as dead and as many missing;
homes have been wrecked by the score,
and hundreds of people are without food
or shelter.
| Two of the largest houses of worship in
the city-the Baptist and Central Metho-
dist churches-were completely destroyed;
the Brownscome church was badly dam
aged, and the tower and roof of the high
school building were blown off
The storm struck in the southwestern
section of the city at a point where the
two rivers come together and near the old
fort. From there it spread out over the
whole city, dipping down and scattering
destruction here and there. There is II
rise in the city toward the east to meet
the hills on that side, and most of the
damage to property and loss of life was
through that section.
After leaving Fort Smith the tornado
veered over and touched at Alama, nine
miles northeast, causing considerable dam
age but whether there is any loss of life IS
not known.
In the Wake of the storm.
Mrs. Kings home on Twelfth street was
wrecked. The home of Mrs. Hendrix on
Thirteenth street was destroyed and the
entire family killed. William Werner's
home was wrecked; the injuries of his
family are not known. The home of John
Harrington also suffered destruction. A
shanty on Thirteenth street was swept
away and woman occupant is reported
dying from her injuries. Her two chill,
dren were also injured. The roof of Judge
Porter's home was lifted off. Andrew
Dowd's home was wrecked. Mrs. Clay
lands house was blown down, catching
the family of Mr.. Stetts in trap. They
made their escape through chimney.
The home of Mr.. Cheniworth was blown
| away W IhC dlC hou
known. Among the residences blown
down are George Martins on Thirteenth
street; F. H. Browns and DIR. Gates
homes. Gates arms are broken and his
wife is probably fatally crushed. Gates
servant girl is supposed to be dead in the
ruins. Breen's building, a large brick
structure, was unroofed and the wife OF
T ~ of h. o,,fe
badly injured.
On the south side of Garrison avenue
Mrs. Birds home was blown away and
Krone's two-story building wrecked. A
wing of Mr.. Crows home on Eleventh
street was torn off, and the family was
caught in the wreck; Mrs. Crow crawled
under the debris and got the children out
without injury. Guy Partridge and wife
and child crawled from the wreck OF
their home in safety. Will lawson and a
young man named Lane, Ed Yaden and a
butcher named Wolsey are among the
injured quartered in O'Keefe's saloon
Mrs. Captain Hugh L. Rogers was dug
out of the ruins of rock house on South
Ninth street, badly injured. r. I. Hirsch
berg was on his way home when the cy
clone struck the city. He was lifted of
his feet and carried quite distance. His
clothes were torn off his body, his shout
der dislocated, and he sustained injuries
about the head.
Damage Cannot BE Estimated.
At this hour it is next to impossible tc
give anything like complete or accurate
| of % 49,, Il
1t looks as though so persons have been
killed and the death list is growing hour
ly. Hundreds of persons have been in
jured, some fatally, and others not sc
badly. Many fine residences were RACED to
the ground.
The tornado, after passing through the
residence district, did its worst work in
that portion of the business district in
which the older buildings are located, and
the totals of damage do not amount ur
very rapidly, although many buildings
were partly or wholly ruined. For this
reason it is probable 100000 will nearly
cover the loss on buildings and contents
including the new high school building
$5O,O00-which was directly in the path Of
| Tie SIoilu anu WAS Dduly WTeckeu.
Many Burned to DeaIn.
The debris of many buildings in the
lodging house district caught fire, and
those unfortunates who were not at once
extricated alive persisted miserably by be-
ing burned or smothered to death. Many
people in the outside districts We're killed
in the crash of falling residences.
All the nurses and doctors that can be
pressed into service are being utilized
and there are scores of temporary hospi
tails throughout the city. The morgue is
taxed to its utmost capacity and addition
al bodies are being brought in every few
minutes. Altogether the scene at the
place is sickening and horrible.
A heavy rain followed the terrible tor
nado and it was probably 20 minutes be
fore the city awoke to the fact that it had
been visited by a calamity. The fire de
partment was called out and in less thar
30 minutes the streets were crowded with
people and willing hands were ready tc
render all aid the emergency required
TIL scene is the most appalling and de
structive ever witnessed in the city, and
is without parallel in this section of the
southwest