The news & observer., 1898-01-13
WORK OF 4 TORNADO
More Than Two Score Of
Lives Lost.
AND SEVERAL INJURED
4 MILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF
PROPERTY DESTROYED.
f0sT SMITH, ARKANSAS, TIE SCENE

Business Blocks, Handsome Mansions, Hotels,
and Humble Cottages Were Scattered
in ShapIess Masses. List of
Jeao ana injured,
Fort Smith, Ark, Jan. 1.-Two score
Of human lives and upwards of one mil
lion dollars worth of property were de-
streyed by a tornado which burst upon
this city a few minutes past IL o'clock
last might. The storm struck near the
National cemetery, and tore its way
through the entire city, leaving its path
marked by death and desolation.
Men, women and children were
awakened without a momeRt's warning
to meet death by falling walls or ia the
flames, which engulfed many OF the
wrecked buildings.
The dead and wounded so FAR as
known are:
Silas Mincer, a. prominent young mer.
chant.
Harvey Ruttledge, negro.
Mary Zimmerman.
Two unknown men from the Burgess
Hotel.
Jos. GriswoIae, tailor. &
John Martin, Madison county.
j. b. Riley, Madison county.
George Garter, fireman at Grand
Opera House.
Mrs. Milt Burgess, proprietor of the
Burgess Hotel.
Two unknown men, died at st. Johns
Hospital
J. M. Fouts, farmer.
Joe Kyle, farmer.
Two Lefever. boys.
Malt Knapton, Jr.
Mrs. Malt Knapton.
Joe Lucas negro.
Ed. Ferrel, butcher and his two little
children, Irene and Roy.
Frank Richardson, restaurant keeper
John Adams, carpenter.
Mrs. Charles Mauver.
- Ritter, gardener.
Mrs. Will Lawseh.
Louie Sengel.
Miss Holden. Eesp IL
John Badt, farmer.
Mrs. Maggie Sheehan's infant
l.. Woehle. butcher.
James Smith, clerk.
Mrs. Jones.
James Smith, Jr.
Mr.. Gray, son and wife.
Atlas Jones.
Frank lie Fevere.
Eta Kies.
injured:
Mrs. Braden, arm broken.
T. L. Grimes, collar broken.
Martin, chin fractured and side
bruised.
Hosea, jaw broken.
VIM. Lawson, back injured
Rel Martin, chest smashed.
Tony Eherhart, hips bruised.
+. Il. Hubbell, back hurt.
r. II. CrenhOlder, back injured.
4. B. Stafford, back injured.
A@hworth, chest crushed.
Dr. Gate, both arms broken.
Mrs. Gate, badly mashed.
Mrs. Gates mother, seriously crushed.
Minnie Burgess, spine injured.
AIRS. f.. Greli, injured about chest
Mrs. Hugh Rogers, badly bruised about
body.
Mr. and Mrs. Ritter, caught under
falling walls.
Mrs. F. II. Brown, body crushed.
Mrs. Luther Huntley, chest crushed.
Lane, hip dislocated.
Ed Yaden, badly bruised.
Wolsey, seriously hurt.
X. Il. Hirschberger, shoulder dislo-
Gated; injured about head.
Miss Lily Stahl, seriously injured.
The scene following the first terrific
crash OF the storm was one of awful
grandeur. Business blocks, handsome
hotels, and humble cottages
were raised and scattered in shapeless
masses. Several OF the wrecks caught
ire and the infiammable timbers burned
Tine city was crowded with rural visi-
tors, many Of whom were sleeping at
houses unregistered. For this
reason the number of victims who perish
ed in Fort Smith last night may never
be definitely known.
The tornado struck Garrison ayenue
at the corner of Ninth street and made
a clean sweep from there to the Texas
corner.
|. IsaacsOn'S store was totally demol-
shed and the stock is a complete LOGS
Babcoek's grocery store had the rear end
blown out. The following stores were
.Otally demolished.
Fleming Brothers, coffee and tea:l
restaurant; Smiths grocery
store; Martinez's second hand store; !.
Nance, dry goods; Mann and Wilson,
groceries, City Feed Store.
A number OF stores were badly dam
aged.
The upper floor OF the block on the
.orner OF Garrison an Towseau avenues
3 used as fat. The ruins caught fire
rom the night lamp. Seven bodies were
AIKEN from these ruins.
Burgess Hotel, three story building
n Towseau avenue was demolished. !
here have been eight bodies already tax /
n from the ruins. Rescne parties are
till at work at both places aud expect
3 find several more bodies.
George CArters house was enc OF the