The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1898-02-03
TORNADO WRECKS TOWN
Fort Smith, Ark, Visited by a Dis
astrous and Fatal Storm.
RUINED BUILDINGS IN FLAMES.

Wind Tears It's Way Over City, Leaving
Deatl, in It's Wake Catastrophe oc.
CURED Without Warning Mt Night
Many Miraculous Escapes Reported
Scores wero Killcd and Many Injured.
FORT SMITH, Ark. (SpeciaD.-At least
forty persons were killed and property
worth over million dollars was destroyed
by tornado which burst upon this city O
few minutes after II O'Clock Tuesday night.
Men, women and children, asleep In their
homes, were without q moments warning
awakened to meet death under falling
walls or in the flames which soon engulfed
many Of the wrecked buildings.
With the first crash Of the storm business
blocks. handsome mansions. hotels, and
humble cottages were leveled to the ground
and scattered in shepeless masses. Several
of tho wrecks caught fire, and the infiam-
mable timbers burned furiously. The Fed
eral Court is in session, and that brought
great many farmers here, who, unregis-
tered, crowded the boarding houses and
wagon yards. For this reason the number
Of victims who perished may never be def
nitely known.
The tornado struck the city near the Ma
tional Cemetery and swept its way
through the heart Of the town. Leaving
Fort Smith, 1t bounded northward toward
Van Buren, and continued down the river,
demolishing everything In fits path.
I: Isaacson's store was totally demolished
and the sto.k Is o total loss. Babcock's
grocery store had the rear end blown out.
The following stores were totally demol-
ished: Fleming Bros, coffee and tea;
Haresneld's restaurant, Smiths grocery
store, Martinez's secondhand store, j.
Msnce's dry goods store, Mann d Wirson,
groceries; City Feed Store. Many other
stores were badly damaged.
The upper floor OF the block blown down
on tho corner of Garrison and Towseau
avenues Is used as d nat. The ruins caught
fire, and seven bodies were taken from
them, Burgess's Hotel. athree-story brick
building on Towseau avenue was demol-
ished. There have been eight bodies al
ready taken from the ruins.
The National House, u two-story frame,
went down in wreckage with fifteen in
mates, but all escaped without serious in
jury. George Carter's house was turned
completely over and Is now supported on
the roef. A half pane OF glass was driven
through Carter's neck, almost severing tho
head from the trunk.
The National Cemetery Is a wreck. Huge
trees are uprooted, the lodge demolished
and tho wall torn down.
Fort Smiths flfty-thousand-doiiar high
school building was badly wrecked, but
was one OF the new buildings upon which
there was o tornado insurance.
Judge Parker's residence is badly wrecked
Ind the old Rector mansion. where Albert
pike once lived, Is pile OF ashes, the 1uins
living caught tire.
The First Baptist Church and the Central
usthodist Church are now only scattered
nj OF kindling wood. The Church OF the
frny ypaculate Conception. and Brownscomb
MsrAerial Church lost their spires and sue-
,.Sr.l Id other damage.
TN, Citizens Relief Committee has raised
ara no for the relief Of the snfYerers- Pres
;d.pt Robinson, Of the San Francisco Rail
rosd unsolicited, sent his check for $1,000.
Ths Missouri Pacific Railroad also sent
Pus;, less Is practically abandoned oil
orsr the city, and men OF all classes are
oss;stino In clearing the debris.