The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1898-01-20
DEADLY WORK
1T sWOOPED DOWN UPON FORT
SMITH AND DEsOLATION AND
DEATH FOLLOWED.
SAD list OF THE DEAD
TWO SCORE OF HUMAN LIVES AND
ONE MILLION DOLLARS WORTH
OF PROPERTY DESTROYED.
The FEARFUL FUR|ES OF The Wind
Had Their Horrors Added to by
Fiery Flames That Engulfed the
Wrecked Buildings-Public
and Private Buildings
Destroyed or Damaged.

Destroyed or Damaged.
Fort Smith, Jan. 1.-Two score of
human lives and upward of one million
dollars worth of property were destroy
ed by terrible coronado which burst on
this city few minutes past IL o'clock
last night. 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, peacefully asleep
in their homes were without moments
warning, awakened to a horrible death
in the fearful storm, while others, mo-
mentarily more fortunate and who
escaped the furies of the wind, met a
far worse fate few moments later in
the flames which soon engulfed many of
the wrecked buildings.
Last nights tornado was of such
magnitude that the full extent of the
damage is not yet known. 1t swept
across the city, leaving behind a path of
desolation and ruin. The dead are:
Sias Mincer, prominent young mer-
chant. His residence was blown away
and he was struck across the back with
heavy piece of falling timber.
Harvey Rutledge, a negro.
Mary Zimmerman,
Two unknowhs from Burgess hotel.
John Griswold, a tailor.
John Martin and ]. J. Riley, farmers
from Madison county, here attending the
United States court.
George Carter, fireman at Grand opera
house.
Mrs. Milt Burgess proprietress of the
Burgess hotel.
Two unknown men died mt st. John
hospital.
]. NJ. Foutz, a farmer
Joe Kyle, a farmer.
Two Lefevre boys.
Malt Knapton, Jr.
Mrs. Malt Knapton, Jr.
Joe Lucas, negro.
Ed. Terrell, a butcher and his two
children, Irene and Roy.
Frank Richardson, RESTAURANT keeper
Joh1sA-1ams, carpentry
Mrs. Che Ma9ve.
Mrs. Will Lawson.
Luie Sengel.
Miss Holden.
John Badt, a farmer.
Mrs. Maggie Shehan's infant.
l.. w. Woehle. a butcher.
James Smith. a clerk.
Mrs. Jones.
James Smith. Jr.
Mr. Gray. son and wife.
Atlas Jones.
Elite Keys.
The list may reach fifty. as several of
the Injured are in very dangerous con-
dition. The severely injured are:
Will Lawson, both collar bones broken
Belle Hardin, internal injuries.
NJ. Ashworth, chest and hip crushed.
Frank MaGruder, chest crushed.
Unknown tramp body mashed.
DR.. Gates, arm broken.
Mrs. Gates. chest mashed and spine in
urpl. condition critical
Mrs. Sumner, body badly bruised by
falling timbers.
Mrs. Emma Austin, leg broken.
Mrs. Whitney. wounded on head.
Emma Whitney, injured chest and
body.
Julia Whitney, internal injuries.
M. Gerger, wounded on head and evil
dence of conclusion.
Irving III. KOhler. shoulder broken.
Mrs. John Beal, ribs broken may die
Baby Beal badly bruised. may die.
Mrs. u. III. Brown, ribs broken
Mrs. Kohler. leg broken.
Mrs. John Adams, injured about neck
and shoulders.
Bob Jones, leg cut and arms frac-
tured.
Miss Wilkinson, arm broken.
NJ. b. Roby, bruised about back and
chest
Pearl Knapton, arm broken.
VI. Hosey. jaw broken.
D: D. Foreman, arm and leg broken.
William Blake, injured internally.
II. H. Fisher, arm broken.
w. A. Dumford hip dislocated.
j. j. Short, spine and head injured.
The citizens relief committee now has
SlO.NN' in hand for assisting sufferers.
President Robinson of the Frisco, I'M
solicited sent his check for $1,000. The
Missouri Pacific Railroad also contri-
buted $1,000
Business was practically abandoned all
over the city and men of all classes as
sisted in clearing the debris. While the
loss is heavy, had the path been 200
yards further west. the business and
residence portion would have been swept
away.
The scene following the first terrific
gush of the storm was one of awful
gradeur. Business blocks handsome
mansions, hotels and humble cottages
were RACED to the ground and scattered
IN shapeless masses. Several of the
wrecks caught fire and the intlammable
timbers burned furiously. Many of the
people who escaped death when the
buildings collapsed were caught in the
ruins and roasted alive, while the ex-
clted people who escaped unhurt were
powerless to render them assistance.
The city was crowded with rural Wis
itors, many of whom were sleeping at
boarding houses unregistered. For tnls
reason the number of victims who per-
ished in Fort Smith last night may
never be definitely known.
The storm struck near the National
cemetery and swept its way through the
heart of town. Leaving Fort Smith it
bounded by Van Buren,, continued down
the river, demolishing everything in its
path. News from outside points is not
yet at hand, but rumors of much damage
as far south as Alma have reached here
lt being reported that number OF per-
sons were killed near that place.
The tornado struck Garrison avenue at |
the corner Of Ninth street and made
clean sweep from there to the Texas |
corner. Mr.. Isaacson's store was totally |
demolished and the stock is a total loss. |
babcocks grocery store had the rear |
end blown out. The following stores |
We're totally demolished.
Fleming Bros, coffee and tea; Harris