Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1898-01-15
REIGN OF RUIN and DEATH
TORNADO SWEEPS FORT SMITH.
Fifty Persons Are Reported TO Have
Lost Their Lives-Residences and
pusiuesa buildings Wrecked
Hundreds Are Homeless.

Fort Smith, Ark, Jan. lo.-ohe Oh the
most terrible storms that ever struck this
section of the country tore through tins
city shortly before midnight tuesday. Ev-
ervtbing 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 oil.
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 Il
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
vecred over and touched at Alama, nine
miles northeast, causing considerable dam
age. but whether there is any loss of life -
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 a trap. They
made their escape through chimney
The home Of Mr.. Cheniworth was blown
away injuries to the family are not
known Among the residences blown
down are George Martins, on Thirteenth
street; f. II. Browns and DR.. Gates
homes Gates arms are broken and his
wife is probably fatally crushed Gates
servant girl is supposed to be dead in the
ruins. Breens building. a large brick
structure. was unroofed and the wife of
/ Luther Hunter, one of the occupants,
badly injured.
| On the south side of Garrison avenue
Mrs. Birds home was blown away and
Krone's twostory 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
young man named Lane, Ed Yaden and
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 a rock house on South
Ninth street, badly injured. r. l. Hmsch-
berg was on his way home when the cy
clone struck the city. He was lifted off
his feet and carried quite a distance. His
clothes were torn off his body, his shout
der dislocated. and he sustained injuries
about the head.
Damage Cannot he Estimated.
At this hour it is next to impossible to
give anything like a complete OF accurate
account of the number of dead or INJURED
1t looks as though so persons have been
killed and the death list is growing hour
ly. Hundreds of persons have been in
iured, some fatally. and others not so
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 up
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
$50, 000-which was directly in the path of
the storm and was badly wrecked.
Many Burned to Death.
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 were 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 I
tails throughout the city. The morgue is
IN xnd to It's ntmnst cn nn city and addition. |