The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-01-13
FATAL ARKANSAS TORNADO
FORT SMITH COMPLETELY DEP4S-
 HATED IN 4 MOMENT.

Men, Women and Children, Asleep in Their Homes, Awakened to Meet Death Under Falling Walls or in Flames-Two Score of Lives and S1 1,OoO,0 Worth of Property Destroyed.
 Fort Smith, Ark, Jan. 1.-Two score of human lives and upwards of $1,0O0,000 worth of property were destroyed by the tornado which burst upon this city a few minutes past eleven o'clock last night. The storm tore it's way through the entire territory, leaving it's path marked by death and desolation. Men, women and children asleep in their homes were, without moments notice, awakened to meet death under falling walls or in the flames which soon wrap ped many of the wrecked buildings.
 With the first crash of the storm bus mess blocks, handsome mansions, ho- tels and humble cottages were levelled to the ground and scattered in small pieces. Several of the Wrecks caught fire and the inf1ammable timbers burn ed furiously. The city was crowded with rural visitors, many of whom were
 
 ed. For this reason the number of vic- tins who perished in Fort Smith last night may never be definitely known. The storm struck the city near the Ma tional cemetery and swept its way through the heart of the town. Leav- ing Fort Smith it bounded toward Van Buren and continued down the river, demolishing everything in it's path News from outside points is not yet at hand, but rumors of much damage as far south as Alma have reached here, 1t being reported that a number of per sons were killed near that place.
 The tornado struck Garrison avenue at the corner of Ninth street and made a clean sweep from there to the Texas corner. I. Isaacson's store was totally demolished and the stock is total loss. Babcock's grocery store had the rear end blown out The following stores were totally demolished: Fleming Bros, coffee and teas; Harrisfields restaurant, Smiths grocery store, Martinez's sec ond-hand store, J. Mance's dry goods store, Mann & Wilson. groceries; City feed store many other stores were bad ly damaged
 The upper floor of the block on the corner of Garrison and Towsea avenues is used as flat. The ruins caught fire and seven bodies were taken from them. The Burgess hotel, a three-story brick building, was demolished. There have been eight bodies already taken fror-g the ruins. Rescue parties are still at work at both places and expect to find several more bodies. The federal court is in session and that brought great many farmers here, who crowded the boarding houses and wagon yards. The. National house, a two-story frame building, went down in wreckage with fifteen inmates, but all escaped without serious injury. George Carter's house was turned completely over and is now supported on the roof. A half pane of glass was driven through Carter's neck, almost severing the head.
 The National cemetery Is a wreck, huge trees being uprooted. The torna- do destroyed two hospital buildings. The; First Baptist church and the Gen. tral Methodist church are now only a scattered pile of kindling wood. The Church of the Immaculate Conception and Brownscomb Memorial church lost their spires and also sustained other damage.
 It is now thought all the persons in the storm-wrecked buildings have been accounted for. The citizens relief com mittee has $1O,0OO for assisting suffer- CTS. President Robinson of the Frisco railroad, unsolicited, sent his check for s1,00O. The Missouri Pacific railroad also sent $1,0O0. Business is practically abandoned all over the city and men of all classes are assisting in clearing the debris.
 Van Buren, Ark, Jan. 12.-The tor nado that descended upon Fort Smith last night crossed the Arkansas river one mile south of here doing consider able damage. Many farm houses were demolished Frank Boatright a son and daughter were badly injured The houses of Walter Haley and Mrs Keller were blown entirely away. The families of both were injured. Charles Wright was fatally injured. Ed. Blake more was instantly killed. The house of Mrs. Bass was demolished and she was crushed into shapeless mass and two of her children, aged eight and six teen. were fatally hurt.
 Fayetteville. Ark, Jan. 12.-A terrific wind storm swept over this place last night. At Pennington several build ings were completely demolished. Sev- eral persons were injured.
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