Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1898-01-15
VICTIMS OF A TORNADO.
Two Score Killed in the Town Of
Fort Smith, Ark.
THE STORM GAME IN THE NIGHT.
Inhabitants Reused From Their Sleep
to-Meet Death Meath Falling Build-
ings or in the Flames Which Soon
Engulfed Them-List Unknown Dead

Inhabitants Reused From Their Sleep
o-Meet Death Meath Falling Build-
fngs or in the Flames Which Soon
Engulfed Them-List Unknown Dead
Fort Smith, Ark, Jan. 1.-TWO score
Of human lives and upward of a million
dollars worth of property were de-
Btroyed by tornado which burst upon
this city late Tuesday night The
storm tore its way through the entire
city, leaving its path marked by death
and desolation. Men. women and chill
dren, asleep in their homes, were with
out a 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 shape
less masses. Several of the wrecks
caught fire and the inhammable tim
bers burned furiously.
The city was crowded with rural Wis
itors, many of whom were sleeping at
boarding houses unregistered. For this
reason the number of victims who per-
ished in Fort Smith may never be
definitely known.
The storm struck the CITY near the
National cemetery and swept it's way
through the heart of the town. Leav-
ing Fort Smith, it bounded toward Van
Buren, and 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,
1t 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
a clean sweep from there to the Texas
corner. Eight stores were totally de-
molished, and Babcock's grocery store
had the rear end blown out. Many
other stores were badly damaged.
The upper floor of the block on the
corner of Garrison and Towseau ave-
nues is used as a fiat. The ruins caught
fire and seven bodies were taken from
them. Burgess hotel three story
brick, on Towseau avenue, was de-
molished. There have been eight bodies
already taken from the ruins. Rescue
parties are still at work at both places,
and expect to find several bodies.
George Carter's house was turned
completely over, and is now supported
on the roof. A half pane Of glass was
driven through Carriers neck, almost
severing the head from the trunk.
The National cemetery Is a wreck.
Huge trees are uprooted, the lodge de-
molished and the wall torn down. Fort
Smiths $780, 900 high school building was
badly wrecked, but was one of the few
buildings upon which there was O. tor
nado insurance.
The tornado was of such magnitude
that the full extent of the damage is
not yet known. 1t swept straight across
the city, leaving ruin behind.
The known dead are: Silas Minger,
merchant; Joe Griswolde. tailor; John
Martin and ]. B. Riley, Madison coun-
ty; George Carter, fireman Grand Opera
House; Mrs. Milt Burgess, proprietor
Burgess hotel; two unknown men, died
at st. Johns hospital; John Badt, j. M.
/! Foutz and Joe Kyle, farmers; Frank
Richardson, restaurant keeper; John
Adams, carpenter; John Ritter, gar
dener; Joe Lucas and Harvey Rutledge,
negroes; l.. Woehle, butcher; James
Smith, clerk; Ed Terrell, butcher, and
his two little children, Irene and Roy;
Jacob Ritter, gardener: Mrs. Charles
Mauver, Mrs. VIII Lawson, Louie
Sengel, Miss Holden, Mary Thinner
man, Mrs. Maggie Sheehan's infant Mrs.
Jones, two Lefevre boys, Milt Napton,
Jr, Mrs. Malt Napton, James Smith,
Jr, Mr.. Gray, wife and son: Atlas
Jones, Frank Lefevre Eta Kies and
two unknown men from the Burgess
hotel