Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-06-14

buildings comprising the town, fully
800 were wrecked by the storm or de-
stroyed by fire.
Almost every family has one or more
members among the dead, injured or
missing, and little groups are seen
everywhere searching by the light of
lantern or torch for loved ones who
may be buried in the piles of debris on
every hand.
With frantic energy the search has
been conducted all day, and up to 8
o'clock 81 bodies had been found. al
though the number of dead certainly
will reach a hundred more.
These have for the most part been
taken to the Catholic and Congrega-
tional churches which. although in the
very edge of the storms path, miracu-
lousy escaped its fury.
In the temporary morgues the
sights are such as to touch the hardest
hearts, as the grief-stricken living rec
ognize in the bodies, horribly mangled
and often dismembered, the remains of
missing dear ones.
The wounded find temporary asylums
in the uninjured dwellings on either
side of the path of devastation, where
doctors and nurses from nearby cities
and towns are doing heroic work with
out sleep or rest.
The business portion of the city COW
cred a space of four squares each way,
and was built solidly of brick and
stone. This entire space was swept
clear, foundation walls and in some
places debris alone marking where the
business places formerly stood.
Trees that had lined the streets of the
neighboring residence district were
broken clear off or twisted and uproot-
ed. The tornado came up the river
from hudson where the damage was
comparatively slight. Following the
general course OF the river and the
branch of the Omaha road. the storm
gained in intensity as it progressed and
WAS DIT It's WOISI WuGA IL StIuCh tuG
business center of New Richmond.
OuCiying residences in the path of
the storm were stripped OF shingles and
boards or sides were blown OIL or. as
more frequently happened, were torn
asunder and the fragments were scat
tered to the four winos of heaven.
Trees were uprooted and roadways
blocked, washed away, or SO over
flowed as to be made entirely unrecog-
niZable.
The day had been close and muggy
and threatening rain. About $50
heavy dun-colored clouds gathered on
the western horizon and soon spread
over the sky, gradually growing denser
and darker and presaging tornado.
Great alarm prevailed shortly before
the storm broke, and refuge was sought
in cellars. wells, caves or other under
ground structures that promised safety.
The wind which a moment before was
a mere whisper began Blowing with
terrible force. A moment later the
storm burst on the village. Trees bent
low to the earth and were Invested OF
leaves and even bark. The storm
struck the town full in the center, and
in ten minutes awful destruction had
been wrought. The largest, brick
blocks crumbled like egg-shells. The
lighter frame structures were whisked
away like so many straws, and many
houses were carried for blocks and
dashed to the earth.
Lumber yards went up in the clouds,
the huge planks being split into splin-
ters. A large iron bridge over Apple
river was blown into fragments and the
parts distributed along the banks for
half mile.
Two large iron safes were caught up
and carried distance of block. With
in a space of a few blocks lay dozens
of bodies. Legs and arms were miss
ing in many cases and one body was
found with the head clipped off the
trunk as though it had been severed
by an axe.
To add to the terror of the situation
fires were started here and there by
overturning stoves and many wounded,
unable to drag themselves out OF dan
ger. suffered death by burning. GAIA
man Bros. circus was in New Rich
mond yesterday and the farmers from
the surrounding country with their
families had gathered to see the show.
A few minutes before the storm struck
n large mart of those who had just come
from the circus rushed to brick build
ing close at hand where they took re-
fuge. This building was among those
destroyed and it is difficult to say how
many persisted there.
the scene in New Richmond to-day
is one not to soon be forgotten. Among
the broken fragments of their homes
the people wander helplessly, striving
somewhat aimlessly and hopelessly to
gather what had been left to- them.
On the east and west limits OF the
city many houses were still standing
with little or no damage and TO these
homes the occupants welcomed their
less-fortunate neighbors and friends,
giving them such aid as was possible
and the sympathy that is SO much TO
stricken souls.
The property loss cannot be esti-
mated at this time, and may never be
accurately known.
It is the average resident OF New
Richmond who estimates the loss OF
life most seriously. They claim that
hundreds are missing who were buried
in the ruins and there ineinerated.
One such is C. r. Nelson, who owned
the Columbian restaurant, located on
Main street. His estimate OF loss is
four hundred dead.