G R E AT C YC L O NE

AT

L O U I S AND EAST ST L O U I S .
,

MAY 27, 1 8 96 .

BE I NG A F U LL H I STO RY O F T H E M O S T T ERR I FYI N G AND D ESTR U C T I VE

T O RN A D O IN T H E H I ST O RY O F TH E WO RL D ,

WIT H

NU M ERO U S THR I LL I N G AND P ATH ET I C I N C I D ENTS AND P ERS O NA L

EXP ER I EN C ES O F TH O S E W H O W ER E IN TH E

TRA C K O F T H E STO RM
.

A L S O

ANAC C O UN T O F TH E WO N DE R F U L M A N I F E ST A T I O N S O F S Y M P A T H Y FO R T H E A F F L I T ED
C IN

AL L P A R TS O F T H E WO R L D .

COM PI L E D A N D EDI T ED BY

JU L I AN C U
R Z O N ,
a c
Qt
TH E D I ST I N G U I S H E D A U TH R O AND L IT ER A E U RV
I
U r S

WI T H 1 50 A C C U RA T E P H O T O G R A P H I C V I E W S A N D E N G R A V I N G S , PO R T R A YI N G I N V I V I D R E A L I S M
T H E W R E C K A N D R U I N W R O U G HT B Y T H E D EM O N O F DE ST R U C T I O N .

P U L I SH ED
B THE BY

C YC L O N E P U B L I SHIN G C O M PANY ,

ST . LO U IS , M O .
 CO P Y R I G HT 8 6
, 1 9 ,

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C C OL N E PU L I S H I N G
B Co .
 CONT ENTS .

PAG E .

P U BL I S H E R S

NOTI CE
17 20

T h e Gre a t ycl o e C n 21

A D i sc i m i a t i g S t o m
r n n r 22

T h e Cyc l o e s F t l Pat h n

a a 25

A l l t h e E leme t s of a T o a d o n rn 27

W a i gs of D e a d l y P e i l
rn n r . 31

G a t h e i g F o c e i i t s C ou s e
r n r n r 32

O t h e O ut sk i t s of t h e S t o m R e g i o
n r r n 34
T h e F u l l Fo c e F l t r e 38

W h e e D e a t h s we e M os t F e qu e t
r r r n 40

T h e Att ack o t h e R i v e n r . . 43
T h e R i v e a R ag i g T o e t
r n rr n

E le v e La d i e s i D e a dl y P e i l
n n r 49

T h e D a m ag e i E as t S t L ou i s n . 51

A J u y s N a ow E sca p e
r

rr 52

P ed i c t ed a Y e a i A d va c e
r r n n 56

Ba ome t i ca l R e a d i gs
r r n 57

T h e T e x t of t h e F o e cas t r 61

H ow L oss C ou l d H av e B ee L e ss e ed n n 63

D e at h i t h e W i d
n n . 67

C y c l o e s of H i s t o y
n r 68

ALa dm a k i I i s h R e c o d s
n r n r r 70

S t o m s i O O w La d
r n ur n n 73

V i c t i m s of t h e C y c l o e n 75

S u v e y i g t h e W e ck
r n r 76

A S u b u b D e s ol a t ed
r 80

In an O lde S e c t i o r n 85

M ou i g t h e R ui of t h e P a k
rn n n r 87

H ome d C hu c h e s D e s t oy ed
s an r r 91

In O l d S t L ou i s P op e
. r r 93

i ty H o s p i t a l W e ck ed
"
r 94
6 CO N TE N TS .

PAGE .

R em ov i g t h e S u ffe e s
n r r .
97

P h y s i c i a s He i s m n

ro 99

H o o s a t t h e P oo H ou s e
rr r r 1 05

P ov i de t i a l E sca p e s
r n 1 09

U i o D e p ot P we H ou s e
n n o r 111

A M a v el o f R C o s t u c t i o
r e- n r n 1 15

S t ee t R a i l w a y S e v i c e P l i d
r r a ra ze 1 17

H ou s o f H o ib l e S u s p e s e
r rr n 1 18

T ele g a p h W i e s D ow
r r n 1 22

A F a t ed C o e rn r 1 23

A C om bi a t i o of H o o sn n rr r 1 28
H a d s ome R e s i de c e s D e s t oy ed
n n r 1 30

Saw H Ch ild e Bu er r n rn 1 34

H omele ss d D e s t i tut e an 1 35

H o s e s K i lled i H a e ss
r n rn 139

D e s ol a t i o d D est u ctio
n an r n 1 40

L oss e s t B u s i e ss C o c e s
o n n rn 14 1

S w a m p ed B y T h e i N e i g h b o r r 1 42

T eme d ou s D a m ag e
r n 1 45

D a m ag e t o H ome s o O S t ee t n ne r 1 46

A u d t h e C i ty H os pi t a l
ro n 1 48

M a y D e a d i a W e ck ed T e i t o y
n n r rr r 15 1
N ot h i g w as S p a ed
n r 152

S e a c hi g fo T h e i H u s b a d s
r n r r n 15 4

G as W o ks W e ck ed r r 157

F a lle B u i ld i gs
n n 158
U i o C l u b W e ck ed
n n r 159
L i v e s L os t i a F i e n r 1 60

A H u g e F ac t o y D e s t oy ed r r 163

C h u c h e s W e ck ed
r r 1 66

A Qu a t e o f a M i ll i o
r r n
7
1 69

S t u ck b y t h e T a d o
r or n 1 70
A A pp a l l i g L oss
n n 1 71

D a m ag e E as t of B oa dw a y r 1 72

P a i c A m o g F ac t o y
n n r 1 76

D e vas t a t i o s A wf u l T i u m p h
n

r 1 77
 CO N T E NTS .

PA G E .

St at i on To rn up 181

I n N or t hS t L ou i s . 1 82

P a i c a t t h e Rac e s
n 1 83

R e sc u ed f om a W e ck ed S a l oo B u i ld i g
r r n n 1 88

D ow T w W e cks
n- o n r 189
C h a m b e of C omme c e U
r oofed r nr 1 93

S k ysc a p e s E sca p ed
r r 1 95

A t t h e C ou t H ou s e r 1 96
A t t h e C u s t om H o u s e 1 99

S c e e s a t t h H ot l
n e

e s 1 99

D a ge a t t h e J a i l
n r 201

He a t b e ak i g S p e c t ac l e
r r n 205

B i gi g i
r n th e D ead
n n 207

I nE as t S t L ou i s . 21 1

P a y ed fo Me c y
r r r 21 2

S e a c h i g fo t h e D e a d
r n r 2 14

A H ot el s S a d R ol e
2 14

S c e e s i t h e H os p i t a l s
n n 21 8

T h e Ba b i e s T ak e d t h e M ot h e s L e ft
n an r 223

Whe Mo ni g n r n 224

T h e D e a t h R ol l 226

T h e M i ss i g n 23 2

I de t i ed D e a d i E as t S t L ou i s
n n . 23 7

A f t e m a t h of t h e
r 23 8

I s u a c e C om p a i e s L oss e s
n r n n 242

I d i e c t L oss e s
n r 24 4

S u ffe i g Me c h a i cs
r n n 24 8

T ele g a ph C om p a i e s
r n 24 9

T w D a y s A ft e t h e C a l a m i ty
o r 25 5

V i s i t i g t h e Cy c l o e
n n 25 9

A ot h e D i sas t e N a owl y A v e t ed
n r r rr r 262

O ne H u d ed d F o ty T h ou sa d A c tu a l
n r an r n , u t
Co n 266

H a l f a M i ll i o S p e c t a t o s n r 267

F eed i g t h e H u g
n n ry 271

A ft e t h e C ow d s H a d G o e
r r n 27 1

A l o g B oa dw a y
n r . 27 3
8 CO N T E N TS .

PAG E
Bu y i g t h e D e a d
r n 277

S a d Fu e a l S c e e sn r n 280

A E as t S t L oui s F u e a l
n . n r 284

A T h i e v e s O pp o t u i ty
r n 286

I NC I D E NT S OF TH E C Y C L O NE .

N a rr ow E sca p e s D eed s of He oi s m R e c o d s of D i sas t e

,
r , r r an d D eso
l atio n . 28 9

Fa t e o f a H a d i g Me c h a t r n , r n . 29 1

S w a m fo H i s L i fe r 292

W as D g O t U hu t u u n r 295

Dug H i s O w Way n 296

T i ed t o S av e H D i a m o d s
r er n 296

A P e i l ou s V oy ag e
r 29 7

D i f t ed t o t h e Ba acks
r rr . 298

W h eel s i t h e Ai n r 3 02

S av ed b y a D u m b W a i t e
r

3 03

M y s t e i ou s M u Fa m i l y
r nn 3 04

T h e C i m e of T h i e v e s
r 3 04

He o i c W o k D o e b y A m b u l a c e D i v e s
r r n n r r 3 07
H o s e d a L i v e W i e T a g l ed
r an r n 3 08

T u e B o t h e l y L ov e
r r r 3 09

H ow d i d i t g e t t h e D i a l . . 31 0

C hi e f G oss w as r 310

H e S av ed a C i ty 313

A J a i t o s Fa t e
n r

315

P e ed u p fo s e v e a l h ou s i a Bas eme t
nn r r r n n 31 6
A l o e i t h e Wo l d
n n r 3 19
S h e L ov ed H D og er 3 20

S h a ty B oa t s E sca p ed
n 3 21
A Fa m i l y e a l y Ex t e m i a t ed
n r r n 3 21

C a ed b y G i e f
r z r 3 22

A P i g s S ou v e i
n r

K i ll ed o H i s W a y H ome
n 3 25

Ca pt M M M ho Ex p e i e c e
. . c a n s r n 3 26

A H u m o ou s I c i de t r n n 3 28

T a l e of T w o F a m i l i e s 331
 CO N TE N T S .

P A GE .

R e sc u ed ce b y a n O f r 3 32

M rs B e e s Ex p e i e c e
. n

r n 333

A J ock e y o I c e n 33 7

C o t ib u t ed a $ 5 0
n r 337

He ll Ne v e S a y D i e

r 33 8

3 39
A C o i c i de c en n 339

P i i o ed i D e b i s
n n n r 3 40

A Ba b e s S t o y
r r

r 3 44

D a ug h t e s A s h e s

H er r

A M L o s t H i s R e as
an on 35 0

B a tt l e f t h e o 35 1

Fa m i l i e s B ok e u p r n 35 5

A T e ib le S ca tt e
rr r 35 6

AM an and W om a B l o w A w a y n n 35 6

H o s e R e sc u ed A l i v e
r 35 7

It s 1 11 W i d 359

an n

T y pi ca l S a d e ss n 360

A W i ld d A wf u l an 3 60

Th e W i d s n

3 62

H ow t h e B i d s Fa ed 3 63

r r

S ome C u i ou s E ffe c t s r . 3 64

A P oo R ef u g e r 3 67

C a wl ed U de t h e B i d g e A pp o ac h
r n r r r 3 67
A l o e w i t h h Ba b y
n er 3 68

M rs Wo h i d
. Ex p e i e c e
r e e s

r n . 368

A A d v e tu u s d C os t l y R i de
n n ro an 369

B ok e Up a W edd i g
r n 371

E i g h ty F i v e M i le s
- 372

AR i de o t h e W i d n n 3 73

3 74

A ot h e L u ck y E sca p e
n r 3 75

T h e C hi e s e d t h e S t o m
n an r 37 6

He y W d m y Ex p e i e c e
nr e er e er s

r n 3 76

U e as i e ss of S h a ty B oa t O w e s
n n n n r 3 77

S t a g e F e aks of t h e W i d
r n r n 3 79
10 CO N T E N TS
PAG E .

A Tu r y ste y
nk M r 38 0

H av li T h e a t e D a m ag ed
n s

r 38 1

E g i e H ou s e C om p le t el y D em ol i s h ed
n n 38 1

K i lled A l m os t O pp o s i t e t h e M o g u e r 383

P a i c A m o g La u d y G i l s
n n n r r . 3 83

A P i e s t s E sca p e
r

385
D i ed i t h e i A m s
n r r 38 6

He o o f Ba l ak l ava D e a d
r 388

F ou d S a fe ty i a Bas eme t
n n n . 388

H ow t h e H o s e s B e h v ed r a 389

M rs . Ey m M i ac u l o u s E sca p e
er an s

r 39 1

G av e H i s L i fe t o S av e a H o s e r 3 92

S av ed t h oug h G od s Me c y r

r

393
St a ge B t
r n u 3 95

H o s e U h a e ss ed
r n rn 3 96
P e t C t F ou d a n 3 97

Ex c h a g e Mem b e s T i m i d
n r 3 99
A F l y i g S t ool d a D ol l H ou s e
n an 4 00

T h ee L i tt le O e s D i ed
r n 400

B l ow i t o t h e R i v e
n n r 4 01
P a p e H a g e s Ex p e i e c e
r n r

r n 402
S av ed h i s D i k r n 403
W ed g ed i a C R oo f n ar 403

D i ed f om F i g h tr r 4 04

In a F i e P oo f V a u l t
r -
r 4 04

T w o W o me s E sca p e 4 05

n

S i C h a le s G ib s o s T ee s 4 05

r r n r .

C ol o ed V i c t i m s
r 407
W i l l i e \Vi kl De th nc er s

a 407

A c t s of He oi s m r 4 08

S av ed h i s C a pt a i s n

409
C a bb y w as A u t oc a t an r 41 1

Dy i g i a D u g S to e
n n r r 4 12

A P a i c A v e t ed
n r 413

T a i s N a o w E sca p e
r n

rr 415

F ou d a D e a d Ba b y
n 41 6
A
P GE

L I S T O F I L L U S T RAT I O NS .

E t a c e t o La f a y e tt e P a k
n r n r

La f a y e tt e P a k P e s b yt e i a C h u c h
r r r n r

G e e a l V i ew i La f a y e tt e P a k a f t e t h e S t m
n r n r r or

383 W as h i g t o S t a tu e La fa y e tt e P a k
n n ,
r

V i ew f om R el a y D e p t E as t S t L u i s
r o , . o

W e ck f D E y m
r o r R e s i de c e
. d R e a P o t i o s of U i o
er an

s n an r r n n n

C l ub

R e s i de c e f A u g u s t A h e s W hi tt em o e P l ac e
n o r n , r

395 V i ew o M i ss i ss i pp i A v e u e
n n

R e s i de c e f A u g u s t N ass e e a La f a y e tt e P a k
n o , n r r

R e s i de c e o C om pt o He i g h t s
n n n

L o o i
e n S t ag e H ou s e S out h J effe s o A v e u e
r

s or , r n n

P o t i o of C i ty H os pi t a l
r n

F o t V i ew of P e op le s R R P owe H ou s e P a k A v e u e
r n

. . r on r n

P owe h ou s e f U i o D e p ot R R C o o G e y e A v e u e
r o n n . . . , n r n

R e s i de c e of He y R oede A
n e a C a l i fo i a A ve u
nr r, nn ,
n r rn n e

La f a y e tt e P a k Me t h d i s t C h u c h
r o r

S i de V i ew of La f a y e tt e P a k Me t h od i s t C hu c h r r

P u i a M i l l s T wel f t h d G a t i ot S t ee t s
r n , an r r

T h B e t o S t a tu e La fa y e tt e P a k
e n n , r

La f a y e tt e A v e u e L ook i g W e s t f om M i ss ou i A v e u e
n , n r r n

La f a y e tt e A v e u e L k i g E as t f om J effe s o A v e u e
n , oo n r r n n

W e ck of t h e D t w H ou s e
r u e s ro

S c e e o La f a y e tt e A v e u e
n n n

E as t S t L ou i s T a s fe C o
. r n r

S t L ou i s G e m a E va g el i ca l C h u c h
. r n n r

K oe e s G a de
rn r

r n

A cho H al l
n r . .

R e s i de c e of Dn r .

R e s i de c e f D H a u ck
n o r.

S c e e M i ss i ss ippi A v e u
n on n e .

( 1 1)
12 L I ST OF I LL U S T R A T I O N S .

G e n e r a l V i ew La f a y e tt e P a k of r

R e s i de n c e on Pa k A ve u e r n

Ex c el s i o La u d y r n r .

S t L ou i s J a i l
. .

W e ck o f S t e a me He y S ack m a
r r

nr n

O tt d Fu
en a i tu e C rn r o

S e v e t h d R ut g e S t ee t s
n an r r

R u ss el l A v e u e E as t f O e g A v e u n ,
o r on n e

M t C a l va y E p i sc p a l C h u c h
. r o r

W av e l y P l ac e r

S t L ou i s C ott o C m p e ss W a e h ou s e
. n o r r

G u dl ac h T h ee s t o y T e eme t H ou s e
n r - r n n

E as t S t L ou i s G as W o ks
. r

P lo h eFu i tu e F ac t o y
n

s rn r r

E le va t o a t C h out e a u A v e u e d L e v ee
r n an

E as t S t L ou i s E le c t i c P we H ou s e
. r o r

D u g l as S c h ool E as t S t L ou i s
o , .

R e s i de c e o f D E P n t i r. . r e e or u s .

N a t i o a l H ot el E as t S t L ou i s
n , .

C ou t H ou s e E as t S t L o u i s
r , .

A g i c u l tu a l W a e h ou s e o C a l l S t ee t
r r r n r ro r

M t C a l va y C h u c h
. r r

F o t V i ew o f A c h o H a l l
r n n r

S i de V i e w o f H d g e S c h ool o n

D M O sbo
. e C o B u i ld i g
. rn .

s n .

R e s i de c e P a k A v e u e
n on r n

W e ck ed H me o O e g o A v e u e
r o n r n n

S a m p le of t h e S t o m s Rag e o P a k A v e u e r

n r n

I t e i o V i ew of O t
n r r d Fu i tu e C o B u i ld i g t en a rn r .

s n

W e ck ed T ee s i La f a y e tt e P a k
r r n r

M M B u ck C o W a e h ou s e
. . .

s r

V i ew La f a y e tt e A v e u e
on n

Chu ch o r M i ss i ss i pp i A v e u e
n n

C oll i s L i v e y

n r

M au ch h im P l ac e S e v e t h d R ut g e
en e er , n an r
 LI ST OF I LL U S T R A T I O N S . 13
PA G E .

R e s i de n c e J oh E d e s of n n r 21 6

S c e e o La f a y e tt e A v e u e
n n n .
221

O v e tur ed C a s o E i g h t h d P a k A v e u e
rn r n an r n 222

A R u i ed H omen 227

I E a d s B i d g e Eras t S i de , 228

R e s i de c e o C om p t o He i g h t
n n n s .
233

23 4

23 9

240

A l b a y D a c i g A ca dem y
n n n .
24 5

O T h i d S t ee t
n r r 246

S t J o h of Ne p om u k C hu c h 25 1
: . n r

W e ck of E le va t o
r an r 25 2
F e ak of t h e S t o m o C l i f t o He i g h t s
r r n n 25 7
S c e e J e ffe s o A v e u
n on r n n e .
25 8

S t e a me Ex p o t e
r r r

263

A D e a y W as t e
r r 264
M u s i c S t a d La fa y e tt e P a k B ef e t h e S t o m
n ,
r , or r 26 9

M u s i c S t a d La f a y e tt e P a k A ft e t h e S t m
n ,
r ,
r or 27 0

H op ele ss R ui s n 27 5

A Fa l le G i a t i t h e P a k
n n n r 27 6

F o t V i ew of C i ty H os p i t a l
r n 28 1

28 2

28 7
V i ew of S ch n a i de r s

G a r de n 28 8

An n a l i f i a A ve u e s
an d C or n n 293

C e tu y B u i l d i g
n r n 294

V i e w A c oss F om C i ty H os p i t a l
r r 299

B i d g e d W e ck of M a t el l H u s e E as t S t L ou i s
r an r r o , . 3 00
Gey e d O h i Ave ue s
r an o n 3 05

Lac lede G as C om p a y s W o k n

r s .
3 06
H od g e S c h ol n o 31 1

He a d qu a t e s R el i e f C om m i tt ee
r r 3 12
Ba p t i s t C hu c h La f a y e tt e d M i ss i ss i pp i A v e u e s
r , an n 31 7
D ol m a d H i ck o y S t ee t s
n an r r 318
14 L I ST OE I LL U S T R A T I O N S .

T e x as A lle A v e u e s
and n n

W h e e C h ld e D wel t
r i r n .

T h e S u mme H ou s e i La f a y e tt e P a k
r n r

U i ty C h u c h
n r

V i ew a t T w el f t h d G a t i t S t ee t s an r o r .

A S a d H me C m i g o -
o n

A P c tu e s qu e R u i
i r n

R e pu b l i ca C o v e t i o H a l l
n n n n

A P om i sc u u s W e ck
r o r

O ut s i de V i ew L gg e tt M y e s T ob acc o F ac t o y
i r r

S e c o d V i e w L i gg e tt M y e s T b acc o Fac t o y
n r o r

L i gg e tt 8 M y e s New Tob acc o Fac t o y

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 PU BL I S H ERS

NO TI C E .

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,

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8 s al e s o f the b oo k s h o u l d b e d o n a t e d to t he r e l i e f fu n d t h u s ,

te n d i n g m ater i al ai d i n t h at d i r e ct i on wh i l e s at i s f y i n g the
: s i r e f or an a u t h en t i c a n d p e r m an e n t r e co r d o f the most

e s tr u c ti ve an d f r i g h t fu l c a l am i ty o f t he c e n t u r y .

T h i s vo l u me i s the r es u l t o f the s u gg e st i o n r e f e rr e d to T e n .

er c e n t o f t h e g r oss r e c e i p ts w i l l b e a ss i g n e d to t he r e l i e f
I .

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d d e sc r i p t i v e m a tt e r t h at occ u r s i n t h e s e p ag e s ; t h i s i n
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( 15 )

16 P U BL I SI I ERS N O TI C E .

loc al p r e s s wh os e ar t i c l e s h a v e b e e n co ll ate d a n d u s e d as th
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c y c l on e an d h i s co n n e ct i o n w i t h the v ar i o u s r e l i e f com m i ttee s l

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m ad e h i m acqu ai n te d w i t h m an y s i n g u l ar an d t r ag i c i n c i d e n t ?
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t h a t h av e n ot b e en p u b l i s h e d e l s ewh e r e an d t h es e ar e treateI L ,
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i n h i s own b r i l l i an t an d f asc i n at i n g st y l e .
i t

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i n s p i r i n g h or r or s i s l a rg e l y c om p os e d of t h at s p l e n d i d a n t

w on d e r fu ll y b r i l l i an t r e p o rt t h at app ea r e d i n The R e p u b l i c

the s e c on d d ay af t e r t he sto r m wh i c h has att r a ct e d w o r ld w i d

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n ot i c e an d c omm en t as on e o f the n est e x am p l e s o f s u p e r "

d e sc r i p t i v e com p o s i t i on t h a t has e v e r app ear e d i n p r i n t .

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an o v e r wh e l m i n g cala m i t v t h a n w as m an i f e st e d b y t he grea

n e w s p ap e r s o f S t L o u i s . .
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v i e w s t h a t w e r e t a k e n for t h i s w or k e x c l u s i v e l y T he e x .

l e n c e of t he v i e w s i n ge n e ra l i s d ue to the s u p e r i o r i ty o f
w o rk m an s h i p an d ar t i st i c c on c e p t i o n of the l oc a l p h oto g rap h
f r om w h om t h ey w e re p u r c h as e d T h e y w e r e all t ak e n wi thi rll
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on e or t w o d ay s af t e r the sto r m an d r e p r e s e n t t he r u i n s as t he
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t h e n app e ar ed .

T H E P U B L I S H E RS .

S T L O U I S J u e 1 0 1 8 96
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a

E S h a l l n e v e r k n o w the fu l l e x ten t of the s uffer i n g c a u s e d

b y the t orn ad o wh i c h d e v astat ed a s ect i o n of S t L o u i s .
,

i sso u r i an d a st i l l l ar g e r p or t i o n o f E ast S t L ou i s I l l i n o i s
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ou the af t e r n oo n of We d n e s d ay M ay 27 1 8 9 6 I t i s k n ow n
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.
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I t h a t m o re t h an t h r ee h u n d r e d p e o p l e w e r e k i l l e d an d mo r e t h an
a t h o u s an d i n j u r e d . I t i s k n ow n t h at a g re at p o r t i on of t he

c i t y of E ast S t L ou i s w as r az e d to the gr o u n d an d t h at S o u t h
.
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o f an d a l o n g t he M i l l C r ee k Va l l e y i n S t L ou i s t he c y c l on e
.
,

fon t for i ts e l f a w i d e p at h t h r o u g h b l oc k a f t e r b l oc k o f re s i d en c e

p r op e r ty.

h B u t i t i s d i f c u l t to e v en app ro xi m at e t he p rop e r t y l oss an d

an acc u r a t e st a t e m e n t w i ll n e v e r b e m a d e . T he r st e st i m a t e s
l a c e d t he tot a l at T h e s e g u r e s h a v e S i n ce b een
p
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ten du r ed i n s i l e n c e b y t h os e w ho too p r ou d to ask r e l i e f so u g h t

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s u c h s h e l t e r as w a s a v a i l ab l e an d f o r m e d s e c r e t an d p r ai s e

" w o r t h y r e so l u t i o n s t o b e g i n l i f e ov er ag ai n .

I n b u t a few m i nu t e s the s a v i n g s o f a l i f e t i m e w e r e i n m an y ,

i n st an c e s sc att e r e d to the f o u r w i n d s of h ea v e n M an y w e r e
z ,
.

to e sc ap e w i t h t h e i r l i ve s ab so l u t e l y p en n i l ess T h e r e
,
.

t i m e for t h e m to s e c u r e p oss e ss i o n of t h e i r p oc k e t
l i tt l e k ee p s ak e s an d m e m en to e s D ea t h d e st r u ct i o n
.
,

d e so l at i o n w e n t h an d i n h an d a n d tog e t h e r b r o u g h t ab ou t a
,

n o f s ad n e ss an d mo u r n i n g s u c h as m od e rn o r an c i e n t h i sto r y
,

r ar e l y r e co r d s
.

2 ( 17 )
18 I N TRO D U CTO R Y .

One St . L ou i s
i t i ze n w ho w as a w ay f rom h om e a t the t i m
c

of t he acc i d e n t s t a t e d on hi s r e t u r n t h a t b u t for t he i n for m a ti O I

,

i m p a r t e d i n t he p re s s he n e v e r w ou l d h av e b e l i e v e d t h a t th
,

r u i n c ou l d h a v e b e e n w r ou g h t e x c e p t b y t he c an n o n ad e o f a

i mm e n s e a r my e qu i pp e d w i th mo d e rn ar t i ll e r y I n de scr i b i n
, .

h i s s en sat i o n s on w i t n e ss i n g the sce n e o f d e v astat i on he s ai d t h:

he w as i n C h ar l e st on j u st af te r the ear t h qu ak e a n d had e n t e rs,

mo re c i t i e s t h an on e j u st af te r t h ey had b ee n st or m e d d u r i n g t h
C i v i l W ar B u t he add ed he had n e v e r s e e n d e s t r u ct i on
.
, ,

c om p l e t e or r u i n so ab so l u t e as t h at w r o u g h t by the t or n ad
wh os e m e r c i l e ss d e v ast at i o n b egg ar s d e sc r ip ti o n an d c a l l s 1 '

t he u se of w o r d s w h i c h w o u l d h a v e to b e co i n e d for the occ asi c

S t L ou i s i s s i t u at e d i n t he M i ss i ss ipp i Va l l ey on the w es tc
.
,

b a n k of t he F at h er of Wat e r s Aqu ar t e r of a c e n t u r y ag
.

c y c l on e b l e w t h r o u g h the n e i g h b or h oo d c au s i n g g re a t d e st r a
,

t i on i n E ast S t L o u i s b u t c om p ar at i v e l y l i tt l e on the M i sso u

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,

s h o r e S i n c e t h e n t h e re had b ee n t w o or t h r e e t r i i n g c ar t
.

q u a k e s h oc k s N
. one o f t h e s e had b e en s uf c i e n t to d o ai

d am ag e n or had t he t h un d e r an d w i n d st or ms wh i c h v i s i t
,
:

t he c i t y f r om t i m e t o t i m e w r ou g h t s e ri ou s d am ag e or cans
,
:

g en e ra l i n co n v e n i en c e .

T he p e r i od i c a l oo d s i n t he M i ss i ss ipp i R i v e r t he l ast s on ,

f o u r y ear s ago d i d g r eat d am ag e i n E ast S t L o u i s b u t p r aet

,
.
,

c al l y n on e i n S t L ou i s i ts e l f I n f act the p eop l e o f the gre

. .

m e t r op ol i s of t he M i ss i ss i ppi Val l e y S t at e s ha d for a qu ar te r

a c e n t u r y b ee n f r ee f rom c a l am i t i e s of w i n d or w at e r T: .

f e el i n g of s ec u r i ty had b e c om e g e n e ral an d amo n g the y o u n g

,

i n hab an ts p ar c u hu y ; \v a s t h ou g h t t h at n o cychn na
,
.

to r n ad o w as e v er l i k e l y t o p e n et r ate the h i ll s ar o u n d the ci t

an d e n t e r w i t h i n i ts b ou n d a r i e s
.
T he c al am i t y at S he r m at
.
20 I N T RO D U CT O R Y .

d ay t o h av e an t i c ip at e d a c a l am i ty m an y p e op l e b e gan to f ear
,

t he w o r s t . I n on e offi c e b u i l d i n g i n p ar t i c u l a r t he w or d w a s
p a s se d a r o u n d t h a t a c y c l on e w as h e ad i n g t ow a r d s t he c i ty w i t h
l i g h t n i n g rapi d i t y an d t h at u n l e ss i t w as d e e ct e d f r om i ts
c ou r s e a t e r ri b l e c al am i ty m i g h t b e l ook e d for
,
.

S om e r e c e i v e d t he w arn i n g as a j e st b u t ot h e r s h u r r i e d to
,

t h e i r h om e s an d i n s om e c as e s to t h ei r d e at h T he of c e b u i l d i n g s
. .

o f t he c i t v w i t h stoo d t he s h oc k i n a m an n e r wh i c h r e d o u n d s to
the c r e d i t o f t h e i r d e s i g n e r s an d c on st r u cto r s l t h o u g h of c ou r s e
,
a

the fu l l b r u n t of t he st or m d i d n ot st r i k e t h e m I t w as the .

re s i d e n c e h ou s e s w h i c h for t he m ost p a r t w er e d e s t roy e d a n d ,

t h e s e w e re the m ost i n s e c u re p l ac e s i n wh i c h i m ag i n ar y r e fu g e
c ou l d be s ou g h t .

At i t b e c am e obv i ou s t h at the a tm os p h e r i c c on d i t i on s
w e r e u n p r e c e d e n t e d i n t he r e c ol l e ct i on o f the p eop l e T he .

tem p e r a t u r e f e l l r api d l y an d h u g e b an k s of b l ac k an d g reen i s h

c l o u d s w e r e s ee n a pp r oac h i g the c i t y I t g r ad u a l l y b e c am e
n .

d ar k e r an d t 5 o c l o k i t w a s as d ar k i n m an y p a rts of the c i t y
a

c

as i s u s u a l l y t he c a s e a t t he e n d of M ay t h r e e h ou r s l a t e r i n t he
,

e v en i n g .

All t he t i m e t he w i n d k e p t r i s i n g an d i n the fa r d i st an c e v i v i d
f o rk s o f l i g h t n i n g c ou l d b e s ee n G rad u al l y the t hu n d e r sto r m
.

c m e n eare r the c i t y an d t he w e st e r n p or t i on w as s oon i n the

a

m i d s t of a t e r r i b l e st or m T he W i n d s v e l oc i ty w as ab o u t t h i rty
.

s e v en m i l e s a n h o u r T h i s s p e e d i l y i n c r eas e d to s ix ty s e v en t y
.
,

an d e v e n e i g h t y m i l e s b v t he t i m e t he sto r m w as a t i ts h e i g h t
,
.

F or t h i r t e e n m i n u t e s t h i s f r i g h t fu l s p ee d w as m a i n t a i n e d a n d
t he r a i n fe ll i n c e as e l e ss t or r e n ts far i n t o the sa d an d n e v e r to
,
-

b e f or g ott e n n i g h t
-
. J C . .
 TH E G REAT C YC L O NE .

T he S tor m K i n g a n d the F ir e K i n g co m b i n e d i n t he
a tt a ck o n S t Lou i s
. A n d ri gh t b r a v e l y di d t h e y ght
. .

T he ai r was ll e d w ith l i gh t a n d h e a v y d e b ri s tri b ut es

,

to t he m igh t o f t he w i n d . I n all d i r e cti o n s t he cl a n g o f

t he go n gs o f t he re e n gi n e s a n d s u dd e n l y i n t he s o ut h
th e r e S h ot i n t he ai r a s tr ea m of a m e t h a t l it u p the
w h ol e ci t y T he F i r e Ki n g had sco r e d hi s fi rs t p oi n t i n
.

t he a ss a ul t . A b i g s k y l i gh t c a m e s a ili n g p a s t t he ob serv
a t or to w r ci rcl e d a ro u n d i n t he a i r m a d e a d i v e for
y e ,

O li v e s tr ee t a n d w as sto pp e d by t he g u tt e r a l o n g the
b ui l d i n g T h e n do w n i n t he str e e t co ul d b e s ee n t he
.

r e sul ts o f t he a tt a ck o f t he i n v a d i n g h o st s o n t he s ub tl e
age n t o f m a n e l e ctrici t y
,
. I n e v e r y d i r e cti o n t he lo n g
l i n e s o f t e l e gr a ph pol e s w e r e a s h i n g p ill a rs o f b l u e
a m e T he w i r e s w e r e s tri n gs o f re a n d t he i n s ul ato r s
.

w e r e b l az i n g b u n ch e s o f s i zz l i n g w i r e s.

B u il d i n gs s wa y e d a n d cr e a k e d i n t he po w e rful b l a st .

T he w i n d c a m e d o w n i n t he str ee ts pick e d u p b uggi es

,

a n d tu r n e d th e m o v e r . I t b o u n d e d t o ro ofs roll e d up
,

t i n co v e ri n gs l ik e sc roll s a n d d e p osi t e d t h e m i n t e l e gr a ph
w i re s. I t ll e d t he a i r w i t h y i n g b rick s a n d ti m b e rs a n d
m ad e t he e a rs h o rrifi e d w i t h t he cr a s h o f f a ll i n g S i g n s an d
b r ea ki n g w i n d o w s a n d t he sh r i e k s of m e n a n d w o m e n .

A n d all o v e r t he c it y re e n gi n e s h u r ri e d to a n d fro a n d
am eS b ro k e o u t i n s uch a m ultitu d e o f pl a c e s th a t the
'

(91)
22 TH E G RE A T C Y CLO N E .

h ea rts o f the b ra v e r e m e n s a n k w ith i n th e m w h e n th e y

co n t e mpl a t e d t he po ss i b il i ti e s o f a g e n e r a l c on agrat i on .

B u t i n t h i s t he a lli e d fo rc e s o f w i n d a nd fi r e w ork e d at
cros s p u rpos e s F or t he r a i n s e r v e d t o l a rg el y u n d o t he
.

w o rk o f t he oth e r e l e m e n ts .

I t w as w h e n t he a rm y of t he a i r w ith d r e w fro m
the a s s a ult . T h e n t he r a i n c a m e d o w n i n t o rr e n ts a n d
d r e n ch e d t he th ro n gs h u rr y i n g t h ro u gh t he s tr ee ts I t .

w as a w o n d e rf u l r a i n a s t e a d y
,
po u n d i n g p e n e tr a ti n g
, ,

r a i n th a t s e e m e d to g ath e r s tr e n gth as i t f e l l A m i d t he .

h o rro r a n d t he w il d r u mo rs o f co u n tl e s s f a t al iti e s t he r a i n
c a m e d o w n h a rd e r an d s tro n g e r gl o o m il y s ou n d i n g a
,

k n e ll
.

A D I SCRI M I N A T I N G S T O RM .

H a d t he a rch e n d h i m s e lf d i r e ct e d the co u rs e of t he
-

to r n ad o he co u l d h a v e sc a rc e l y g u i de d i t s o as t o h a v e
d o n e m o re d a m age T h os e w ho g az e d u po n t he sc e n e o f
.

d e s ol a tio n th a t w as w ro u gh t w e r e al mo s t i n cl i n e d t o h i n t
th a t i t w as g u i d e d by a s tr a t e gist s o m a r v el o u s w a s i ts
,

p e rs pi c a ci t y T he fo rc e s at i ts co m m a n d w e r e h a n dl e d
.

w i th t he s kil l a n d j u d gm e n t a g e n e r a l o f p o w e r mi gh t co n
cei ve . C a r e full y a v oi d i n g o b st a cl e s th a t m i g ht s e ri o u s l y
sc att e r i ts co n c e n tr a t e d p o w e r i t p a ss e d l igh tl y o v e r ce r
,

t ai n pl a c e s i n i ts p a th a n d s m ot e oth e rs h i p an d th i gh .

Now a n d t h e n i t d i v i d e d b u t t he d i v i s i o n s w e r e s tro n g
,

i n d e str u cti v e n e ss a n d w h e r e t he m ai n sto r m d id n ot

,

w r e a k i ts f u l l fo rc e th e r e w as d a m a g e d o n e i n S pots b y
w a n d e ri n g S k i rm i sh i n g b l a st s th a t a pp a l a n d h orr i f y It .

s w i tch e d a n d t w i st e d a n d d odg e d w i th t he S kil l o f a

 TH E G RE A T C Y C LO N E . 25

wr e stl e r . A nd
ft e r i n i ct i n g d a m a g e s u ffic i e n t t o w ear
a

o u t a n y b ut the mi g hti e st t e mp e st i t s ti ll ha d str e n gth

,

e n oug h t o cro ss a gr e a t s h e e t o f w a t e r l ik e t he M i ssi ssi ppi

a n d S p re a d r ui n a n d d e s ol at io n w ith a l a v i h h a n d s .

T h ou gh t he t o r n a d o r a v i s h e d t he p e opl e o f l i v e s an d
p ro p e rt y th e y r e s p e ct i t fo r i ts p o w e r a n d i n ge n u it y
,
.

T he r a i n a n d d a rk n e ss o f t he n i gh t ha d t he e ff e ct o f
b ri n gi n g t o t he m i n d s o f t h os e w h o w ork e d i n t he a fict e d
di stricts t he th o ugh t th at e x p e ri e n c e S h o w s w h a t look s
b ad a n d t e rri b l e i n the d ar k g e n e r al l y t u r n s o u t t o b e a n
,

e x agg e r a t e d f a n c y i n t he m o r n i n g B u t the s u n t ha t ros e

.

s mi li n g o n S t L o u i s a n d he r s tri ck e n si st e r cit y a cro s s

.

the ri v e r t he foll o w i n g m or n i n g b r ou ght t o l i gh t n e w h o r

,

ror w i t h e v e r y r ay th a t p e n e tr a t e d t he a tm osph e r e I t .

w a s n o t u n til t he e a rt h w as b ri gh t a n d w a r m a n d t he S ky
w as cl ea r a n d gl a d th a t t he t r u e s i tu a ti o n d a w n e d u p o n
t he p e o pl e T he a w ful w o rk of t he d e v a st a ti n g a r m y o f
.

t he e l e m e n ts s to o d o ut i n all i ts n ak e d h i d e o u s n e ss .

F ro m t he w e s t t o t he e a s t i n t he s o u th e r n c e n tr a l po rti o n
of t he to w n a w i d e s tr e ak w as b l aze d l i n e d o n ea c h s id e ,

w it h w r e ck a g e th a t r e pr e s e n t e d t o th o s e w h o o w n e d i t
w h e n i t w a s u s e f u l a l o s s tot a l a n d stu n n i n g
,
.

TH E C Y C L O N E S F A T AL P A TH .

T he p ath of t he sto r m th ro u gh t he ci t y w as a b o u t s e v e n
mil e s l o n g I t w a s n o t a d i r e ct p a th l e a d i n g s tr a i gh t
.
,

fro m t he poi n t at w h ich i t e ffe ct e d e n t r a n c e t o w h e r e i t

l e ft I t m a d e a p a th l i ke a s n a k e s tri v i n g t o g a i n a pl ac e
.

of kn ow n r e f u ge fro m a p u rs u i n g e n e m y Now a n d th e n it .

d i v e rge d fro m t he M il l C re e k Val l e y o n on e s i d e o r t he

26 TH E G R E AT C Y C LO N E .

o th e r b u t o n l y to r e tu r n a t s o m e v ul n e r a b l e poi n t w it h
,

r e n e w e d e n e rg y I t s ee m e d to m o v e at a h e i gh t a b o v e
.

t he gro u n d th a t S h e lt e r e d t he l ow p l a c e s i n i ts p at h u n ti l
a ft e r i t p a ss e d t he C i t y H ospi t al T h e n i t c a m e cl o s e r to
.

t he e a rt h a n d t he d a m a g e w ro ugh t fro m T w el fth st r e e t

,

to the ri v e r S h o w s th a t i t r ush e d d ir e ctl y do wn t he i n cl i n e

to t he L e v ee .

W h e r e i t rst e n t e r e d t he ci t y o ut n ea r t he P o o rh o u s e
.

, ,

ou A rs e n a l s tr e e t t he fo rc e of t he s tor m w as e x e rt e d
,

a g a i n s t tr ees a n d sc a tt e r e d b u ild i n gs T he rs t i n d i c a
.

ti o n of t he r e a l forc e o f t he w i n d w as m ad e a pp a r e n t at
J e ff e rs o n a n d G e y e r a v e n u e s w h e r e t he b i g po w e r hous
,

o f t he U n i o n D e pot s t r e e t r a il w a y s y st e m on e o f the ,

l a rg e s t e l e ct ri c pl a n ts i n the w orld w as r a z ed d am ag e
, ,

to b e m ea s ur e d o n l y by t he h u n d r e d th ou s a n d d oll a rs b e ,

i n g w ro u gh t . A b lock fu rth e r n o rt h t he d e structi o n w as ,

i f p ossi b l e e v e n m o r e e m ph at i c all y m a n i fe s t e d i n t he
,

w r e ck i n g o f t he U n i o n C l ub b u i l di n g a n d the a l m ost ,

to t al d e m ol i ti o n of d o z e n s of b u i ld i n gs i n t he i m m e d i a t e
Vi ci n i t y
.

T he forc e g e n e r a t e d at th i s cor n e r w as n ot l os t w h i l e
the s tor m co n ti n u e d o n i ts w ay e a s t u n ti l a ft e r i t l e f t L a
f ay e tt e P ark a n d th e r e w a s n o e x tr a o rdi n a r y m a n i fe st a
,

t i o n u n til i t r e ac h e d t he i l l f at e d co r n e r o f S e v e n t h an d
-

R utg e r s tr ee ts H e r e i t s p e n t t he ful l v e n t o f s om e o f i ts
.

r e s e r v e f u r y an d th e n m o v e d on to S oul a rd M arket w hi c h
, ,

fo rm e d a n oth e r c e n t e r o f d e s tructi o n w i d e r an d l o n g e r th a n
,

e i th e r o f t he o th e rs .

W h il e the ch i e f fo rc e o f t he s tor m w as e x e rt e d at the

th r ee pl ac e s m e n t i o n e d t h e r e we r e o th e r s s c arc e l y m or e
,
28 TH E G RE A T C YC LO N E .

w h il e the g e n e r a l d i r e cti o n d u ri n g t he s to m w as fro m i

the n orth w e st .I n t he tor n a d ic w h i rl t he W l w oul d

h a v e a n i n w a rd ro t ar y moti o n an d as t he c e n t e r o f d i s
,

t u rb a n c e p rogr e ss e d t he w i n d w o uld S h ift a cco rd i n gl y to

the d iff e r e n t p oi n ts of t he co m p a ss I t i s pro b ab l e th a t
.

th i s s ou th w e s t w i n d w as o f gr ea t e r v el oci t y th a n th a t
fro m t he n o rt h w es t a cco rd i n g to on e o f t he a cc e pt e d
,

g e n e r a l t he ori es o f c y cl o n i c ci rcul a ti o n n a m el y th a t the

, ,

h ea v i e s t w i n d m ay b e e x p e ct e d i n t he s out h w e st qu ad
r a n t of a l ow a r e a an d t he h ea v i e s t r a i n i n t he s o u th e a s t
,

q u ad r a n t. N O o th e r e v i d e n c e s o f t he tr u e t or n a d o h a v e

th u s far b ee n o b t ai n e d .

A p a rt fro m sci e n ti c o b s e r v a ti o n th e r e ca n b e n o d o u b t
a s to t he to r n ad o m o ti o n o f t he s t o rm A n y m an w h o
.

l o ok e d at L af ay e tt e P a rk o n T h u rs d ay m o r n i n g a n d th e n
s ai d t h e r e w as n o t a rot a r y m oti o n i n t he w i n d t ha t to r e
d o w n t he k i n gs o f t he fo r e s t m us t h a v e b e e n a fict e d
,

w i t h a d i s ea s e th a t c a ll e d fo r t he u s e o f a str a b i s m o m e t e r .

T h e y f el l to t he n orth a n d to t he s o u th a n d t o t he e as t
a n d t o t he w e st I f on e had the ti m e a n d t he i n cli n a
.

ti o n a n d p e rh a ps t he mi n d to g u r e i t o ut he could ,

w h il e i n L a f a y e tt e P a rk h a v e d e t e rmi n e d j u s t a b ou t t he
,

n u m b e r of ti m e s t he sto r m cl o u d t w i st e d i n goi n g a cros s

t he i n cl osu r e .

B ut on e d i d n o t h a v e to go t o L a faye tt e P a r k fo r p roof
th a t S t L o u i s w a s a ss a il e d by a sto rm w ith a rot a r y
.

m o ve me nt . A l m os t a n y cro s s s tr e e t i n i ts p a th f u r
n i s he d t he e v i d e n c e O n on e s tr e e t tr ee s o n the w e st
.

S i d e w e r e b l o w n d o w n to t he w e s t a n d tr e e s o n t he e a s t

Sid e w e r e b l o wn to t he e a st O n t he n e x t str ee t e a st t he
.
 TH E G RE A T C Y CLO N E . 31

or de r w as r e v e rs e d T h e r e a re cor n e rs i n S out h S t
. .

L o u i s o n w h i ch b u i l d i n gs stoo d th a t gi v e u n mi st a k a b l e
e v i d e n c e o f h av i n g b e e n struck by w i n d co m i n g fro m
m o r e th a n on e p o i n t o f t he co m p a s s at t he s a m e t i m e .

WA R N I N G S OF DE A D LY PE R I L .

We h a v e s ee n th a t a lth o u gh n o t offic i a ll y pr e d i ct ed ,

the to r n a d o w as e x p e ct e d by m a ny T he po s i tio n of
.

s e v e r a l o f the d ea d b o d i es fou n d i n the w r eck a ge i n d i

cat e d att e m pts t o s e cur e pl a c es of s a f e t y w h i ch m u st h a v e

b ee n co m m e n c ed l o n g b e fo r e t he s tor m r eac h e d t he ci t y ,

or i t s s u b ur b s T he cl o u d m o v e m e n ts all t he aft e r n oo n
.

cr eat e d al a r m i n t he m i n d s o f th os e w h o had s p e n t a n y
l e n gth of t i m e o n t he pr a i ri e s i n t he W e s t T he p ecul i a r
.

s h ad es of gr ee n t he v a ul t o f h e a v e n a ss u m e d d e n ot e d to
,

the eye of t he m a n w h o has go n e th ro ug h to r n a d o e s w h e r e

th e r e are n o co m p a ct co mm u n iti es to b r e a k th e m u p a ,

s t a t e o f affa i r s i n t he a tm o s ph e r e c a lcul a t e d to pro v ok e

al a r m. T he s cu rr y i n g cl o uds s w ee p i n g a b o ut w i th a p
,

ar e n tl
p y n o o b j e ct i n v i e w ,
w e r e pl ai n l y b e n t u po n a

m i s si o n of d e structi o n O n a cco u n t o f the po pul ar fal

.

l a c y t h a t a t o r n ad o o r a c y c l o n e w i ll n ot strik e a l a rg e
cit y t h e r e w as c re at e d a f eel i n g of fals e s e cu rit y B ut .

m en w h o k n o w a b o u t th os e th i n gs w e r e w orr i e d W o m e n .

w ho k n e w ab o ut th e m prud e n tl y m a d e pr e p a r at i o n s to
se e k p l a c es of sa f e t y S h oul d t he co n d itio n s w a rr a n t t he

p as s ag e o f the s to r m o v e r t he gr ea t a r ea of t he to w n .

T he g ath e r i n g of t he c l o ud s i n t he w e s t pr e p a r a to r y to
the ass a u l t o f t he c i t y w as on e of t he gr a n d e st s p e ct acl e s
e v e r g i v e n t he v i e w o f t he e e of m a n b ut i t di d n ot co m
y ,
32 TH E GRE A T C YCLO N E .

p a r e w ith t he t e r ri c gr a n d e u r o f t he o n sl a u gh t \Vhen t he .

a ll i e d f o rc e s fro m t he s outh w e s t a n d t he n o rth ea s t l ad e n ,

w i th l igh t n i n g a n d cu mul a ti v e forc e r e t i r e d b e y o n d t he

,

w e st e r n h o ri z o n fo r a fe w mi n ut e s sh o rtl y a ft e r 5 o cl ock
, ,

\Ve d n es da y a ft e r n oo n a n d t he r a i n c a m e b low 1 n g i n s oft

,

s h e e ts fro m the s ou th i t w a s th o u gh t th a t th e r e w o ul d
,

b e n o furth e r d is t u r b a n c e B ut t he a rm y O f l i gh t n i n g
.

an d w i n d s ha d go n e fo r r e e n fo rc e m e n ts
-
A w ay o u t b e.

y o n d t he li m its o f t he co u n t y th e r e w a s a n oth e r s to rm
r a gi n g a m al ig n a n t s to r m t h a t sp e n t i ts fo rc e i n d o i n g
,

d a m a g e O f s m all m o m e n t i n co m p a r i so n w i th w h at i t m i gh t
d o i f j o i n e d to a g re a t e r co m b i n a t i o n T he w h i rl i n g b a n k
.

o f clo u d s w e n t o u t i n S t L o u i s C o u n t y a n d g a th e r e d u p
.

t he a n gr y e l e m e n ts w a rri n g th e r e I t to ok a b o u t t w o
.

m i n ut e s t o m ak e t he c o n s ol i d at i o n a n d th e n c a m e t he co m
b i n e d a tt ack .

G A TH E RI N G F O R CE I N I TS CO U RS E .

T he f ea rfu l co m b i n a ti o n o f ae ri a l forc e s w h ic h w r e ck e d
th o u s a n d s o f b u i l d i n gs a n d b rok e u p as m a ny h o m e s gr e w ,

i n s tr e n gth a s i t d a sh e d th ro u gh t he cit y i n its d ea th d eal

i n g co u rs e T he s to rm i t had g a th e r e d i n i ts r a n k s o u t
.

i n t he h i gh gro u n d w e s t o f the ci t y w as n o t full y s e ttl e d

i n po sitio n a n d co n f u si o n r e i gn e d i n pl a c e o f t he d isci pli n e
th a t p r e d o m i n at e d i n a fe w m i n u t e s I n t he c e n t e r th e r e
.

w as a th i ck m a s s o f gh ti n g str e n gth b ut t he outs i d e ,

r a n k s w e r e w e a k a n d w a v e ri n g p ro n e t o w a n d e r off w it h
,

e a ch f a n c y of t he w i n d . C o mi n g do w n to w a rd t he P oo r

h o us e t he rot a r y m oti o n the s e cr e t o f t he to r n a do s po w e r
, ,

b e g a n to m a k e i ts e l f a p p a r e n t to a v i s i b l e e x t e n t T he .
 TH E G RE A T C Y C LO N E . 88

a rm y o f cl ou d s fro m t he S h a p e o f a d r a w n o u t ac
,

c ordi on ,
p a rtoo k m or e o f t he s h a p e of a scr e w w i th t he ,

s m all e n d t he e ffe cti v e e n d d a n gl i n g to w a r d s t he e a rt h

, ,
.

O n c e t he cl o ud w as fo rm e d t he o n sl a u gh t w a s i n e v it a b l e .

T he w i n d took u p the co u rs e th a t d re w t he s tor m t o w a rd

t he ci t y a n d t he ci t y w as d o o m e d No h u m a n po w e r .

co ul d s t a y t he r us h .

I n a t e m p e s t o f d isco r d a n t s o u n d t he to r n a d o S w oop e d
d o w n o n the P oo rh o u s e w o rk e d i ts w i ll a n d co n ti n u e d
,

on i ts w a y . T he F e m a l e H osp i t al j us t a cro s s t he s tr ee t
, ,

w a s ri gh t i n i ts p a th b u t t he v a g a ri e s o f a t o r n a d o ar e
,

h ar d t o u n d e rst a n d I t to ok a sl igh t t r e n d t o t he e a s t
.

a n d s o uth ,
cl i pp e d o ff t he ro of o f t he w e s t w i n g o f t he
F e m al e H o sp i t a l a n d th e n w ith t he b i g I n s a n e A s y l u m
,

l o o m i n g u p b e fo r e i t f u ll o f p oss i b i l i ti e s f o r h o rri b l e
,

e x e cuti o n ,
i t s h ift e d o n c e m o re t o t he s o u th a n d to ok u p
a p a t h th a t b ro u gh t i t o v e r t he a s y l u m f a rm s .

U po n r each i n g K i n g s H igh w a y t he t o r n ad o w a s i n a

f ai r w ay t o l a st o n a v o y a g e th ro u gh t he cit y T he s c a t .

t e ri n g cl ou d s o n t he e d g e s w e r e r a pi d l y cl o si n g i n o n t he
c e n tr a l m a ss an d t he scr e w s ha p e w as b e co mi n g m o r e
,

pro n o u n c ed F ro m t he d i r e cti o n i t w a s tr a v e li n g i t
.

s ee m e d w h e n i t p a s s e d t he I n s a n e A s y l um t o b e b o u n d
, ,

fo r C aro n d ele t b u t t he s tr a t e g y a n d i n g e n u it y th a t a ctu

,

a t e d i ts m o v e m e n ts c a m e i n to pl a y a n d s t e er e d it to a p at h

mor e pro d ucti v e o f lo s s o f p ro p e rt y a n d l if e

K o e r n e r s G a r d e n t he m e cc a O f t he c y cli st a n d of t he
.

co n v i v a l g e n e r all y st a n d s or w e s h o uld r a th e r say stoo d

, ,

o n the co r n e r o f K i n g s h i gh w a y a n d A r s e n a l s tr e e t

.

W h e n t he tor n a d o w a s t w o b lock s a w a y fro m i t to t he

3
34 TH E G RE A T C Y C LO N E .

sout h on e w o u l d h a v e s w or n i t w as o n i ts w ay di r e ctl y
e a st. B u t i t w h e e l e d s ud d e n l y i n i ts co urs e an d m a d e a
d a s h fo r K o e r n e r s T he m o m e n tu m i t had a tt a i n e d

.

to w a r d t he c a s t w as t o o st ro n g to a ll o w i t t o s tri k e t he
ga r d e n d i r e ct b u t i t m a d e a good h o n e s t e ffort a t d e mo
, ,

l i t i on a n d th e n w e n t o n i ts w a y t o T o w e r G ro v e P a rk
, ,

d i r e ctl y t o t he n o rth e a st I t to r e a c ro s s T o w e r G ro v e
.

Pa rk i n a d i a go n a l d i r e cti o n g a th e r i n g s tr e n gt h as i t
,

tr a v e l e d l e v eli n g tr e e s a n d u pro o ti n g pl a n ts an d s h ru b s
, ,

a n d th e n str u ck o u t o v e r the h il l fo r t he l o v e l y d w e l l i n gs

o n C o m pto n H e i gh ts A w a y t o t he ea s t d o w n i n t he
.
,

v all e y t he b i g b ui ld i n gs of t he L i gg e tt d M y e rs to b a cco
,
5

p l a n t r e a r e d t h e i r h e a ds to t h e S ky a n d t he gr e a
,
t s t ee l
gi rd e rs s ee m e d to a ttr act t he to r n ad o a s a m ag n e t attr acts
s t e el . I t p a us e d a m o m e n t i n t he r u s h t o C o m pto n
H e i gh ts too k o n a st ro n g e r rot a r y m ot i o n an d sp e d a w ay
,

fo r t he t o b acco b ui l d i n gs .

ON TH E O U T S K I RT S OF TH E ST O R M RE GIO N .

B u t t he ffo rt of ch a n gi n g the co u rs e s o s u d d e n l y had

e

a r a th e r d e mor ali z i n g e ff e c t o n t he a rm y o f cl o uds A .

d e t ach m e n t o f t he s ol i d pl a to o n w e n t a w a y on a n e x p edi
ti o n o f i ts o w n d o w n t o w a rd t he b r e w e ri e s a n d t he p e ac e
fu l G e r m a n h o m e s s u rro u n d i n g th e m i n fa r S o u th S t .

L o ui s T he m a i n b od y s c a rc e l y a ffe ct e d by t he l o s s of
.
,

t he d e s e rt e r co n ti n u e d o n i ts w a y a n d d e a t h a n d r u i n a
, ,

s e co n d l a t e r r e i g n e d i n t he b i g s t ee l s tructu r e s a t t he
T o w e r G ro v e C ross i n g .

A t t h i s ti m e t he m a s s o f cl o u d s s ee m e d to s pr ead .

T he to p of t he m a ss a tt e n e d a n d s wu n g fro m S i d e to
 G RE A T C Y CL O NE .

s i de w it h a m o ti o n th a t th r e w t he s m a l l e n d ab o u t l i k e a
p e n d ul u m o v e r the co u n tr y i n a m o s t pro m isc u ou s m an
n er . I t b o bb e d u p an d d o w n n ow strik i n g t he e a rth
,

an d t e a r i n g a s tr e a k o f w a st e i n i ts p ath n ow h i gh a b o v e
, ,

the fo rc e i t e x p e n d e d d oi n g d a m a g e s li gh t e r th a n di r e ct
a pplic a t i o n o f t he ro t a r y m oti o n a cco m pl ish e d T he rai n
.

w as f a ll i n g i n torr e n ts a n d t he sk y w a s v e i l e d i n a m u dd y
m i s t t h a t c a s t a gl o o m o n t he e a rth m or e t e rrif y i n g th a n
t he d a rk n e s s o f n i gh t.

F ro m t he po i n t w h e r e t he t or n ad o s t a rt e d i n the a tt a ck
o n C o mpto n H ei gh t s t he w o n d e rf u l a n d p e cul i a r m o v e
m e n ts i t took b e c a m e app a r e n t W h il e t he b od y o f the
.

cl ou d w as h a n gi n g o v e r t he r e si d e n c e d istr i ct the t ai l t he ,

d e structi v e e n d w as cr eati n g h a v o c h al f a m i l e to t he
,

n ort h i n t he f a ctor y d i s tr i ct al o n g t he M i s so u r i P a ci c
an d I ro n M o u n t a i n t r a cks . J us t b e fo r e r e a ch i n g G r a n d
a v e n u e t he s to r m got tog e th e r a ga i n dro pp e d d o w n
,

to w ard t he e a rth a n d m ad e a ch a rg e o n t he h i l l i t had

b ee n a ppro a ch i n g .

T r e e s w e n t d o w n b e fo r e i t h o u s e s w e r e u n roof e d w all s
, ,

w e r e b l o w n th i s w a y a n d th at a n d i t a pp e a r e d th a t t he
,

e n ti r e p o p u l a t i o n of C o m pto n H il l w o u l d b e b l o w n cl e a r

o v e r t he r e s e r v oi r B u t t he to r n ado t o o k a n o th e r tr ack
. .

I n s t ea d of b re ak i n g i ts el f a ga i n st t he s i d e o f t he i n cl i n e
l ead i n g w e s t fro m G r an d a v e n u e i t took a s u dd e n b o u n d
i n the a i r p a s s e d cl e a r o v e r G r a n d a v e n u e a n d t he R e s e r
,

v oi r P a rk a n d co n ti n u e d o n i ts w ay o v e r t he v a ll e y b e
t w ee n J e ffe rs o n a n d G r a n d a v e n u e s to w a r d t he m o r e
d e n s e l y po p u l a t e d p a rt o f the cit y .

T h ough t he s tor m d i d n o t d i re ctl y s trik e h e r e i t ha d ,

38 TH E G RE A T C Y CL O N E .

a fe w g u e rri ll a clo ud s ou t th at acco m pli sh e d m uch i n t he

w a yo f d e s tructio n T h e s e v a gr a n t gh t e rs a g ai n s t pro p
.

e rt a n d l i f e sk i m m e d a l o n g cl os e t o t he e a rth d odg ed
y ,

a ro u n d o b t a c l e s th a t w e r e b e y o n d th e i r po w e r to r e m o v e
s

an d t o r e a n d tugg e d a t to w e rs a n d ro o fs a n d tr e e s As .

th e y e w by t he m a i n s to rm m ou n ti n g h i gh e r a n d
, ,

h i gh e r s ee m e d t o l os e th e m b ut th e y k e pt o n s tr ai gh t
, , ,

to t he e a st M e a n w h i l e t he t a i l w a s sl ow l v s w i n gi n g o u t
.

to t he n orth a n d t he cl o u d a tt e n e d t o a m or e p ro n o u n c e d
d e gr e e .

TII E F U LL F O R CE F E L T .

C l ea r d o w n to M i ch i g a n a v e n u e t he l i ttl e S k i rm i s h i n g
cl ou d s d id all t he e x e cu t i o n fo r t he sto r m C ro ssi n g t h i s.

s tr e e t t he s m al l e n d s u dd e n l y s w oop e d d o w n w a rd a n d at ,

t he s a m e t i m e t he u pp e r e n d b e g a n t o s w i n g a ro u n d i n
such a w ay as to b ri n g t he cl ou d i n t o a n a l mos t pe rp e n
d i c ula r p o si ti o n. A t O h i o a v e n u e t he ful l fo rc e o f t he
a r m a m e n t o f t he a r m y o f cl oud s w as t h ro w n at t he e a rth

fo r a s e co n d a n d b uild i n gs f e l l i n e v e r y d i r e cti o n T he .

c e n t e r o f the s to rm w a s a t th i s ti m e dir e ctl y o v e r L a f aye tt e

ave n u e ,
a n d t he t a i l a g a i n b e g a n to d i v e rg e to t he n o rth ,

w i th a gr ac e ful s w i n g T he fro n t of t he ad v a n ci n g ph al a n x
.

o f d ea d ly v a po r was ri gh t o n a l i n e w ith the s u rfac e o f

J effe rs o n a v e n u e .

L af ay e tt e P a rk i s o n t he s u m m i t o f a h il l th a t form s
the w e s t e r n b o u n d a r y O f t he v all e y e x t e n d i n g u p t o t he
h igh gro u n d al o n g G ra n d a v e nu e J e ffe rs o n a v e n u e i s
.

S l i gh tl y d o w n t he i n cl i n e to t he w e s t o f t he p a rk I f t he
.

to r n ad o ha d p u rs u e d t he s a m e a n tics t h a t go v e r n e d i t
 TH E GR EA T C Y C LO NE . 39

w h e n i t r e a ch e d G r a n d a v e n u e i t w o u l d h a v e agai n
,

b ou n d e d i n t he ai r a b ou t J e ffe rs o n a v e n u e a n d co n ti n u e d
o n i ts w ay to w a rd t he ri v e r at a d i ff e r e n t a lti t u d e t o s a v e
fro m s e ri ou s da m ag e t he b e a u ti f u l r e si d e n c e s ab o u t t he
p a rk B u t t he actu a ti n g po w e r S h o w e d str a t e g y th i s
.

ti m e T h e r e w as n ot m u ch to d e stro y at G r a n d a v e n u e b ut
.
,

J e e rs on a v e n u e O ff e r e d a ric h h a r v e s t A n d w h e n t he
.

sto r m r each e d th a t th o ro ugh f a r e i t da s h e d str a igh t i n to

t he s id e o f t he h ill t he d e s tr u cti v e t a i l s w u n g eas t as fa r as
,

C h o u t e a u a v e n u e d a sh e d to w a rd t he e a rth a n d b it a c hu n k
,

of pro p e rt y o ut o f J e ffe rs o n a v e n u e a ll t he w ay fro m

C h o u t e a u to R u ss e ll .T he t a i l o f t he s to r m m o v e d fro m
n o rth t o s o u th l ik e t he l a s h of a w h i p an d w h il e i t w as ,

co mpl e ti n g t he w o rk O f d e structi o n the d e n s e m a i n b o d y

r e m a i n e d poi s e d i n t he ai r sl o w l y r e v ol v i n g a n d o a ti n g
,

i n t he d i r e cti o n o f G e y e r a v e n u e .

A b o ut t he ti m e i t w as di r ectl y o v e r t he S cul li n p o w e r
h o us e t he t a i l c a m e al o n g s w e pt u n d e r a n d w ith a ro ar
, ,

th at w as h e a rd fo r b l ocks mi x e d m ot o rs e n gi n e s c a rs
, , , ,

b u il d i n gs m a ch i n e r y a n d m en i n a m a s s of m at te r T h e n
,
.

t he t a il s w u n g o v e r to t he S outh S id e r a c e tr a ck c om ,

l et e l l ick e d i t off t he f a c e o f t he e a rt h a n d t he gr e a t
p y ,

b o d y a s h i n g li gh t n i n g a n d b r ea th i n g th u n d e r m o ve d
, ,

s wi ftl y to t he n o rth e a s t b l o w i n g d o w n h ou s e s an d s tr i p
,

p i n g L a fa y e tt e P a rk o n the w ay l ea v i n g i t a fo r e s t of
,

Spl i n t e r e d s tu m ps
T he m o v e m e n ts of t he t a i l o f t he s to rm t he t w i sti n g
.

t a i l th a t c url e d a n d s pl i n t e r e d i ro n a n d st e e l a n d m e l t e d
a w a y t he s tro n g e st w ork o f m a n th e n m o v e d s o r a pi d l y
,

fro m on e s id e to t he oth e r th a t i t co ul d n o t b e d i s ti n
1 4)
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rm : m M a m ie
.

g u i s he dI t sl i
. p ped o ve r to T we nty rs t st r eet d es -
,

t ro ye d el evato r s w i r e m i ll s w a r eh ou ses an d facto r i es

, ,

an d th e n c o n s i d e r atel y j u m ped o ve r a bi g b r ew e r y at th e
so u th app r oach t o th e E i gh tee n t h st r eet b r id ge I t se nt .

a n a r m o ve r to Ma r k et st r eet and bl e w h ol es i n th e walls

of facto r ies b u t s pa r ed th e U ni o n Stati o n
,
T h e n it .

gath e r ed al l i ts fo r ce s w e pt b ack to th e south agai n

, ,

wi ped th e City H ospital out of ex iste nce a n d sta r ted on

th e v oyage d ow n Soul a r d st r eet th e m os t d est r u cti ve i n ,

its cam pai g n Al l th e ti m e th e bi g bl ack cl oud h o ve r ed

.

ab o v e sl id i n g u p a n d d ow n s p itti n g l i gh tn i n g a n d
, , ,

r ai n i n g .

\VI I E R E D E AT H S \VE R E M O S T F R E QU E NT .

F r o m th e C ity Hos pital t o th e co r ne r of Se ve nth and

Rutge r st r ee ts th e sto r m gath e r ed i tsel f t ogeth e r fo r a
nal o n sl au gh t befo r e r each i n g th e r i v e r All th e l i ttl e .

to r me nto r s w e r e d r aw n i nto th e v o r te x and th ey d i d n ot

fo r get t h ei r w o r k of dest r u cti o n as th ey c a m e f r o m e ve r y
sid e fo r bl ocks a r o u n d Th e te r r ibl e tail was d r a w n u p
.

i nto th e m ai n cl ou d as th ou gh fo r add iti o nal st r e n gth ,

an d at Ei gh th s t r eet th e e nti r e m a ss ( I rO pp ed t o th e ea rth

an d s p r ead d oze ns of w h i r l i n g d e al e r s of d eath to th e
n o r th a n d sou th Me n a nd w om e n an d ch il d r e n d ied
.

h e r e l i ke ies i n th e cold Th e st r eets we r e block ed w ith

.

deb r i s wh il e th e aw ful tai l w h i pped u p an d d ow n an d

, ,

f r om sid e t o s id e l ike s om eth i ng i n fu r i ated T h e to r nad o .

ta r r i ed h e r e bu t n ot fo r l o n g It w o r k ed fast
,
. .

F r o m th e sce ne of ca r n a ge o n Rutge r an d Soula r d

st r eets f r o m B r oad way to Ei gh th a n d as fa r n o r th as
, ,
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44 TH E U R E YI

c vc m xi .

n ea r l y al l of th ei r em pl oyes a nd pas e nge r s we r e ao s

cou nted for .

Alth ou gh th e b r oad boso m of th e r agi n g Mi ssi ssi ppi

offe r ed a ful l s wee p for th e d est r u cti ve po we r s of th e t o r
n ad o i t i s a m ost r e ma r k a b l e th i n g th at b ut a n i n n i t e s
,

i mal l oss of l i fe occu r r ed i n th i s po r ti o n of th e sto r m r av - o

aged d i st r ict a nd o nl y a fe w cases i n w h ich any i nj u r y

,

was s u stai ned by th ose w h ose occu pati o n d em a nd s th ei r

p r ese nce on th e r i v e r f r o nt Wh il e th e d am age to th e
.

sh i pp i n g i n th e h a r bo r w as s om eth i ng t r em e nd ou s i t was ,

r ega r ded by r i ve r m e n as al most m i r acul ou s th at th e l os s

of l i fe a n d l i mb i s s o i nco nseque nti al especiall y i n v i e w of
,

th e acco m pa n yi ng d est r u cti o n to p r ope r ty al on g th e w h a r f .

W h il e th e s to r m w as at i ts ful l h ei gh t th e ai r w as l ad en
with po nd e r o us beam s i r o n r od s gi r d e r s pl an ks a nd
, , ,

w r eck age of e ve r y co nce i vabl e d esc r i pti o n bl ow n f r om ,

th e fou r qu a r te r s o f th e com pass a nd r i ve r c r aft of e ve r y

,

cl ass w e r e c r as h i n g w ith d est r u cti v e fo r ce a gai n st each

oth e r a nd g ri nd i n g t h e msel ves i nto f r agm e nts b u t fe w ,

l i ves we r e clai med by t he ele me nts an d m a ny r ep o r ted ,

d ead tu r n ed u p safe th e n ex t day .

T h e r e we r e s i xtee n steame r s ve fe r r yb oats t wo t r a ns

, ,

fe r boats a nd si x tu gs bl o w n f r o m th e i r m oo r i ngs a n d
com pletel y d e m ol is h e d by th e sto r m besid es s i x oth e r s ,

wh ic h s uffe r ed co m pa rati vel y l i ttl e d am age Th e l oss to .

sh i ppi n g i nte r ests e xceed ed as m ost of th e

b oa t s h av e to b e e nti r el y r ebu i l t Besid es th i s e ve r y
.
,

w ha rfb oa t o n th e r i ve r f r ont except th at of th e A nch o r

,

Li n e an d th ose u sed by th e ci ty was bl o w n away a nd

, ,

su nk i n s m al l f ragme nts .
 TH E G R E AT CY CLO NE . 45

A mo n g th e b oats wh ic h a r e a total l oss a r e the

Ci ty of Cai r o A r k ansas C ity of th e A nch o r Li ne
,

th e C ity of V ick sb u r g J J Odi l Li bbie C o n ge r ,

. .
, ,

D ol ph i n N o 2 wh ich l i es b otto m u p i n th e m id dl e of
.
,

th e r i ve r ; B al d Eagl e C ity of Qu i ncy P ittsbu r g Bell e

, , ,

of Cal h ou n Ha r veste r Ch a r l es Me r r i am an d Geo r ge

, ,

A Mad il l
. .

Th e t wo l atte r a r e t r a nsfe r b oats T h e ste a m l au n ch .

A u st r i a sai d to b e o w n ed b y El l i s Wai n w r igh t w h ic h

, ,

w as m oo r ed at th e foot of Ca r r s t r eet w as to r n f r o m h e r ,

fast e n i n gs l ifted i nto th e ai r a nd tu r ned botto m u p twe nty

,

feet f r o m th e s h o r e .

TH E R I V E R A R A G IN G T O RR E NT .

Th e h a r bo r b oat w ith Captai n Je n ks a n d v e m e n

,

ab oa r d w as bl o w n d o w n t he st r ea m f r o m M o r ga n s t r eet
,

to a p oi n t bel o w L em p s B r e we r y I n d r ifti n g u nd e r th e .

Ead s B r idge h e r s m ok estack s w en t b y th e b oa r d w it h a

c r as h tea r i n g ou t t he f r o n t po r ti o n of th e u ppe r deck
,
.

He r u ppe r d eck aft w as bl o w n ou t on th e t r i p d o w n .

Dav i d Wel sh a d eck h an d w h o ha d s ou ght r efu ge on

, ,

th i s d eck w as cau gh t i n th e c r ash a nd p r etty bad ly i n

,

j u r ed Th e b oat w as to wed back th e n ext m o r n i n g a n d

.

a nch o r ed o pposite th e foot of M a r k et st r eet .

Th e A nch o r L i ne steam e r C ity of M o n r oe wh i ch was ,

l oad i n g at th e foot of Pi ne st r eet w as bl o w n ac r oss th e ,

r i ve r a n d i s n ow lyi n g a g r ou nd on th e r ock s on th e I ll i
n oi s s h o r e o ppos ite C h o utea u a v e n ue m i nu s h e r stack s , ,

de r r ick s boo ms an d a po r ti o n of h e r u ppe r w o r k s Had

,
.

th e sto r m h el d off a h al f h ou r l on ge r s h e w oul d h ave

46 TH E G R E AT C YCLO N E .

bee n cl ea r ed fo r Ne w O rl ean s an d escaped th e sto r m .

Fo r tu n atel y n o on e ab oa r d o f h e r was i nj u r ed .

Th e C ity of Cai ro a n d th e A r k an sas C ity w h i ch w e r e ,

lyi n g j us t ab o ve th e C i ty of M o n r oe we r e al s o bl o w n out
,

i nto th e st r eam T h ey oated d o w n t o a poi nt bel o w th e

.

cotton c om p r ess pl an t n ea r Ca r o nd el et w h e r e th ey are ,

n ow ly i ng . T h e r e w as n o on e aboa r d th e t wo b oats at
th e ti m e except th e Watc h m e n a n d th ey escaped i nj u r y
, ,

al th ou gh th e w atch ma n on th e A r kansas Ci ty w as bl o w n
i n to th e r i ve r oppo s ite Ma r ket st r eet H o w h e eve r .

r each ed th e sh o r e i n safety h e i s u nabl e t o say .

T h e C ity of Qu i ncy w h ic h tu r ned b otto m u p i n th e

,

r i v e r at Ca r o nd el et w as a n ch o r ed at th e foot of F r an kli n
,

ave n u e w h e n th e bl o w st r uck h e r O n h e r way d ow n s h e

.

pass ed cl ose t o th e h a r b o r boat an d th e w atch ma n w h o

,

w as ab oa r d of h e r cl am be r ed o nto th e h a r b o r b oat j u st
befo r e th e Qu i ncy caps i zed .

T h e C ity of P r o v id e nce h ad a m ost p r ov id e ntial escape

f r o m total d em ol iti o n a n d th e d ozen peopl e ab oa r d h ad
,

a cl ose cal l Th e P r o v i d e nce an d th e C i ty of Vick sbu r g

.

we r e l y i n g togeth e r w h e n th e to r n ad o st r uck th em Th e .

w i n d bl e w th r ough th e cab i n o f th e V i cksb u r g w h ich was ,

cl ose r to th e sh o r e an d caugh t th e P r o vid ence t ea r i n g

, ,

h e r l oose f r om h e r a nch o r age bl o w i n g h e r out i nto t h e

,

st r ea m T h e w i nd d e m ol is h ed th e u p pe r d eck s of th e
.

b oat a n d r i pped out th e e n t i r e o o r of th e l o we r d eck ,

scatte r i ng i t i nto th e r i ve r A fte r bei n g bl o w n t o m i d

.

st r eam th e w i nd sh i fted an d d r o v e h e r back t o th e w h a r f ,

wh e r e sh e p o u nd ed a b i g h ol e i n th e V ick sbu r g s sid e an d ,

to r e out 1 00 feet of h e r ow n h u ll .
R E S I D E NC E 0 F A U G US T NA S S E , NE A R L AF A Y E T T E P A RK .
 TH E G R E AT CYCLON E . 49

Th e n th e w i nd ch a nged an d bl e w b oth th e P r ov i de nce

and V icksbu r g ac r oss th e r i ve r th e t wo b oats pou nd in g ,

an d g r i nd i n g each oth e r on th e t r i p Th e Vi cksbu r g .

cau gh t fo r a w h ile o n th e I l l i n oi s s ide an d th e n w as d r i v e n ,

d o w n bel o w Ca r o nd elet w h e r e sh e w as dem ol ish ed Th e

,
.

P r o v ide nce wa s d r i ve n w ith g r eat Vi ol e nce i n to th e Ill i n oi s

sh o r e ei gh t ti m es on th e t r i p d o w n causi n g gre a t da m age , ,

a n d nall y l a nded bel o w th e Ri v e r d e s Pe r es on th e oth e r

s i d e Sh e w as to wed ac r oss to h e r l and i n g th e n e xt da y

.

Th e Vi ck sb u r g w as a total l oss b ut th e P r ov ide nce w as ,

n ot s o bad l y d amage d .

E L E V E N LAD I E S IN D E AD L Y P E RI L .

T h e r e w a s a s ce n e of pan i c ab o a r d th e D ia m o nd Jo
stea m e r Pi ttsbu r g w h ich w as l yi n g j u st belo w t he b r id ge
, ,

w h e n t he to r nad o st r uck h e r Th e r e w e r e e leve n l ad i es

.

aboa r d h e r a n d w h e n th e w i nd began t o c r eate h avoc

,

aboa r d th e steam e r th e te r r o r w as so m eth i n g a w ful In .

th ei r m ad e xcitem e n t th e w o me n attem pted to le a p o ve r

boa r d a n d th e captai n Ja m es P B ol and an d th e c r e w
, ,
.
,

h ad al l th ey c ou l d d o to p r e ve nt th e m f r o m ca r r yi n g ou t
th ei r m ad i n te n ti ons I n th e m idst o f th e e xcite m e nt th e
.

w ha r fb oat let go its a n c h o r age a n d bega n m o v i n g ou t

,

i nto th e st r ea m w it h th e Pittsbu r g w h i c h w as m oo r e d t o ,

i t T h e n an i nd esc r i babl e p a n i c sei zed th e passen ge r s

.
,

and th e captai n fo r esee i n g th e d a nge r yel l ed out fo r

, ,

someo n e to c ut th e h awse r s Th is was a tas k f r au gh t

.

w i th th e g r eate st d ange r to l i fe an d l i m b as th e ai r was ,

d en se w i t h yi ng m issil es b ut Mo r r i s K il lee n th e so n of
, ,

th e s u pe r i nte nd e nt of the D ia m on d J O l i ne pl uck il y ,

4
50 TH E m: w CYCLO NE .

seized a n ax a nd at th e g r eatest pe r sonal r isk su c

, , ,

c e ede d i n se v e r i ng th e h a wse r s T h e steame r pa r ted

.

co m pa ny w i t h t h e w ha r fb oat a n d was bl ow n o ve r t o th e
,

I ll i noi s s id e b u t fo r tu n atel y n o n e of t h ose ab oa r d w e r e

,

i nj u r ed
. I t l anded op posi te Ca r o nd el et a n d we nt ,

ag r ou nd .

Th e G r an d Re pu bl ic w hi c h w as r epo r ted Wed n esd ay

,

n i gh t t o be o u t i n th e sto r m w i t h 5 00 e xcu r si o n ists

ab oa rd r etu r ned to p o r t th e fol l owi n g m o r n i n g w ith ou t
,

a s c r atch th e r u m o r h av i n g fo r tu natel y p r ov e n u nt r u e
,
.

T h e R epub l ic h ad go n e u p to Al to n t o tak e ou t a n e x
c urs i on,
a nd w as out of th e d i r e ct p ath o f t h e sto r m .

Th e L ou i s H ouck f r o m \Vhi te r i ve r an d th e Fe r d He r ,
~

Ol d f r o m G r a n d To we r a r r i ved i n p o r t on th e 28 t h n u
,

sc r atch ed by th e sto r m T h e S p r ead Eagl e f r o m Al to n

.

a n d G r afto n got i n t he sa m e afte r n o on T h e Id l e w il d .

f r o m C ape G i r a r d ea u a ls o t ie d u p h e r e on its r egul a r t r i p .

T h e tu g R el ian ce towed u p f r o m Ca r o n d el et t h e w h a r f
b oat of th e Eagl e Pack et C om pany i n a p r etty badl y ,

da m aged co nd iti on .

I n i ts path ac r oss th e M iss i ssi pp i th e to r n ad o d id n ot

e ve n S pa r e th e Ead s B r id ge th at m o nu me nt to th e e n gi
,

n ee r i n g sk il l of o n e of th e g r eates t m e n of th e age .

Th e w h ol e top abutm e n t O f th e r st p i e r as w el l as th e ,

bi g r ock s an d i r o n gi r d e r s of th e app r oach w e r e picked ,

u p a n d th r ow n u po n th e r oad bed j ust beh i n d a passen ge r

t r ai n
. I n f r o nt t w o baggage ca r s we r e pick ed u p an d
,

p laced ac r os s th e t r acks Th e t op o r u ppe r r oad way was

.

to r n d o w n an d th r ow n u po n th e t r ai n as wel l as fou r ,

w ago n s l oad ed w i th m e r ch an d ise .

52 TH E G R E \T C YCLO N E .

h a v e th e wel l k n o w n a nd ge ne r al ly r ecogn ized r ota r y m o

-

ti o n
. \V h e n n ea r i n g t he sh o r e i t seem i ngl y d i v ided a n d
sp re a d out co ve r i n g abou t 200 ya rd s of a s wath
,
.

T h e sce n e f r o m th e east e n d of th e Ead s b r id ge r ese m

bl ed th at of a battl e e ld T h e d ead a n d dy i n g w e r e
-
.

r em o v ed f r o m t h e r u i ns by w ill i n g w o r ke r s a nd t he b u r n ,

i n g m ill s a nd wa r eh ouses l igh ted th ei r fu ne r al py r es w ith

a d i sti nctne s s th at add ed h o r r o r to th e awfu l sce ne Li s ts .

O f th e d ead w e r e exam i ned ca r e ful l y t o n d so m e t r ace of

r el a ti ves At tem po r a r y pol ice h ead qu a r te r s a s peci al
.

d etai l of pol ice me n w as a pp oi nted t o k ee p t h e a n x i ou s

i nqu i r e r s out Of th e stat io n T h e Of ce r s stood ab ou t a p .

pal led by th e d e vastati o n of th e sto r m a nd w e r e u nabl e .

to co nt r i bute a nyth i n g to th e r eco r d of th e d ead a n d

i nj u r ed . H u nd r ed s of pe r so n s h o wev e r tol d of th e , ,

sto r m k i n g s fu r y a n d t h ank ed G od i n th e m ost de v o ut
,

m an ne r th at th ey h ad bee n s pa r ed t o d o so .

A J UR Ys N ARRO W E S CA P E .

I t was abou t o cl ock w h e n t he s to r m sh o wed i ts
st r en gth i n East St Lou i s Th e ce nte r of th e to r nad o
. .

seem ed t o b e betwee n St Clai r a v e n u e an d th e v iad u ct

. .

Ma ny d wel l i n g h o uses i n oth e r pa r ts of th e city w e r e d e

m ol i s he d b ut i n th is d ist r ic t th e r e w e r e fe w bu ild i ngs
,

th at e scaped A law case was bei n g t r ied by Jud ge

.

F oulke i n th e cou r t h ou s e Th e j u r y h ad h e a r d m ost of

.

th e testi mo ny a nd acco r d i n g to u s u al custom we r e n ot

, ,

su p po s ed to be all o w ed to de p a r t except i n th e
cu stod y of a bai l i ff \V h e n th e sto r m cl oud s bega n to
.

gath e r th e fo r em an of the j u r y i m pl o r ed th e j ud ge to d is
.
 TH E G R E A T C YCL O NE . 55

c h a r g e th e m T h e cou r t h ouse at t ha t t i m e was be i n g s h ake n

.

by th e w i nd E v e r y m ome n t i ts d est r ucti o n was th r eate ned

. .

Ju dge Fou lke at l en gt h d ecided to l et th e j urv m e n go Fi v e .

m i nutes afte r th ey d epa r ted fo r th ei r h omes th at po r ti on O f

th e cou r t h o us e i n w h ic h th ey h ad bee n s i tti n g w as to r n away
T i m be r s a n d b r i ck s we r e p il ed o n e ach oth e r a nd i t i s
,

h i ghl y p r ob abl e t h at h ad i t n ot b ee n for th e fo r eth ou gh t

of J ud g e Foulk e e v e r y j u r y m an w oul d have bee n k ill ed .

Jud ge Fou l k e h i m sel f su cceed ed i n m ak i n g h i s way to th e

Rel a y d ep ot w h e r e he was st r u ck b y a ti m be r th at was
,

be i n g bl o w n th r ou gh th e ai r a nd b ad l y i n j u r ed I n th e
.

co nfusi o n th at p r ev ail ed h i s b od y w as all o w ed to l ie on

th e pl atfo r m for s e ve r al m i n u tes Peopl e we r e t oo i n
.

te nt on asce r tai ni n g th e fate of th e i r ow n l o ved o n es t o

stop to i de ntify a nyb od y alth o u g h i t m i gh t be th at
,

of o n e r e n ow ned i n l egal ci r cl es a n d w ho h ad s pe nt th e

m ost o f h i s l i fe s i tti ng i n j ud gmen t on h i s fell o ws .

At th e h otel s a pan i c p r e vail ed . Wo me n ra n f r o m

on e r oo m t o an oth e r an d al o n g t h e co r r id o r s s c r eam i n g
, ,

an d seek i n g p r otecti o n Me n w h o h ad face d a lm ost e ve r y

.

pe r i l we r e po we r less t o co m fo r t th e m O ne gl a nce f r o m
.

t h e w i n dow tol d th e m th at th e sto r m w as on e O f g r eate r

fo r ce than a ny th ey h ad go ne th r o u gh or e ve n conte m pl ated .

T he st r o ngest of th e m t r em bled a nd th e r e w e r e n o n e w h o
p r etend ed th ey h ad r easo n abl e h o pe of escap i n g al i ve .

I t w as al l o ve r i n b u t a fe w m i n u tes bu t i t see med

,

h ou r s b efo r e th e sto r m fo r ced its w ay o n w a r d out i nto

t h e eld s an d towa r ds s m all cities an d settl em e nt s m a ny ,

of wh ich we r e s ubj ecte d to i ts u n go v e r n abl e i n e xpli c ,

a ble fu r y an d m u r de r ous fo r ce .
 T llE G R EAT Cl CL O NE .

PR ED I CTED A Y EA R I N A D V AN C E .

A p r o ph et i s n ot w i th o u t h o n o r save i n h is o w n cou n
,

t r y He n ce i t w as pe r h aps th a t th e w a r n i n g i ss ued i n
.

th e su m m e r of 1 8 9 5 by Re v I r l R Hick s th e w eath e r
. .
,

p r oph et w as n ot m o r e ge ne r ally n oted a n d ad v antage

,

tak en of i t O n th e 1 7 t h o f May 1 8 9 6 h e r epeated th e

.
, ,

w a r ni n g Fe w n oted th e fact a n d fe we r sti l l gav e i t a

.
,

secon d t h ou gh t u n ti l th e p r ed icti o n was s o d r amati call y

an d t r agicall y v e r i ed .

Stand i ng i n h i s Of ce a nd Obse r vato r y t wo days afte r

th e sto r m th is ca r eful stude nt Of t h e pl an ets an d th ei r
sto r m i n uen ces sai d :
,

I t was m an i f e s t fo r fou r h ou r s befo r e th e sto r m b r ok e
l oose th at w e w e r e i n th e v o r te x of a to r nad o E ve r y
,
.

b od y i n th i s Ofce was app r ised Of i t T h e r ead i n gs of .

th e ba r om ete r we r e a n absol ute gua r a n tee .

I st ayed r i gh t at th i s wi nd o w ( a s ou t h w i n d o w ove r
lO Oki n g T we n ty seco n d st r ee t) a n d p oi n ted out t o th e
-

ge ntl ema n b eh i nd m e M r Ph il l i ps ou r ad ve r tisi n g m an

,
.
, ,

th e e xact l ocati o n w h e r e th e fu n n el cl ou d was fo r m i n g i n ,

w h ich th e to r nad o w as o r ga nizi n g i ts v i nd icti ve powe r s .

It w as th e n abo ut 3 O cl ock .

At th e l as t m om e n t w h e n it was safe to be ou td oo r s
at all j u s t ab out h al f p ast fou r afte r poi nti n g ou t th e
,
.

e xact qua r te r s w h e r e th e cycl o n e w as o r ga nizi n g I took ,

th e s am e ge ntl em a n o ut o n th e f r o nt steps w i th m e an d
sh o wed hi m th e e xact cl ou d fo r mati o n i n w h i ch th e to r
nad o h ad gath e r ed i ts gan g r e n ou s fo r ces .
 TH E G R E AT Ci CL ON E . 57

I t was th e l ast th i ng I d i d be fo r e o r d e r i n g th e po r te r
to cl ose th e sto r m d oo r s of th e bu i ld i ng Hav i ng tak en .

ev e r y Obse r vati o n possi bl e for th e safety of m y office peo

pl e a nd myself I steppe d back t o th e place al r ead y
,

ch ose n i n m y m i nd as th e safest i n case th e u ppe r w all s

O f th e b u ild i ng gave way I mad e al l m y people fol low .

my exam pl e .

T h is pl ace as poi nted out by th e r eve r en d ge ntle m a n

, ,

was th e n o r th west co r ne r of th e l a r ge d oubl e pa r l o r a d

j oi ni n g th e s l id i n g d oo r s .

T h e r eas o n th i s place w as ch ose n was th at th e f r am e
of th e fold i n g d oo r s woul d h el p s u ppo r t th e m ass of b r ick

and deb r i s th at m i gh t pou r d o w n i n cas e of accid e nt I .

th i n k m y acti o n i nd icated w h eth e r I k ne w o r n ot th at th e

sto r m was to r nad ic i n ch a r acte r and b ul gi ng w i th dest r u o
t i v e n e ss .

No w i t n eve r h as bee n m e nti o ned th at th e v e r y m o
,

me nt th e to r n ad o t r u n k passed east of a l i ne on T we nty

second s t r eet th e r e was i m m ed i ately a n i l l u m i n ated sh aft
r each i n g u p to th e ze nith m a r k i ng th e exact l ocati o n of ,

th e to r n ad o t r u nk I t w as s w ath ed i n d ust an d cl ouds

.

a nd m u r k y da r k n ess bu t i t w a s n e v e r th eless a sh aft of

,

r e I f i t h ad been n i gh t ti me i t wou l d h ave i l l u m i nated

.

th e sk y Th at was th e ce nte r of th e to r n ado

. .

B A R O M E TRICA L R E ADIN G S

No w for th e facts Ou r b a r o mete r r ead.

4 p m . . p m 5 p m . . . .

At p ab ou t th e ti me of th e passage
. of th e
to r n ado wh e n i t b r ok e th e b a r o m ete r r ead
, ,
5 8 TH E G R E AT ( YU L O NE

.

Th i s was th e l o wes t poi n t t ouch ed by ou r i nst r u m e nt s
th e nea r e s t r eco r d i m med i atel y p r i o r t o th e e xpl os i on .

B ut to put i t stil l m o r e e m ph ati call y F r o m 1 0 .

O cl ock on i n th e m o r n i n g th e ba r o m ete r s m oti on s w e r e
ph e no m e nal . Togeth e r w it h th e aspect of th e h ea ve n s
th ey we r e a n absol ute gu a r a ntee th at w e we r e i n th e
t h r oes of to r n ad i c v i ol en ce .

All th ese facts bea r i n g i m m ed i atel y on th e pa s sage
of th e to r nad o foll owe d ou t th e s peci al w a r n i n gs th a t ]

h ad b ee n i ss u i n g f r o m m ou th to m o nth for a y ea r I .

e m ph asi zed th e fact th at th e r e a r e causes bea r i n g u po n

th e s u bj ect t h at th ey m i gh t be stu d ied a n d m ad e i nt e lli
,

g i b l e to th e peopl e No. w as to,

th e to r n ad o i tsel f .

Th e m o nste r w as ce nt r al ov e r Lafayette Pa r k T h e .

oute r wh i rl s of i t we r e c i r cul a r co m i n g f r o m eve r y co r ne r

,

of th e h o r izo n an d i n vol vi n g m o r e or l ess th e e nti r e city

,
.

D i r ectl y o ve r th e pa r k l ocal i ty th e r e was a c haos of

m oti o n th at i s i nd esc r i bable O n th e n o r th e r n tan ge nt
.

of th e ci r cle th e m oti o ns we r e easte r l y T h e w este r l y

.

tan ge n t d eal t s ou th e r l y and south eas te r l y bl o ws a nd s o ,

al l a r ou n d th e r m a m e n t w ith th e g r a nd cl i ma x of th e
w h ol e o ve r th e pa r k .

Al l you h av e to d o i s to l ook at th e t r ees of th e pa r k .

I c ou n te d i n on e co r ne r of th e pa r k s i x t r ees th at h ad
fal len i n as m any d i ffe r e nt d i recti o ns \Vhe re th ey w ould
.

n ot gi ve way t o a w h i r l th ey w e r e s t r i p ped u p T o r n ad o .

fu n nel cl ou d s h ave a r eb ou nd i n g fo r ce th at accu m ul ates ,

as i t passes al o n g He r e i t d i ps d o w n l osi ng so m e of its

.
,

fo r ce a n d th at accou nts fo r s o m e of th e l ull s i n th e t r ac k

,

of t h e d isaste r o nl y to pick i tsel f u p agai n at s o m e d i s

,
 TH E G RE AT C YCLONE . 61

ta nt p oi nt for a r e n e wed o nsl augh t T h e en ti r e t r ack Of th e

.

to r nad o i s ma r ked by th ese b ou ndi ng a n d r ebou nd i n g s pells ,

an d t he co n se qu e n t g r eate r or l esse r h av oc i s c r eated .

T h e r e i s n o u se sayi ng th at th i s to r n ad o w a s w o r se
th a n an y oth e r . Th e d iffe r e nce l i es o nl y i n w h at cam e i n
i ts way A l l to r nad oes a r e al ike Had th is cycl o n e s wept
. .

a p r ai r i e r egi o n wi th a v ill age h e r e an d th e r e eld s Of ,

bu dd i ng c r ops fo r ests a nd th e l i ke w e w ou l d n ot h ave

, ,
~

co nsid e r ed i t m uch Of a d istu r be r B ut i t st r u ck a bi g

.

ci ty wi th a vast ex panse of r esi sti v e m ate r ial He nce th e .

aw fu l d est r u cti on .

TH E T E XT OF TH E FOR E CA S T .

I n h i s Al m anac fo r 9 6 R e v M r H icks m ad e th e fol
.
_
.

l owi ng fo r ecast fo r May : Satu r n ea r th an d s u n w i l l
,

be on a l i n e w i th eac h oth e r on May 5 o r i n oth e r w o r ds , ,

th e ea r t h w il l pass bet wee n Satu r n an d th e s u n on th at

d ate a nd i n ast r o n o m ical te r m s Satu r n w i l l b e i n O ppo
, , ,

si ti o u Th e 4 t h i s th e ce n t ral d ay o f th e V ulca n sto r m

.

pe r iod as sh o w n i n d iag r am on n e xt p age w ith m oon

, ,

n ea r i n g th e equ ato r f r o m th e s out h d ecl i n ation T h e .

Ve n us pe r i od i s al so sh o w n i n th e sto r m d i ag r am t o be
nea r i n g th e ce nte r o n th e 1 3 th M oo n r each es both t h e
.

apogee a n d th e equ ato r on t h e 7 t h as i n d icated by th e ,

lette r A i n b oth d i ag r am s .

A l l th i n gs co ns ide r ed a sto r m pe r i od of con sid e r abl e
,

fo r ce w ill r u n f r o m abou t th e 2d to th e 7 th A b r ief h i gh .

ba r om ete r and coole r w eath e r w il l com e i n th e t r ack of th e

s to r m s but a ch a nge w il l qu ickl y foll o w a s w e e nte r th e
,

r eactio n a r y pe r iod to r u n f r o m abo ut 9 th t o 1 2th .

62 T H E G R E AT ( Y(

LON E .

T h i s w il l be n ea r t he ce nte r o f th e V e n u s equi n o x a nd
at n ew m o o n T h e op po s iti o n of th e pl anet U r a n u s al so
.

occu r s on th e 1 2t h I t w i l l be p r ud e n t to watc h al l sto r m

.

app r oach es f r o m abou t l 0th to 1 3 th as d an ge r ou s sto r m s , ,

w ith to r nad oes poss i ble a r e v e r y p r ob abl e at th i s ti m e

,
.

A n oth e r V ul can pe r i od i s ce n t r al on t he 1 6 th co ve r ,

i n g th e 1 4 th to 1 8 th w ith Ve nu s and Me r cu r y b oth hea r

,

i n g u po n i t a n d each n ea r th e ce nte r of i ts pe r i od A
,
.

se r i es of v e r y h eav y sto r ms w i t h e n o r m ou s r ai n fall s , ,

h ail a nd th u n de r w il l occu r fo r d ays i n su ccessi o n at th i s

,

ti m e T h e m oo n s r st qu a r te r fal l i n g on th e 20th w i th i n
.
,

a fe w h o u r s of th e equato r at C and u po n th e ce nt r al .
,

d ay O f Me r cu r y s equ i nox th e d i stu r bances are a pt to be
,

co nti n u ed i n a g r eat m eas u r e i n to t h e r eactio n a r y d i s

, ,

t u rb a n c e r u n n i n g to th e e n d of Me r cu r y s pe r i od a n d th e
,

m oo n s p e ri gree o n th e 26t h th e sta r s on th e 2 l s t 22d , ,

and 23 d i nd i cati n g cent r al d ays of a S p eci all y th r eaten i n g ,

r eact i o na r y pe r i od R e mem be r i n g th at th e V e n u s pe r i od
.

i s ch a r acte r ized by ext r em es of hot a n d col d i t w il l be ,

p r u de n t t o anti ci pate ve r y l o w tem pe r atu r es afte r al l ge n

e r al sto r m s w i th d a n ge r of f r osts i n n o r th e r ly d i r ecti ons
, ,

u ntil afte r th e fu ll m oo n on th e 26t h .

T h e l ast sto r m p e r iod i s ce nt r al on th e 27 th cov e r i n g ,
-

26 th t o 3 0th At th i s ti m e th e m o o n wil l be at th e
.

south e r n e xt r e me O f h e r decl i n ati o n passi n g t o th e f r on t ,

of th e ea r t h to r each h e r last qua r te r ea r l y i n Ju ne .

Watch th e st o r m cl oud s d u r i ng al l th e acti v e d i stu r ba nces

i n M ay as th e p r obabi l iti es a r e g r eat fo r m any d an ge r ou s
,

s to r m s Th e sto r m s a t th i s seaso n u su al l y com e i n

.

c ycl es or pe r i od s of t wel ve a nd twe n ty fou r h ou r s for a

,
-
,
 T H E G RE AT CYCLON E . 63

n u m be r of d ays i n su ccess i o n Th e i nd i cati on s a r e good

.

fo r suc h r esul ts d u r i ng th is m on th a n d th at m an y sto r m s

,

w ith h e a v y Ve nu s d ow n pou r s of r ai n and h ai l w i l l r esu lt

f r o m abou t n e w m oo n to th e e n d of th e m onth seem s

m ost p r obabl e .

I h ave a l r ead y n oted sai d Re v M r H icks co m
, . .
,

m e n t i n g on h i s p r ed iction s an d th ei r fu l ll m ent th at ,

th e b a r o m ete r s m otio n s w e r e p h e n o me n al all d ay T h e .

sk y was decked i n m acke r el cl ou ds th e i n fall i bl e p re cur ,

so r s of a c ycl o n e At 3 O cl ock i n th e afte r n oo n th e r e
.

was n o l o nge r an y questi o n as t o w h eth e r i t wo ul d b r eak

l oose o ve r th is c ity or p ass O ve r u s T h e ce r tai nty was .

absol ute th at we we r e i n fo r i t t o us e a v ulga r te r m

,
.

H OW LO SS COU LD H A V E B E E N L E SS E N E D .

A t 3 o cl ock on th e fatal a nd fated d ay tel e ph o ne
m essages co ul d h av e bee n se nt to e ve r y r e e ngi ne h o u se -

i n th e c i ty T h ese m essages to th e e ffect th at a to r n ad o

.
,

w as co mi ng cou l d h av e bee n a uth o r i tati vely s u p po r te d by

,

state me nts f r o m th e s ign al s e r v ice Ci c e T h e r i ngi n g of .

th e r e bell s co ul d h ave bee n o r de r ed .

T h e c r e w of th e e n gi ne h ouses coul d h av e b ee n i n
st r ucted to tel l th e peopl e .

T h e cu r i o u s an d app r eh e n s i v e w ou l d h ave o c ke d t o
th e m .

Th ey w oul d h av e bee n app r i sed Of th e co mi n g of th e
to r n ad o a n d e ve n r ou gh ly cou nsel ed a s to w h at to d o
, .

Th e com pa r ati v el y s mal l l oss of l i fe an d th e sto r ies
of m i r acu l ou s r escues i l l u st r a te bette r th an a nyth i n g el se

th at m any of th e peopl e k ne w w h at was w is e to d o u n de r

.
64 TH E G R E xr C Y C LON E
'

th e ex i s ti ng co nd i ti o ns E v e n th e pan i c of t he sudd e n
.

a n d u n fo r s ee n th at e n ued d i d n ot st o p m any f r o m ch o o s
s

i ng th e p r ope r m eth od fo r p r otecti o n .

L i k e th e p r o v e r b i a l sp r ead of bad n e ws w ith s ev e n
m ile b oots th e wa r n i ng w oul d h av e b ee n ca r r ied i n l ess
,

th a n a n h ou r a l l o ve r t h e city T o be co nse r v at i ve i t
.
,

w o ul d h ave r each ed th e l a r ge r pa r t of it fo r th e v o r tex ,

w as ce n t r al .

T h e r es ul t w o ul d h ave b ee n th at p eopl e i n man y
case s w oul d h ave faste ned u p th ei r h ou ses secu r el y an d
go n e to th e cell a r s fo r s afety .

T h e l a r ge m an u factu r i n g c o nce r n s could h av e bee n
n oti ed b y tel ep h o n e O f th e i m pe nd i n g d i saste r th at th ey ,

m i gh t h av e d is m issed th ei r e m pl oyes an d s h u t u p t h e i r
pla nts .

T h e bu si n ess po pu l ati o n wou ld h av e r each e d h o m e
qu ickl y a n d i n safety .

M e n cou ld h a ve bee n wi th th ei r fam il i es to s u cco r
a n d s u ppo r t th e m i n th ei r f r i gh t a n d h ou r s n ay d ays as
, , ,

facts h a ve p r o v e n of an xi ety a nd s u spe nse coul d h ave

,

bee n s pa r ed th e sepa r ated m em be r s of a h ouseh old .

Th e t r anspo r tati o n com pa n i es an d th e st r eet r a il way s
coul d h av e p ut u n de r s h el te r m uch of th ei r r ol l i n g s tock
w h ic h b ecam e pl ayth i ngs o f th e sto r m A n i mal s coul d .

h ave b ee n d r i ve n to a pl ace of safety t h e boats of th e ,

h a r b o r cou l d h ave s ou gh t r efuge fu r th e r u p or d ow n th e

r i ve r for captai ns a r e n ot i g n o r ant of a t o r n ad o s cou r se
,
.

Al togeth e r th ou gh d est r ucti o n w as i n ev itabl e i t c oul d

, ,

h av e bee n m i n i m ized by p r ope r p r ecauti on s i nstead of ,

b r eak i n g i n o ve r a ca r eless h appy gO l uck y pe opl e that

,
- -
,
 I l ll
h elyt e, u

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a
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ort evere tx r

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6 5
68 TH E GR E A T C YCLON E .

D AT E P LAC E K ILL E D NJ UR E D
M a y 20Ve r sa i ll es M o
. .
. I .

1
M ay 2 1L y on C ounty K an
,

w

,
M ay 2 P ol k C oun t y I O
M ay 25 J a s pe r C oun ty 1 0
5 11 ,
z
c
12 w
M ay 25 M an ch este r I o
,

w
M ay 25 M on r o e I ll
,

2
s

M ay 25 No r t h M cG r egor I o
,
.
s

13
i
s
M ay 25 E l gi n and M oun t M or r i s I ll
,
I
2

o

,
.

M ay 25 L a C y gn e K an 4
M ay 25 G r ove lan d O a kwo od an d oth e r
,
.

p oi nt s i n M i ch i gan 39 1 10
M ay 26C a i r o I ll ,
11

T otal s 23 0

C Y C LONES I N H I STOR Y .

T h e g r eat S t Lou is cycl o n e wh il e n ot absol utely th e

.
,

w o r st on r eco r d i n th e m atte r of d eath a n d d est r ucti o n w h ich

i s scatte r ed a r ou nd sta nd s am o n g th e v e r y w o r st Be fo r e
,
.

d esc r ibi n g th e sce ne s of deso lati o n a n d cou nti n g t he d ead

an d wou nd ed i t i s of m ou r n fu l i nte r es t to l ook i nto hi s
,

to r y a n d b r iey tabul ate s om e of t h e sto r m s wh ich h ave

sm itte n d iffe r e n t cou n t r ies an d com m u ni ti es .

Lo ndo n b ecau se O f i ts g r eat a ge a n d e x te nt h as bee n

, ,

h i t o fte n A h u r r ica ne s assaul t u po n i t as fa r back as
.

9 4 4 i s r eco r d ed w h ic h d est r o yed

,
h ou ses b u t th e ,

l os s of l i fe as gi ve n by th e d i ffe r e n t ch r o nicle r s v a r ies

w i del y r an gi n g f r o m
,
to Th is i s th e ca r l i
est au th e n ticated accou n t O f a cala m ity of th i s so r t i n
Lo nd on T h e town was st r u ck agai n i n 1 09 1 a nd 5 00
.
,
 TH E GR E A T C YCLON E . 69

h ouses we r e k nock ed d ow n th i s ti m e an d f r o m 200 t o

,

4 00 pe r so ns we r e k i lled Nov e mbe r 26 1 7 03 sev e r al th ou

.
, ,

san d pe rs on s we r e d r o w ne d i n o od s al o n g th e T h am es i n ,

Lo ndo n w h ic h w as p r eceded an d acco m pan ied b y a h u r

,

r i can e th at d est r oye d p r ope r ty i n th at to w n v al u ed at

T h is pa r ticul a r te m p est w as cal led th e

g r eat sto r m a n d gu r ed as a ti m e m ar k fo r h al f a cen
,

tu r y 01 ove r i n locati n g d ates of b i r th s m a r r i ages an d,

oth e r e ven ts i n th e l i ves of peopl e of E n gl an d for i t ex ,

te nd ed th r ough out m ost of th e cou nt r y I t d i d i n th is re

.
,

s pect ,
th e sam e s o r t of d uty th at t h e bi g wi n d i n I r el and
d i d a ce ntu r y a n d a qua r te r late r Octobe r 28 1 8 3 8 ; J u l y
.
,

1 1 1 8 7 4 ; Ap r il 1 1 1 8 7 8 an d Dece m be r 1 2 1 8 8 3 b r ou gh t
, , , , ,

sto r m s to Lo nd o n wh ic h d est r oye d f r o m t we n ty t o t h i r ty

l i ves i n each case a n d f r o m
,
to
p r ope r ty .

Hav an a h ad a sto r m on Octobe r 25 1 7 6 8 w h ich k i lled

, ,

1 000pe r so n s a n d d es t r oye d 4 04 8 h ou ses Decem be r 1 2

.
,

1 8 22 D u bl i n a n d i ts v ici n ity l os t f r o m fo r ty to fty l i ves

,

an d Of p r ope r ty D ubl i n was st r uck agai n

.

on th e n i gh t of J a n u ry 6 an d th e m o r n i n g of J a n ua r y 7 ,

1 8 3 9 by a h u r r ica n e w h ich was fel t th r ough o u t th e g r eate r

,

pa r t of I r el an d a n d on t h e w est coast of E ngl an d Se v .

e r al oth e r l a r ge to w n s i n LI relan d b esid es D ubl i n we r e

attacked i n cl ud i n g Li m e r i ck Gal way an d At h lo n e a n d
, , ,

i n Li ve r pool th e d est r u cti o n w as al so g r eat Th i r ty pe r .

so ns we r e k i l l ed b y fal l i n g b u i ld i n gs or y i n g m i s s il es i n
th at c ity and 1 00 we r e d r ow ned i n t h e sto r ms I n t he
,
.

fou r I r i s h c iti es n am ed th e d evastatio n w as g r eate r th e ,

l oss of l ife i n D u bl i n al on e bei n g put at 1 00 a nd i n p r op ,

e rt
y at
 70 TH E GR E AT C YCLON E .

A L A ND M ARK IN IR I S H R E CO RD S .

T h is i s th e bi g w i nd r efe r r ed to i n a p r eced i n g pa r

a ra h I t fo r m s as i m p o r t n t a l an d m a r k i n th e
g p . a

social h i sto r y of I rel an d as Magn a Ch a r ta or th e R e v ol a

'

ti o n O f 1 6 8 8 d oes i n th e pol i tical h isto r y of E n gl a nd or ,

as th e D ecl a r ati o n of I nd ep e n d e n ce or th e fal l of Fo r t

S u mte r d oes i n th at of t h e U n ited S tates I t i s a g r eat .

date l i ne i n th e l i ves of m a ny of th e I r i sh peopl e w h o ,

a r e 5 0 y ea r s of age or u p w a r d Wh e n t h ey s ay th ey
.

we r e b o r n i n t h e yea r of th e b i g w i nd or on e t w o or , ,

a ny oth e r n u m be r Of yea r s befo r e o r afte r th at ti m e th ey ,

h ave th ey th i nk gi ve n th ei r age w ith s ufcie nt e xactness

, ,

for p r actical pu r poses an d i n m any cases th i s i s as nea r

,

as th ey ca n get at th ei r e xact a ge

Li sbo n h ad a gal e Decem be r 1 3 1 8 6 4 wh i c h was , ,

m e m o r abl e i n th e r eco r d s of th at city of m an i fol d and

m i scell an eou s ph ysi cal af icti o n s d est r oy i n g 1 00 l i ves ,

a nd p r ope r ty I n Maceo Ho n g K on g a nd
.
,

oth e r ci ties i n I nd i a on S e p te m b r 22 1 8 7 4 a ty ph oo n , ,

k i lled peopl e an d w r ecked bet wee n an d

h ou ses B ud a Pesth h ad a sto r m Ju n e 26 1 8 7 5
.
-
, ,

w h ich d es t r oy ed 200 l i ves I n H a i fon g a n d oth e r Ch i

.

n ese c ities pe r so n s pe r i s h ed i n a ty ph oo n Octobe r

8 1 881
,
At Col o n Pan ama an d i n i ts h a r b o r 1 00 l i ves
.
, ,

we r e l ost Decem be r 2 1 8 8 5 i n a gal e , ,

Mad r i d l ost .

ni nety l i ves i n a sto r m May 1 2 1 8 8 6 I n Dacca I nd i a ,

.
, ,

A p r il 7 1 8 8 8 1 00 pe r so ns w e r e k ill e d i n a gal e M an
, , .

ri t i u s,
i n th e I nd i an Ocean on Ap r i l 29 1 8 9 2 h ad a
, , ,

h u r r icane wh ich k illed 1 5 0 pe r so ns .

 TH E G RE AT C YCLON E . 73

S TO R M S IN O U R O W N L AND .

I n th e U n i ted States Lou i s v i lle was th e r st i m po r tant

,

tow n V i sited b y a dest r u cti ve s to r m Au gus t 27 1 8 5 4 i t

.
, ,

h ad twe nty v e pe r s on s k il l ed a n d
-
000 p r ope r ty
dest r oyed i n a cycl on e I nd i an ola Te x w as n ea r l y w i ped
.
,
.
,

Off t he face of th e ea r th Septem b e r 1 5 1 8 7 5 l osi n g 1 26 , ,

l i ves a n d of p r ope r ty M cAle st er I T .

,
. .

nea r ly equ al ed th at r eco r d May 1 0 1 8 8 2 th e d est r ucti o n

, ,

bei n g 1 25 l i ves an d of p r o pe r ty Th e yea r .

1 8 8 2 h ad a se r ies O f cycl on es w h ich we r e n ot m atch e d i n

n u mb e r a nd d est r uc t i ve ness u nti l 1 8 9 6 I n on e of t h ese .

th e to w n Of G r i n n el l ,
w as d est r oyed w ith a l oss of ,

i n p r ope r ty a n d 1 00 l i ves Ju st se v e n d ays

.

l ate r E m m e t tsb u rg ,
was bl otted off th e m ap w it h a ,

l os s app r o xi m atel y equ al to th at at G r i n n el l Mou nt .

V e r n o n I ll on Fe b r ua r y 1 8 1 8 8 8 w as al mos t d est r oyed

,
.
, , ,

th i r ty n i n e pe r s on s bei n g k i ll ed an d 1 25 i nj u r ed m any
-
,

of th e m fatal ly Pitts b u r g l ost fty th r ee l i ves i n a to r

.
-

n ad o J a n u a r y 9 1 8 8 9
,
.

Now co m es th e m ost dest r ucti ve s to r m w h ich e ve r v i s

i te d a ci ty on th e Atl a nti c s eab oa r d i n t he U n i te d States .

Th i s was th e g r eat bl i zza r d of Ma r ch 1 1 a n d 1 2 1 8 8 8 , ,

w h i ch Ne w Y o r k C i ty fel t i n i ts e r ces t fo r m Fo r m o r e .

th an a d ay b usi ness i n th a t c i ty wa s e nti r ely s u s pend ed ,

a nd co m m u n i cati o n bet wee n i t a n d th e r est of th e c ou nt r y

was cu t O ff as effectu all y as i t w a s betwee n S t Lou i s a nd .

th e o u ts ide wo r l d d u r i n g th e te m pest O f \Ve d n e s dayn i gh t

of th i s week . Ne w Y o r k fo r abou t t we n ty fou r h ou r s -

got i ts n e ws f r o m Ph i lad el ph i a by w ay of Lo nd o n .

About 4 00 l i ves we r e l ost i n Ne w Y o r k a n d th e oth e r

74 TH E G R E AT CYCLON E .

to wns a fflicted a n d i n w r eck s on th e ocea n i n th e v i ci n ity ,

w h ich t h e gal e cau sed w h i le th e p r ope r ty l os s w as esti

,

m ated a t bu t Ne w Y o r k C i t v s s h a r e of th i s

d est r uctio n was o nl y ab ou t th i r ty l i ves a n d

p r ope r ty R oscoe C o n kl i n g w ho r efused to b e qua r an
.
,

ti n ed d o w n tow n by th i s sto r m an d w h o w al k e d f r o m h i s
,

Ofce to h is h ote l th r ou g h th e m o u ntai n ou s s n ow d r i fts ,

t r avel b y ca r c oach v eh i cl e of a ny s o r t or on h o r seback

, ,

be i ng s u spe nded a n d i m possi bl e d ied a fe w d ays l ate r

,

f r om th e effects of h i s fatigu e and e xposu r e .

Lou is vil l e n ow gu r es a seco n d ti m e i n a to r n ado a nd ,

su stai ned m o r e d am age th a n any oth e r to w n i n th e U n i ted

States f r o m a w i n d sto r m except St Lou i s i n th e h u r r i
,
.
,

cane of May 27 1 8 9 6 Th i s w as on M a r c h 27 1 8 9 0
,
.
, .

L ou is v ill e s l oss of l i fe w as pl aced at 1 25 at th e ti m e a n d ,

i ts p r ope r ty l oss at Li k e th e St Lou is .

sto r m t h e L ou isv il l e gal e c ut a b r oad p ath th r ough th e

,

city i ts w id th i n th e co u r s e of g r eatest d est r ucti ve ness

, , ,

bei n g ful l y feet Th e g r eatest sto r m s i n t h e

.

Uni te d States si nce th at at L ou i s v ill e w e r e th os e on th e

S outh Atlantic coas t on A u gu st 28 1 8 9 3 w h ich com m it , ,

ted h a v oc i n C h ar l esto n a n d Savan n ah a n d w ith th e s h i p ,

pi n g O n t h e ocea n i n th ei r V i ci n ity th e agg r egate l oss of

,

l i fe bei n g abou t a n d i n th e G ulf of Me x ico on th e ,

coast of Lo ui si ana on Octobe r 2 i n th at yea r i n w h ic h

, , ,

l i ves we r e l ost .

Se ve r al se r ies of sto r ms occu r r i n g i n th e past twe nty

yea r s a r e o m itted h e r e because th e r eco r d s gi ve the l osses
by cou nties a n d n ot by to w ns T h e m ost n otabl e and .

d est r ucti ve w e r e th ose w h ich v is ited M i ssou r i Il l i n oi s , ,

76 TH E G R E AT C YC LON E .

w as m o r e el oquen t th a n an y w o r d s coul d h ave bee n .

S t r on g m e n s h i v e r e d w ith h o r r o r an d i f th e r e we r e a ny
,

u n m ov ed th ei r cal l o u s ness w as wel l h i dd e n

,
.

I t w as a s t r icke n ci ty or r ath e r secti o n of a city th at

, ,

th ey s aw T h e d ead we r e bei n g r e m oved f r o m b e neath

.

p i l es of de b r is ; w ill i n g w o r k e r s we r e clea r i n g away w r eck

age h opi n g agai nst h ope th at th ose w h o w e r e k n o wn t o
,

be ly i n g bel o w h ad m i r acul ousl y escaped ce r tai n death .

S h ade t r ees s nap ped w i nd o ws b r oke n ch i m neys p r os

, ,

t rat ed s e cti on s of ti n r o of r i pped

,
co r n i ces s h atte r ed
, ,

weak wa l ls c r ack e d suc h th i n gs c oul d be see n al m ost

any w h e r e f r o m th e wate r wo r k s to Ca r o ndel et B ut apa r t ,

f r om th ese ge n e r a l e v i d en ces th e r e was th e path of a

,

sto r m cl oud cov e r i n g th e ci ty at i ts w id est pa rt w i th a ,

cou r s e f r o m sou th wes t t o n o r theast T h e path was as .

d isti nct as th e bo u nda r i es of bl ock s B esid e th e d am age

.

w r ou gh t w ith i n th i s path th e i nj u r ies s ustai n ed by t h e

,

city at l a r ge we r e i nsig ni can t .

S U R V E Y IN G TH E \VR E C K .

It was n o easy task to f ol l o w th e cou r se of t he sto r m .

W h e r e th e w i n d h ad r ush ed th e p r eced i n g d ay at a s peed

sel d o m attai ned by th e e et e st l ocom o t i v e th e foot pas ,
.

se n ge r fol l o wed at a s n ail s pace He h ad to walk for

.
,

n o v eh icl e coul d be d r i ve n th ro u gh t he m a s s of r u i ns .

P r og r ess w as f r o m s id e t o s id e b y a zi gz ag r oute T h i s .

t r aci n g of th e c ou r s e of th e sto r m cl oud bega n i n th e

sou th weste r n pa r t of th e ci ty at Sh aw s Ga r d e n I t e n de d

.

at th e Ead s b r id ge T h e d ista nce ac r oss t h e c ity f r o m

.

w est t o east at th e w id est pa r t i s s i x m i les As th e

, ,
.
 TH E GRE AT CYCLON E . 79

sto r m t r avel ed f r om sou th west to n o r th east th e le ngth of ,

its path w ith i n th e city was ei gh t m i les .

Wes t O f S haw s Ga r d e n th e s to r m cl ou d gath e r ed It .

d id l ittle d amage i m med iatel y west bu t on th e n o r t h i t ,

u n r oofed b u il d i n gs at Fo r est Pa r k He i gh ts a n d on th e ,

sou th i t cau sed th e collapse of t w o l a r ge b u i ld i n gs at th e

Poo r h ouse and d i d m i scel l an eou s d amage al togeth e r
, ,

amou n ti n g to pe r h aps S i ngu la r l y e n ou gh th e ,

I nsa ne Asyl u m a n d th e Fem al e Hospital stan d i n g o n t h e ,

same el evati o n as th e Poo r h o use escaped anyth i n g se r i

,

ou s. S h aw s Ga r d e n i n t h e w i d e Valley bet wee n Fo r est
,

Pa r k Heigh ts on th e n o r th a n d th e g r oup of c ity i n st i t u

tion s on th e r id ge to th e s o uth s h owed d i s mantl e me nt
,
.

O n e of th e l a r ges t co nse r v ato r ies was c r u sh ed i n Oth e r

i
.

bui ld i n gs w e r e i nj u r ed Th e t r ees an d s h r ub be r y w e r e
.

to r n a n d scou r ged .

I n i ts begi n ni n g th e sto r m cl oud as w e h a ve al r ead y ,

seen sta r te d f r o m sev e r al p oi nts It sh ow ed i ts po w e r

,
.

at th e local ities h i gh a nd l ow m e nti o ned b u t i n th e te r

, ,

ri tor betwee n i t left weak e r b u i l di n gs u n ha r m ed A n d

y .

th us i t m ov ed al on g i n st r i ps u p th e easy g r ad e to wa r d -

G r a n d ave n ue h al f a m il e eastwa r d
,
I t w as n ot d i f cu l t
.

to t r ace th e sou t hwes t secti o n O f th e cl oud f r o m th e Poo r

h ouse h il l ac r oss T o we r G r o ve Pa r k a n d to th e Ol d

People s Me m o r i al H o m e on G r a n d av e n u e by p r ost r ated
, ,

t r ees o ve r tu r n e d fe nces an d s o m e i nj u r ies to h ou ses

,
.

T h e r e w as a l ik e st r i p f r o m Sh a w s Ga r de n east wa r d t o
wa r d th e Com pto n H il l r ese r v oi r ou G r an d ave nu e A .

th i r d d i v i si o n Of th e sto r m cloud pe r h aps th e on e w h ic h

,

u n r oofed bu il d i n gs at Fo r est Pa r k Hei gh ts m o v ed east ,

80 TH E G R E A T CYCLON E .

wa r d on th e n o r t h sid e o f Sh aw s Ga r d e n an d to r e d ow n
th e s teel f r am e w o r k of tw o O f th e g r o u p of b u ild i ngs b e
i n g co nst r ucted fo r t he Li ggett Mye r s tobacc o facto r y .

T h i s steel f r ame w o r k w as fou r sto r ies h i gh It to we r ed

.

ab ove th e u n n is h ed b r i c k wall s th r ee sto r ies T h r ee bi g

.

b u ild i ngs on a n east a nd west l i ne stood at th at stage of

co nst r ucti o n.

T h e secti o n of th e sto r m cl ou d passi n g n o r th of Sh a w s
G a r d e n to r e d o w n th e th r ee u nco ve r ed sto r ies of steel
beams a nd s u ppo rts as i f th ey h ad bee n s o m uc h of cob
h ou ses Th is i t d i d w ith th e r s t a n d th i r d of th e b u ild
.

i n gs l eav i ng th e m iddl e b u ild i n g u n h a r med It was

,
.

u n d e r th e m ass of st r uctu r a l steel at th e th i r d b u i l d i n g

t h at ei gh t l i ves we r e c r us h ed o u t A l ittl e bey o n d th e
.

Li gget t M ye r s pl an t th e cl ou d li fted te n h eavy f r ei gh t

ca r s f r o m th e St Lou i s a n d Sa n F ra nc isc o t r ack an d l ai d
.

th e m on th ei r s id es F r o m th at po i n t th i s th i r d secti o n
.

Of th e cl ou d m ade i ts way eastwa r d .

O n G r a n d av e n ue bet w ee n Lafayette on t h e n o r th a n d
,

Sh e nand oah on th e south th e th r ee secti o n s co n v e r ged

,

a n d u ni ted th ei r fo r ces Betwee n th e path s t r avel ed by

.

th e secti ons of t he cl ou d to th e i m m ed iate v ici n ity of th e

r ese r vo i r st r etch es of th e ci ty s ustai n ed n o l oss w h ate ve r .

Al on g th e th r ee path s we r e co nti nu ou s t r ai ls B ut afte r .

c r ossi ng to th e east s id e th e r e was b u t on e path w id e an d ,

exte ns i ve
.

A S U B UR B D E S O LAT E D .

Com pton Hei gh ts i s th e n ame th i s s ub u r b adj oi ni ng

th e r ese r v o i r bea r s I t i s on e O f th e h i gh est poi nts i n St
. .
 T H E G RE A T CYCLO NE . 81

Loui s havi n g bee n ch ose n fo r th at r easo n as th e w ate r

,

d ist r ib uti n g l ocati o n to th e sou th e r n hal f of th e city A .

po r ti o n of th e h ei gh ts h as be e n l ai d O ff i n acc o r d ance
w ith ad va nced la n d scape ga r d e n i n g ideas w ith cu r v i n g
,

r oad ways a n d bu i ld i n g s ites of i r r egul a r fo r m Com pto n

.

Hei gh ts te n bl ock s f r o m n o r th to s outh a nd s i x t o ei g h t

,

bl ock s w ide h as 3 00 r es ide nces w h i ch cost f r o m

,

to Not on e of th e m escaped som e i nj u r y a nd

th e m ost O f th e m s h o w u gl y gap s i n th ei r wall s de m ol ,

i s he d gables a nd m i ssi ng secti o n s of r oofs . Th ese a r e

h o u ses of r ece nt co nst r ucti o n st r o n gl y m ad e an d wel l
,

ni sh ed T h r ou g h th e r e nts wh ich th e sto r m cl ou d m ade

.

t h e to r r e nts O f r ai n p ou r ed i n an d d r e nch ed th e i nte r io r s .

Th e o ut w a r d d esol ati o n of C o m pto n Hei gh ts r e vealed but

a pa r t O f t he l oss su stai ned Rich l y u ph ol ste r ed fu rn i
.

tu r e bo ok s tapest r ies an d v el vet ca r pets we r e scatte r ed

, ,

on th e l a w n s to catch th e d r y i n g su n a n d w i nd T h e r e .

we r e st r eets o n C o m pton Hei gh ts w h i ch we r e i m passabl e

u nti l ch o ppe r s we nt t h r ough th e m c utti n g a nd r ol l i n g out

of t h e w ay th e p r ost r ate t r ees . T r ees as l a r ge as a m a n s
b od y we r e to r n u p by th e r o ots an d w h e n th e r oots cam e
u
p th ey b r ok e an d d isplaced th e squ a r es of th e g r an itoi d
p ave me n t .

T h e sto r m cl ou d passed f r o m Co m pto n Hei gh ts bea r ,

i n g a l i ttl e t o t h e n o r th of east I t st r uck a d i ffe r e nt

.

cl ass of h ou ses an d a d iffe r e nt n ei gh b o r hood M ov i ng .

u p a nd l appi ng o ve r to th e n o r t h of Lafay ette ave n u e ,

w h il e i t an gle d a way f r o m S h e nand oah on th e s outh th e ,

cl ou d w as a ful l h al f m i l e wi de on O r ego n ave n u e F r o m .

O r ego n east wa r d to J effe r so n ave nu e i s fou r l o n g bl ocks ,

6
82 TH E G R E AT CYC LO NE .

d i pp i n g ge ntl y to O h i o a n d th e n r i si n g agai n t o J B II G I
s o n I n th e fo r ty bl ock s l y i n g wi th i n th es e bou nd a r i es
.

th e r u l e i s l ots of twe nty ve feet a n d s u bsta ntia l h ouses

-

of f r o m to cost T h e te r r ito r y i s cl osel y

.

b uil t I t contai ns o ve r 5 00 h o uses

. Ful ly 200 of th e m
.

we r e lef t u n i nh ab itabl e .

T h r ee sto r y h ouses w e r e r ed u ced to t w o sto r ies a n d

-
,

th e r e w as n oth i n g b u t th e bl ue vaul t of h eave n above

th ose w h o we nt to bed u pstai r s S ide wal l s f r om r oof to
.

fou nd ati o n we r e c ut out Someti mes i t w as th e w est wal l

.

an d s o meti mes i t was th e east w al l Bay w i nd ow s we r e

.

su d d e nl y e nla r ged to t r e bl e t he size pl a n ned by th e a r c h i

t ect. R oofs we r e gone I n th i r ty or fo r ty cases th e w h ole
.

h ouse w as a h eap of b r ick an d ti mbe r : Nea r th e co r ne r

of R ussell a nd Cal ifo r n ia ave n ues th e sto r m too k th e
r oof off on e h ouse a n d m o ved th e r oof of th e n ext h ouse
ov e r u pon t he r st h ous e I t was a sad m i s t h o we ve r
.
, ,

Tal k ab ou t t he a r ch itectu r all y w eak bei n g th e s u ffe r e r s "

O n Cal i fo r ni a av en u e n o r th of Lafayette i s a n al mos t ne w
pu bl ic sc h ool bu i l d i n g T h e sto r m cl ou d took out a pa r t
.

of th e si xtee n i nch wal l on th e n o r t h s id e

-
Th e r e a r e
.

l i ve r y stabl es d r u g sto r es g r oce r i es and m a r k ets i n th i s

, ,

d ist r ict betwee n O r ego n on th e w est an d J e e re son on
th e east T h ey al l su ffe r ed as d i d th e r es ide nces T h e
. .

d a mage was u n i ve r sal .

 TH E GRE AT CYCLON E . 85

I N A N OLDER S E CTION .

At Jeffe r son ave n u e th e sto r m cl o ud st r uck th e Lafay

ette pa r k d ist r i ct Its n o r th e r n l i ne ed ged o ve r P ark
.

ave nu e Its s o uth e r n l i m i t was t h e South S i de r ace t r ack

.
.

Th e path w ide ned i n to th r ee qua r te r s of a m ile Th e sto r m

-
.

cl ou d ca me to on e Of th e m ost com plete of th e s mall e r

pa r k s i n th e U n ited States I t fou n d th e n i sh ed wo r k
.

of th i r ty yea r s of m u n ici pal ca r e Lappi n g o ve r th e

.

par k t wo bl ock s t o th e n o r th wa r d an d fou r block s to th e

s outh w a r d th e cl ou d m ade i t s deepest i m p r ess u p on t h e
,

city .

Pe opl e wh o h ad w on de r ed wh at w ould h appen i f a tor

nad o s h ou l d st r i k e a g r eat ci ty w o nd e r e d n o m o r e afte r
,

i nspecti n g t he st r icke n Lafayette pa r k d i st r i ct Th om as .

H B e nto n i n b r onze stood on h i s pedestal p oi nti n g to

.
,

th e west i n th e pos e s uggested by h i s w o r d s .

T h er e i s th e east th e r e i s I nd i a
,
A r ou n d h i m w as
.

th e p a r k fo r est r y O f a th i r d O f a ce ntu r y s g r o wth el m s , ,

m apl es p o pl a r s an d fi r t r ees Be nto n s statu e r em ai ned
,
.

i n place b u t all a r ou n d h i m l ay t r ees p r ost r ate w h ile

, ,

th os e n ot to r n u p by th e r oots stan d gau nt t wi gl ess and ,

l eaess Th e m a s s i v e i r o n fen ce w as at on th e g r ou n d
. .

Peopl e w alked i n an d out w h e r e t h ey w i ll T h e gates .

we r e u sel ess .

St Lou is beauty s pot i s go ne Lafayette p a r k th e
. .
,

quee n Of all t h e city s o uti ng pl aces h ad bee n s udde nly
,

t r ansfo r med i nto a V i s i o n of ugl i ne ss wh ose i m pe r fect i ons

,

n ow w e r e acc e n u at e d by th e r ecollecti o n of its fo r me r

86 TH E GRE AT CYCLON E .

co m el i ness . L afayette pa r k was a fa vo r ite w ith St .

L ou i sa n s
. Its d est r ucti o n caused m a ny a ch i l d t o l os e i ts
ch e r is h ed pl ayg r o u nd Nu r ses w il l for m o nth s be at a
.

l oss to k n o w w h e r e to take th ei r ch a r ges for a b r eath Of

f resh ai r a n d m a n y o f th ei r eld e r s w il l s i gh fo r th e cool
n o oks a nd fol iage fo r w h ich th i s r et r eat was fam ous S it
.

u at e d i n th e d i r ect path of th e sto r m cen te r n oth i ng es

,

caped th e fu r y of th e cycl o n e except th e statues Th e .

g r an ite colu m n s we r e p r oof e ve n agai nst a to r n ad o and

stood th e d ay afte r th e s to r m l i k e g r i m s enti n el s gu a r d i ng
v and al s f r o m ad di n g s pol iati o n to d e v astation .

Th ou sand s of pe r s on s v is ite d th e pa r k a n d c om m i se r
ated w ith eac h oth e r on t h e r u i n of wh at h ad bee n j ustl y
cal l ed th e p r etties t s pot i n St Lou is T h ey cu t can es
. .

f r om th e b r anch es of th e t r e e s an d ca r r i ed away pa r ts of
th e be nch es as m e m e ntoes of th e sto r m Th ey s a w th e
.

ba r k to r n f r o m th e bo dy of h u ge oa ks ; sapl i n gs we r e to r n
u p by th e r oots an d fo r th e rst ti m e t h ey gai ned a n ad
,

equ ate i d ea of th e fo r ce of a quan ti ty of com p r essed ai r

d r i v e n b y a powe r n o o n e h as anal yzed Pa r t of th e i r o n
.

fe nce su r r ou nd i n g t he l ak e w as bl ow n i nto t h e w ate r Al l .

th e h ou ses e xce pt th at occu pied by th e ca r etak e r of th e

pa r k w e r e dest r oyed Th at b u il d i n g was d amaged badl y
. .

T h e band stand s we r e bl o w n away a nd pa r ts of th e m

we r e fou n d h u nd r ed s of ya r ds aw ay E ve r y o we r i n
.

th e pa r k was d est r oyed . So me of t h e r ose b us h es we r e

u p r ooted w h il e th e s malle r v a r ieties w e r e c r ush e d u nde r
,

b r a nch es an d y i n g d eb r i s At e ve r y e nt r a n ce of th e pa r k
.

th e r e we r e t r ees ly i n g ac r os s each oth e r Th e o nl y m o

.

ti v e of th e cyclo n e see med to h av e been to typify fantastic

 TH E G RE AT CYCLON E . 87

an a r ch y D iso r de r p r evailed for i n th e m ad ness of th i s

.
,

sto r m th e r e w as n o m eth od T h e o nl y l i v i n g t h i ngs i n

.

al l the pa r k except th e si gh tsee r s w e r e th e b i r d s on th e

, ,

po nd E ve n th ey s w am ab out i n a n ai m l ess be w il de r ed
.
,

so r t of fash io n .

M OURNIN G TH E R UIN OF TH E P ARK .

It is a n ote w o r th y fact th at i ndesc r ib able as w as th e

dest r ucti o n of h om es an d h ea r t r e nd i n g as th i s h a r b i n ge r
,

of po ve r ty w as th e r u i n s of Lafayette Pa r k excited th e
,

st r on gest a n d most u n i v e r sal exp r essi o ns of s o r r o w Th e .

r esi de nts O f th e So u th E n d i n pa r ticu l a r w e r e d ist r essed

at i ts m i sfo r tu n e .

T o th e m th e pa r k was a th i ng of b e au t y a n d a j oy fo r
e ve r an d m or e It was th e sce ne of m any te nd e r me m
,
.

ori e s . We r e i t n ot fo r th e s to r m m an y o f th e m woul d ,

h ave bee n r ow i n g i n th e pa r k p o n d t o d ay Oth e r s -

.

stai d ci tize n s an d ti r ed y ou th s w oul d h av e bee n r eadi n g

pape r s an d b ooks be neath its l eafy bo we r s T h e ch i ld r e n .

w oul d h av e b ee n r om pi ng o ve r i ts p r etty l aw ns a n d th e
m oth e r s a n d d au gh te r s w oul d h ave bee n ad m i r i n g th e
e xqu is i te beauty of th e o w e r s .

T h e you n g fol ks as th ey p i cked th ei r way th r ou gh th e

,

n etwo r k of tan gl ed t r ees recall ed th e ma n y pl easant

,

h ou r s th e y passed t h e r e Th ey sk ated on th e pond i n

.

W i nte r th ey b oated th e r e i n s u m m e r an d w h e n th e s n ow
, ,

was h a r d an d gl assy th ey coasted d ow n th e agpol e h ill .

As ch ild r e n th ey h ad i n n oce nt i rtat i on s u nde r the sh ade

t r ees a n d wh e n th ey becam e ol de r an d m o r e fo r m al th ey
,

v i s ited th e pa r k on T h u r sd ay s i n s u m m e r an d l i stened to
88 TH E G R E AT CYCLON E .

th e m usi c of th e band gossi pi n g b etwee n th e n u mbe r s

,
.

Th i s i s w h y th e Sout h E nd e rs m ou r n t he h a v oc pl ayed
i n th e pa r k al m o s t as m u ch as th ey g r i e ved ov e r th ei r
ow n d esol at i o n .

T O n o n e d id th i s see m sadd e r th an to Si r Ch a r l es
G i bs o n \V h e n h e l o ok ed ou t f r o m th e w r eck of h i s
.

pal atial h om e an d ca s t h is eyes ov e r t he o nce beauti ful

pa r k th e tea r s cou r sed d o w n th e ol d ma n s ch eek s
,
.

It was n ot fo r h i s h om e th at h e ca r e d m ost ; n ot for th e

d oll a r s th at th e sto r m s fu r y had s t o le n f r o m hi m ; n ot for
t he l i tte r a n d th e d eb r i s th at l itte r ed th e beauti ful ave n ue .

Hi s ow n esh an d bl ood w e r e safe h i s d ea r o n es a n d

n ex t t o th e m h i s h ea r t w e n t ou t to th e po o r d isto r ted ,

t r ees wh ic h for fo r ty yea r s h e h ad see n g r o w i n g f r o m t i n y

l ittl e sh oots l ik e l ittl e babi es i nto th e g r eat m ass i ve
, ,

t r u nk s t to g r ace t he p r i m ev al fo r e s t .

Th i s was desol a ti on n o gol d co uld r e place Th is w as .

a w ou nd t o h i m n o ti m e c o ul d h eal He i s a n Ol d m a n
.

n ow a n d a s h e sto od th e r e contem pl ati n g th e sad scene i t

,

al l cam e to h i m He coul d n ev e r agai n s e e t h at pi ctu r e

.

th at h ad s o Ofte n m ade hi m you n g an d ca r r i ed h i m back

to t he d ay s wh en h i s b lood w a s cou r s i n g st r o n gl y i n h i s

v ei ns an d l ife was r oseate w i th th e us h of m an h ood s
p r ime .

D i ck h e sai d to h i s s on i n l aw Ri ch a r d Pe r r y w ho
,
- -
, ,

sto od b e s i d e h i m i t t ook fo r ty yea r s to g r o w th ose
,

t r ees a nd I s h al l n e ve r see th ei r l ik e aga i n

,
T h e h ouse .

I ca n r ep ai r b u t m y t r ees a r e go n e fo r eve r
,
.

Th e Lafayette Pa r k ch u r ch es wh ich h ad been gay ,

w ith su m m e r costu m es and b r i gh t faces w il l n ot ech o to ,

 ew k h
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92 TH E G R E A T C YCL O NE .

T h e sto r m cl ou d passed ou t o f th e Lafayette Pa r k d i s

t ri c t
. Its n o r th l i n e r each e d Ch o uteau ave n u e w h i l e th e ,

south e r n l i ne Of i ts path d r e w i n towa r d G eye r Befo r e .

th e cl oud w as a d i st r ict of s m al l m an u factu r i n g co nce r n s ,

O f m an y ats an d of ten em e nt s w ith th e old r am bl i n g ,

C ity Hos pital a patch w o r k b y m a n y b u i l d e r s i n th e

, ,

m i dst Po r ti o ns of th e h ospital stan d sh atte r ed a nd t ot

.

te r i ng O th e r p o r ti o ns w e r e d ow n at T h e 4 5 0 pati e nts
. . .

had to be ca r ed fo r i n te m p o r a r y qu a r te r s Pe rh aps .

m o r e peopl e l i v e w ith i n th i s d ist r ict t ha n i n a n y oth e r of

l ik e size i n th e ci ty Eastw a r d f r o m Seco n d Ca r o ndel et
.

on th e w est w ith Papi n st r eet n o r th an d Gey e r ave n ue

,

a n d S oul a r d st r ee t so u th th e popul ati o n i s d en se

,
Th at .

th e d ead w as n ot an d th e w ou nd ed i s t he
m yste r y afte r o ne h as th r e a d ed t h i s pa r t of th e sto r m

cl ou d s path TVhe r e i s th e w o r st
.
? o n e was ask ed .

Th a t w as h a r d to tel l b u t ce r tai nl y th e r e was n oth i ng

,

wo r se th a n w h at coul d b e w i tne s sed f r o m Lafayette Pa r k

n o r th east to B r oad way a l on g m i le I t was d e ol ati on r u i n
,
. s
,

to th ose w h o h ad l ittl e Th e r e w e r e st r eets w h i ch w e r e n ot

.

t r ave r sed b ecau se O f th e deb r is T h e r e w e r e a t h ou sa n d

.

r oofs go n e a h u nd r ed th ou san d w i n d o ws s ma s h ed w h ol e
, ,

r ow s atte n ed t o th e g r ou n d st r eet c a r s o v e r tu r ne d a n d
,

w r eck ed . Som e people m o v ed f r o m t h i s d i t r i c t at o nce s .

Most of th e te nan ts stayed t o p a s t he n i gh t i n p r a cti cal s

c am pi n g ou t Th e p r obl em o f ho u se hu nti n g w as t oo
.

m uch fo r th e m th e r st da y aft r th e to r nad o e .

U p a nd d o w n B r oad way f ro m C h o u teau av e nu e fo r a

,

qu a r te r of a m i l e each way th e sto r m w r eck ed th e sto r es

, .

He r e a n e w b usi ness spi r i t h ad tak e n r oot w ith i n th e past

 TH E GRE A T CYCLON E . 93

t w o or th r ee yea r s T h e r etai l m e r ch ants of So uth B r oad

.

way w e r e ful l of h op e for t hat secti o n of th e c i ty T h e to r .

n ad o st r uck th e m h a r d ve r y h a r d I t to r e Off r oofs a n d

,
.

i t r u i ned stocks of good s .

IN OL D S T LO UI S P RO P E R
. .

F r o m B r oad way to th e r i ve r th r ou g h th e old est p a r t ,

of St Lo u is a n d th e nce u p t he r i ve r to t h e Eads B r id ge
.
, ,

a c h apte r of i tsel f It i s a l o n g r eco r d of w r eck s O f

.

b u il d i ngs th at w e r e e nti tl ed t o h i sto r ical tablets b u i ld ,

i n gs i n w h ic h b us i ness was d o ne b y m e n w h o h a ve bee n

dead s o l o n g t h ei r n ames h a ve passed i nto co m m e r ci al
obl i v i o n
. C r owd s s u r ged u p a n d d o w n th e Le v ee al l d ay .

T h e r e w as a fas ci n ati o n i n th e m aso n r y l e v el ed f r o m t he

g r eat b r idge Th e r e was g r eate r i nte r est i n th e bi g r i ve r
.

boats d r i ve n ac r oss th e r i ve r a n d l eft ca r ee n ed on th e

Ill i nois b ank A n d th e n t oo f r o m th i s s id e th e r e was
. .
,

a V i sta of u n r oofed b u ild i n gs an d j agge d wall s th e w h ole

l ength o f B l oody Isl a nd .

T wo facts we r e m ad e m ost i m p r ess i v e by a t r ip o ve r

th e w h ol e path of th e to r nad o O ne w as th e w i des p r ead
h av oc w r ou gh t w i th th e w i r es teleg r aph i c telep h o ne
.

and t r oll ey T h e oth e r w as t he d el u ge O f d i r ty w ate r

.

w h ic h th e sto rm cl ou d b r ou gh t w it h i t Ot he r pa r ts Of .

th e c ity cam e ou t b r i gh t a n d f r esh afte r th e h a r d r ai n .

I n th e p ath O f t h e to r nad o p r ope r e v e r y b u i l di n g s h ows

th e spatte r ed d i ngy e e ct of th i s m udd y w ate r w h i ch
, ,

m ust h ave b ee n s ucked u p s ome wh e r e an d th e n tu r ned

l oose by th e w h i r l i n g cl ou d .
94 TH E G RE A T CYCLON E .

CITY H O SP ITA L W R E CK E D
TH E .

T h e St Lou is c ity h osp ita l w as o ve r c r owd ed w h e n th e

.

sto r m st r uc k a nd d e m ol i s h ed i t an d i t was r st th o ugh t

th at at l east 200 of th e patie nts u nde r t r eatme nt we r e
k il led .

T h e d am age to th e h os pi tal was ap pall i n g D i v is i on

M was co m pletel y d e m ol ish ed Th e wes t e nd of d i v is

.

i o n NO 9 w as bl o w n out D i v isi o n NO 1 0 w as co m
. . .

p l e t el
y dest r oyed T h e s ou
. th east co r ne r of th e west
w i n g w as to r n out T h e n e w e r y si p el as w a r d u n der c on
.
,

st r ucti on was r azed to th e g r o u n d

. T h e d ea d h ous e an d
.

th e c r e mato r y w e r e co m pl etely d est r oyed D i v is i o n 6 .

was w r ecked Th e t h i r d sto r y O f th e east w i n g at th e

.

s o uth east co r n e r of t h e b u i l d i n g was bl ow n i n T h e am .

p h i t h e a ter w as badly d amaged as w a s als o th e s u r gical

wa r d .

I n th e d a r k n es s w h i c h foll owed th e sto r m th e h os p ital

p r esen ted a desol ate appea r ance T h e rai n d r i pped .

th r o u gh th e w r ecke d po r tio ns a n d e ve r y fe w m o m e nts a

c r ash Of fal l i n g pl aste r i n g caused th e i n m ates of th e i n
s ti t u t i on to sh udd e r w ith fea r a n d t r e m bl e w it h f r i gh t .

Th e d i n i ng r oo m h a d bee n dest r oyed an d n o o ne r ece i v ed

m u ch to eat A h asty l u nch was p r ep a r ed e v e r yo ne
.
,

bei n g gl ad to get a b ite Of col d food .

T O a ll a p pea r a nces th e h osp ita l l ay i n t h e v e r y path of

th e sto r m ce nte r an d th e h av oc i t c r eated at th at poi nt i s
,

beyon d co ncepti o n Th e e n ti r e st r uctu r e was u n r oofed ;

.

th e s outh w al l was bl ow n ou t an d w h e n th e acute s u r g i cal

wa r d fol l o wed th e th i r tee n occu pa nts we r e b u r ied u nd e r
,

a m ass of r ui ns O nl y on e J am es D u n n w as k ille d out

.
, ,
 TH E GRE A T CYCLON E . 97

r igh t O f th e oth e r patie nts ove r 1 00 we r e m o r e or l ess

.
,

se ve r el y w ou n ded an d w e r e d u g ou t as soo n as p oss i bl e

,

by D r Sutte r a n d a co r ps O f ph ys ici ans

. .

Th e top sto r y of th e w est w i n g th e w h ole sout h s i d e ,

of t h e west w i ng th e t o sto r y O f th e sou t h w i ng a n d a

,p
bi g po r ti on of th e south east co r n e r of th e east w i n g we r e
bl o w n e nti r ely out Bes i des th i s th e stables i ce h ou se
.
, ,

d ea d h ouse a n d oth e r adj u ncts to th e h osp ital w e r e e n

ti r el y d emol ish ed .

Al l th e wi n dow s i n th e e nti r e st r u ctu r e we r e bl ow n

out i n m any cases t he glass an d d eb r i s falli n g on t he p a
,

t i e n t s b r u isi n g a n d cutti n g th e m to a co ns i de r abl e e xte nt

,
.

Th e r ai n po u r ed i n f r o m t h e t op a n d s i des of th e r u i n ed
st r uctu r e an d th e f r i gh t a nd co nste r nati o n Of th e i n m ates
,

of t he i n stitutio n can n ot be o ve r d r a w n th e e m p l oyes ,

state .

Wh il e m ak i n g th e r ou nd s ab ou t 9 O cl ock D r Sutte r ,
.

fou n d th at a p atie n t F r an ci sco Rod r i guez a se r v a nt for

, ,

me r l y i n th e em ploy of th e Mexica n Co nsu l h e r e had d ie d ,

appa r e ntl y f r o m f r i gh t Sh e h ad com e t o th e i nsti tuti o n

.

se ve r al d ays ago t o b e t r eated for a m i n o r c om p l ai nt a n d ,

D r S utte r i s co n de nt th at f r i gh t al o n e w as r espo ns i bl e
.

fo r h e r d eath T h e e xp r ess i o n on th e dead wom an s face
.
,

as D r S utte r r e m o ved th e s h eet w h ic h co ve r ed i t was

.
,

so meth i ng awfu l to l ook u pon .

R E M O V IN G TH E S U F FE RE R S .

As qu i ck l y as poss i bl e th e p atie n ts we r e r em o ved f r o m

th e u ppe r sto r ies of th e h ospital an d deposited o n c ots i n
th e two l o w e r sto r ies E ve n th ese oo r s we r e u ncomfo r t
.
98 TH E G RE A T CYCLON E .

abl e to a n e xt r em e i n m any pl aces th e w ate r s oak i ng

,

th r ou gh th e u ppe r oo r s a nd fal l i n g bel o w i n st r ea ms .

At on e ti m e fea r s we r e e nte r tai ned th at th e t op pa r t O f

th e b u i l d i ng m i gh t becom e wate r s oak ed a nd cav e i n u pon
th e p ati e nt s b el o w D r S utte r said h e w as pos iti v e th at
. .

th e p lace was u n safe an d h e i ss u ed o r d e r s th at th e i n

,

m ates b e r e m o ved f r o m i t as s oo n as p ossi ble Th e .

w o r st of th e i nj u r e d w e r e r em o v ed at o n ce to th e H ous e Of
th e G oo d S h ep h e r d at Se ve ntee nth a n d C h estn u t st r eets
, ,

and to th e Al ex ia n B r ot h e r s H osp ital b oth Of w h ic h i n,

st i tu t i on s th r e w O pe n th e i r d oo r s w h e n th ey r ecei ved t h e

n ew s of th e h os pi tal s catast r o ph e .

I t was sai d at th e h ospital th at the sto r m st r uck th e r e

ab out s u ppe r ti me B efo r e a ny one h ad ti m e t o r eal ize
.

w h at had h ap pe n e d al m ost t he e n ti r e st r uctu r e was i n

r ui ns Li gh ts we nt out i m medi atel y a nd th e pl ace for
.
,

ab out a h al f h o u r w as i n total da r k n ess sav e fo r th e ,

ash es of l i gh tn i n g w h i c h occasi o nal l y li gh ted u p th e

s u r r ou nd i ngs Afte r th e w o r st of th e sto r m h ad passed
.
,

th e em pl oyes cou l d see to ca r r y on th e r escu e w o r k and ,

w h en n i gh t settled d o w n fo r good th e place was l i gh ted

by m eans of candl es .

At th e ti m e of th e sto r m the i nstituti on co ntai ned 4 1 6

patie nts \Vhi le th e ele me n ts w e r e ragi n g at th e w o r st
.

ma n y of th e i n mates becam e u ngo ve r n abl e a n d b r ok e ,

away f r o m th ei r atte n da n ts a nd sou gh t r efu ge i n n ei gh

bo r i n g h ouses I t was i m poss i bl e i n th e co n fus i o n to tel l
.

h ow m an y h ad left t h e i nstituti on i n th is w ay Th e p r i s .

one r s co n n ed at th e h ospital r ai sed al l k i n d s Of com m o

ti o n d u r i ng t h e sto r m and on e of th e m J a mes E W ood ,
, ,
.
1 00 TH E G RE AT C YCLONE .

S utte r w h o i m med i atel y m ad e a n effo r t to re m ove all th e

,

patients f r o m th e r ai n soak ed a n d totte r i n g st r uctu r e

-
.

I t i s a te r r i bl e way to get r i d of a n Ol d ba r n re ,
"

m a r ked D r Sutte r w h il e r e sti n g a m o me n t f r o m h i s e orts
.
,

bu t n o w th e c i ty w il l b e com pel le d to e r ect a new an d
m od e r n h ospital It i s asto n ish i n g th at h u n d r ed s we r e
.

n ot k illed H ow t he p atie nts m anaged to s cr ambl e t o

.

safety i s a m i r acl e to m e .

Geo r ge W i lso n a patie nt co n ned on th e seco n d oo r

,

at th e C ity Hosp ital w as p i ck ed up i n h i s bed by th e

,
-

wi nd a n d bl o w n i nto th e ya r d b el o w He la n d ed on h i s .

feet a n d sc r a mbl ed i nto th e base me nt Afte r h e h ad .

r eco ve red f r o m h i s f r i gh t h e sai d ,

I d id n t k n o w w h at h ad b r ok e l oose I k ne w s om e .

th i n g a w ful was h ap pe ni n g a nd th ou gh t m ay be th e e n d
,

of t he w o r ld h ad co me T h e r e was a r oa r
. Th e w al l s .

i n ou r d i v is io n fel l ou t Th e r ai n r ush ed i n on u s Th e n
. .

I fel t m ysel f pick ed u p i n bed a n d bo r ne out on th e

g r ou n d I s o meh o w m an aged to sc r am bl e t o th e base
.

m e nt al t h o ugh s u ffe r i ng s e ve r el y f r o m r h eu m ati s m
,
.

T h e acute s u r gical wa r d w h i c h was l ev el ed wit h t h e

,

g r ou n d was co m pl ete d two y ea r s ago at a cost of

,

to th e c ity I t was n ew an d el egan tl y e qu i pped

. .

T h e n ew e r y si pel as wa r d w as al m ost com pl eted It .

was to h a ve bee n a t w o sto r y b r ick s t r uctu r e at a cost

-

of $ 5 000 I t was al m os t total l y w r ecke d

. .

I n v e stigatio n th e foll owi ng d ay d iscl osed stil l f u r th e r

dam age T h e m ach i ne r y i n th e e n gi ne h ou se w as ba r ely
.

touch ed b ut a stea m pipe b r ok e s oo n afte r th e sto r m

,

beg a n an d caused m uc h e xcite me nt Th e r oof of t h e .

1 04 TH E G R E A T CYCLON E .

m any w ith l i mbs i n pl aste r or band ages wh o r u s h ed ,

w ildl y abou t i n sea r ch of safety

I t was a m i r acl e con si de r i n g th e d am age i t u nd e r w ent
, ,

t h at a fea r ful l oss O f l i fe was a ve r ted I n m an y cases .

th e d i vi s i on s or wa r d s we r e w i ped out pati e nts cots an d ,

fu r n i tu r e bei n g h u r l ed i nto th e g r ou nd s O n e m an a .
,

cons u m pt i ve was p r opel l ed f r o m th e fou rt h sto r y of th e

,

west w i n g t o t he fence on th e west s i d e ful ly 1 5 0 feet ,

.

H e was n ot i nj u r ed bu t at o nce r an back i n to th e

,

h osp ital .

D es ol ate s u r r ou nd ed on eve r y s i de by e v i d ences O f t he

,

to r nad o s m ad fu r y an d i tsel f a d i sm a n tled u m n ha b i te d

,

ru i n ,
s tood th e w r eck ed a n d d ese r ted Hospital I ts .

fe n ces i ts s h ad e t r ees i ts statu a r y h ad bee n r ai se d t o

, , ,

t h e e a r th Its g r ass pl ats w e r e l itte r e d w i th b r ok e n

.

sl ate b r ick bats co r n ices tel e g r aph pol es a n d r oo ng

, , ,

m at e r i al Its o uth ou s es al m ost w ith ou t e xcepti on w e r e

.
, ,

d e m oli sh ed Its wago n sh ed stabl es i ce h ouse m or

.
, , ,

t uary c r em ato r y
,
boi le r r oo m an d l au nd r y w e r e n o
,
-

m o r e I ts v ast weste r n w i n g was a pi tifu l w r eck r oof

.
,

l e s s a nd pil ed u p on e ve r y oo r wi th pl aste r i n g ru b , ,

b is h b r oke n cots to r n bl ank ets an d fu r n i tu r e Its pa r

, ,
.

t i ti on s had fall en i n i ts ch i m n eys we r e d o w n an d i n

,

al m ost e v e r y d i v isi o n g r eat pool s of stagnant w ate r gave

e v ide nce of t h e v i sitati o n of th e ui d as wel l as of th e
to r nad ic elem e nt A m o r e h ea r t r e nd i n g sce ne can n o t be
.

pictu r e d i n an y i magi nati o n th an th i s s o m b r e pil e w h i c h

tw o d ays befo r e co ntai ned n ea r l y h al f a th ou sand h u m a n
b e i ngs a nd sco r es of p ubl i c ofcial s .
 TH E GR EA T C YCLON E . 1 05

ORROR S A T T H E P OOR H O U SE
H .

T h e d est r ucti o n at th e Ci ty Poo r Hous e was al so e n o r

m ou s a n d th e f r i gh t of th e aged poo r was s o m eth i ng
,

te r r i bl e to w itn ess W ith th e c r ash of th e w al l s as th ey

.

fell l i ke m atc h b oa r d i n g b efo r e th e w i n d w e r e m i ngl ed

th e wi l d s h r iek s Of u n fo r tun ate patie n ts w h ose m en tal ,

decie nci es w e r e agg r av ated by th e tu m ul t of th e h u r r i

cane Th e s i tu ati o n was sufc i en t ly h o r r ibl e to u n m an
.

th e ha r d iest Th e e n t i r e r o of of th e fe m al e pau pe r bu i l d
.

i n g w as to r n Off an d u n g h u nd r ed s of ya r ds a way Th e .

f r o nt p o r ch of th e ce n te r bu i ld i ng w as u tte r l y de m ol ish ed ,

th e l a r ge posts b ei n g t wisted a way f r o m th e walls Th e .

m ai n d am age d o ne at th e bi g i nsti tuti o n h o w e ve r was , ,

cau sed by th e d est r uctio n of t hetowe r w h i ch stood u po n

th e top of th e ce n t r al b u ild i ng Th e to we r was bl own .

do w n an d c r as h ed e n ti r el y th r ough th e b u ild i n g d o w n i nto

th e basem e nt T h e weigh t of th e to we r a n d p o r ti o n of
.

th e r oof was h eavy e n ou gh t o ca r r y w i th i t each of th e

th r ee oo r s of th e b u i ld i n g s ituated be neat h wh e r e t he
towe r stood .

A t th e m o m e nt the sto r m st r uck th e to we r and de

st r oyed i t M r s O tters en on e of th e atte n d ants was i n
.
, ,

th e ch apel wh ich i s s itu ated i n th e base me n t d i r ectl y

,

ben eath th e tow e r M r s C h ild r ess an oth e r atte nd an t at

. .
,

th e i nstitu ti o n w as i n th e act Of desce nd i n g th e s tai r s

,

lead i n g f r o m th e th i r d sto r y w h ich w e r e al s o d i r ectl y b e

,

neath th e to we r W h en th e i m me nse st r uctu r e r ocked i n

.

th e w i n d a n d th e to we r was sent c r as h i n g th r ou gh t he
r oof i t caugh t M r s C h i ld r ess a nd pi ni o ned h e r t o th e
,
.

stai r case Sh e was h i t by a y i ng b r ick an d k nock ed

.
1 06 TH E G RE AT C YCLON E .

d ow n w h ich fact saved h e r l i fe as h ad sh e bee n abl e to

, ,

tak e a n oth e r step sh e w oul d h ave bee n ca r r ied d o w n

wa r d w i th th e deb r i s W h e n fou n d s h e was l yi n g
.

o n th e stai r case w i th th e l o we r pa r t of h e r b od y h angi n g

o ve r th e n ewl y c r eated ch a sm Sh e was co nsci ou s but
.
,

suffe r i ng ago ny f r o m th e f r i gh tfu l gas h i n h e r h ead and

the h eavy ti m be r s and beam s w h i c h co n ned h e r body
an d c r ush ed h e r c h est S h e was e xt r icated wi t h m uc h
.

d i f cul ty an d i m med i ately g i ve n all th e atte nti o n an d ca r e

p oss i bl e A t a l ate h ou r l as t n i gh t h e r co nd iti o n was
.

ve r y se r i ou s an d it i s e x pected sh e w i ll d i e .

M r s O tterse n wh o was i n th e ch apel at th e ti m e was

.
, ,

com pl etel y bu r ied be neath th e m o u nta i n O f b r i cks m aso n ,

r
y a nd t i m be r s w h i c h c r
,
ash ed f r o m a b o ve Sh e p r e .

sented a p iteo us si gh t w h e n th e a r my O f wo r k me n n al l y
l ocated h e r an d sta r ted to r em o v e th e d e b r i s f r o m h e r
b ody I t was a task of so m e ti m e an d d ifcul ty as se v
.
,

e r al i m m e nse beam s h ad beco m e l od ge d di re ctlyu p on h e r

an d h ad beco me xed agai n st th e op pos i te wal l He r .

l egs w e r e p i n i o ned to th e g r ou n d w h il e h e r ch est was

c r us h e d at by a g r eat r afte r wh ich al m ost p r e ve nted h e r
b r eath i ng St r an ge t o say sh e als o was c o nsci o u s wh e n
.

fou nd He r co nd i tio n i s m o r e da nge r ou s th an th at of

.

M r s C h ild r ess an d th e phy s ici a ns d o n ot h ol d ou t m uc h

.
,

h ope for h e r r eco ve r y Al th ough n o b o nes w e r e b r oke n

.
,

s o fa r as c o ul d be asce r tai n ed s h e h as bee n i nj u r ed i nte r

,

n al l y a n d h e r body and face w e r e h o r r i bl y b r uised .

T h e r e we r e ei gh t of th e i n m ates Of t h e Poo r h ou se w ho
r ecei v ed n u m e r ous w ou nd s f r om yi n g gl ass an d b r ick ,

b ut i t is n ot th ou gh t th at th ei r i nj u r i es a r e i n an y way
 TH E G R E AT CYCLONE . 1 09

d an ge r ous Se v e r al of th e attendants we r e cu t sl ig h tly

.

by yi n g s pl i nte r s of glass .

T h e d ead h ou se w h ic h h ad two dead bod i es i n i t on e

, ,

of w h ic h h ad bee n se n t th e r e o nl y a h al f h ou r p r ev i ous ,

was co mpletely d em ol ish ed by t he fu r i ou s w i nd Th e .

bu i ld i n g wh ich was a weak on e was e nti r el y obl ite r ated

, , ,

and th e two d ead bod ies s w e pt a way i n th e w i nd T h e .

keepe r of th e dead h ouse a n d potte r s el d w h o sl eeps i n ,

th e d ead h ou se h ad l eft th e b u i l d i n g j us t b efo r e th e sto r m

,

an d h ad go ne u p to th e m a i n bu i l di n g He owes hi s l i fe .

to th e fact as h e u nd oubtedl y woul d h ave bee n k illed h ad

,

h e r em ai ned i n th e s h anty .

P RO VI D E NTI A L E SCA PE S .

I nc r ed ible as it s ou n ds w it h patients i n th e bu il d
,

i n g 7 5 0 of w h om a r e i n sane n ot a l i fe was l ost at th e

, ,

Poo r h ou se d u r i ng th e sto r m Th e i n san e pat i en ts i n

.

th ei r w a r d gav e th e atten de n ts a g r eat d eal of t r ou bl e

d u r i n g th e r st s pel l Of th e e r ce wi nd Th ey cou l d n ot .

be co nt r oll e d a n d lled th e b u il d i ng w i th th ei r sh r i ek s
a nd c r ies Afte r th e sto r m h ad abated a l i ttl e th ey we r e
.
,

i nd uced to qu iet d ow n Th e n e w b u ild i n g for th e m ale

.

i nsane patie nts w h ich i s th e m ost weste r l y of al l th e

,

bu ild i n gs out th e r e was n ot d am aged i n th e l east by th e

,

sto r m Th e e n gi ne r oom s uffe r ed f r o m th e l oss O f th e

.
-

stack s w h ich we r e bl ow n away Hu nd r eds of w i nd o w s

,
.

w e r e to r n f r o m th ei r ease m e n t s a nd u n g to th e g r ou nd ,

an d s h utte r s w e r e un g i n e ve r y d i r ecti on .

A v i e w of th e d amaged ce nt r al b u i l d i n g p r ese nted a

desolate spectacle th e diffe nt oo r s bei n g Ope n to t he
,
110 TH E G RE AT CYCLON E .

sky and d r i ppi ng w ith ood s of wate r T h e top oo r

.

was u sed fo r t h e atte nda nts t h e n e xt oo r u nde r th e

,

towe r was used by S u pe r i nte n den t O v e r beck a n d t he ,

seco nd oo r b v D r Me r ed ith
. I n th e baseme n t w as th e
.

ch apel E ve r yth i n g i n th e r oo m s m e nti o ned i s a com

.

p le te l oss . Th e d amage t o th e bu i ld i n gs i s esti mated at

at l east
I n co n ve r s ati o n w i th eyew itn esses of th e sto r m at t h e
Poo r h ouse i t was stated th at th e r st touc h of t h e d is

ast r ou s w i nd was fel t at O cl ock T h e patie nts h a ve
.

t h ei r s u ppe r at O cl ock and get to th ei r oo r s at
It w as j ust as th e patie nts r each ed th ei r oo r s th at t h e
sto r m s t r uck th e bui l d i n g T h e w i n d cam e r st f r o m t h e
.

south east th e n v ee r i n g r api d l y t o th e so uth west i t came

,

h u stl i n g b ack agai n Th e to we r was to r n off w ith a l oud

.

r ep o r t a nd as i t c r ash ed th r ough th e r oof th e w h ol e bu ild

i n g sh ook to th e fou nd ati ons . A pa ni c e n s ued i n w h ich
th e s h r ieks of th e w o m e n coul d be h ea r d ab ove th e w i n d .

T h e m a n i acs added to th e te r r o r Of th e pati e nts a n d fo r ,

a ti m e th e u tm os t con fusi o n r ei g ned Ho we ve r w he n i t

.
,

was s ee n th at th e sto r m was abati n g o r de r w as quick l y

,

r esto r ed a n d th e wo r k of sea r ch i n g for th e i nj u r e d

begu n .

T h e Fe m al e Hospital escaped w ith l ittl e d a mage th e ,

r oof of th e west w i ng bei n g to r n O ff w ith n u m e r ous ,

sm all e r d amages to th e i nte r i o r of th e bu ild i n g A nu m .

be r of th e i n m ates w e r e cut by yi n g m i ssiles but th e r e ,

was n ot a sm gle se r i ou s accide nt repo r ted .

T h e cottage at th e I nsan e Asyl u m w as d amaged con

s i de rab l by t he w i nd b ut n o on e was h u r t
y .
112 TH E G RE A T C YCLON E .

we r e u po n t h e g ree n back g r ou nd T h ese cl ouds seemed

,
.

to co m e togeth e r w i th a n awfu l cl ap of th u nde r I at .

o nce r u sh ed to wa r d th e m ach i ne s h op yel l i n g to th e m e n ,

t h e r e abo u t s i xty i n n u m be r to get out Just th e n t h e

, ,
.

m i gh ty fo r ce st r uck t he ca r s h ed s wh i c h a r e s o u t h of and ,

adj oi n i n g th e po we r h ouse T h e s h ed s w e r e c r u sh ed i n
.

l i ke an eggsh el l Th e r e w e r e se ve r al team s a n d coal

.

w ago n s i n th e s h e d at th e ti me an d t wo of th e team s , ,

with fou r h o r ses eac h we r e i n th e r u i n s All t h e h o r ses

,
.

we r e k ill ed or m ai med I d o n t k no w w h eth e r t h e team
.

st ers m ad e t h ei r escape or n ot b u t fea r th at all d id n ot

,
.

As th e ca r s h ed w al ls a n d r oof we n t i n I yel led to t h e
engi n ee r Z i m m e r m an w h o was at h i s post i n t h e p owe r
, ,

h ouse to r u n b u t b efo r e th e poo r fel l ow coul d m ak e h i s

, ,

escape t h e bi g b r ick c h i m n ey w h ic h stand s ab ou t t h e

,

m i ddl e of th e pl ant bet wee n th e t wo boi le r r oom s cam e

, ,

d own w ith a c r as h b u r y i n g th e wh ol e po we r h ou se pla nt

,

beneat h t h e deb r is Z i m me r ma n was i nstan tl y k i ll ed ;

.

w e on lya l ittl e wh il e ago s u cceed ed i n getti n g ou t h is

b ody You ca n get s ome i d ea of th e te r r i b le fo r ce of th e
.

el eme nts wh e n I say th at th e ca r s h ed was 4 00x3 00 feet ,

t h e b r ick ch i m ney was 1 6 2 feet h i g h by th i r ty ei gh t feet i n -

d i amete r at th e base an d yet t h e w h ol e was a h u ge p il e of

,

b r ick s a n d d eb r i s i n l ess th an a m i n ute s ti me T h e m e n .

i n th e m ach i n e s h o p b a r el y escape d b efo r e th e ca r s h ed

wal l s we n t i n .

T h e d isaste r ties u p th e wh ole Scull i n system except
th e B ellefo ntai ne an d M ou n d C ity l i n e w h ic h i s s u ppl ied ,

by a n ot he r s m al l po we r h ous e w h ic h escap ed i nj u r y ,
.

T h e r st W o r k w e s h al l d o i s to s e a r c h th e r u i ns for t h e
1 16 TH E GR E A T CYCLON E .

Th e h u ge d i s m an tl ed b r i ck s m ok e stack was th e n
tackled A fo r ce of b r i ckl aye r s w o r k ed f r o m d aw n til l
.

d usk eati n g an d sl eepi ng on th e p r e m i ses By n i gh t

,
.

a noth e r fo r ce of m e n la bo r ed e r ecti n g scaffol d i n gs s o as

,

to be r ead y for th e b r i ckl aye r s i n th e m o r n i ng A n d l o " .

th e s m okestack w ith i n a week r ai sed i ts h ead h i gh e r th an

a n yth i n g i n th e n ei gh b o r h ood I t was com pleted befo r e
.

th e Nati o nal Republ ican s co n ve n ed th r ee w e ek s afte r th e

cycl o ne T h i s stack 1 5 0 feet h i gh o r i gi nall y took 1 0
.
, ,

weeks i n b u ild i n g .

S i xty add iti on al ca r s we nt i n to se r v i ce Ju n e 7 a n d a ,

h o r se powe r of
-
p r opel l ed th e m ach i n e r y T he .

ful l p o we r u n de r n o r m al co nd iti on s befo r e t h e w r eck was

to T h e b ul k of th e m ach i n e r y was stil l
ex posed t o th e el em e nts wh e n r esta r ted th ough cl e a r ed ,

f r o m al l d eb r i s an d th e
,
h o r se po we r to be u sed
-

was o nly secu r ed by r u n ni ng th e boil e r s to th ei r h igh

est capaci t y T h ey b ei ng of t h e v e r y best tu bul a r m ake
.
,

th e r e w as n o r isk i n th i s .

By th e m id dl e of J u ne a pe r m ane nt r oof h ad b ee n
pl aced o ve r th e e nti r e po we r h o use .

O n th e cl ea r i n g u p an d r esta r ti n g of th e m ach i ne r y a
fo r ce a ve r agi ng 5 00 m e n a d ay w as at w o r k for d ays .

M r Ha r r y Scull i n sai d o n th e e ve n i n g of J u n e 6 :
.

G i ve al l t h e c r ed it t o th e m e n Not h i ng ca n be too
.

good for th e m T h e y h ave wo r k ed w i th a l oyal ty a n d w il l

.

I n ev e r s a w equal ed D ay a n d n i gh t th ey h ave stu ck

.

to th e task th at at o ne ti me seem ed al most h o pel ess I .

h a ve n eve r h ad to tel l th e m to stay l ate or co m e ea r l y .

Th ey h ave bee n h e r e al l th e ti m e I a m ce r tai nly p r ou d

.
 TH E G R E AT C YCLO NE . 1 17

of wh at h as b ee n accom pl ish ed and equ al ly p r ou d of th e

sp i r it of l oy al ty th e wo r k h as called fo r t h i n ou r men .

S TR E E T R AIL W A Y S E R V ICE P A RA L YZ E D .

T h e powe r h ouse of th e People s Cabl e r ail way was also
bad ly w r ecked Hu nd r ed s of ca r s we r e i nj u r ed an d seve r
.

al d est r oyed T h e m ach i ne r y escaped b ut th e e nti r e

.
,

seco n d oo r was w r ecked a n d w h e n Ope r ati o n s w e r e re

,

s u med th e i m m e nse w h eel s r ev ol ved i n m i d ai r

,
Th e .

sto r m h ad m o r eo ve r th e effect of stoppi n g ev e r y el ect r i c

st r eet ca r i n St L ou i s Th e te r r i fi c fo r ce O f th e w i n d
. .

to r e th e w i r es of th e l i nes f r o m th ei r fasten i n gs to th e sid e

posts and i n m any i nstances bl e w th e posts d o w n E ve r y .

ca r r u n on th e el e ct r i c l i n es i n th e ci ty was stopped al m ost

i nstantaneou s l y wh e n th e sto r m st r uck th e city Th e .

cabl e ca r s d i d n ot su ffe r s o m uch T h ey h o wev e r we r e

.
, ,

of cou r se i m peded b y th e stoppage of th e ca r s c r ossi n g

,

th ei r l i nes .

T h e Ol i ve st r eet l i n e w as stopped by a pe r fect net wo r k

of w i r es at N i netee nth st r eet w h ich st r etch ed ac r oss th e
,

e nti r e o p en s pace at th e co r ne r s O wi n g to th e p r om pt
.

action Of a n em pl oye i n r u n n i n g to th e City Hall for ass ist

ance th e wi r es we r e cu t aw ay and th e Ol i v e st r eet l i n e
r esu med ope r at i o n i n ab ou t 20 m i nu tes Th e Fou r th .

st r eet cabl e w a s stopped b y a n i m me nse n u m be r of tel e

g r ap h pol es w h ic h w e r e bl ow n d ow n on C h oteau ave n u e
f r om Fou r th st r eet west Th e p ol es we r e piled ac r oss th e
.

ca r t r acks i n all d i r ecti o n s Th e cabl e w as s h u t off

.

u nti l th ey co ul d be cl ea r ed away .

Th e B r oad way cable r a n successfull y th r ough th e sto r m

118 TH E GR E AT C YCLON E .

for abou t ve or ten m i n utes w h e n th e dest r u cti o n Of

b u il d i n gs on So uth B r oad way effectu al ly ba r r ed th e st r eet .

Th e cabl e co nti nu ed to r u n al ong al l r i gh t b u t th e ca r s ,

we r e stopped by th e v ast amou n t of d eb r is an d ti m be r s

th r o w n al o n g th e t r ack s .

T h e e nti r e L i nd el l syste m was stopped by th e sto r m .

T h e w i r es we r e twisted an d to r n f r o m t h e pol es a nd e v e r y
ca r w as b r ou gh t to a sta nd sti l l T h is w as th e case w ith
.

ev e r y el ect r i c l i ne i n th e c ity sav e th e B el l efo ntai n e l i ne

, ,

w h i ch w as stopped fo r an h ou r an d a h al f by th e c r oss
l i n es of st r eet r ail way s b ei ng bl ockad ed At th e e n d of.

th a t ti m e th e B el l efo ntai ne m a naged to r esu m e O pe r ati o ns .

T h e Ch outeau ave nu e sh ed s of th e Li nd el l R ail way

we r e total l y d em ol i sh ed by th e sto r m a n d a n enti r el y n e w
st r u ctu r e w il l h av e t o be e r ected .

HOUR S O F H ORRI B L E S U S P E N S E .

T h e w h ol esal e stop page Of th e ca r l i nes c r owd ed t he

st r eets w ith th ou san ds of peopl e o n th ei r way h om e E ve r y .

d oo r w ay a nd e nt r ance was j am m ed w ith f r i gh te ned m e n

and wom e n i n m om e nta r y d ange r of be i n g k i lled by th e
h un d r ed s of l iv e w i r es w h ich h u n g ab out i n al l d i r ecti o ns
,
.

Th e Ol i v e st r eet l i ne w h e n i t r es u m ed O pe r ati on s a fte r its

,

20 m i n u te stop
-
,
was s o c r owded with h u man ity th at
m o vem e nt w ith i n t h e ca r s was a n i m possi bil ity Peopl e .

o t on th e ca r s as fa r west as T wel fth st r eet i n o r de r to

g
obtai n s tandi n g r oo m e ve n w h e n t he ca r r etu r ned on i t s
west bou nd t r i p Lad ies r u n n i n g r i sk of bei n g th r ow n
-
.
,

to th e g r ou n d an d k il led f r a nti call y cau gh t o n t o th e ca r s

,

w h il e th ey we r e i n m oti o n i n th ei r endeavo r s to escape

 TH E GRE A T CYCLON E . 1 21

f r om th e h o r r o r s of el ect r ocuti o n wh ich th r eate ned e ve ry

,

one ou th e st r eets I n m a ny i nstances lad ies an d y ou ng

.

w ome n we r e th r o w n d ow n an d n a r r o wl y escaped i nj u r y .

Th at n o se r i ou s damage i s r epo r ted f r o m th i s d i r ecti o n i s

a myste r y I n qu i r ies a mo ng th e e m pl oyes of th e v a r i ou s
.

r oads d o w n to w n e l icited th e fact th at v e r y fe w i f any , ,

accid ents occ u re d t o passen ge r s .

T h e d ay foll o w i n g th e sto r m saw fewe r st r eet ca r s r u n

n i ng th a n on an y d ay for yea r s th e s e r vi ce be i n g p oo r e r
,

on th e w h ol e th an i n th e old h o r se ca r r egi me O nl y
.

tw o l i nes on t he Scul l i n or U n i o n d epot syste m w e r e i n

Ope r ati o n . Th e B e nto n B el lefo n tai ne r a n r i gh t al o n g
-

an d i t was th e o nl y st r eet ca r li ne i n th e ci ty th at was n ot

d isabl ed by th e sto r m Th e M ou n d C i ty r esu m ed O pe r a
.

tio ns ea r l y i n th e m o r ni n g All th e l i nes r u n n i n g to t h e

.

Fai r G r ou nd s we r e r u n n i n g e xce pt th e o ne on Jeffe r so n

ave n ue a nd M r Scul l i n s Fai r G r ou nd s l i ne T h e ca r s of
. .

th e l atte r we r e u sed o n th e M o u nd C it y r oad T h e .

U ni o n No r th e r n C e nt r al and Cass ave n u e l i nes all sta r ted

.

u p abou t t he s am e ti m e n ext m o r n i ng an d th e F r a nkli n

,

aven ue l i n e at th e fatal e ve ni n g T h e o nl y oth e r

.

l i ne o pe r ated by th e Ch i cago sy n di cate i s th e South west

e r n wh i c h pa r al lels th e B r oad way l i n e of th e sam e c om
,

pany T h e Sout h w este r n sta r ted u p a d ay or t w o l ate r

.

an d p r o ved of i m m e nse se r v i ce to a l a r ge n u m be r of peo

ple l i v i n g s outh of Arse n el st r eet i n th e te r r i to r y c o ve r ed
b y so me of th e S cu ll i n l i nes Th e S o uth e r n el ect r i c als o
.

ex pected to r es u m e ope r ati o ns on a p a r t of its r oute It .

r u ns to Ca r o nd el et a n d i s o r d i na r il y pat r o n i zed by th ou

sands of pe ople l i v i ng n o r th of th e W i ld H u nte r s .
1 22 TH E G R E AT C Y C LON E .

Th e G r an d a ve n u e l i ne was O pe r ated f r om th e w ate r

to we r as fa r s out h as th e G r an d a v e n u e b r id ge onl y T h e .

se r vi ce w i l l be e xte nd ed s outh O f M ill C r eek A n oth e r .

l i n e for th e S out hs i ders w h i ch was a bl e i n a day or

t wo to r u n ca r s w a s th e Li ndel l co m p any s n e w Pa r k
ave n ue el ect r ic r oad I t l eav es th e Com pto n Hei ghts
.

l i ne at Neb r ask a av e n u e a nd co nti nu es w est on Pa r k

av enu e to Van d ev e nte r an d th e n r u n s sou t h to To we r
,

G r o ve Pa r k Th e c om pany s po we r h ou se on Pa r k a nd
.

V a nd e ve nte r ave n ues was sta r ted u p at n oon T h u r sd ay ,

b u t th e com pany s l i nes s out h of M il l C r eek Vall ey w e r e
n ea r l y al l d o w n an d th e pow e r was u sed b y th e Page ,

Spal d i n g a n d Del m a r a ve nu e d i v is i o ns O f th e L i n dell

system al l r u n n i ng to th e W es t E nd
, .

Th e Ol i ve st r eet cabl e d i d a t r e me n d ou s bu si ness Th e .

el ect r i c l i nes Ope r ated by th e sam e com pan y on th e oth e r ,

h and fa r ed badly T h e po we r h ou se f r o m w h i ch th ey
,
.

we r e O pe r ated was pa r ti al l y d em ol i sh ed an d i t was se v e r a l

d ays befo r e t r af c On th e m w a s r es u m ed T h e Jeffe r so n .

ave n u e l i ne was i n th e sa me x .

TE L EGR AP I I V IR E S DO W N
\ .

F or se v e r al h o u r s afte r th e h u r r ican e St Lou i s was cu t .

off f r o m a l l com m u n icati o n w i th th e outsid e wo r l d E ve r y .

w i r e n o r th east s ou th a n d wes t w as r epo r ted d o w n

, , , , .

Th e tel eg r aph an d teleph on e se r vi ces an d th e elect r ic

r ail way l i nes we r e c r i ppled an d al l st r eet r ai l way t r afc
,

w a s te m po r a r il y S u s pe nd ed Th e d amage t o th e w i r es
.

was esti m ated \Ve d n e s day n i gh t at o ve r

Th e h u r r ica ne s napped h u nd r ed s of tel eg r aph poles
1 24 T H E G RE AT CYCLON E .

sto n e th a t m a r k ed th e place w h e r e th e b u ild i ngs stood .

A boa r d i n g h ouse s tood at th e s ou th east co r ne r \V h e n

.

t he sto r m r each ed i t th e wal l s coll apsed as th ou gh m ad e

of s ti ff d ough a nd t h e u n fo r tu n ates i n sid e we r e e nto m bed
,

i n t h e twi n kl i n g of a n ey e Th e h igh w i n d th a t s w ept

.

a r ou n d th e co r ne r s afte r th e m ai n sto r m p assed c r eated

a n ed dy o ve r th e r u i ns i nto w h i ch w as tossed a m ass of
d eb r i s f r o m th e e nti r e n ei gh bo r h ood Th e wo r k of r escue
.

w as d ifcu l t a nd n ecessa r i l y i nc o m pl ete .Peopl e i n th e

nei gh bo r h ood say th e r e w e r e 4 0 soul s i n th e h ou s e wh e n
i t we nt d o w n an d b u t n i ne co r pses h ave b ee n tak e n O u t
,
.

O n th e o ppos i te co r n e r f r o m th e boa r d i n g h ou s e sea r ch

-

e r s fo r bod ies f o u nd fou r m an gl ed t r u nk s an d se n t th e m

to t he m o r gue A m an h al f daft wi th te r r o r assu r ed
.

Se r gea n t Meeh an th at th e bod y of h is w i fe i s b u r i ed

th e r e He was t o e xcited to gi ve h i s n a m e b u t n ei gh b o r s
.
,

sai d h e l i ved i n t h e h ous e a nd th at th e w o m a n h as n ot

,

bee n see n si nce th e sto r m .

O ne m igh t t r avel m iles an d n d fe w m o r e d es ol ate ,

h ea r t s icke n i ng p ictu r es th a n th at a r ou n d Se ve nth a nd

-

Rutge r st r eets A p il e of b r ick a n d b r o ke n ti m be r s

.

st r etch ed f r o m c u r b to c u r b o n th e R utge r st r eet s id e east,

of Se ve nth . Al o n g th e sid e wal k o n th e n o r th s i d e of th e

st r eet a path way was be i n g m ad e th r o ug h th e d eb r is a n d ,

th r ough th i s t h e fe w w h o h ad bu s i ness w i th i n th e r opes

th a t gu a r d ed t h e g r aves of fam il ies w e r e all owed to pass
by th e pol ice Upo n a m ass of tangl ed w r eck a ge i n
.
,

pl ai n v i e w of th e cu r ious m ob a n Old w om a n sat al l d ay

,

su r r ou nd ed by a fe w of h e r batte r ed h ou seh ol d good s ,

d ug f r o m th e w r eck About h e r we r e gath e r ed a fe w

.
1 28 TH E G R E A T C YCLON E .

th e j i ngl e of m o ney r esou nd ed m ock i ngly

,
in th e ea r s of

th e st r icke n an d h om eless .

A CO M B INATION OF HORRO R S .

W i nd l i gh t ni n g r e a n d r ai n fo r m ed th e h el l is h c om
, ,

b i n ati o n th at sl au gh te r ed a n d mai m ed a nd r e nd e r ed h ouse

l ess a nd d estitu te sco r es O f d efe nsel ess r esi de nts of th e
d ist r ict b ou nd ed by Pa r k ave n ue on th e south Lacl ed e ,

ave n ue on th e n o r th Cal ifo r n i a ave n u e on th e west a nd

,

Dol ma n st r eet on th e east T h e e n ti r e s ecti o n p r ese nts a

.

s icke n i n g p ictu r e of d esol ati o n r u i n an d m ise r y A m i d

,
.

th e w r eck O f pal atial r esi dences h and so m e ats and cot

,

tages l ess p r ete n ti ou s th e d ead an d d yi n g h ave bee n

,

tak e n out h e r e a n d th e r e th r ou gh ou t th e e nti r e d ist r ict ,

a n d e ve r y bl ock h as h o r r o r s u po n h o r r o r s to r el ate .

I n m an y i nstan ces th e awful w o r k th at w as begu n by

th e to r nad o s c r u sh i n g fo r ce was m ad e d ou bl y te r r i bl e by
r e a n d w h en th e el e m e nts had spe nt th ei r fu r y th e
,

a m es bl ack e n e d th e w r eckage i n tok e n of th e r u i n th at

h ad bee n w r ou gh t . I n m o r e th a n on e case peopl e w h o
w e r e pi n i on ed beneat h fal le n w all s a n d d eb r i s we r e
bu r ned to d eat h befo r e the eyes of fam i l y or f r i end s w ho
we r e po we r l ess to ai d t h em a nd m a ny oth e r s w ou l d h ave
,

d ied equ al l y h o r r i bl e death s b ut fo r th e b r ave r y of th e

r escue r s .

Noth i n g th at lay d i r ectl y i n th e pat h of th e sto r m

s eemed capabl e of with stand i n g th e te r r i c fo r ce of th e
wi nd G r eat sto nes weigh i n g th ousa nd s of pou nd s we r e
.

ca r r i ed for bl ocks an d d r o pped wh e r ev e r th e w i n d see m ed

d isp osed to leav e th em Some of th e m ost substa n tial
.
 TH E G R E \T CYCLO NE . 1 29

bu ild i n gs i n tow n we r e l ev el ed to th e g r ou nd w h il e pe r ,

haps a n old d ilapidated st r uctu r e n ext d oo r escaped w ith

O ut i nj u r y
P r obabl y t h e m ost r em a r k abl e case i n poi nt i s th e d e

st r ucti o n of th e p o w e r h ou se of th e Peopl e s Rail r oad
( Fou r th st r eet cabl e ) at,
1 8 01 Pa r k aven ue al r ead y re,

fe r r ed to I t was a m assi v e st r u ctu r e onl y th r ee sto r ies

.
,

i n i ts tal l est p a r t an d b u il t of p r essed b r ick and sto n e

,
.

Th e w all s r an ged f r o m 20 to 3 0 i n ch es i n th i ck ness yet ,

th ey w e r e c r us h ed as th o u gh th ey we r e bu il t O f pape r .

The e n ti r e to p sto r y of th e m ai n Ofce bu ild i n g was

th r o w n i n to th e st r eet a n d th e e ng i n e r oo m was u n r oofed
,

a nd w r ecked Th e d am age was

. to say noth i ng
of th e l oss th at acc r ued f r o m t h e s u spe ns i o n of t r a fc on
th e r e ad .

Wh e n t he r oof w as l i fted off g r eat ston es a nd a pe r fect

sto r m of m ass i v e ti m be r s w e r e r ai ned d o w n i n to th e e u
gi ne r oom Th e b i g stea m p i pe l ead i n g to th e e n gi n e o n
.

the west s i de w as b r ok e n a nd e ve r y ca r o n th e r oad

sto ppe d al m ost i nstantl y Th e r oa r of e s cap i n g steam
.

add ed to t he c o n fus i o n a nd fo r a ti me i t was th ough t

eve r ybod y i n th e pl ace w ould be k i ll ed T h e e n gi nee r .
,

D G M c Carron was i n th e e n gi n e r oom a nd h ad a n a r

. .
,

r ow escape f r o m d eath T h e ca r sh ed s on th e bl ock t o

.

t he s outh we r e u n r oofed an d pa r ti al l y d e mol is h ed an d a ,

n u m be r O f ca r s sm ash ed i nto k i nd l i n g wood M a n a ge r .

Mah o ney p u t a fo r ce of 1 00 m e n m ostl y e m pl oyes of

,

th e r oad t o wo r k cl ean i n g away th e d eb r i s and getti n g

,

i n sh ape t o r ebu i ld th e powe r h ouse

9
130 TH E G RE A T C YCLO NE .

H AND S O M E R E S ID E NC E S D E S TR O Y E D .

F r o m th e r e al l th e way out Pa r k ave n u e to b e yo n d

Neb r ask a al m os t e v e r y oth e r h ou se i s m o r e or l e s s d am
,

aged an d a l a r ge m aj o r ity of th em a r e total w r eck s Th i s

,
.

i s pa r ticul a r l y t r ue of th e m agn ice n t r es id e nces t o t he

n o r th of Lafayette Pa r k .

T h e S ode rer h ou se on th e co r ne r of M issou r i an d Pa r k

,

av e n u es was badl y da m aged

,
Th e stabl e w as a m as s of
.

r u i n s an d a n e h o r s e a nd i ts d r i ve r a col o r ed m a n n am ed
, ,

Tayl o r w e r e b u r i ed u nd e r th e d eb r i s B oth w e r e ki lled

,
. .

J ul i u s H ouck b r oth e r of t he D octo r w ho l i ves at 23 20

, ,

Pa r k a v e n u e h as a h o u se th at i s n ot t to l i ve i n T w o
,
.

ats adj oi ni ng o w ned by h is m oth e r i n la w a r e a total

,
- -
,

w r eck .

T h e house on Pa r k a ve n u e n ea r T we nty seco n d st r eet ,

-
,

wh e r e Al exand e r Sel k i r k b oa r d ed w i t h h i s w i fe i s a m ass

,

of r u i ns M r s
. S e lki r k l ost e ve
. r yth i n g h a n d som e o r na
m e nts j e wel r y a n d h e r cl oth es
,
.

Th e h ou se of J e r om e H il l th e cotto n facto r was , ,

d i s m antl ed w i th g r eat gaps ev e r y w h e r e th e t op gon e

, , ,

an d l i gh tl ess w i nd o ws Al l th e fam il y we r e at h om e th e
.

nex t m o r ni n g r e m o v i n g fu r n i tu r e a nd t r y i n g t o sav e f r o m ,

th e d eb r i s w hat w as sav able .

Joh n E n d r es w h o l i ves n ext d oo r to M r H i ll d i r ected

,
.
,

th e m o v i n g of h i s bel ongi n gs ou t of h i s d e v as te d pl ace .

I n s pite of h i s l o s s M r E nd r es good n atu r ed l y said h e

,
.
-
,

w as o n l y gl ad n o b od y i n h i s h ouse w as h u r t He h ad .

s p r ead a l u nch eo n on t h e pa r l o r m a ntl e a c ou pl e of hot ,

tl es Of w i n e f r o m th e cel l a r ha d bee n saved a n d h e i n ,

si sted u po n e ve r ybod y i n h i s h ou seh ol d tak i n g a b ite to

 TH E G R E AT C Y CLON E . 133

sustai n th ei r c ou r age His fou r d au gh te r s and th e t wo

.

Mi sses Wa m s ga nz s iste r s of M r s E nd r es we nt to stop

,
.
,

wi t h th ei r g r a nd m oth e r u nti l M r E nd r es coul d m ake .

oth e r p r o v isi on s for h is fam i ly He sl ept pa r t of th e .

ni gh t on th e oo r of th e Ca r r r es id e nce nex t to h i s ow n , ,

and l i k e a faith fu l watch m an got u p e v e r y h al f h ou r

, ,

to see i f h i s c hattle s we r e all r i gh t M r E nd r es cou r age . .

an d ph il oso ph y o v e r h i s l oss di d m uc h to i nspi r e h is ,

neigh bo r s w ith th e sam e so r t of feel i n gs .

M r s J am es C a r r r el ict of th e l ate J ud ge Ca r r w it h
.
, ,

h e r so ns a n d d au gh te r s l i ves n ex t d oo r to M r E n d r es
,
. .

H e r h ous e was t h e l east d am aged of any of th os e on th at

si d e of th e st r eet th ou g h th e r e was n ot a w h ol e p an e Of
,

gl ass l eft i n i t M r J am e s Ca r r J r w as bu s y p utti n g

. .
,
.
,

i n t he b r ok e n wi n do ws afte r h av i n g s pe nt p a r t of th e
,

n i g h t i n h el pi n g M r E nd r es to b r i n g a li tt le o r de r ou t of th e
.

ch aos M r s Ca r r hou s ed a n u m be r of bl eed i n g a n d fai nti n g

. .

n ei ghbo r s an d beds we r e m a de al l o ve r th e oo r to take

,

ca r e of th e h o meless S h e att r i butes th e s av i n g of h e r

.

h ou s e to th e sol id i ty wi th w h ich it i s bu il t bu t equ al ly ,

st r o n g h ou ses p r o v ed th e fall acy of such r eli a nce .

T h e Mi sses Ca r r h ad j ust r et u r n ed f r o m th e wed di n g

Of M i s s Fi sh e r t o M r Leo n F a ss e t i n th e l ittl e C h u r ch
.

of th e U n i ty i n Be n to n pl ace T h e wed di n g gu ests h ad .

ba r el y l eft th e ch u r ch wh e n t h e r oof bl e w Off an d th ey ,

al l r an fo r th ei r l i ves Mi ss Ca r r h as i n h e r possessi o n
.

two m ack i ntosh es an d fou r u m b r el l as w h i ch s h e fou nd

i n th e ch u r ch an d h as tak e n ca r e of a wai ti n g th ei r
, ,

o w n e r s Th e Ca r r fam il y sou gh t r efuge i n th e cella r

.

between tw o la r ge b r ic k pi e r s w h ich s wayed an d r ocked , ,

134 . TH E G RE AT CYCLO NE .

but d id n ot gi ve way Th e w i n d t r ied i tsel f i n th e Ca r r

.

r eside nce w it h out d oi n g g r eat d amage b u t i t to r e f r am es ,

f r o m d oo r s b r ok e l ock s i n h al f t wisted one h i n ge Off a

, ,

d oo r a n d l e f t th e oth e r on s h atte r ed s o m e w i nd o w pa nes

, ,

w h il e i t sc r atch ed ot h e r s i n zi g zag fash ion d r o v e en o r

-
,

m ou s b oa r d s t h r ou g h on e s i d e of t h e h ou se i n th e t h i r d
sto r y an d n ev e r m oved a w ood e n b uck et f r o m an
,

u n sh el te r ed posi ti o n i n th e ya r d .

S AW
'

I IER CH ILDR E N B URN .

Ho r r o r s c r o w n of h o r r o r s w as r each ed at th e ho m e of
Joh n Be ne 1 4 00 Oh i o ave n u e j u st O ff P a r k av e n ue
, , ,

w h e r e t h e h ou se was r s t w r ecked a n d th e n bu r ned M r s . .

Be ne an d h e r tw o ch i ld r en Syl veste r aged 5 a n d Ol i ve r

, , , ,

h e r t w o yea r ol d babe w e r e b u r i ed u nd e r th e d eb r i s an d
-
, ,

th e l atte r was b u r n ed to d eat h befo r e h i s m oth e r s eyes .

Syl veste r th e n ext old e r ch ild was al s o bad l y bu r ned

, , ,

but a co r ps O f r escu e r s s ucceed ed i n d iggi ng d ow n to

w h e r e h e l ay befo r e l ife w as e xti nct Th e p oo r l ittl e fell o w
.

w as u nconsci ou s a nd h is sk ul l i s f r actu r ed i n ad d iti o n t o

th e se ve r e b u r ns h e r ece i ved M r s Be ne coul d see h e r
. .

l ittl e o n es f r o m w h e r e s h e l ay pi n i on ed u nd e r s o m e h eav y
ti m be r s T h e w r eck a ge w as on r e al l a r ou n d h e r an d
.
,

s h e was bei n g sl owly r oasted t o d eath b u t see m i ngl y ,

obl i vi ous to h e r ow n d an ge r an d th e e xc r uci ati ng pai n s h e

m ust h ave been s u ffe r i ng s h e i m pl o r ed th e r escu e r s to
,

cease th e i r effo r ts to r e ac h h e r a nd save h e r babi es i nstead .

T h e m ate r nal i nsti nct i n h e r was s o st r ong as to o ve rco m e

al l p h ys ical pai n W h e n s h e w as take n out s h e w as
.

fou nd to be bad l y b u r ned abo ut th e l egs h i ps an d feet , ,

1 36 TH E C YC L o v E
'
G RE t l .

at 8 1 4 So uth Jeff r so n aven u e e T h e co r p s es of M rs .

Clay pool an d h e r dau g hte r Co r a we r e tak e n ou t d u r i n g ,

th e n i gh t T w o and poss i bl y th ree m o r e bod i e s th ey

.

k ne w w e r e bu r i ed u nd e r th e m ass Of b r i ck and ti m be r i n

w h i ch th e y h ad d el ved ti ll afte r m id ni gh t By 9 o cl ock .

th e r e m a i ns O f old M r s Cah i l l we r e r each ed a nd a l ittl e

.

late r Eth el Clayp ool s c r u sh ed a n d bl oody b od y was tak e n
out . T h ey we r e s e nt to th e m o rgue I n th e sam e h ou se .

Baby Ba r nett aged 3 h ad h e r back b r ok e n a n d h e r

, , ,

au nt M rs Holl an d w as se r i ousl y h u r t A m a n named

,
.
,
.

I r w i n l i v i ng at 27 1 2 C h outeau av e n u e h ad h i s h ead
, ,

c r ush ed i n a ca r pet facto r y at T w e nty secon d an d -

C h ou teau .

L aS a lle st r eet a s h o r t th o r ou gh fa r e r u n n i n g f r om
,

Ei gh tee n th to Jeffe r s o n a ve n u e i s p r ob abl y th e m ost ,

God fo r sa ke n l ook i n g pl ace i n to w n T h e sto r m i nj u r ed .

a n u m be r o f peo pl e l i v i n g th e r e a n d l eft nea r ly e ve r y

fam ily al o ng th e st r eet h o mel ess a n d desti tute Th ei r .

m i se r y w as i nc r eased by t he i nabil i ty of m o v i n g v an s t o
ca r t th e r e m na nts O f th ei r h ouseh ol d effects el sew h e r e on
accou n t of h a n gi n g w i r es A n n i e and L yd i a th e t w o
.
,

l ittl e ch il d r e n o f Joh n Hu bl i l i v i n g at 23 1 3 L aS alle w e r e

, ,

b oth i nj u r ed b y th e r oof fall i n g i n o n th em Hu bl i s .

b el o ngi ngs we r e bl o w n i nto t h e st r eet as we r e th ose o f ,

M r s P raek a w i d o w l i vi ng u p stai r s A b u r eau was

.
,
.

bl o w n out of one of M r s F r ack s w i nd o ws Geo r ge . .

\Ve i n t e r s fu r n itu r e w a s s catte r ed al l o ve r th e st r eet an d

b r ok e n to pieces Ne a r l y e ve r y fam i l y l i vi ng i n th e
.

neigh bo r h ood su ffe r ed a si m i l a r l oss a n d m an y of th em

w il l be e nti r el y d e pe nd e n t u po n ch a r ity for som e ti m e .
1 40 TH E G R E AT CYCLON E .

Li ne adj oi ni n g th e Li nd el l r e pa i r sh op w e r e pa r ti al ly
, ,

w r ecked an d two ca r s w e r e d est r oyed Th e w i r es a r e .

d o w n a nd th e l i ne w i l l n ot be r u n ni ng b e fo r e S u nd ay .

T h e e ngi n e h o use at Ei gh tee nt h a n d H ick o r y st r eets

was r azed to th e fou ndati o n T wo ne g r ey h o r s es we r e
.

k illed as th ey stood s i d e by s id e i n h a r ness r ead y to re

s on d to an al a r m th at h ad j u st co m e i n T h e e n gi n e was
p .

out a nd th e r e we r e o nl y t w o or th r ee r em e n i n th e h ouse

at th e ti m e T h e St L ou is W i r e M i l l i s i n r u i n s an d s o
. .

i s th e O r i el Gl ass Co m pa ny s pl ant j u st west of i t O ve r ,
.

a th ou sand pa n es of gl ass w e r e b r ok e n th e r e T h e v acant .

bl ock t o t h e south i s st r ew n w ith w r ecka ge of ev e r y de

sc r i pti on T h e Nati o nal B r e we r y at E i gh tee nt h a n d t he
.
,

r ail r oad t r ack s was pa r ti al l y u n r oofed

,
S i ngula rl y .

e n ou gh th e tal l sh ot to we r ac r os s t h e t r acks at T we nty

,

seco nd st r eet was u nscath ed wh i le Os bo r n s h a r v este r
, ,

facto r y nea r b y h ad i ts r oof bl o w n off L O u v e rt u re
, ,
.

sch ool was s o badl y d am aged th at i t h ad to be cl osed u p .

D E S O LATION AN D D E S TRUCTION .

Look i ng s ou th f r o m th e Jeffe r s o n a ve n u e b r idge was a n

u nb r oke n pan o r am a o f w r ecked h o mes bu si n ess h ou ses , ,

b r ok e n st r e et ca r s p r ost r ate tel eg r aph w i res and o ve r

,

tu r ned s h ed s Th e st r eet w as l led w i th r u bb is h of e ve r y

.

desc r i pti on a n d th e sce n e O f de s ol ati on a n d d est r ucti o n

sp r ead as fa r to th e sou th as th e eye coul d see It w oul d .

fu r ni s h col u m ns u po n col u m ns of m ost f r igh tful r eci tal i n

i tsel f we r e i t n ot for th e fact th at such a n a r ea w as c ov
,

e r ed by th e sto r m th at w h at h appe n ed to a s i ngl e s t r eet

was d w a r fed by th e appal l i n g n atu r e of th e w h ol e .
 TH E G RE A T CYCLON E . 141

B eauti ful Be nton place w i th i ts h o m es a nd ga r de n l i ke

,
-

s u r r ou nd i n gs w a s w r eck ed f r o m cen te r t o c i r cu m fe r e nce

,
.

O n th i s pl ace w a s t he h a nd so m e r s ide n ce of A nth o n y e

I ttn e r wh ic h s tood o n th e co r ne r I t was total l y d e m ol is h

,
.

ed M iss I s a bel I t t n e r s bed ble w out of th e f r on t w i n dow i n
.

th e th i r d sto r y a nd was fou nd a fte r a wea r y sea r ch on

, ,

t he s id ewal k u nde r a l ot of r u bb i sh
,
Th e n ext h ou se to
.

th e I ttne r m a nsi o n w a s th at of M r s Valle w h ich was d e

.
,

s t r oyed as w as th e d el ightfu l h ome O f M rs L B B ake r

,
. . . .

M r s Bake r w i th h e r l ittl e dau gh te r h ad j ust r etu r ned

.
, ,

f r o m d o w n to w n a nd h ad n ot bee n i n th e h o us e lo n g
,

w h e n th e fu r i ous el e me nts bega n to r e v ol t T h e w h o le .

fam ily h udd l ed u nde r a k itch e n table cl i n gi n g togeth e r ,

and co mfo r ti n g each o th e r as best th ey coul d I t w il l .

Cos t at l east to r ebu il d th e h ouse to say n oth i n g ,

of th e fu r n i sh i n g Th e pi an o i s a total w r eck b u t M r s
.
,
.

Bake r s h an d som e sadd l e h o r se w as saved Th e r esi .

deuces of M r s Rai n wate r a nd M r s Hayd ock fa r ed a s i m i

. .

la r fate .

LO SS E S TO B U S IN E SS CONC E RN S .

T h e fol l ow i n g b us i ness l osses we r e n oted i n th e s m al l

d ist r i cts b ou nded b y El e ve nth D ol m a n Lafayette av e n ue
, ,

an d Ma r k et st r eet .

T h e bu ild i n g o ccu p ied b y th e E n n o Sa nde r M i ne r al

Wate r C o m pany 1 25 to 1 29 So u th E le v e nth st r eet w as
, ,

d am a ged to th e exte nt of abou t a n d th e stock

about $ 3 00 .

T h e Pu r i n a Mills on th e s ou th w est s id e of T w elfth

,

s t r eet b r id ge we r e c om p let e l v d est r oyed Th e b u ild i n g

,
.
,
1 42 TH E G RE AT CYC L O N E .

o w ned by th e St Lou i s Baggi n g Co m pan y was an Ol d

.
,

st r uctu r e w o r th p r obabl y
,
Th e stock o f pu r i na ,

o w ned by th e Rob i nso n Da nfo r th Com m iss io n Com pany -

,

w a s u tte r l y d i s i nteg r ated T h e damage to i t w i ll be al

.

m ost T h e c om pa ny w i ll at o nce e ngage new

qu a r te r s a n d th e re w i l l be n o d el ay i n th ei r b usi nes s .

T w o gi r l s e m pl oyed i n th e m ill s r e m ai ned i n th e bu il d

i n g th r ou gh ou t th e to r nad o and w h il e th e wal ls a r o u nd ,

th e m we r e r e nt as u nd e r th ey e s caped u n i nj u r ed A n ,
.

a ge d h o r se k ept a r ou nd th e p r e m ises for th e sak e Of Ol d

,

acquai ntan ce w as i nj u r ed i n t he b ack a nd d ied

,
.

M M B u ck s w a r e h o use 8 1 0 t o 8 26 South T wel ft h
. .
,

st r eet was d a maged about

,

S W AM PE D BY TH E IR N E I G H B OR .

T h e S hi ckle Ha r r is o n H o wa r d I r o n C o m pa ny s bi g
,

pla nt on T wel fth st r eet r e a r of C h ou teau ave n u e s u f

, ,

fe re d i nj u r ies th at w i ll cost abo ut t o r epai r .

M uch of th i s w as d o n e b y th e u nwel co me ad ve nt of a

po r ti o n of M M B uck s wa r eh ouse f r o m th e oth e r si d e
. .

of t h e st r eet T he mach i ne s h op w as w r ecked th e h ay

.
,

b a r n a n d patte r n sh o p b adly t wi sted a r ou nd th e stabl e ,

was blo w n d o w n an d th e r oof of th e fou nd r y take n O ff .

T h e 5 00 m e n e m pl oyed escaped u n i nj u r ed d esp ite th e y

i n g b r ick bats a nd oth e r d e b r is .

Th e Hayd ock b u ild i ng on Fou r teenth s t r eet n ea r , ,

C h ou teau a v e n u e w as d amaged ab ou t ,
Pa r t of
th e o r nam e ntal ce nte r of th e Fou r tee n th st r eet e n d fel l t o
th e st r eet w h il e th e r o of an d pa r t of th e r ea r wall s
,

c r u m bled i n T h e l oss o n s tock w il l be to th e Hayd ock

.
 TH E G R E AT C YCLON E . 1 45

B r oth e r s Ca r r ia ge Co mpan y ab ou t $ 5 00 Th e Bau e r

.

Valte r Ca r r i a ge Com pa ny a n d St r om be r g K r aus 8 Co ,

5

t r u n k m an ufactu r e r s w ho occu py po r ti on s of t he s t r u e
,

tu r e escaped w ith sl igh t d a mages

,
.

Th e G ri ese di ec k A r ti cial Ice Co m pa ny at T h i r tee nt h ,

an d Papi u l ost th ei r th r ee sm ok est a ck s w h i ch besid es

, , ,

pa r tial ly c r i ppl i n g th e w o r ks caused a l oss i n th e v ic i n i ty

,

of

TR E M E NDOU S D A M AG E .

T h e s u pe r i nte n d e nt of Stati o n C Laclede Gas C om ,

pany on S out h Fou r tee nt h st r eet h el d u p h i s h a nd s

, ,

w h e n ask ed as to d amage s s ustai n ed b y th e pla n t O ne .

h u nd r ed a n d fty th ousan d d ol l a r s w i ll n ot co ve r it h e ,

r epl ied We a r e to r n u p i n all d i r ection s O u r Pi ntsch
. .

plan t i s onl y sl i gh tl y h u r t s ay ab out $ 5 00 b ut on e of

, ,

ou r sto r a ge h o l de r s i s w r ecked Al l th e gas h as escaped .

,

ou r b u ildi ngs a r e som e of th e m d e m ol i sh ed an d w e a r e

, ,

i n a bad way T h e h u ge ci r cul a r sto r age h ol d e r w as 4 0
.

feet h i gh wh e n s t r uck I t qu i ckl v settle d d ow n al m ost

.

to th e le v el of th e g r ou nd O ne ma n F r an k B e n s o n
.
, ,

was i nj u r ed by yi n g m iss i les .

Th e St Lou i s C o f n C o mpan y w h o co n d u ct th ei r bu s
.
,

i n ess i n two i m me nse b u ild i n gs at T h i r tee nth a n d Popl a r

st r eet l ost pa r t O f t h e u ppe r sto r y of on e an d th e r oof of
,

th e oth e r W ith th e d am age t o stock etc th e l oss w il l

.
,

it i s esti m ated be ove r ,

Th e Lafayette Pa r k Stabl e o pe r ated by Hei e r ,

Wi e b u sh w as l i k e e ve r yth i ng el se a r ou nd th e Ci ty
, ,

Hospital r u i n ou s ly h an dl ed by th e to r nad o Th e l oss

,
.

10
 1 46 TH E GRE AT CYCLON E .

on th e b u ild i n gs w h ich w e r e p r actically d e m ol i sh e d w i ll

, ,

be ab ou t Th at on th e pl a n t i s stil l g r eate r .

I t i ncl u d es on e h ea r se si x ca r r i a ges an d l i gh t bu ggies

, ,

n i n e s u r r eys 1 3 v eh icl es of al l k i nd s bel on gi n g to boa r d

,

e r s an d a s tock of co f n s a n d ha r d w a r e E v e ryth i n g w as .

s pl it i nto m atch es I t c a n n ot be r eplaced u nde r

.

mak i n g a total d am age of

H R ee m t s g r oce r y a n d an oth e r b u i ld i n g ow ned by
.
,

h i m at 1 8 00 Sou t h Fou r th st r eet w e r e d am aged ful ly

, ,

M r s Wal k e r w h o o w n s fou r h ou ses a nd sto r es on t he

.
,

east and n o r th sid es of th e C ity H os pita l l oses abou t ,

o n th em .

DAM AGE TO H O M E S ON O NE S TR E E T .

D ol man st r eet go i n g s out h f r o m Ch ou teau ave nu e

, ,

p r esented a n awfu l appea r ance U p til l th e fatal n igh t .

i t w as a p r etty s h aded th o r ough fa r e w i t h com fo r tabl e ,

r es i d e n ces on ei th e r si d e Next day i ts s h ad e t r ees l ay

.

p r o n e i n all pos iti ons ac r oss th e st r eet or th e f r ont ya r d s

of t h e h ou ses Tel eg r ap h pol es an d w i r es r oo n g b r ick s
.
, ,

p laste r i n g a n d l u m be r h el p to m ak e th e sce n e on e of
d es ol ati o n F r o m C h outeau a ve n u e to Lafayette sca r cel y
.

a h ou se escaped i nj u r y a n d al m ost all w e r e b adly w r eck ed .

A m on g th e l atte r w e r e :
Nos 1 201 and 1 203 o w ned by Geo r ge Pei sch a n d
.
, ,

d e m ol i sh ed to th e exte n t of B oth w e r e occupied

by fam i l ies w h o d ese r ted th e m fo r safe r qua r te r s be fo r e
th e to r nad o cam e .

NO 1 221 com pletel y d est r oyed ; v al u e

.
,
148 TH E G rew
'

: t l

C YCL O N E .

Al m os t e v e r y bad l y da m a ged h ou se o n D o l m a n s t r eet

was d ese r ted at o nce As fas t as th ey c o uld nd oth e r
.

qua r te r s fam il ies m ov ed o ut Sc o r es of fu r n itu r e w a go ns

,
.

we r e be i n g l oad ed u p th e r e th e d ay afte r th e sad dest of

al l sad d ay s .

A ROU ND TH E CITY HO S P ITA L .

O n Lafayette ave n u e at 1 5 5 6 to 1 5 64 a t w o st orybl ock ,

~

o w ne r n ot k n ow n l ost al mo s t al l its u ppe r oo rs T h e

,
.

l os s exceed ed
Nos 1 6 22 and 1 6 20South T h i r tee nth s t r eet we r e j us t h al f
.

go ne Damage
.
,

At 1 4 1 1 Ca r r ol l s t reet th e e nti r e u ppe r po r tio n was

s we pt a w ay a n d th e occ u pan ts wh o h ad ed d o w n stai r s
, , ,

w e r e i n a m ou r n fu l x Loss abou t .

T h e e nti r e f r o n t of 1 4 1 0 D il l o n st r eet was bl o w n off .

D am age ,
7
T h at h isto r ical l and m a r k k n o w n as C r acke r Ca s tl e ,

at S t A n ge a nd Ch ou tea u aven ues o w ned by Maj o r

.
,

Ch a rl es E Pea r ce a n d occ u pied by M r F r ed e r ick Sp ies

.
,
.

w as s t r uck b y l i gh tn i n g d u r i n g th e to r nad o I t w as O nce .

al m ost th e ha n ds orn est a nd bes t appoi nted r esid e nce i n

th at secti o n b ut th e sto r m h as seal ed its fate I ts l a r ge
,
.

towe r was h u r led o nto t h e weste r n po r ti o n o f th e bu ild

i n g w h ic h i t d e m ol ish ed T h e l o s s wo uld b e i n th e nei gh
,
.

b orhood of b u t th e castl e w il l d ou btl ess b e to r n

do w n .

T h e u ppe r pa r t of 1 025 St A nge a ve nu e was bo r n e .

away by th e sto r m Loss o ve r .


I IH : M i r:

NOTH IN G I AR E D \VAS S

.

O n S o uth T we n ty rst s t r eet n ea r t he M i l l C r eek V al

-
,

l ey d es ol at i o n w as u n i v e r sal A ph otog r aph of th e scen e

,
.

f r o m 3 00 S o ut h T we nt y rs t st r eet to th e s outh e n d of
-

t h e b r id ge w oul d tel l th e sto r y bette r t h a n w o r d s Not .

a si ngl e bu il d i n g tel eg ra ph pol e t r ee or s i g n see m ed t o

, ,

h av e escaped T he st r ee t a nd s id e w al k w as an al m ost
.

s ol i d m ass of de b r i s b r ick s b r ok e n tel e ph on e a n d tele ,

g r aph p ol es ti n r oo fi n g w ate r s pou t s b r ok e n si gn s an d

, , ,

b r o ke n gl ass w h il e th e w i r es c ove r ed th e w h ol e i n a n i a
,

te r m i nab l e n etti n g j ust h i gh e n ou gh otf th e g r ou nd to

,

catc h pedest r ian s ac r oss th e face a nd u nd e r th e c h i n a ,

fe w b ei n g low e n ou gh to t r i p o n e s toes by way of v a r ia
tion .

At 3 1 0 Sou th T we nty rst st r eet t he J F S wift -

,
. .

C o f r es h m eat establ i s h m e nt i s l ocated a n d j u s t h e r e th e

.
,

h u r r ic a ne bega n bus i ness fo r th e fi r s t ti m e on T w e nty

fi r st st r eet Not a s i n gl e w i nd o w i n th e b u i l d i n g re
.

m ai n ed i ntact th e w h ol e pl ace be i n g fl ood ed

,
.

T h e stock of w o r th of m eat was c o v e r e d w ith

wate r b i ts of b r ok e n glass an d yi n g m u d an d sa nd
,
.

T he m a nage r s h o wev e r m ad e n ecessa r y d el i ve r i es tw o

, ,

d ays l ate r . T he d a m a ge to th e bu ild i n g w as $ 5 00 .

Offic e r Ba r t Kea ney o n th e T we nty rst a n d Cla r k

,
-

ave n u e beat d ese r v es m u c h c r ed i t fo r th e h e r oi c wo r k h e

,

d id i n ass isti n g t o r escu e th e i nj u r ed f ro m th e w r eck ed

sto r e at 2 1 02 Cl a r k a v e n ue \V h e n th e sto r m st r uck th e.

sto re i t w e n t d o w n with ou t w a r n i n g B r id get G u n n .

,

27 29 Sh e r id an ; Ge r tie M c Ke n n a 21 08 Eu ge n i a st r eet , ,

an d Joh n O Con n or of 2 1 09 Ad am s st r eet we r e i n t he

, ,
 TH E G R E AT CYCLON E . 153

sto r e at th e ti me a n d we r e b u r ied u nd e r fall i n g ti m be r s

,

an d b r ick wal ls M i ss Gu n n s l egs we r e b oth b r ok e n

.

'

left a r m b r oke n bet w ee n w r i st an d el bo w an d sk ul l f r ac

t u re d . Sh e w as se n t to th e C ity Hospital .

Ge r tie M cKe n n a w as i n j u r ed i nte r n all y .

O C on n or h as a b r oke n a r m a s cal p wo u nd an d i nte r ,

n al i nj u r ies .

G r o ne s b re w e r v at T w e nty s eco n d a n d Cl a r k ave n u e
,
-
,

was al m ost total ly w r eck ed .

T he Sca nd i n av i a n C h u r ch s outh east c o r ne r T we nty ,

th i r d an d Cl a r k was p icked u p a nd tu r ned com pl etel y ove r

,
.

A t th e Gates W i r e M ill T w e nty fi r st an d G r ati ot a

,
-
,

scene i nd esc r ibabl e was m et w ith An i m m e ns e p o r ti o n .

of th e r oof of th e b u ild i n g l ies pi led u p h i gh on th e s outh

e nd of th e b r id ge w h il e a ll a r ou n d a m ass of w i r es
, ,

poles r o o n g an d to ns of oth e r d eb r i s m ad e t he v ici nity

,

utte r l y i m pe net r abl e M r Li ppies w h o was e m pl oyed

. .
,

i n t h e Gates m i ll sai d th at fot w we r e bad l y h u r t t wo ,

fatal l y M r Lip pi es coul d n ot e xplai n how it h a p pe n ed

. .

th at of th e 3 00 or m o r e boys and m e n w h o w e r e i n th e
bui ld i n g o nl y fou r w e r e h u r t b ut he ex pl ai ned th a t he ,

th ou gh t t h e v i v i d ash es of th e b u r n i n g elect r ic l i gh t
w i r es u nd e r th e T w e nty rs t st r eet b r id ge p r o ved t o be a
-

m i r acul ou s W a r n i n g causi n g m a n y w h o m i gh t oth e r w i se

,

h ave bee n c r ush ed to d ea t h t o ee to a pl ace of safety ,

.

M r Li ppi es h i m sel f r a n out of th e b ui ld i ng to s e e

.

wh at th e t r ou bl e r eal l y was a nd n o soo n e r h ad h e , ,

ente r ed th e o pe n ya r d e a st of th e b u ild i n g th a n h e was ,

picked u p b od il y a nd ca r r i ed o ve r t he co m pa nys wood

sh ed la nd i n g i n h i s ow n bac k y a r d
,
154 TH E G R E A T C YC LON E .

He was d azed b u t n ot h u r t a nd j u m pi n g to h i s f e et
, , , ,

e n te r ed h i s b ack d oo r a n d r a n i n to th e a r m s of h i s w i fe
befo r e h e k n e w wh at h ad r e all y h appe ned .

T he Sa wye r M a n u factu r i n g Com pan y 1 8 1 9 Ch ou teau ,

aven u e s n e re d g r eatl y th e bu i ld i n g be i n g al m os t
, ,

totall y w r eck ed Fou r peopl e we r e i nj u r ed

. .

T he Ed e n Publ ish i n g h ouse at 1 7 1 6 C h outeau was , ,

al s o a h eavy l ose r T he bu ild i ng was u n roofed a n d th e

.

stock d am aged .

G ie re n s d r u g sto r e on t h e co r n e r of T wel ft h an d
,

C h estn u t was bad l y s m ash ed

,
.

St J oh n s C h u r ch on H ick o r y st r eet l ost its stee pl e
.
, ,
.

T he Li ed e r k r anz Hall Ch ou teau ave nu e a n d Th i r tee nth

,

st r eet w as u n r oofed an d th e e nti r e b u i ld i n g ooded w ith

,

wate r .

Al e xan de r s sal oo n E i gh teenth an d C h ou teau was
, ,

cons id e r abl y d am a ged .

Th e B r ow n Tobacco Com pany ac r oss t he st r eet f r o m ,

Al exande r s sal oo n l ost th e top sto r y of i ts bu ild i n g
,
.

S pi lke r s d r u g sto r e 1 8 01 C h outeau s u ffe r ed se ve r el y

, ,
.

T h e s o uth wall of th e na il d epa r t me n t of th e St L oui s .

W i r e C om pan y was w r eck ed r e b r eak i n g out a l ittl e ,

afte r 1 0 o cl ock .

Fi r e al so h el ped to co m pl ete t h e dest r ucti o n of th e Gate s

W i r e Mi l l b r eak i n g out i m m ed i atel y afte r th e sto r m
,
.

S E A R CHIN G FOR TH E IR H U S B AND S .

Th e d ist r ict b ou nd ed b y Ma r k et Ch ou teau B r oad way , ,

and th e w h a r f w as a com pl ete w r eck Th e st r eets we r e .

lled w ith w r eck a ge th e u p pe r sto r ies of th e old bu ild

,
 TH E G R E AT CYCL O N E . 157

i n gs we r e bl ow n i n a nd th e r oofs of m a ny b u il d i n gs ca r
r ied a w ay Man y peop l e w e r e i nj u r ed by yi n g b r ick s
.

woo d si gn s a nd th e l i k e an d w e r e t r eated at th e n ei gh
, ,
.

bo r in g d r u g sto r es A fe w of th e m w e r e take n t o th e
.

h ospital and th e nce to t he Good Sh eph e r d Co n vent It .

was cl ai m ed th at qu ite a n u m be r la y bu r i ed u nd e r th e
d em ol is hed b u il d i n gs b u t i t r equ i r ed d ays to tell th e tal e
, ,

as n oth i ng c o ul d b e d o n e i n th e sto r m a nd da r k ness of

th e n i gh t towa r d sea r c h i n g th e r u i ns It was i m possi bl e.

to get th e am b u lan ces east O f Th i r d st r eet al th ough i t ,

w a s r epo r ted th at a n u m be r of d ead a n d i nj u r e d w e r e

ly i ng i n t he d i st r ict east Th e d r i v e r s w e r e u n abl e to get
.

to th e m t r y h o w th ey w ou ld
,
.

T he b r ok e n t el eg r ap h an d telep ho n e w i r es an d pol es
i m ped ed p r og r ess e v e r y wh e r e s o th at n o i n v esti gati o n of
,

th e cas ualti es cou l d be m ad e E ve r y w h e r e desol ati o n

.

an d r u i n g r eeted th e eye Te n e m e nt h ou ses w e r e cav ed

.

i n a nd th e u nh app y te na n ts w e r e sh i ve r i n g i n t he cold ,

chil l y r a i n on th e s ide wal k s F r i gh te ned w om e n cl us

.

t e red ab ou t th e w i nd o ws of th e g r eat m anu factu r i ng buil d

i n gs c r yi n g an d p r ayi n g fo r d el i v e r a nce f r o m th e catas
,

t rophe occu r r i n g o n all s id es T he m e n d ash ed h e r e a n d

.

th e r e i n g r eat excitem e n t as th e th u nd e r c r ash ed and th e

,

li gh tn i n g as h ed an d t r ied to qu iet th e fea r s of th e wom e n

,
.

I t w as a n exc i ti n g sce ne i n th i s g r eat w h ol esal e and ma n

u fa ct u ri n
g d ist r i ct w h ile t he sto r m w as at its h ei gh t .

GAS W ORK S \VR E C K E D .

As th e sto r m was at its h ei gh t th e gash olde r at statio n

0 of th e L acl ed e Gas C o m pan y l ocated at Fiftee nth and ,
158 TH E G R E AT CYCLON E .

G r ati ot st r eets coll apsed

,
Th e r e was n o n oi se or explo
.

si o n but th e n e igh bo r h ood was te r r ied by t he s i gh t of

,

col u m n s of b u r n i n g gas l ea pi n g h i gh i n th e ai r Th e .

tan k w a s n ea r l y ful l at th e ti m e a n d th e ful l fo r ce of th e

,

w i nd cau gh t i t a n d tu r n ed i t o v e r A s th e i m me nse i r o n
.

col u m n s w h i ch s u ppo r ted th e tank p r ope r fel l t he gas

, ,

was i gni ted and b u r ned fo r a fe w m ome nts at a fea r ful

r ate Nea r l y al l O f th e col u m n s fel l i n th e g r ou nd s of
.

th e c om pany T h ey are 1 1 5 feet l on g

. .

O ne of th e col u m n s fel l ac r oss Fi fteenth s t r eet a nd ,

p i n io ned a you n g c ol o r ed gi r l by th e legs I t was two .

h o u r s befo r e sh e coul d be e xt r icated .

FA LL E N B UILDIN GS E V E RY W H E R E .

P r oceed i n g so uth f r o m C h est n u t st r eet o n T h i rd a sce ne

of woeful d e vastati o n m e t th e eye on e i th e r sid e Th e .

st r eet was st r e w n w it h f r agments O f r oo n g ch i m ney ,

tops b r oke n gl ass b r ick s a n d teleg r ap h pol es w h ile th e

, , ,

w i r es w e r e coi l ed i n e ve r y d i r ecti o n I n so m e pl aces th e

.

h u ge d em ol ish ed pol es bl ock ed th e st r eet ; w ago ns b r o ke n

t o p ieces or u pset w e r e n u m e r ous T h e f r i gh te ne d peo
.

p l e h ad i n many cases tak e n r efuge i n th e l o we r sto r ies ,

som eti mes i n th e cel la r s of th ei r h o mes fea r i n g a f r esh ,

outb r eak as t h e l i gh tn i n g co nti n u ed to ash th e w i nd

, ,

r oa r ed an d th e wate r stil l p ou r ed d o w n i n d r en ch i ng t or
r e nts Sca r cel y a h ou se escaped i nj u r y Sca r cel y a pan e
. .

of gl ass r e mai ned i n tact \V ate r ooded al m ost e ve r y

.

d om i cil e an d me n w o me n an d ch ild r e n w ho r etai ned

, , ,

th ei r p r actical se nses b u s i ed th e msel ves e n deav o r i ng to

,

sec u r e d r y qua r te r s for th e n i gh t .

1 60 T H E G R E AT CYC LON E .

al th ough M r M ich el th e ste wa r d at th e cl u b r ece i ved s e

.
, ,

v e r e b r ui ses .

O f al l th e h o m es o n Lafayette ave n u e th e D ue st row ,

h omestead h as i n r ece n t m o n th s att r acted m ost atte n ti o n .

Li k e oth e r h o m es i n th i s n ei gh b o r h ood i t i s a w r eck ,

.

T he b u i ld i n g i s fou r sto r ies h i gh b u ilt Of sto ne an d on e

, ,

of th e h a nds o m est r es i de n ces i n th at pa r t of th e ci ty .

Ne xt t o th e D uest row h om estead i s th e r esid e nce Of

M r G E Wetzel at 23 27 Lafayette ave n u e T h e VVet
. . .
,
.

zel h o m e w as al s o a n att r act i ve r esi d en ce an d i s n ow al

m ost a total w r eck I t i s occu pi ed by M r a nd M r s
. . .

\Ve t ze l an d M r a nd M r s Ri n ge r
. . .

Befo r e tel l i n g m o r e ab ou t t h e m a r vel ous escapes i n th is

sectio n of t he city a n Obse r vat io n w h i ch w il l al m ost u n i
,

v e rs a ll appl y s h oul d b e m ad e T h at th e l oss O f l ife i n

y .

t he d oze n bl ock s w h ich s u r r ou n d Lafayette pa r k d i d n ot

r u n i nto th e th ousa nd s i s d ue t o th e fact th at t he people
r ush ed to th e basem e nts Hu nd r ed s Of fa m i li es saved
.

th ei r l i v es b y th i s m ean s T h ey see m ed t o k n o w i ntu i

.

t i ve ly w h e r e th e safes t r oo m was l ocated an d s o u gh t i t at

O nce w h e r e th e r e was n o base men t w i th ou t bei n g abl e ,

th em sel ves to tel l j ust wh y th ey d id so .

LI V E S LO S T IN A FIR E .

Fea r was ad d ed to th e fu r y of th e sto r m by a n ala r m

of r e f r o m th e g r eat plan t of th e S t Lo u is Ref r i ge r ato r
.

an d \Voode n G utte r C o 1 200 S o uth Mai n st r eet I t

.
, .

was a fo u r sto r y b u ild i n g m agn ice ntl y equ i pped

-
,
Th e .

h u n g r y ames ate u p th e i nte r i o r an d gnawed at th e wal ls

wit h i m pu n ity fo r th e r e w as o nly on e r e en gi ne i n
,
 Plan escapesinthis
:

d] will almost uni

r thelesso flifein

v
at that the people
"families saved
l tok nowintui

e la
'
und sog
uhtit at

\ th
eut h
ein
gh
ale

"a rmby
l rm
an aa

L tms efrg
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eaor t
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insree It
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.

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p

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1 6 1 11
1 64 TH E G R E VI

c vt

m NE .

st a ges of e r ecti on a nd fo r t he m o s t pa r t h ad m e r el y t he
, ,

steel s t r uctu r al wo r k i n pl ace Th i s had th e effect O f a .

m onste r n etwo r k w h i ch i t w oul d be s u pposed t he w i nd

, , ,

w oul d pass th r ou g h f r eel y and w i th o u t d a mage Ce r tai nly .

i t w oul d be ex pected th at th e d am a ge w oul d be equ al al l

al on g th e l i ne but th e r esul t was fa r d i ffe r e n t T h e o r d e r
,
.

of t h e bu il d i ngs f r o m west t o east w as : \Va re hous e NO .

1 wa r eh o us e NO 2 th e stem me r y t he p o we r h ou se t he

.
, , , ,

l ico r ice facto r y a nd O fces T he to r nad o passed th e r st.

h al f of wa r e h ouse No 1 d em ol is h ed t h e seco nd h al f o ve r
.
, ,

l ook ed No 2 d est r oyed th e ste m me r y k ill i n g a n u mb e r

.
, ,

of m en ,
n egl ected the po we r h o use a nd d est r oyed th e ,

l ico r i ce facto r y .

T h e d am age was abou t ab ou t a n d th e Sec r e

t a r y Of th e com pan y i ss ued th is statem e nt t h e foll owi n g

d ay :

Th e n e w pl an t O f th i r tee n b ui l d i ngs i n p r ocess of c o n
st r u cti o n fo r t he Li ggett Mye r s Tobacco Com pan y h as
s u ffe r ed se r i ousl y f r o m th e cycl o n e T h e stem m e r y b u il d .

i ng on e h al f co m pl eted i s a total w r eck T h e re ha n d

,
-
,
.

l i n g b u i l d i ng O r w a r eh ouse n ish ed i s n ot badl y d am

, , ,

aged Pa r t of th e r oof an d th e co r n i ce of th e l ico r ice

.

facto r y h a v e b ee n to r n away bu t th e l oss i s n ot se r i ous ,

.

T he east e nd O f th e b ox facto r y and th e offi ce bu i ld i ng

a re badl y w r eck ed .

I n r el ati o n to T h om as Cl a r k Son s as cont r acto r s , ,

the y a r e r equ i r ed to fu r n is h th e b u i ld i ng m ate r i al a nd

co n st r uct th e pl a n t e n ti r e T h e com pan ys co nt r act w ith
.

th e m cal ls f o r th e d el i ve r y of th e co m pl eted pla n t Se p

te mbe r 1 5 n ext Of cou r s e th e co nt r acto r s a r e t he l ose r s
.
,
 TH E G R E A T C Y CLON E 1 65

f r o m t h e r es ul t of th e cycl o n e on th e b u il d i n gs bu t i t i s
,

fai r to p r esu m e th at th ey a r e secu r ed by bo nd s me n f r o m

s ub co nt r acto r s i n th e sam e way th at th e co m pany i s secu r ed
-

by r espo ns ible b o nd sm e n f r om th em I f th a t i s th e case

.

th e l oss w i l l n ot fal l h ea v il y o n an y on e of th e co nt r acto r s .

Th om as Cla r k So ns co nt r acted to b u il d th e pl an t
fo r T h e co m pany put i n its ow n fou n da
ti ons at a cost of Its offi ce r s feel cond en t
th a t th e c o nt r acto r s w i l l be abl e to ful ll th ei r ag ree m e n t

with i t t o th e lette r .

T he s ite of th is i m me nse pl an t h as L a w r ence st r eet as

i ts easte r n bo u nda r y an d To w e r G r ov e ave n u e as i ts w est
e r n b ou nda r y I t h as a f r o ntage of
. feet on Pa r k
aven u e an d a l i k e f r o ntage on Fol so m ave n u e Th e b u il d.

i ngs a r e of i r o n an d b r ick and th ey co ve r n ea r ly th e wh ol e

,

Of th e site w h il e th ey a r e pl an n ed to r an ge f r o m fou r to
,

s i x sto r ies i n h ei gh t .

It was i n o n e of th ese i m men se u n n ish ed st r uctu r es

th e wa r eh ou se th at d eat h cam e i n a m ost s ick e n i ng m a n

n e r to w 01 km e n Th e i r o n w o r k was fou r sto r ies h i gh
.
-
,

and be neath i t was a basem en t ei gh t feet d eep Th e .

w o r k m e n we r e seek i n g sh el te r i n th i s base m e n t wh e n th e
po nde r ous i r o n w o r k w i t h its m assi v e steel posts and
-
,

gi r de r s toppl ed befo r e th e v i ole nt cyclo n e an d c r ash ed

,

d ow n u po n t he m N i ne te nth s O f th e v i cti m s we r e St
.
-
.

L ou i s an s .

I t was at one t i me bel ie ved th e n u mbe r of d eath s h e r e

al o ne w as i n th e h u nd r ed s as 5 00 m e n w e r e e m pl oyed
,
.

M ost of t he m h ad j ust left t he b u il d i n g wh e n it fell an d ,

we r e th us p r ovid e ntiall y saved .

1 06 TH E C R E AT C Y CLON E .

CH I RC i i Es \v R E C KE n
'
.

T he total l oss of c h u r ch p r ope r ty i n S t Lou i s f r om t h e .

to r nad o am ou nted to ov e r $ 4 00 000 d ist r i buted a s , ,

foll ows : R oma n Cath ol ic Ge r m a n Evan gel i

,

ca l,
E piscopal Meth od i s t Epi sc o pal
,

South ,
Ba ptist P r esbyte r i an
, ,

U n ita r i an ,
Ge r m a n E van gel ical ,

Ch r isti an $ 8 000 I t i s i m poss i bl e to a r r i ve at th e exact

, ,
.

l oss becau se n o ne O f th e ch u r ch es pa r ti al l y d est r oyed

,

h ave bee n e xam i ned by th e a r ch itects t o asce r tai n w h at

po r ti o n of t h e m ca n b e used i n r eco n st r ucti o n C on se r v .

ati ve offi ce r s of th e ch u r ch es h ave esti mated th e am ou n t of

dest r oyed a n d d amaged ch u r ch es t we n ty fou r i n n u m be r ,
-
,

i n v a r i o us a m ou nts w h i ch r ou n d ou t th e s u m total h e r e
,

t ofo r e gi ve n O f t h e n u m be r of ch u r ch es gi ve n abo ve
.
,

se ve n a re c om plete w r ecks Of th e Cath ol i c Ch u r ch es

.
,

th e A n n u nci ati o n an d St J o h n of Ne pom u k w e r e t otal l y

.

dest r oyed Th e Lafayette Pa r k Bapti st Mt Cal va r y

.
,
.

E p iscopal Me m o ri al Meth o d ist So uth M c Cau slan d Av e

, ,

n u e P r esbyte r i a n and Co m pto n Hei gh ts C hri st i ah C h u r ch es

sh a r ed th e sam e fate .

I t wi l l be s o me ti me u ntil a r r an gem ents a r e pe r fec t ed

to r ebu i l d s om e of th e ch u r ch es o w i ng t o th e g r eat nu m,

be r of h o mel ess fa m ili e s m ad e desti t ude by th e sam e t or

,

nad o th at r azed th e ch u r ch es I n th e meanti m e oth e r .

ch u r ch es m o r e fo r tu nate h a ve bee n te nd e r e d th e s t r i cke n

,

co ng r egati o ns i n w h i ch t o h ol d r el i gi ous se r v i ces te m

ra r i l
p o y .

T he fol l o wi n g Su nd ay th e va r i ou s Cath ol i c pa r ish es

be r eft of r el i gi ou s h om es we r e i n v ited to m asses i n St .
 T II E G R E AT C YC LON E . 1 69

Vi nce nt d e Paul s C h u r ch N i nth st r eet a n d Pa r k av en ue
, ,

wh ose au di to r i u m s u ffe r ed b u t li ttle i n j u ry I ts e n vi r o ns .

howev e r an d s om e O f i ts
,
f r ill s we r e b adly w r ecked .

Mas s was cel eb r ated h ou r l y f r om 5 to 1 1 i n t he m o r n i n g .

T he Lafayette Pa r k B apti st c o n g r egati o n h el d se r v ices

i n th e Ge r ma n Y M C A Hal l 1 8 00 S outh Te nth
. . . .
,

st r eet Th e Lafayette Pa r k Meth od ist con g r egati o n w or

.

s hi e d i n a l a r ge tent on th e c h u r ch l aw n faci n g Pa r k
p ,

ave n u e T he P r es b yte r i a n C h u r ch j ust a r ou n d th e

.
,

co r n e r wo r sh i ped i n th e b ase m en t of th ei r d amaged

,

ch u r ch a n d Th e C h u r ch O f th e U n ity c o ng r egati o n m et i a
i ts S u nd ay sch ool r oo m Th e M c Ca u sla n d A v en ue P r es
-
.

b yt er i a n pe opl e h el d t hei r m eeti n gs i n th e G r ace Ch apel ,

at Good fell o w a n d T h eod osi a ave n ues .

Th e Ge r m an co n g r egati o n s we r e i n v ited to u n i te w i th
oth e r Ge r m a n ch u r ch es m ost co n ve n i e nt fo r th e m to
attend Oth e r h o m el ess con g r egati o n s w e r e si m il a r l y
.

p r ov ided fo r by ch u r ch es O f th ei r r especti ve de n om i n a
tion s.

A QU ART E R O F A M ILLION .

O n e c o r po r ati o n l ost by th e sto r m O f w h ic h ,

onl y was p r otected by cyclo n e i ns u r ance Th i s .

w as t he U n ited El e v at o r Co m pa ny o r ganized i n 1 8 8 9 , ,

with a ca p i tal of a n d a bo nd ed i nd eb ted

ness of I n May 1 8 9 5 a sh o r ta ge of wh ea t
, ,

was di sco ve r ed i n th e stock i n th e el e vato r s Th is .

am ou n te d t o bush el s O f wh eat an d e ntailed a

l oss of to th e e xact gu r es n ot bei ng
obtai nabl e I n th e s u m me r of 1 8 9 5 i t was d isco ve r ed
.
1 70 TH E ti 1t
'
\ l C YC L O N E .

th at a la r ge am ou n t o f th e co r n i n s toc k h ad h eated an d ,

th is e n tai led a fu rth e r l oss of I n o r d e r to

m eet th ese l oss es a nd to p r ov id e m o ney fo r O pe r ati n g
ex pe nses i t w as n ecessa r y to pl ace a bl ank et m o r tg a ge of
o n t h e p r ope r ty .

T h e b us i ness d u r i n g th e w i nte r was d i s ap po i nti n g .

Th e w h e at c r op O f 1 8 05 was a fail u r e i n th e te r r i to r y
co n ti gu ous to St Lou i s T h e co r n c r O p of 1 8 9 5 w as
. .

d iv e r ted f r o m th i s city bei n g sh i pped by r ai l to G al ve s

,

to n and Ne w O r l ea n s fo r expo r t Th e r es u l t h as bee n .

th at fo r 1 2 m o nth s past th e el ev ato r s h ave h ad p racti

call y n o bu s i ness a n d we r e o pe r ated at a g r eat l oss .

A m o nt h ago a m o ve me nt w as s et o n foot to fu n d tw o

yea r s cou po n s on th e r st an d secon d m o r tg a ge bond s
fo r v e yea r s A l l th e bo nd h old e r s w e r e n ot a g r eed to
.

t h is . A m aj o r i ty we r e Se v e r al l a r ge bo n dh ol d e r s
.
,

n otabl y Mess r s Ke hlor an d H aars t i ck w oul d n ot a g r ee ,

to th e sch em e u n l ess w as expe n d ed on th e Eas t

St Lou is Ele vato r s t o pu t i t i n r epai r
. .

S TR UCK BY TH E TO R NAD O .

T h e m atte r w a s sti ll u n de r co ns id e r ati o n w h e n th e to r

n ad o st r uck th e ci ty a nd fo r e v e r seal ed th e d oom O f t he
St Lou i s U n ited El e v ato r Com pan y E ve r y el evato r i n
. .

th e syste m was d a m a ged by th e sto r m sav e th e one at

V e n i ce I ll
,
.

U n fo r tu nate as th e co m pan y h as bee n i t was th e m ost

u n fo r tu nate as to th e l oss of an y co r po r ati o n i n t he ci ty .

Its i nd i vi d u al l oss i s th e g r eatest i n th e ci ty Th e w i nd .

w r ecked i ts el e ators and i t s p r os pects at th e sam e ti me

r
.
1 72 TH E G R E AT CYC LON E .

second m o r tgage b o nd s o n th e seco nd m o r tgage

,

b ond s j u st afte r th e sto r m o n r st m o r tg age

,

b o nd s J ul y 1 a n d ,
A u g us t 1 m ad e a r ece i ve r s h i p ,

i nev itab le T w o d ays afte r th e sto r m th e C B

. . .

Rail way C om pan y w h ich o w n s ,

s h a r es of stock ,

i n r st m o r tgage b o n d s a n d i n seco nd
m o r tgage b o nd s w i th R P Tansey w h o al s o i s a stock
,
. .
,

h ol de r a n d bo nd o w n e r appl ied fo r a r ecei ve r As both

,
.

a r e n o n r esi d e nts o f M i ssou r i th ey l ed th ei r petiti o n i n

-

th e U n i ted States C ou r t J u d ge Ad am s h ea r d th e m atte r

.

i n c h am be r s g r an ted t he petiti o n a n d app oi nted e x Gov

,
-

e rn or D . R F r ancis r ece i v e r
. .

DA M A G E E A ST OF B ROA D W A Y .

T h e steel st r uctu r e th at s u ppo r ts th e t r ack s of t h e T e r

m i n al Associ ati o n acted as a s o r t of p r otecto r t o th e f r o nts
of th e b u i ld i ngs th at face th e r i ve r f r o m \Vash i n gto n ave

n u e t o Po pl a r st r eet I t se r ved al s o as a co n ve n i e nt
.
, ,

r ack fo r th e h u r r icane t o h an g s u nd r y and d i v e r s a r ti cl es ,

b r ou gh t o ve r f r o m I l l i noi s u pon T h ese va r i ed f r om a

,
.

tatte r ed s h i r t w h i ch w aved i n th e w i n d at th e foo t of L O

,

cust st r eet t o a h ea vy beam w eigh i n g seve r al h u nd r ed

,

p ou nd s wh ic h h ad t o be r em oved f r o m th e t r ack s b e
,

f o r e t r avel cou ld p r oceed .

M ost of th e h ouses al o ng th is l ocal ity a r e v e r y ol d and

i t i s a w o nd e r th at m o r e we r e n ot d est r oyed T h ey a r e .

m ostl y occ u pied by l e vee s al oo n s a n d ch and l e r sto r es o n

t he g r ou n d oo r s a nd th e u ppe r sto r ies a r e g i ve n o ve r to
ch eap l od gi n g and tene men t h ou ses T o th e occu pants .

of th ose h ouses i t was a n i gh t O f te r r o r .

1 76 TH E G R E AT

n ot a t r ace T h e b ody of a h o r se d est i tute O f h a r ness

.
, ,

w a s fou nd h al f a m i l e s o u t ht he fol l o w i ng m o r n i n g b ut h as ,

n ot b ee n ide n ti ed as th e o ne ca r r i ed f r o m th e el e vato r
ya rd .

As a n il l ust r ati o n of th e f r eaks pl ayed by th e w i nd a ,

l a r ge wago n l oad ed w ith l um be r w h i ch an o r d i n a r y gust

,

wo ul d b e s uffi ci e n t t o O ve r tu r n w as l eft stand i n g i n th e

,

ya r d u ni nj u r ed w h i l e t h e h o r ses h i tch ed to i t we r e to r n
,

l oose a n d wh i sked a way .

Th e sid es of th e ele vato r we r e co ve r ed w ith h ea v y i r o n

s h eeti n g s t r o n gl y b olted to th e beam s Al l th is w as
,
.

st r i pped O ff as cl eanl y as i f d o n e by h u m a n h and s T h e .

l ofty b r ick ch i m ney w ith sto od th e W i nd s ass aul t n u
scath ed .

T h e l a r ge b u i l d i n gs occu pied by th e Ca m pbell Gl ass

an d Pai n t C om pan y and the Geo P Pla nt M i ll i ng Com . .

pa ny w e r e al s o bad l y d am a ged It i s i m p oss i bl e at t h i s

.

ti m e to esti m ate th e d a m age i n d ol l a r s and ce nt s .

A P A NIC A M ON G FA CTOR Y G IRL S .

T h e facto r y O f th e Bem is B r os Bag C o at th e foot of . .

,

Popl a r st r eet h ad o ne sid e co m pl etel y bl ow n out Se v

, .

e ral h u nd r ed gi r ls w h o w o r k th e r e we r e pan i c st r i ck e n a n d
r ush ed i n al l d i r ecti o ns Qu i te a n u mbe r a r e bel ie ved to
.

h ave bee n i nj u r ed by yi n g ti mbe r s T h e n e xt m o r n i n g .

th e gi r ls asse mbl ed about th e facto r y i n d r o ves a n d d i s

cussed i n n u m e r abl e h ai r b re zu l t h e s ca pes th ey h ad e xp eri
-

e n ced T he n th ey w e nt s i gh t s ee i ng with e v id e nt e nj oy
.
-

m en t r ega r dl ess O f t he fact th at th ey w i l l be th r ow n out

,

O f e m pl oy me nt .
 T H E G R E A T C YCLO NE . 1 77

Th e n a v al sto r e a n d d epa r tme nt of th e W ate r s P i e r ce -

O i l Com pany w as co m pletel y dest r o yed Mal ach y Mc .

Don ald th e s u pe r i nte nd e n t was st r uck by a pi ece of fall

, ,

i ng r oof an d i nsta ntl y k i lled T h e oth e r e m pl oy e s e s

.

caped w i th c uts a n d b r ui ses B ob Ne w m an a n em pl oy e

.
,

of th e co m pa n y i s co ng r atulati n g h i ms el f on h i s go o d
,

fo r tu n e He left h is o fce ab ou t a qu a r te r t o 5 o cl ock
.
,

and h ad j ust r each ed B r oad way a n d Ol i ve st r eet w h e n th e

sto r m b r ok e Th e n ext m o r n i n g h e fou n d h i s O f ce a
.

mass of r ui ns M cD onald w as k i l led w it h i n a few feet

.

of it .

D E V AS T AT I O N s A W F UL TRI U M P H .

A t Le vee a n d Pi n e st r eet see med to m a r k th e n o r th e r n

l i m it of th e r ea l h u r r icane At th a t po i nt s e ve r al b u ild
.

i ngs we r e pa r tial l y w r ecked Com me r cial st r eet betwee n

.

Pi ne an d C hestn u t w as s o obst r u cted by de b r i s as to be

al most i m passa b le Al o ng th is bl ock al m ost e ve r y h ouse
.

was u n r oofed a nd t w o or th r ee of t he tal le r o nes h a ve

l ost t he u p pe r sto r ies T he b u i ld i n g occu pied by th e
.

St Lo u i s Co m m i ss i o n Co m pan y was enti r el y w r eck ed

.

and i ts c o nte nts scatte r e d o ve r th e n ei gh bo r h ood Sack s .

O f w ool we r e ca r r i ed bl ock s a way .

A t th e Le vee a n d Ma r ket s t r eet se ve r al s mal l b u il d i n gs

we r e d emol i sh ed T h ey w e r e occu pi ed by famil ies m ost
.
,

of t he i n h ab ita n ts b ei n g m o r e or l ess i nj u r ed T h e r ea r .

of t he l a r ge facto r y O f th e B r id ge B eac h Co m pan y was

w r ecked th e r o of an d t wo u ppe r sto r i es be i ng ca r r ied
,

away .

De vastatio n o n ev e r y s i de g r eeted th e eye of a pe r so n

12
1 78 TH E G R E AT C YC I A NE
) .

wal k i n g s outh o n th e Le v ee b u t n ot u n t i l Po pl a r st r eet

,

was passed coul d th e ful l v i ol e nce of t he sto r m be a pp re

ci ated Betwee n t h e r e an d Ca r r ol l st r eet th e r e w as n ot a

.

w h ol e h o use s ta nd i ng A t th e foot O f Ced a r st r eet a

.

t w o sto r y b uil d i ng w a s com pl etel y r azed to th e g r ou nd .

T h e r e i s d ou bt as to w h eth e r i t was occu pi ed or n ot .

Peopl e l i v i n g i n th e nei gh bo r h ood say th at i t h ad n o r eg

ul a r i nh abi ta nts b u t al m ost e ve r y n ig h t a n u m be r of r ef
,

u ees sou gh t s h el te r th e r e
g .

T he i m m e nse Nedde r hut wa r eh ou se w a s pa r ti all y

w r eck ed but n o on e i s th ou gh t t o h av e bee n k ille d th e r e
,
.

T he w i n d pl aye d h a voc i n th e I r o n M ou ntai n ya r ds .

F r ei g ht ca r s we r e bl o w n abo u t l ike th ey we r e baby ca r .

r i a es o ve r tu r n ed a n d w r ecked W h ol e l i nes of ca r s
g ,
.

a r e s o co ve r e d w i th d eb r is as to be al m ost i n v is i bl e A .

d oze n s h eds a n d s m al l b u i ld i ngs t h a t se r v ed va r iou s pu r

poses ab out th e ya r d s h a ve co m pl ete ly d isappea r ed T h e .

m ai n b u ild i n g i s s h atte r ed b ut s till stand s T h e m ost

,
.

a ppal l i n g s i gh t al o n g th e d e m ol ish ed r i ve r f r o n t w as th e
w r eck of th e U n ited El e vato r at th e foot of C h outeau
ave n ue T h i s i m m e nse st r uctu r e offe r ed a fai r m a r k for
.

t he cycl o ne a nd bes id es l ay al m ost d i r ectl y i n t he ce nte r

O f i t s p at h F r o m th e m ai n b u i ld i ng th e fo u r u p pe r
.

s to r i es we r e to r n So cl ea n w as th e w i nd s w o r k th at at
.

a d istan ce i t l ook ed as i f th ey m i gh t h a ve bee n sawed off .

F o r h u nd r ed s o f feet o n e ve r y s id e m asses o f b r ok e n a n d
s pl i nte r ed l u m be r we r e st r e w n i n a way t o m ake app r oac h
d i fcul t T h e r i v e r h o use was al s o d e m ol is h e d an d th e
.

netwo r k of t r ams t h at con n ected i t w it h t h e el e vato r

p r o pe r obl i te r at ed ,
 TH E G R E AT C Y CLO NE . 1 81

Hal f a d oze n r u sh ed i nto th e Office a l ittl e f r a m e ,

sh anty o n th e n o r t h s id e of th e e le v ato r Al th ou gh i t .

was t h e f r ail est st r u ctu r e of th e l ot i t w as th e o nl y on e

th at r e m ai ned i ntact T h e te r r o r st r icke n m e n ba r r ed
.
-

th e d oo r a n d th e n cl u ng to eac h oth e r i n m o me nta r y a p

p r e h e nsi on of a te r r ibl e d eat h T i m be r s a n d y i n g a r t i
.

cles of all k i nd s d as h ed agai nst t h e s hanty an d s mas h e d

th e w i nd o ws b u t fo r tu nate n o ne O f th e m e n w e r e st r u ck
,
.

Se ve r al ti m es i t see med l i k e th e h ou se w ou l d be ca r r i ed
away i ntact b u t a n i m me nse s afe acted as a n anch o r an d
,

h eld i t d o w n .C E Al le n th e day watch m an s ta r ted

. .
, ,

to r u n ac r oss to th e r i v e r h ou se but h is co m pan i o n s sa w

,

a piece of y i ng ti m be r st r i k e hi m a n d h e was b u r i ed i n

th e r u i ns Of fal l i n g b u i ld i ngs Quite a n u m be r O f m e n

.

an d b oys we r e obse r ved to be sh i n g f r o m th e r i ve r h ou se

j ust b efo r e th e sto r m a n d a r e su pposed to b e b u r ied o r
,

to h ave bee n was h ed a way by th e w aves .

S T A TI O N TORN U P .

Th e sm al l statio n at th e j u ncti o n of K i n g s h i gh way
and th e O a k H il l r ail r oad w as co m pl etel y to r n u p an d
th r ow n to th e g r ou n d T h e statio n m aste r Pat Hi ggi ns
.
, ,

was i n t h e b u ild i n g at th e ti me a n d w as b u r i ed ben eath

th e deb r is By th e p r o m pt ass i sta nce of w itness es Of th e
.

d isaste r h e was n al ly e xt r icated H i s h ead w as badl y

.

cut a nd h e w as b r ui sed all o ve r h i s bod y Hi s i nj u r ies .

a r e n ot se r i ous .

T h e sto r m d i d m uch dam age to C h a r l es Sh ew e r s sal oo n

at Ki ng s h i gh way a nd New Manch este r r oad T h e stabl e .

was u n r oofed a nd th e h o r ses na r r o wl y escaped bei n g k i lled .

18 2 TH E G R E AT C YC I o NE . .

M rs B re de m e ye r
. fu r n i s h ed o n e O f th e fe w h u m o r ou s
gl eams ac r oss th e d a r k tal e of s u ffe r i ng a n d d i saste r w h i ch
th e sto r m h as l eft i n i ts wak e M r s B re de m e yer w e nt
. .

O u t to th e co w s h ed to get so m e b r a n fo r h e r co w s su p

pe r. Sh e d i d n ot nd th e co w sh ed a n d i t was n ot u nti l
s h e h ad go n e a r ou n d l i k e D i oge nes w i t h a l a nte r n th at
sh e d iscove r ed t h e sh ed u p i n h e r atti c S h e d id n ot at . .

te m pt to e x pl ai n th e t r ic k th e w i nd h ad pl ayed u po n h e r .

IN NORTH S T LO UI S . .

At B r oad way a n d C a r r st r eet t he r oof of a th r ee sto r y -

b r ick b u ild i n g co n tai n i ng sto r es a n d ats bl e w off a l a r ge ,

sect io n of th e r oof st r ik i n g g r i p ca r N o 4 O f t he B r oad .

way cable T h e ca r w as w r eck ed t he passe n g

.
,
e r s escap
i n g w ith sl i gh t i nj u r ies A po r ti o n of th e sam e r oof fel l
.

u po n th e Ri al to L i ve r y Stabl e o n Ca r r st r eet b u r y i n g tw o ,

of th e stabl e em pl oyes a n d se ve r al h o r ses The men .

we r e take n ou t u ni nj u r ed .

Th e Ni ed r i n gh aus Mem o r ial Hall at Se ve nt h an d Cass ,

ave n ue was u n r oofed a n d co n si d e r abl e d amage d o ne t he

,

l i b r a r y an d oth e r co nte nts o f th e b u i ld i n g .

T h e r oofs of t wo O f th e bu i ld i ngs of th e St Lou i s Stam p .

i ng Com pan y at Seco n d a n d Co ll i ns st r eets we r e to r n off

, ,

an d ei gh t l a r ge s m ok e stack s bl o w n d o w n .

T h e d r i v e r of a bake r y wago n bel on gi n g to B Col o m .

ba n o 1 4 1 1 Pi ne st r eet was p r obabl y fatal l y h u r t w h il e

, ,

pass i ng th e co r ne r of S i xth and Ca r r st r eets T h e wago n .

was co m pl etel y d em ol ish ed by a fal l i n g w all a n d th e ,

d r i ve r r e m oved to th e C i ty Ho s p ital w ith a b r oke n leg

a nd se r iou s wo u nds abou t th e h ead .
 184 TH E GR E A T C YCLON E .

T h e c r ash i n g of th e r oof on th e g r ou n d was l ik e th e

e xpl osi o n of a h u nd r ed can n ons an d togeth e r w it h th e
th u nd e r an d l igh tn i n g se nt fea r t o th e h ea r ts of e ve r y
pe r so n on t h e g r ou nd s E ve r y on e th ough t of th e cycl on e
.

a n d its te r r i bl e r av ages an d p andem o n i u m r ei gn ed fo r

ful ly ftee n m i n utes \Vom e n beca m e h yste r i cal a n d r an
.

a r ou n d t he basem e n t l i ke m ad wh il e st r o n g m e n w e r e
t error s tr i c ke n an d s peech le s s
o
O nl y th e p r esen ce of
.

m i n d of a fe w k ept t he c r owd f r o m s u r gi n g ou t of th e
d oo r s l ead i ng t o th e n o r th w al k w h e r e ce r tai n d eath f r o m
,

yi n g ti m be r s awai ted th e m .

I n th e betti n g r i n g w h e r e m an y specul ato r s we r e i n

,

l i n e t r yi n g to cas h on th e fth r ace w h i c h h ad j us t bee n

,

run
,
a n d oth e r s w ai ti n g fo r th e od ds t o b e p osted on th e
si xt h e ven t th e g r eatest c o n fus i o n p r ev ail ed w h e n th e
,

sto r m l as h ed fo r th i n all i ts fu r y T h e betti n g sh ed stood

.

wel l th e tes t of th e w i n d an d th e o nl y dam age d o ne w a s

th e bl o w i ng a wa y of t h e aw n i n gs th at s u r r ou n d ed t h e
a ai r . As th e w i nd co n ti n u ed to bl o w se v e r al h u nd r ed
,

pe r so n s w h o fa nc ied th at i t was on l y a m atte r of a fe w

m om e nts w h e n e ve r y b u il d i n g o n th e g r ou nd s w ou l d be
r azed to t h e ea r th r a n as fast a s th ei r l egs w ou l d ca r r y
,

th e m ac r oss th e t r ack to th e ce nte r el d T h e r e th ey

.

stoo d a m i d th e th u nde r and l igh tn i n g w atc h i n g th e w i nd

s pe n d i ts fu r y .

Fol l owi n g t he w i nd a n d el ect r ic sto r m s t he r ai n cam e

d o w n i n to r r e n ts Th e peopl e i n th e el d w e r e s oo n
.

d r e nch ed to th e sk i n a n d w it h feel i n gs O f th e m an w h o
j u m ped i nto th e r i ve r w ith al l h i s cl oth es on .

A h o r se and buggy bel o n gi ng to t h e San o C h em i cal

R E S I D E NC E O N P AR K AVE .

1 8 6
188 TH E G RE AT CYCL O N E .

R E S CU E D FRO M A \VR E C K E D S A LOON B UILD IN G .

T h e g r eat C u pples b ui ld i n gs w i th stood t he sto r m wel l ,

b u t h u nd r ed s of d ol l a r s w o r th O f pl ate gl as s w as d e
st r oye d A l l th e w i nd o ws i n th e sou th an d ea s te r n e nd s of
.

th e b u ild i ngs we r e bl o w n i n a nd th e u ppe r oo r s ood ed

w ith th e h eav y r ai n M uc h O f th e good s s to r ed n ea r th e
.

w i nd ows we r e d am aged by t he r ai n NO one w as i nj u r ed . .

Ac r oss th e s t r eet th e s m al l f r am e a n d b r ick b u il d i n gs su f

.

fe re d Nea rl y al l O f t he m we r e u n r o ofed an d m a n v of th e m
.

h ad th ei r seco n d sto r i es bl o w n i n Th e sal oo n of Pete r

.

Nalty at 6 1 4 Sou th Seve nth st r eet was com pletel y

, ,

d em ol ish ed Nal ty h i s w i fe an d n i ne cu stom e r s we r e

.
,

b u r ied i n th e d eb r i s Al l o f th e m w e r e r escu ed al i ve a nd
.

se nt t o th e D is pe nsa r y fo r t r eat me nt Nal ty l i ved o ve r .

the sal oo n a nd l os t n ot o nl y h is bu si n ess b ut h i s h ome

, ,

an d i ts f u r n ish i n gs as wel l C u r l ey s l o dg i ng h ou se at
.
-
,

6 28 Sou th Se ve nt h st r eet was d em ol ish ed b ut a ll

, ,

th e occu pants escaped an d m ost of th e m h el ped d i g

ou t th e u nfo r tu nates b u r ied i n th e w r eck of Nalt ys

s al oon .

T h e M i ssou r i Paci c h ead qu a r te r s bu i ld i n g w as bad ly

da m aged an d th e f r ei gh t s h eds at Se ve nt h an d V al en ti ne
,

st r eets w e r e com pletel y u n r oofed T h e st r eet w as l led

.

w ith b r oke n w i r es a n d p ol es f r o m Ma r ke t s t reet s outh ,

s o th at t r avel w as al m ost i m pos s ibl e .

Th e l a r ge fu r n itu r e s t o r e of \Vm O tte n ad at Soul a r d

.
,

a nd B r oad way w as co m pl etel y d est r oyed

,
O tt e n a d h i s .
,

w i fe a n d a cl e r k a n d a d r i ve r w e r e b u r ied i n th e w r eck ,

w h ich i s poss i bl y th e m ost com plete on e i n th e city Th e .

build i n g was a fou r sto r y on e a n d n oth i n g but a h eap of

-
 T H E GR E AT C YCLO NE . 1 89

b r ok e n ti mbe r a n d d i sm antle d sto ne a nd b r i ck m a r k s th e

spot .

Th e Soula r d Ma r k et b uild i n g was u n r oofed a nd a p or

tio n of t he b u ild i ng was bl o w n d o w n T h e O ld St V i n . .

ce nt s I n s a ne A syl u m was u n r oofed an d ood ed and th e
g r eat b r ick wal l was bl o w n d ow n Al l al on g Lafay ette
.

a v enu e h ou ses w e r e u n r oofed a nd m o ved f r o m th e i r

fou ndatio ns T h e st r eets we r e lled w ith t r ees a nd
.

b r oke n w i r es .

D O WNT O \VN VVRE C K S .

Th e feed s to r e of A r nol d Fu ch s a t N i nth an d Cl a r k

,

aven ue w as al most dem ol i sh ed th e r oof a n d f r ont of th e

, ,

weste r n po r ti o n h av i n g bee n bl ow n a w ay .

Mo r r issey s sal oo n on Ele ve n th a n d Cla r k ave n u e h ad
, ,

th e f r o n t a n d easte r n w al l s bl o w n ou t A two sto r y .

-

f r am e h ou se a nd a b r ick ca r pen te r s h o p adj oi ni n g i t o n

th e east we r e l i te r ally wi ped out of ex iste nce a n d th e co n ,

te nts O f Hei n r ich sh ofe n Law r e nce s l u m be r ya r d on ,

Te nth an d Cl a r k a ve n ue we r e scatte r e d as fa r east as

,

Seve nth st r eet .

E n n o San d e r s bottl i n g facto r y on El e ve nth n ea r VVal

, ,

n u t st r eet was al m ost total l y d em ol i sh ed th e n o r th e r n

, ,

f r o nt po r ti o n togeth e r wit h th e r oof goi n g by th e boa r d

, ,
.

Th e r oof of th e S u m ne r H i gh Sch ool on Ele ve nth a n d ,

Sp r uce st r eets took a vacati on j oi ni n g th e deb r i s f r o m

, ,

th e roof a n d wal l s of th e j ail wh ic h blew out O nto S p r uce

,
1 90 TH E G R E AT

st r eet T h e r oof of T om M c D e r m ott s sal oon on

.

Ele v e nth a nd Ch est nu t st r eets fell off and t r ied to get ,

i nto th e f r o nt d oo r .

All th e w i n d o ws i n th e f r o nt O f th e Haga n Th eate r

w e r e bl ow n ou t an d a po r ti o n of t he r oof d e m ol ish ed .

Th e h ea v y i r o n r oof O f th e Me r ch a nt s Exch an ge b u ild
i n g was l i fted off i n th r ee secti o n s a n d depos ited o n T h i r d
and Ch est n u t st r eets A po r ti o n O f i t cau gh t on th e w i res
.

on C h est n ut st r eet w h e re i t h u ng d o w n l ike a h u ge t a r

,
.

paul i n .

T h e r oof an d u ppe r f r o nt w al l of th e A m e r i ka bu il d
i n g op posite th e E xch an ge b u i l d i n g was bl ow n d o w n
, ,

i nto Th i r d st r eet .

Pe r h aps th e m ost u n iqu e f r eak pl ayed by th e w i nd

w as O bse r ved on th e to we r o f th e M cL e a n bu i ld i n g on
Fou r th a nd Ma r k et st r eets T he O bse r vato r y of th e t o we r
.

was ll ed w ith ch ai r s si gns aw n i n gs a n d oth e r d eb r i s

, ,

th at h ad bee n cau gh t u p by th e w i nd f r o m th e st r eet or ,

bl o w n out of ad j ace n t offic es a n d w h i r l ed u p a d ista nce

O f e i ht feet i n th e ai r c a t hi n n th e p r oj ecti on s O f
g y g o ,

th e to we r w h e r e th ey r em ai n ed a m ost p r actical i l l u s
, ,

t ra t i on of th e fa ntas tic po we r of th e to r nad o .

T h e e nti r e r oof of th e m am m oth w a r eh ou s e of Ma r ti n

L a n m er t on Seco n d an d \Val n u t st r eets was u pl ifted
'

, ,

an d scatte r ed o ve r se ve r al ac r es of th e v i ci n ity .

O n Si xth a nd C h est nu t st r eets th e w i nd ca u ght a h eavy

fou r h o r se t r uck and bl e w i t 1 00 feet u p th e st r eet w i th
-

out o ve r tu r n i n g i t .

At t h e stabl es of th e A me r ican Ex p r ess C om pany on ,

Elevent h and W al nut st r eets , h al f a d o ze n of the he av y

S AM PL E O F TH E S TO R M
S RA GE O N P AR K AVE .

192
 TH E GR E AT CYCLON E . 1 93

e x p r ess wago ns we r e o v e r tu r ned b y th e w i n d l i ke s o many

toy ca r ts .

O n Fou r t h an d Ma r ket st r eets w i th i n a s pace of 200

,

feet n o less th a n fou r tee n o ve r t u r ned wago ns w e r e

,

cou nted d u r i ng th e h ei gh t of t he sto r m Fou r h o r ses .

we r e blow n O u t of th e h a r ness th a t attach ed th e m to th e

veh icles a n d al l fou n d r efu ge i n a b utch e r sh op
,
.

O n T w el fth a nd C la r k ave n u e a n u n k no w n i nd i v id u al
dese r ted th e h o r se a n d b u ggy h e w as d r iv i ng T h e w i n d .

st r uck th e r i g w h i r led i t a r ou nd t h r ee or fou r ti me s an d

,

ble w t h e buggy cl ea r of th e h o r se ca r r yi n g i t u p Cla r k

,

ave n u e to Ei ghtee nt h st r eet wh e r e i t was d e mol i s h ed

,
.

Th e h o r se was bl o w n u p agai nst a tel eg r ap h p ol e an d

stu n n ed .

A m an wh o was sta nd i n g i n f r o nt of H oe fn e r s s al oo n ,

on T wel fth an d Cl a r k a ve n u e was cau gh t u p by th e w i n d

,

an d ca r r ied th r ou gh th e gl ass d o o r .

CH A M B E R OF CO M M E RC E UN ROOFE D .

Th e r oof of th e M e r ch a nts E xch an ge was r i pped f r o m
th e faste ni ngs an d w h i pped about l i k e a r ag i n th e w i nd .

G r eat sh eets of t i n we r e h u r led u p i n th e ai r a n d t w i sted

i nto s h apel ess m asses Th e r e w as n ot a squ a r e foot of
.

th e r o of left s m oot h a n d w h e n th e sto r m was o v e r th e

roo ng was l yi ng on th e fo u r st r eets s u r r ou n d i n g th e
bu ild i ng .

A p iece O f th e r oof 5 0 feet l o n g on th e P i ne st r eet

, ,

si de w as l i fted h i gh u p i n th e ai r a n d t h e n ca r r i ed d o w n
,

wa r d s t o wa r ds W h ite s r estau r an t O n th e n o r th s id e
,
.

Th e st r i ngs of w i r es r u n n i n g u p th e st r eet we r e all t h at

13
1 94 TH E G R E AT C YCLON E .

saved th e b u ild i n g for on e e n d of th e sh eet cau gh t on

,

th e w i r es a nd i t h u ng d o w n wa r d r each i n g to th e g r an ite
,
.

\Vhile th i s w as goi ng on th e same sce n e w as bei ng

e nacted o n C h estn ut st r eet T w o p i eces of th e r oof e w
.

l ik e h a nd ke r ch i e fs ac r oss t he n a r r o w th o r o ugh fa r e an d ,

agai n th e w i r es sa ve d t he b u ild i n g O ne h u n g d o w n i n
.

f r o nt of th e B ooth Pack i n g Co m pa ny s sto r e a nd th e
ot h e r r ested on its ce n te r on th e top of a tel eph o n e pol e
i n f r o n t of th e A me r i ca n Te nt a n d A w n i n g C om pa n y
T h ese s w u n g t o a n d f r o i n th e w i n d a nd th r eate ned to
fal l at e v e r y m om e n t .

O n T h i r d st r eet th e s u r face was st r e w n w i t h b r ick ,

bits of r oo n g co r n ice a n d w i r e A la r ge pi ece of th e

,
.

co r ni ce was to r n f r o m th e gable o ve r th e m ai n e n t r ance

a n d st r uck on e of t h e o r n am e ntal la m p posts n ea r th e
steps Th e i r o n p ost s nap pe d l ik e a r ee d an d fel l w it h
.

th e oth e r d eb r i s S om e of t he sh eet m etal r oo n g was

.

bl o w n as fa r as Ol i ve st r eet and was ta n gl ed w ith falle n

w i r es
.

T h e i nte r io r of th e b u i ld i n g p r ese nted a s ce n e of u tte r

des ol atio n T he p r otecti n g r oof bei ng go ne th e r ai n came
.

t h r oug h t h e pl aste r ed ceil i n g i n a pe r fect d el u ge a n d th e

,

wate r on t he oo r w as an kle deep T h r ou gh ou t th e .

e n ti r e st r uctu r e th e wate r p o u r ed as th oug h n o co ve r n

was ov e r i t at al l E ve r y o fce f r o m th e cel la r u p was
.

th o r ou gh l y d r e nch ed and a n u m b r el l a was necessa r y

,

w h il e wal k i n g th r ough th e m .

I n th e mai n h all wo r k me n w e r e b usy al l n igh t s weep

ou t th e w ate r bu t i t was l i ke t r yi ng to keep back th e
,

w i th a b r oo m T he r e w e r e n o el ect r ic o r gas l i gh ts i n
.
1 96 TH E G R E A T C YCL O N E .

th e b u ild i ng d i d n ot e ve n s w ay d u r i n g th e h eigh t of t h e
sto r m .

T h e h al f ni sh ed Ch e m ical b u i ld i ng was O pe n to th e
ele me n ts n o ne of th e w i nd o ws bei n g i n b u t th e dam age
, ,

to i t d id n ot am ou nt t o $ 1 0 .

Oth e r b i g bu i l d i n gs th at we n t th r ou gh w i th ou t l oss
we r e th e Co m me r ci al th e Lacl ed e th e Col u mb ia th e
, , ,

Ne w Ce n tu r y th e Od d Fel l ows th e Secu r i ty th e B u r

, , ,

l i n gto u a nd oth e r s .

A l l of th ese d wel l i n gs a r e of w hat i s k n o w n as stee l

c o nst r ucti o n
. T h ey a r e b ui l t w it h i n te r l aced a n d r i veted
steel beam s a n d j oists a n d a r e as s ol id as r ock
,
.

T h ei r r oofs th e p o r tio n of th e bu i ld i n g th at w oul d be

,

e xp ected t o s uffe r i n a w i nd sto r m a r e as safe as th e bod y

,

of th e b u ild i n g as th ey a r e pa r t of i t
, bei n g b u il t w ith
,

i t T O bl o w O ff th e r oof w oul d m ean to b r eak th e i nte r

.

l ock i n g of th e e n ti r e st r uctu r e a n d g r eat d a mage w o ul d :

r es ul t
.

I n th e co nst r u cti on of th es e skeleto n b u ild i ngs th e a r

c hi tec t s m ade s pec i c cal cul a t io ns fo r r es istance to a w i nd

h av i n g a v el oci ty O f f r o m s e v enty t o n i nety m i l es pe r

h ou n
T h e effect O f a to r n ado on a tall steel sk el eton bu ild i ng
.

h as n e ve r bee n teste d u nti l th e p r ese nt ti m e Si n ce th e .

co nst r uctio n of th es e bu i ld i n gs w as begu n i n l a r ge cities

a se v e r e sto r m h as n eve r v is ited an y of th e m .

AT TH E CO U RT H O U S E
-
.

Th e sto r m s t r uck th e Cou r t H ouse at T he O ffi ce

usuall y cl oses at 5 o cl ock bu t tw o s u i ts cam e i n th en and
,
e ight ofthe

Oentoth
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, th
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o

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ith
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1 9 7
200 TH E G RE AT CYCLON E .

th e h el p Th e n i gh t fo r ce we r e fo r th e m ost p a r t asl ee p
. .

, ,

wh e n th e sto r m cam e on S om e w e r e aw ake ned by th e

.

c r ash i n g of t h ei r w i nd o w s a nd oth e r s by t he r ai n th at
bl e w a n d pou r ed i n o n th em T wo or th r ee sl e pt th r ough
.

i t al l
. E ve r y r oom on th e west si d e of th e top sto ry was
d a m aged an d a n u m b e r al s o on th e O p pos i te s i de I ns id e .

t r a ns om s we r e b low n i n as w el l as outsi d e w i nd ows T w o

. .

or th r ee of th e gi rl s w e r e cu t w i th gl ass bu t n obo d y ,

se r iou sl y h u r t T he damage on th e oo r s bel ow was

.

m ostl y d o ne by r ai n th at pou r ed i n th r ou gh w i nd ows l eft

o pe n . T h e gl a ss was e xcept i n a fe w cases s u f ci ently
, ,

th i ck t o r es i st t h e w i nd O n e ve r y oo r t w o o r th r ee
.

w i nd o ws w e r e bl o w n i n T h e r es t w ith stood th e fo r ce of
.

th e sto r m W he r e w i nd o ws h ad bee n left o pe n ca r pets

.
,

bedd i n g a n d i n a fe w i n s ta nces t h e cl oth i n g of guests

,

we r e soaked Se v e r al t r an so m s on th e O pposi te sid e O f

.

th e r oom co n ne cti n g w i th th e h al l w ay we r e s m as h ed by
,

t he w i n d th at bl e w th r ou gh th e r oo m Man y of th e gi r l s .

e m pl oyed at t h e h otel and s o m e of th e m e n t oo t h ou gh t

, , ,

th ei r l ast h ou r h ad com e O n e m a n i n the l au n d r y i s re

.

po r ted to h a ve fai nted f r om f r i gh t Co ns id e r abl e e xcite .

m ent p r evail ed al s o am on g th e gu ests Th e pa r l o r oo r .

and co r r i d o r s on th e of ce oo r we r e th r o n ged d u r i n g t he
sto r m .

T h e lad ies o r d i n a r y at th e So u th e r n H otel a n d th e

k i tch e n w e r e badl y d am aged Se ve r al h ol es we r e to r n i n

.

t he r oo f o v e r th e o r d i n a r y letti n g th e r ai n pou r i n i n t or
,

r en ts T h e k i tch e n r a n ge was pa r ti al ly d em ol i s h ed and

.
,

th e sk yl i gh t o ve r h ead w r eck ed H ot meal s we r e su s .

pe nd ed fo r d i n ne r at t h e So uth e r n th at n i gh t Th e ch ef .
 T H E G R E AT CYCLON E . 201

was c ut i n th e h ead and back with gl ass an d fo u r oth e r s ,

we r e i nj u r ed D r Powe r s th e h ote l ph ysi ci an an d su r

. .
,

geon was ke pt b u sy n ea r l y a n h ou r patch i n g u p w o u nd s

, .

O ne of th e i nj u r ed w as a w o m an th e oth e r s bei n g m e n
,
.

Th e skyl i gh t i n th e r oof of th e h otel ove r th e r otu n da

was d am aged en ou gh to ood th e oo r of t he r otu nd a .

Mana ge r Le w i s was on e of th e busi est m e n i n St Lou i s .

du r i n g a n d for seve r al h ou r s afte r th e sto r m NO h o te l .

of m agn i tude w as se r i ou sl y i nj u r ed a n d th e n e w C on v e n
,

tio n A u d ito r i u m was s o sl i gh tl y d a maged th at i t w as re

pai r ed i n th r ee d ays Fo r tu natel y i t was j ust outs id e th e
.

sto r m a r ea p r ope r .

D AN G E R AT TH E J AIL .

At t he Fou r Cou r ts t he m ost fea r ful e xci te me nt p r e

v ai l ed T h e w om a n s co r n e r of th e j ai l w as bl o w n d ow n
.

a n d bedla m tu r ne d l o ose T he r st k n ow n of th e sto r m

.

was th e v i ol e n t s h ak i n g of t he bui ld i n g w h ic h i s on e of ,

th e st r o n gest a n d s afest i n sti tu ti o ns i n t he city T he .

wi nd pl ayed h avoc w ith th e w i nd o ws C r as h afte r .

c r as h w oul d b r i n g d o wn s h o we r s of gl ass T h e cou r t .

was j u st ab ou t cl osed w h e n sev e r al b r i ck s f r o m th e r oofs

,

of a nei gh b o r i ng b u ild i n g cam e yi n g th r ou gh th e

wi nd o w T h e wom e n am o n g th e w itn esses sc r eam ed an d
.
,

bu rl y m e n p u sh ed an d t r am pl ed th ei r i n fe r i o r s u nde r
th ei r feet T h e m ob w as s o e xci ted th at th e cl e r ks
.

voi ce coul d n ot be h ea r d as h e c r ied ou t for th e peo pl e t o

take t h ei r ti m e B u t i t w as u seless as th e c r ow d su r
.
,

ged fo rwa r d an d out O f th e d oo r s Lu ck il y n o on e was

.
,

se r i ousl y i nj u r ed .
202 TH E GR E AT C YC LO NE .

A te r r i bl e w h istl i n g n o ise fol l o w ed by a s e r i es of

,

f r i gh tful sc r eam s cam e ou t of th e j ail T h e p r is on e r s

,
.
,

pe n ne d i n th e cells c r ied to be let out ,

.

Depu ty Sh e r i ff W agne r r a n i nto th e bul l r i n g a nd

o r d e r ed s il en ce bu t th ey cu r sed h i m an d k i cked agai n st
,
.

th e d oo r . A h u r r ied co ncl av e was h el d a n d i t w as de ,

cid ed to l et th e m ou t A b ou t ftee n cell s we r e ope ned

.
,

a nd th e p ri so ne r s ock ed out Oth e r cel l s w e r e bei n g .

O pe ned w h e n a te rr ic c r as h of t h u nd e r cam e
,
.

A gai n th e p r i so n e r s w h o w e r e sti l l co n n ed sc r eam ed

to be r el eased a nd t he l u ck y o n es w h o w e r e al r ead y o ut
,

gath e r ed a r ou nd th e w i nd i n g stai r w ay wh e r e th e gua r d s

w e r e assem bl ed A gai n and agai n th e li gh tn i n g ash ed
.

an d w i th a h o r r i bl e c r as h th e co r n e r O f th e w o m e n s
di v is i o n of th e bu il d i n g gave way T h e n f r o m th e i n .

t e ri or of th e j ai l came sh r iek afte r sh r i ek T h e p r is o ne r s .

r a n u p a nd d ow n t he wi nd i n g stai r s an d t r ied to fo r ce
th e gua r d s t o l et th e m out v ow i n g th at th ey w oul d m ak e
,

n o effo r t t o escape .

T h ey becam e so wi l d ly excited th at Depu ty Jai l e r W ag .

n er o r d e r ed th e m agai n l ocked u p i n th ei r cells T o th i s .

th ey obj ected and stood th e gu a r d s Off Th e r i ot bel l

,
.

w as s ou n ded an d i n a m i n ut e a sco r e of detecti ves a nd

,
.

pol icem en r an i nto th e j ai l Th ey t r i ed t o fo r ce th e p r i s

.

o n e r s back b u t i t w as u sel ess Th en th e Of ce r s d r e w

,
.

th ei r r ev ol ve r s and w i th cl u bs l ifted al oft th r eate n ed to

,

k il l th e m e n i f th ey d id n ot r etu r n to th ei r cel ls Th i s .

f r i gh te ned th em an d th ey went back to th ei r cel ls T h e n

,
.

a d oze n ofce r s we r e stati o n ed at th e co r n e r O f th e bu ild

i ng w h ich was bl ow n d o w n to p r eve nt th e m en f r o m es

, ,
 TH E GRE AT CYCLO NE . 205

capi n g A m il k wh i te pige o n fel l d o w n f r o m th e r oof on

.
~

th e b r ick s bel ow .

T he top of th e b u i l d i n g su ffe r ed th e w o r st It s h ook .

so th a t t h e b u i ld i n g fai r l y r ock ed M at r o n Ha r r i s w h o
.

is on th e fou r th oo r cam e r u n n i n g d o w n f r igh te ned

, ,

hal f t o d eat h

Sh e was take n i nto Ch i ef Desm on d s
.

O f ce w h ich escaped th e sto r m s w r a th I n C h ief Ha r r i
,
.

gan s O fce tw o w i nd o w f r am es we r e bl ow n i nto th e r oo m
a n d th e ca r pet w as soaked w ith w ate r Th ey w e r e p icked .

u p by th e w i nd a nd ca r r ied i nto th e m i ddl e of t h e st r eet .

A m a n d r i v i n g a b utch e r wago n attem pted t o d r i ve d o w n

Cl a r k av e n u e b ut h i s h o r se took f r i gh t a nd u pset th e
,

wagon .He was caugh t by t he wago n a n d d r agged about

25 feet So m e me n wh o we r e stand i n g i n th e d oo r way
.

r a n an d p ick ed hi m u p an d ca r r ied h i m d o w nstai r s He .

was st r i p ped of al l h i s cl oth i ng and was bleed i ng f r o m

eve r y pa r t of h is bod y .

H E A RT B R E AKIN G SPE CTACL E .

T h e scene at th e M o r g ue al l n i gh t l o ng dees de scr i p

ti on All th r ough th e d a r k ness a n d i n th e d ayl i gh t
.
,

w h ich fol lowed b od ies we r e b r ough t th e r e

,
T h e u s ual .

m a r bl e sl abs we r e d is pl aced by pi n e cof ns as r equ i r i n g ,

less space .

T h e bod ies we r e st r etch ed u po n b o xes an d befo r e l on g ,

eve r y i nc h of space except a na r r o w passagew ay w as

occu pi ed .

Th e c r ow d i n f r o nt Of th e Mo r gue i nc r eased constantl y

u n ti l i t bl ock ed th e si de wal k a nd extended i nto th e s t r eet .

It was a w eep i n g and w ai l i n g co ncou r se Piti ful tales .

206 TH E G R E AT CYCLO N E .

we r e tol d b y m oth e r s of th ei r m iss i n g ch il d r e n by w i ves,

of h u sba nd s w h o h ad fai led to r etu r n h o m e .

T he pe o pl e we r e n ecessa r il y s h ut out f r om t h e i r d ead .

Had al l w h o s o u gh t ad m i ssi o n b ee n g ra nted i t th e M o r gu e

w oul d h a v e b ee n ll ed to o v e r flo w i n g a n d th e p r ope r d is
pos iti o n O f th e b od i es th at we r e a r r i v i ng al m ost con
,

s t an tl i m poss ibl e
y,
.

T h e c r o wd w h ich was al m os t a m ob s u r ged an d

, ,

g r oan ed w ith th e h o r r o r d isce r ni bl e th r ough th e gl ass

pa r ti ti o n . B od i es of m e n and w o me n m any b atte r ed
,

beyo nd r ecog n i ti o n met th e gaze of th ose fo r tu nate

,

enou gh to r each th e glass sc r ee n .

So m e i d ea Of i t w as passed to t h ose b eh i n d by th e ex
cl a m at i on s f r o m th ose i n f r on t .

At 9 o cl ock th e c r o wd i n f r o nt of th e Mo r gue was s o
de n se t h at add i ti o nal pol ice m en w e r e n ecessa r y to p r e
se r ve o r de r T O pe r m i t t r af c th e c r o wd was fo r ced o ff
.

t h e pave m ent a n d kept l i ned u p at th e cu r bsto ne w i t h a ,

passage way l eft i n th e m id dl e of th e st r eet fo r d ead

wagons .

T h e r e we r e con sta nt appeal s f r o m f r an ti c peopl e for

ad m issi o n Som e w e r e stol id i n th ei r g r ief oth e r s gav e
.
,

v e n t t o m ost h ea r t r e nd i n g Ou tc r ies .

Fo r th e fe w w h o r ecogn ized th ei r l o ved ones i n th e

a r r a y of m utilated dead h u nd r ed s we r e left i n su sp e nse by
fail u r e t o n d th ose fo r w h o m th ey we r e sea r ch i ng Th e .

n u mb e r O f m iss i ng i n S t Lou i s on T h u r sd ay m u st al m os t
.

equ al th e n u m be r of d ead fo r th e p r o po r ti o n of m issi n g

,

r epo r ted at th e Mo r gue d u r i ng t h e m o r n i n g i s n ecessa r ily

s mal l.
2 08 TH E G R E A T CYCL O N E .

As th e wo r k p r og r essed th e wagons w ith th e dead

d r o ve u p to th e M o r gu e al most i n p r ocessi o n . Each n e w
a r r i v al was g r eeted w ith gasps of h o r r o r b y th e c r owd .

W h at h ad at r s t bee n a col lecti on of be r eaved a nd

g r i ef st r ick e n m e n a nd w o m e n h ad g r ad ual l y g r o w n to a
,

m ass O f cu r iosi ty seeke r s .

A t on e t i m e th e c r o wd al m ost t ook th e Mo r gue by

sto r m . S e ve r al m e n atte m pted to fo r ce th ei r way i nto
th e Ofce of Su pe r i nte nd e nt Mack b u t we r e p u s h ed back
,

an d th e d oo r ba r r ed Th e pol ice h ad d ifcu lty i n c on

.

t r ol l i n g th e al m ost f r antic m ass .

T h ose w h o w e r e seeki n g th ei r d ead w e r e ad m itted to

th e M o r gue i n t wos a n d t h r ees Man y obtai n ed ad m i s
.

si o n u nde r fal s e p r ete nses So me fou n d th ei r d ead oth

.

e r s l eft w ith s i nk i n g h ea r ts co n v i nced th at th ei r m i ss i n g

,

we r e b e neath r u i n s.

W ith i n 1 2 h ou r s of th e d isaste r th e r e we r e 5 6 bod ies

i n th e M o r gue m ahy of th e m stil l u n id e ntied
,
.
21 2 TH E G R E AT C YCLO NE .

and appa r e ntl y sol id st r uctu r es we r e bl ow n away I t .

l asted pe r h aps ftee n m i n utes b ut ti me i s me r ely a m eas

,

u r e of e ve n ts a nd s o m a ny th i n gs h appe n ed i n th at sh o r t
i nte r val th a t th e r e we r e m an y te r r o r st r i ck e n pe r so ns w h o
-

bel ieved th e sto r m l asted for h ou r s .

W h e n th e cl oud s r ol led a w ay a nd a cl ea r e r at m os
p h ere e n abl ed pe r sons to se e s om e d ista nce f r o m th ei r

h omes th e city bo r e a n al te r ed a ppea r ance M an y d wel l .

i n g h ouses we r e s pl i nte r ed i nto k i nd l i n g w ood Me n a n d

.

w o m e n r a n h ith e r a nd th ith e r cal l i n g al ou d for s u r geo n s

,

a n d n u r ses t o h el p th e m ca r e fo r t h e i r d ead a n d w ou nd ed .

Moth e r s i m pl o r ed h el p to n d th e i r c h ild r en .

H usband s ca r r ied th e m a n gl ed b od ies of th ei r

w i v es out i nto th e st r eets w h e r e th e cool
,

r ai n seem ed a bal m th a t w oul d m iti gate t h e i r s u ffe r i n g .

Co m pa r ati v e cal m cam e as sudd e nl y as th e sto r m Th e .

w i n d ceased t o bl o w a nd fo r a ti me co m pa r ati v e ch ee r ful

n ess p r ev ailed .Wh e n h o we ve r th e a w ful d est r u cti o n
, ,

of th e s to r m w as r eal ized a gl oo m S p r ead O v e r th e to w n

l ik e a pal ] .

PR A Y E D F OR ME RC Y .

I t Was con ve r ted i n th ose sh o r t t w e nty mi nutes i nto a

city wh e r e l am e ntati o ns a nd p raye r s for m e r cy w e r e
o ffe r ed e ve n af te r t he s ou r ce of d an ge r h ad go ne Th e
,
.

w o r k of r esc ue bega n as s oo n as th e i n h ab ita nts stu pe ,

e d by te r r o r r eal i zed th at th ey m i gh t b e of se r v i ce t o
,

oth e r s T h e r oo m i n g h ou ses a n d h otel s bei ng i n a d ow n

.
-

tow n d ist r ict we r e v i s i ted by t h e r escue r s r st Noth i n g .

b ut th e s igh t of m an gl ed bod i es a nd gr oa ns f r o m th ose

 TH E GR E A T CYCLON E . 21 3

wh o we r e p i n ned d o w n by ti m be r s coul d e n fo r ce u po n
th os ew h o h a d escaped a c o m p r eh e ns io n of t h e te r r i ble
dest r ucti ve ness of t h e sto r m .

R es ide nts o f th e st r icke n city gath e r ed i n l ittl e k n ots

o n th e st r eet T h ey d id n ot m i nd th e d r e nch i ng r ai n
. .

Noth i n g except t he w i nd w h ic h lef t death i n i ts path

, ,

p ossessed a ny te r r o r s fo r th e m T h ey s a w th at th e e nti r e
.

east app r oach to t h e E ad s b r id ge h ad bee n ca r r ied a w ay

by t he w i nd as i f i t h ad b ee n s o m uc h ti ss u e pape r O n .

e ve r y s i d e r u i ns we r e to be seen Fo r a ti m e ch aos .

r ei g n ed NO on e k ne w exactl y w h a t t o d o
. .

T h e C ou r t Hou se and pol ice h ead qu a r te r s h ad bee n

bl ow n away Office r s k ne w n ot w h e r e t o n d th ei r c h ief
.
,

an d w h il e vagu el y co nsci ous th at th ey ou gh t t o d o som e

th i n g w e r e at a l oss how to p r oceed I n th e cou r s e of .

ti me h o weve r tem po r a r y p ol ice h ead qu a r te r s w e r e estab

, ,

li she d . D r ays a n d wago n s we r e p r esse d i n to s e r vi ce

as am bulances and th e w o r k of r escu i n g th e d y i n g an d
,

r e m o vi n g th e d ead began Se ve r al pe r so n s w e r e fo u nd
.

w h ose b od ies h ad bee n t r ans xed b y t he sh a r p e nd s of

h u ge ti m be r s Othe r s l ay m oan i n g a n d g r oan i n g u nde r
.

th e we igh t O f a ton of ti m be r s E v e r y cou r i e r th at .

a r r i ved at p ol ice h ead qu a r te r s h ad f r es h tid i ngs of cal am

i ty u nti l th ose w h o r ecei ved t h e r epo r ts becam e i n u r ed to
,

tales of te r r o r an d r ece i ve d th e m as qu i etl y as th o u gh th ey

,

had bee n c o m m on pl ace an n al s of e ve r y d ay h appe n i n gs -

.

Wit h th e sto r m ca me a d a r k ness th at ad ded to th e te r r o r .

Res ide nts Of St L ou i s fea r i n g fo r th e safel y of f r i e nd s

.
,

an d r elati ves and O f p r ope r ty bes i eged th e w atch m a n w ho

h ad bee n stati o ned at th e b r id ge w it h r equests to be al
2 14 TH E G R E AT C YCLON E .

l o wed to c r oss T h e passage way was lled w ith d eb r i s

.

f r o m th e b r id ge o ve r h ead T h e watch ma n h ad i n st ruc

.

tio ns to al lo w n o on e to pass T w o t r ai ns w h ich h ad .

bee n bl o w n o ve r by th e sto r m bl ock ed t h e way of ped es

t ri a n s T h e bu r n i n g b uil d i ngs i n East S t Lou i s c a st a
. .

l u r i d gl a r e o ve r th e r apid ly r ush i n g wate r s a nd th e r u i ns

o f th e to w n pi ctu r ed i n s i l h o uette led m an y to bel ie ve th e
c on a ra t i on h ad d est r oyed th e e nti r e ci ty T h ose w h o
g .

d id get o v e r sa w o nl y a sce ne O f w h ol esal e d est r ucti o n O f

l i fe a nd p r o pe r ty East St L ou is a n d i ts r u i n s w e r e on e
. .

h uge m aus ol eu m co ve r i n g n o o ne k n e w h o w m a ny d ead

,
.

S E ARCH IN G F OR TH E DE A D .

T he scen e h e r e was f r i gh tful bu t i t was n oth i ng c o m ,

pa r e d w i th t he sce ne al o n g t he Le vee B r oad way and th e ,

s i de st r eets of t h e I sl a nd E ve r y h ou se h ad r elati ves

.

and f r ie nd s a m ong th e d ead a nd i nj u r ed Husban d s .

,

fat h e r s an d b r oth e r s w o r ked at n i gh t i n th e f r ei gh t h ou ses ,

on th e boats a n d th e ca r s a n d as th ese coul d n ot be ,

fou nd th e an gu i s h of m oth e r s s iste r s a nd o th e r r el ati ves

,

was h ea r t r e nd i n g T h ey w o ul d r u n f r om o n e t e m por
.

a r y m o r g ue t o a noth e r and i n s o m e i n sta nces pu s h asid e

,

d ead bod ies i n o r d e r to atte m pt to i d e nti fy th ei r r el a

t i v e s and w h e n fou nd
, ,
t h e c r ies w oul d m el t a h ea r t o f
,

sto ne A m oth e r wou ld beh old th e d isto r ted featu r es of

.

a n o nl y son w h ile at a noth e r pl ace s om e oth e r m e m be r

,

wou l d nd a m iss i n g fath e r b r oth e r o r dau gh te r,

.

A H oT E L s S AD R OL E .

Th e Tuttl e Hous e Th i r d st r eet was l ik e a h ospital al l

, ,

n i h t I n on e r oo m u pstai r s l ay Will iam Cogan on e O f

g
2
.
,
 TH E G RE A T C YCLON E . 21 7

th e best k n ow n m e mbe r s of t he B r oth e r h ood of L oc om o

ti ve E n gi nee r s He r u ns on th e B alti m o r e an d Oh i o
.

South w este r n an d w as t o h ave tak e n out th e 3 o cl ock
,

fast m ail t r ai n on th at r oad He was i n a ba r be r sh o p at

.

Th i r d st r eet an d M issou r i ave n u e w h e n t he sto r m cam e

u p T h e b u ild i n g was co m pletel y w r eck ed a n d th e h al f
.

d ozen peopl e i ns ide b u r ied out of si gh t M r Coga n . .

wo r ke d h i s w ay ou t w i th ou t assistance a n d d i d n ot t h i n k .

h e h ad been se r i ousl y i n j u r ed He s u ffe r ed i nten sel y

.

f r om pai ns i n h is back an d s id es .

H K V ail o n e of th e b oa r de r s h ad a b r o ke n a r m i n
. .
, ,

a sl i ng He was c r oss i n g th e b r id ge w h e n th e sto r m

.

came u p He h u r r i e d ac r oss a n d sh elte r ed h i m sel f on

.

th e l ee wa r d s ide of t he f r a m e b u i l d i n g w h ich ble w o ve r ,

on h i m d i r ectl y afte r wa r d .

O n e r oo m at th e T uttl e Hou se was occu pied by th r ee

yo u n g la dies Maggie He r be r t of Was h i ngto n I n d h ad
.
, ,
.
,

a b r ok e n a r m I w as i n th e d i ni n g r oo m of th e T r e
.

mo nt H ouse wh e n th e sto r m occu r r ed s h e said A ,
.

po r tio n of th e r oof bl e w O ff an d h al f a d oze n of u s r a n to

get out of th e way of yi n g ti m be r s a nd b r ick s W e r a n .

i nto th e k i tc h e n and back i nto th e d i n i n g r oo m a n d ,

nall y th e w h ol e h ou se fel l i n M r s Hays t h e la n d . .

,

l ad y a n d t w o o r t h r ee oth e r s w e r e k i lle d a nd th e r est O f

,

us badly h u r t .

M iss He r b e r t s c o m pa n i o n s i n th e r oo m we r e Fl o r ence
Reil ly a teleg r ap h O pe r ato r a n d Josi e Gal le n a type
, , ,

w r ite r Mi ss Reil l y l i ves at 3 6 7 2 Fi n ney ave n u e th i s

.
,

city a n d Mi ss Gal le n at 3 3 1 1 C h outeau ave n u e T h ey

, .

a r e both i n t he e m pl oy Of th e Il l i n ois Ce nt r al Rai l r oad ,

21 8 TH E G R EA T C YCLO N E .

a nd we r e at wo r k i n th e com pany s f r ei g h t o fce on t h e ,

Le v ee w h e n t h e sto r m st r u ck th e bu ild i ng T h ey w e nt
,
.

d ow n w i t h th e st r uctu r e but eac h escape d w i th o nl y a

,

fe w b r u ises T h ey i nq u i r ed a n xi ou sly about th e effect

.

of t h e sto r m i n St Lou is an d pa r ticu la r ly on Fi n n ey an d

.
,

C h o uteau av e nu es .

C E O b r ist a boa r de r at th e T uttl e H ou se got on e

. .
, ,

of h is a r m s badl y cut by fall i n g gl ass He i s a n e lect ri .

c ran .

M r s D owd one of th e b oa r de r s was m i ss i n g Sh e

.
, ,
.

we n t o u t for a r i de on h e r b i cycl e j u st befo r e th e sto r m .

M r s D o wd s h u s ban d i s a go v e r n me nt beef i ns pec t o r at
.

th e Nati onal Stock Y a r d s He e scaped w it hout i nj u r y .

and h u r r ied to th e h otel to nd th at h i s w i fe was go ne .

S C E N E S IN TH E HO SP IT A L S .

A t r i p th r oug h th e east si d e h ospital s at m id ni gh t

r e veal e d te r r i bl e s u ffe r i n g At St Ma r y s t he S iste r s
. .

we r e t r eati ng fty cycl o ne v i cti ms D r M c L ea n h ad . .

c ha r ge of th e s u r gical wa r d a n d w as assi sted by D r s ,

.

Fai r b r oth e r Le Haa n a nd Th om pso n T h e d octo r s h ad

,
.

bee n bu sy s i nce th e sto r m sew i n g u p and d r ess i n g w ou nds ,

T h e pati e nts h ad s ustai ne d i nj u r i es of va r i ou s k i nds bu t ,

fo r tu natel y o nly a fe w we r e co ns i d ere d i n a c r i tical cond i

t i o n T wo or th r ee d ied afte r bei n g r ecei ved at th e
.

h os pital Se ve r al h ad f r actu r ed sk ulls a n d seve r al oth e r s

.
,

we r e i nj u r ed i nte r nall y T h e r epo r te r tal ked w it h a

.

n u mbe r of th e pati e nts .

Roy D M oo r e a Va n dal ia f r eigh t cl e r k was fou n d

.
, ,

w i th h i s r igh t a r m b r ok e n bet w ee n th e el bo w a n d w r i s t .
220 TH E G RE AT C YCLON E .

I n th e h al l w ay d o w nstai r s was Joh n Mall oy w ho was ,

cau gh t i n t he r u i n s of th e A i r Li n e f r ei gh t h o use an d
co m pl ete ly co ve r ed He com pl ai ns of pai ns i n h i s sid e
.

a n d l eft s h ould e r
.

T h o m as D ou gh e r ty a Va nd al i a f r ei gh t cl e r k w h o l i ves
, ,

at 1 3 22 No r t h Se ve nth st r eet St Lou i s escaped w i th a,

.
,

b r u i sed h i p a n d c uts on h i s h ead .

Al T u drer w as a n oth e r sto r m v i cti m fou nd i n th e h al l

w ay H e com es f r o m Ham il to n
. and cam e to East ,

St Lou i s a fe w d ay s ago w ith C h a r l es K i n n ey of I n d i

.
,

an apol is i n sea r ch of wo r k
,
\ V h e n th ey s a w th e sto r m
.

co m i n g th ey c r awl ed i n to a n em pty box ca r T he ca r .

was bl own o ve r an d the occu pan ts bad ly b r u i sed on e on ,

th e sh oul de r a n d h ead an d th e oth e r on th e h i p .

I n an oth e r wa r d D r E T h om ps o n w as fou nd sew i ng

. .

u p a f ri gh tfu l g a s h i n Pat r i ck T r ai n e r s h ead Th e i n .

j u r ed m a n was del i r i ous a nd i m agi ned th at sev e r a l m e n

h ad hi m d ow n an d we r e beati n g h i m A cou pl e o f m e n .

we r e h ol d i n g h i m w h il e th e D octo r stitch ed u p th e w ou nd .

I n th e sam e r o o m w as Joh n M cM ahon w i th h i s sh oul ,

d e r bl ade a n d r i b b r oke n an d back i nj u r ed He cam e t o .

East S t Lou is f r o m Al to n a cou pl e O f d ay s ago He

. .

s ou gh t s h elte r w h e n th e sto r m cam e u p i n a l ittl e f r am e

, ,

h ou se n ea r th e G r e e n T r ee Hotel T he h ou se was de m ol .

i she d a n d M cM a hon s cl ot h es w e r e bl ow n f r o m h i s b od y .

H e w as c ut an d b r u i sed al l O v e r bu t n o bon es w e r e b r oke n

,
.

D e a m i e B e n de r w h o l i ves a t 26 09 \Val n u t st r eet th i s

, ,

ci ty an d w o r k s fo r th e B i g Fou r l i n e was fou nd i n th at

, ,

r oo m w i th h is feet i nj u r ed He we n t d o w n w i th th e
.

f r eigh t of ce of th at l i ne al o n g w ith a n u m be r of oth e r s

,
.
224 TH E G RE AT CYCLON E .

th e r i gh t a nkl e a d i s located sh ould e r an d seve r al b r ok en

,

r i bs H e was i n th e pa r l o r of th e h otel w i t h s e ve ral

.

oth e r s saw th e sto r m co m i n g a n d th ou gh t th e r e was n o

,

d an ge r ; th at th e b u ild i n g w as st r o n g e n ough to w ith stan d

i ts fu r y a n d m ad e n o atte m p t t o escape He was cau gh t
, .

i n th e collapse .

Wm M u r r ay was v e r y se r i o usl y i nj u r ed i nte r nal ly as

.
,

wel l as s uffe r i n g f ro m a b r o ke n a r m a n d b r ok e n l i m b ,

also a d i sl ocated h ip .

M a r y Han et w as v e r y se r iously i nj u r ed abou t th e h ead ,

a n d al s o i nte r nal l y .

J oe D u ffy a cl e r k of th e V a nd al i a Rail r oad su ffe r ed

, ,

i nte ns e pa i n f r o m a ve r y pai nful i nj u r y M D u ffy h ad .

r .

th e w h ole r i gh t s i de c r us h ed i n .

VH E N
\ M ORN IN G CA M E .

Wh en the d aw n cam e i t was possi bl e to see th e d e v as

t at i on w r ou gh t by t he s to r m i n East St Lou i s T h e sk y . .

w as cl ea r a n d th e beauty Of th e m o r n i n g st r i k i ngl y
,

co nt r asted w i th th e sce ne of des ol atio n t h at w as d is

cl osed .

O n th e r i ve r bank f r o m Kehlor s m i l l o n the s outh

,

to th e el e vato r s on t he n o r th n ot a h ouse was stand i ng

, .

Th ese h u ge st r uctu r es an d th e col d sto r age co m pa ny s
plant we r e bad ly d am aged T h e r i ve r ban k was l i ned
.

wit h w r eck s of b oats .

W it h th e r i ve r bank s as th e base th e e n ti r e t r i an gl e
,

fo r m ed by wh at i s call ed th e I slan d th e r e i s n ot a w h ole

,

h ouse stand i n g E ve n th e R el ay Dep ot h ad i ts co r ne r s

.

b r oke n a n d t w o h uge r o u nd h ouses we r e s h aved off bel o w

 TH E G R E A T CYCLON E . 225

th e tops of th e m idd l e of th e l ocom oti v es w h ic h stood

with i n th e m .

O ne b r ick h ou se stood w i th ou t on e w al l d i scl osi n g th e ,

i nte r i o r a n d fu r n itu r e exactly as th e d wel le r s h ad l ef t i t .

Th e p ic tu r es beds b u r eaus w as h sta nds ch ai r s tables

, , , , ,

and e ve n th e l a mps on th e tabl es we r e u n d istu r bed A .

r oo m or t w o of se ve r al h ouses we r e l eft .

F or th e r e mai nd e r e i th e r th e wal l s a n d r o ofs of th e

f r a me h ous es we r e fold ed togeth e r l i k e ca r d boa r d s and
lay at on th e g r ou n d or th ey w e r e b r oke n i n to k i ndli n g
wood an d w e r e scatte r ed to t he fo u r poi nts of th e com
pass T h e b r i ck houses w e r e h eaps O f bu i l d i n g m ate r i als
. .

It i s m a r vel ou s th at 1 0 pe r so ns escaped f r o m bu ild i ngs

so co m pletel y w r eck ed .

T h e I sl and o n eac h si de of th e r oad way l ooked l ik e a

, ,

vast l u m be r a nd t r uck h eap .

F r ei gh t ca r s we r e o ve r tu r n ed or w r e nch ed f r o m th ei r
tru cks an d tu r n ed com pl etely u psid e d ow n .

Ac r oss th e c r eek al th ough fe w h ouses escaped d a m age

,

and ma ny w e r e de m ol ish ed th e d est r ucti o n w as n eith e r

,

so ge ne r al n o r co m pl ete B u t i n e ve r y d i r ecti o n th e eye

.

r ested on r u i ns Wal ki n g th e l e n gt h of M i ssou r i ave n ue

.

and l ook i n g u p an d d o w n th e c r oss st r eets on e w oul d say

th at a th i r d of th e h o uses we r e w r eck ed a n d se ven te nth s -

we r e d ama ged .

15
226 TH E G RE AT C YCLON E .

TH E DEAT H ROLL .

I de nticati o n of th e d ead was i n m any cases d i fc ul t ,

an d th e l ists we r e stil l g r o wi n g w h e n th i s w o r k w e nt t o
p r ess Fol l o w i ng i s th e l atest r e v is i o n of th e sad r ol l
.

cal l i n St Lou i s M o : .
,
.

A n d r on W m F 3 8 606 S u t h S
e s ,
n t h tr t . .
, , o eve s ee .

A l tu H n r y 62 3 026 L S l l t r t
s, e , , a a e s ee .

A n d r n R i h r d 1 029 N r t h S
e so ,
n th tr t c a , o e ve s ee .

A l l n C h rl E d w r d 4 3 P l tt C ty M
e , a es a s, , a e i , O .

Al o C h rl
c or n e r 19 dd r u n k n w n
, a es, , a es s o .

Ah i l l J oh n 26 2929 M i
e rn , ri nu , , s s ou a ve e .

A h m b o A l x 4 5 C ty H p i t l
rc a ,
e , ,
i os a .

Br d h w W l l
a s a 20 923 N J ff r o n
,
nu a ace , , . e e s av e e .

B ow l r W m 28 3 28 M n t r
e , n .
, ,
o os e a v e u e.

Ben w ll F r d
a 24 J ff r ,
n d Sh n ndo h e .
, , e e so an e a a .

B o kl i
ec U l r i h 4 8 1 3 09 S u t h S
n , n th t r t c , , o e ve s ee .

B g
er t J o h n 27 24 08 S ou t h B r o d w y
ees , , , a a .

B oh l F r d 64 28 07 \Vi o i
e ,
e nu , , sc ns n ave e .

B n G r g 22 T w n ti t h d G r t i t t r t
e z, eo e , , e e an a o s ee s .

B ol m A u gu t 63 1 706 P r k
,
n s a, ,
a av e ue .

B n S yl t r 5 1 4 1 8 O h i o n u
e e, ves e , ,
av e e .

C r n r o C h rl
a e 1 9 1 41 1 P p i n
, a es, , a .

C l yp ool C r
a 67 264 1 P p i n , o a, , a .

C l yp oo l E t h l 1 0 264 1 P p i n
a , e , ,
a .

C hill M
a M r y 7 0 J ff r
,
n rs nu d P pi n
. a , , e e so ave e an a .

C r d d o k M r t i n 3 6 1 21 1 C rr t r t
a c , a , ,
a s ee .

Ch n y Em m L
e e 42 1 43 2 M i i
, ippi nu a .
, , ss s s ave e.

C r ook V V l l i m 3 3 1 6 1 1 L f y tt
,
l a , , a a e e .

C r u m p C t h r i n A 4 7 27 l 1 P r k
, a nu e e .
, ,
a ave e .

Crea m r K t F e 20 26 43 C r l i n
,
tr t a e .
, , a o e s ee .

C r i g C h rl
a ,
8 1 7 \V l t a es, a nu .

D i t r i h P t r 6 7 1 5 16 S ou t h T n t h t r t
e e c , e e , , e s ee .

D gg n R
u a 5 5 1 5 27 S o th l i gh t h t r
,
t
os e , , u r s ee .

D u n n M i h l 4 2 1 2 1 3 N r t h F ft n t h t r t
,
c ae , , o i ee s ee .

D M rt i n i S op h i
e a 1 6 4 02 S o t h T w l ft h t r t
, a, , u e s ee .

E ym n T A 4 7 3 1 29 S o t h J ff r o n
a , . n .
, , u e e s a ve ue .

E n d r C h l ott 4 0 61 6 R u tg r
e s, ar e, ,
e .

El r J
se
p
, h 3 2 G C
os e om p ny t b l , ,
as a s a es .
 TH E GR E AT C Y C L O NE .

F i sc h er F r a n k H 6 1 944 P a p i n
, .
, , .

F i
r esec k M r s C l a r a 3 0 609 H i ck or y
e, .
, , .

F i
r es e c k E s t e l l a 6 609 H i ck or y
e, , , .

F i
r e se c k E d n a 4 609 H i ck or y
e, , ,
.

F i e g l e r C a s p a r 40 3 3 1 3 S a l i n a
, , , .

G a l l J u l i u s 26 1 5 07 S u l p h u r av e n u e
, , , .

G ea rs e , J u l i a 64 1 3 06 S o ut h T h i r d st ree t , ,
.

Gi bs o n H e n r y 3 8 5 5 26 O d e l l av e n u e
, , , .

G r ay L ero y 5 mo n t h s 1 5 23 H i ck or y
, , ,

Ge g a n H e n r y R 34 S t Lo u i s H o u s e
, , , . .

G a r d e r A n n a 2 1 1 8 48 M e a r d
n , , , n .

G a r d n e r E mm a 1 1 84 8 M e n a r d
, , , .

G o Ja me s 29 3 7 1 5 C h o t e a a e n u e
, , , u u v .

G a l l a g h e r C h a s L 4 2 13 6 C l i f or n i a av e nu e
, . .
, , a .

G re g or y W m 20 1 21 3 N or t h S i x t ee t h st ree t
, .
, , n

G oo d m a n A d ol p h 4 0 1 8 16 L i st ree t, , , nn .

H e ss el J o h n 1 7 1 1 09 E m m e tt
, , , .

H e s s H a rr y 28 1 1 09 S o t h S e e n t h , , u v .

H er b er t G eo 22 M i n n e a pol i s M i
, .
, , , nn .

H el i x M r s M e l a n i e 69 S e v e n t h d R utg er
,
.
, , an

H ow e l l M r s A l i c e 27 7 1 1 R utg er
, .
, , .

H o w el l J o h n 3 5 7 1 4 R utg e r
, , , .

H o w el l I d a 7 7 1 4 R u tg e r
, , , .

H asse n f t D a n i el 7 1 1 01 4 A rm st ro ng
ra z, , , .

H or n e I s a 26 1 43 2 M i ss i ss i pp i av e n e
, , , u .

H i ck e y Ma gg i e 21 V a i l p l a c e
, , , .

H erm a n n C a t h er i n e A 5 8 3 644 C t l , .
, , as e rn a n .

H ol le m a n T ay lor c o l ore d 3 8 1 401 M s o r i

r , , , ,
i s u .

I r v i n T h om a s 65 2220C h o ut e a u av e n u e
, , , .

J o n e s R i c h a r d 3 5 28 09 E a st o n av e n u e
, , , .

Ja c o bs B er t i e E 21 1 5 10V a i l P l a c e
, ,
.
, , .

J o n e s T h o m a s C e n t r a l H om e o f R e st
, , .

K n ol l G eor g e 5 5 1 8 01 S o ut h T h i r t ee n t h st ree t
, , , .

K ue h l i g H e n r y 1 8 28 24 O re g o
n , av e n u e , , n .

K i l l i a n T h om a s 4 0 1 3 03 S o ut h S e v e n t h st ree t
, , , .

K i l l i a n H a rr y 9 1 3 03 S o ut h S e v e n t h st ree t
, , , .

K i l l i a n W i l l i a m 7 1 3 03 S o ut h S e v e nt h st ree t
, , , .

K n o b el G eor g e VV 4 3 1 3 03 S o ut h S e v e n t h st ree t
,
.
, , .

K e i m G eor g e 7 2 21 1 1 K o sc i usk o
, , , .

L a b a r J o h n 21 k i l l e d a t 1 8 19 C h o ut e a u
, , , .

L oe b le i n J o h n 4 9 9 1 6 B a r r y , , , .

L a n a h a n W i l l i a m 4 2 g a s c om p a n y s st a b le s
, , ,

.
 "E HE AT C Yt L O NE

L a n a h a n Ja me s ,B i dd l e , 26 , 2005 .

L i gon M rs J J , 5 0 23 5 8 P a r k av e n u e . .
, .

M t J
a z,
p h B el l e i l l e I l l
os e , v , .

M au c h h m F re d 63 1 3 00 S o ut h S e v e nt h
en ei er, , , .

M au c h h im M r s C a t h e r i n e 5 6 1 3 00 S o u t h S e v e n t h
en e e r, .
, , .

M a n re r , J o s ep h A 5 4 1 8 3 0S o ut h E i g h t ee n t h st ree t .
, , .

M i ll er J o s ep h J 3 0 1 5 1 0 P e n n s y l va n i a
, .
, , .

M or a gh T h om a s L 24 1 65 3 S o u t h J e ff e r s o n a v e n u e
an , , .

l T Ma l a c h i 3 4 27 4 5 C l a r k av e n u e

M D on a , .
, , .

M Gi M a r y 1 27 25 S t V i n c e n t
ve n , , , . .

N ee C h a s 35 1 5 03 C h e stn ut
, .
, , .

O a t e s T h o s 5 5 223 0O F l l

, .
, , a on .

O tt ens m i A ug 23 3 43 1 G r av o i s
e r, .
, , .

O tt en a d W i l l i a m 4 1 1 7 00S o ut h B ro a d w ay
, , , .

O st e rm a n A n n i e C i t y H o s p i t a l , , .

P l t h k \Vi l l i m 5 8 6 1 4 R utg er
a sc e , a , , .

P on i e l y W i l l i a m S e c o n d a n d C h o ut e a u a v e n u e
, , .

P opp i t z T h om a s 20 25 01 S o ut h B ro a d w y
, , ,
a .

P ro nt e Ka t h er i n e 6 7 1 5 00 S o u t h T h i r t ee nt h
, , , .

P l a n k \V l l ,
1 8 48 M e n a r d
i i ani , .

R a ff er t y J o h n 23 2223 W a s h
, , , .

R ue b k C h as
ec 5 5 1 23 6 H i g h st re e t
, .
, , .

R x M a t i l d a 5 6 7 1 6 Ba rr y
u , , , .

R u x T i n a 1 7 7 1 6 Ba rr y
, , , .

R h l g A n n a 23 21 22 G e y er av e n u e
o n , , , .

R e i s T h eo d ore 8 21 40 C h o u t e a u av e nu e
, , , .

R o d r i gu ez M r s 4 0 C i t y H o s p i t a l , .
, ,
.

S i m L F 3 7 1 7 07 P a r k av e nu e
s, . .
, , .

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,
.
, , e s o oz z .

S h b ld J l
er o 5 3 7 14 J u l i a
, o in , , .

S m i t h A n d re w 4 mo nt h s 1 5 23 H i ck or y
, , , .

S c h m a l e nb a c h H erm a n 1 7 00 S o ut h B ro a d w a , , y .

S h w d tm
c er C h a s 29 26 4 8 S t V i n c e n t av e n u e
an , ,

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,
.
, , .

S t i b f C h r i st i a n R
e n er 23 26 48 A l le n av e n u e
, .
, , .

S c h m i d t C h a s 3 7 2633 H i ck or y
,
.
, , .

S h
c uer ni g A le x 23 er, .
, .

S m i t h \Vm Q 8 2 M emor i a l H ome

, . , .

S i l va B e n j 5 5 3 04 2 L o cu st
, .
, , .

S p i l l m a n M arth a 7 3 27 1 1 P a k av e n u e
, , r .

St i ke n t A d a m 1 5 d ay s 1 622 S o ut h T h i r t ee n t h
oe e r , , , .

S d l ff C h a s 3 9 1 8 05 D ol m a n
u i o , .
, , .
23 2 TH E G R E A T C Y C L ON E .

T h e fol l o w i n g r i ve r m e n at fi r st r epo r ted m i s s i n we r e ,

0
or

fou nd to h ave m i r acu l ou s l y escaped

J a s F l a n a g a n c a rpe n t e r V i ck sbu r g
.
, .

Jos .
J o d i v er v1 n , .

L a rr y D a u er p i l o t f err y b o a t C h r i st y , .

H e n r y L e vy rem a n f err y b o a t , .

G A A S i mo n s s e c o n d c l er k O d i l l
. . .
, .

Ja s B ol a n d c a p t a i n P i ttsb r g
.
, u .

G eo T o w n s e n d c a p t a i n O d i l l
.
, .

A m on g th os e k n o wn to b e d ead a r e :
Ba r b er n a m e u n k n o w n bu r i e d u n d er r u i n s o f A n c h or H a l l
, , .

C olore d d r i v e r f o r P o l a r W av e I c e C om p a n y a t U n i o n D e po t po w er h o u s e ,
-
.

U n k n o w n t e a m st e r a t s a m e p l a c e .

U nk n o w n B o h em i a n w om a n i r u i n s a t T h i r t ee n t h a n d S o u l a r d , n .

U n k n ow n c h i ld i n ru i n s a t T w e n t i et h a n d Pa pi n , .

O sc a r J o n e s ro u st a b o ut st e a me r H o uck , , .

S ol P a r k er ro u st a b o u t H o u ck , , .

\V i l l O d ro ust a b o ut P i ttsbu r g
a en , , .

J a c o b \V d t f e rr y b o a t c l er k en , .

M I SS I N G .

T h e l ist of m iss i n g peopl e r e v ised to date is as fol

l o ws :
A r n i k a L o u i s a 3 6 y e a r s Wome n s C h r i st i a n H ome
, , ,

.

B ro u th J o h n 3 04 Nor t h F i f t ee n t h st ree t
e rs , , .

B ro w n C M 2621 S t L o u i s av e n u e
, . .
, . .

B uck M r s C a t h er i n e 7 8 y e a r s 4 368 S w a n av e n u e
, .
, , .

B r a n d e nbu r g e r C a rl 4 0y e a r s 1 8 27 P a r k av e n u e , , , .

C o n el l y J o h n S pr i ng e l d I l l
, , , .

Co i g A l p h o n s e 22 y e a r s E a rl i ngt o n Ky
on n , , , , ,

C o n r a d M a m i e 22 y e a r s J e ff er s o n Ba rr a ck s
, , , .

C ole s C h a rl e s 2 1 y e a r s 4 5 00W a s h i ngt o n av e n u e

, , , .

C oo k W i l l i a m 3 6 y e a r s 93 2 Nor t h B ro a d w ay
, , , .

D or s e y J o s ep h 23 y e a r s 4 008 E a st o n av e nu e
, , , .

D te J o s ep h 25 e a r s 1 8 28 S o ut h T e n t h st ree t
ze r , , y , .

D avI S M r s F lore n c e 1 4 1 9 B reme n av e n u e

, .
,
.

D av i d s o n S t ep h e n F r a n k l i n av e n u e
,
.

D a m a t P h i l i p 3 0y e a r s W h e a t o n
,
board ed at , , ,
405 S o ut h Secon d
st ree t .

D e ck e r J e a n 5 6 y e a r s 203 9 B i dd l e st ree t
, , , .
23 6 T HE G R EAT c w m xi .

R i l e y M r s Ma r y S e c o n d a n d P e n ro s e
, .
, .

R i d l e y Ma r y 22 y e a r s A l t o n I l l s
, , , , .

R o s e J o h n 1 9 y e a r s 24 01 S o ut h E le v e n t h
, , st ree t , .

R a ac k J o h n 5 0y e a r s S e c o n d a n d S o u l a r d st ree ts
, , , .

R i c h a r d s I d a 1 1 E s pe n sc h i e d st ree t
, , .

R ut le d ge C h a rl e s W 1 9 y e a r s , .
, .

R i h
e c h h H e n r y 3 7 y e a r s 1 8 02 O re g o n av e n u e
cn ac er, , ,
.

S c o tt J o h n S e v e n t h a n d C h o ut e a u av e n u e
, , .

S ite R ay mo n d 60y e a r s re a l e st a t e a g e n t o f P eor i a 1 1 1

n er, , , , .

S i mm o n s C h a rl e s L o f S t J o s e p h M o a dd re ss a n y i n f orm a t i o n t o
, .
, .
, .
,

S i m mo n s K el l e r a n d C a st l e S t J o s ep h M o , , .
, .

S m i t h Ja m e s H 25 y e a r s
, .
, .

S c h o ff C h a rle s A 1 5 29 N or t h S e v e n t h st ree t
, .
, .

S l lt
c i u Ka t e 29 y e a r s
er, , .

S m i t h J o h n 28 y e a r s T w e n t i e t h a n d P e n ro s e st ree ts
, , , .

S a ng e r L e n a 25 y e a r s , , .

S u r g eo n J a me s 60y e a r s , , .

St i e id C h a rl e s 1 9 y e a r s C i n c i n n a t i O
n re e, , , ,
.

S c h m i d t A ugust 21 y e a r s H e rm a n M o
, , , , .

St d l F D
ru e 23 3 8 S o ut h T w e l f t h st ree t
e , . T h i s y o u ng m a n w e n t c ro s s
.
, .

t h r i v e r j ust b e f ore t h e st orm a n d w a s u n d o ubt e d l y k i lle d

e H e l e ft .

a w i f e a n d f o u r y o u n g c h i l d re n .

T h om p s o n S W 6 1 y e a r s 1 9 1 7 N or t h G r a n d av e n u e
, . .
, , .

T err a n c e M r s M 3 6 y e a r N i n e t ee n t h a n d W a s h st ree t s
, . .
,
s
,
'
.

\Vod d l l F H e23 y e a r s 605 7 H or t o n pl a c e

, . .
, , .

W i n d W i l l i a m 4 0y e a r s
, , .

\V a r d \Vi l l i m 27 y e a r s L o u i s v i l le K y
,
a , , , .

We t ze l B er t i e , O l i v e st ree t , .

W h f i t O l g a 20 y e a r s
e r r z, , .

\V a gn er M a r y d ome st i c a t P l a nt er s H o t el
, , .

\V t k ia G eor g e c olore d 27 y e a r s S t P a u l M i n n ; st opp i ng a t 1 608

n s, , , ,
.
,
.

C a rr st ree t .

W h e ts el O sc a r 433 8 Fa i r f a x av e n u e
, , .

W l g J o h n 3 5 y e a r s 2 1 08 B re me n av e n u e
u n er, , , .

Y o un g J o h n 65 y e a r s 3 OD7 A Ma g a z i n e st ree t
, , , .

Z l j g k Fr a n k J
a i i a2 1 y e a r s 2235 M o n t a n a av e n u e
, , r .
, ,
.

Z l ] g k R o s e 27 y e a r s 223 5 M o n t a n a av e nu e
a i i a , , ,
.

M any of th e m i ss i n g we r e ce r tai nl y k ill ed a nd se ve r al ,

we r e wash ed d ow n th e r i ve r i n th e o od so th a t th e r e ,

w as l ittle ch ance to r eco ve r th ei r bod ies .

 TH E ( ll E
1

Al '
C Y C L ON E . 23 7

I D EN T I F I E D D E A D I N E AS T ST . LO U IS .

A nd re s R i c h a r d , . H u m p h re y s ,

A nd er s o n A n d re w , H ay w a r d S c o tt , .

A nd er s o n D i ck , , H a r t i g a n Wm , .

B ro w n J o s ep h C P a d uc a h Ky
, .
, , . Heine J E , . .

Be a n M
, P a t r i ck a n d d a ug h t er
I S . . H ay s J o h n a n d d a ug h t er i l a w
, ,
-
h -
,

B r uc e M r s , . M r s H ay s . .

B ree n J o h n, . H ug h e s J , .

B re w er M r s , . J o n e s M i ss R ub y , .

Ba rr M r s
, . K i ld M i c h a el
ea, .

B r uck er M i k e , . Ke n t Joh n a n d I ra h i s son

, , , .

B l a n d R o b er t
, . Kava n a ug h ,

B au m ho f A ugu st 5 6 y e a r s
e er, , , K ee f e M H , . .

k i l l e d t Gr a n i te C i ty a . K u r t z Ja c o b , .

C o n l e y R ub i e , ,
K m u M rs re , .

C orr i g a n May , . L ee M a r y, .

C le n d e n i n I re n e , . L u ck y G eor g e ,

C h a pm a n G eor g e 25 3 8 U n i v er s i t y
, ,
M u e r y, F .

st ree t . M or g a n C .

Col l i n s Ch ar l e s , . M u rr ay J W 5 23 4 R i d g e av e n u e , . .
, ,

C a rro l l C h a rle s . S t Lou i s . .

C o n n or s M r s , . M i tc h e l l J o h n , .

D i l li g M ike
an , . M C c P J
an n , . .

D ean Mrs , . M C c m i k Fra n ci s

or c , .

D ff y J o s e p h
u , . Mu rphy Fra n k J , .

E va n s M a r i a , . M C c l Ja ck d ro w n e d
au , , .

F r a n k s J o s ep h , . M C c m i k Fran c i s 32 years
or c , , .

Fl a n ag a n J i m , . M u rr ay F , .

F ree W i l l i e
, . M i h l l M i le s
e e , .

F lem i n g H , . Nu l l D r C E , . . .

Fraw l e y Fra n k , . N i c h ol a s P A C i n c i n n a t i , . .
,
.

Fra w l e y J o h n , . O B i

r enEd w a rd , .

F re i s J o h n
, . P or t er 1 N a n d s o n a g e d 1 6
, .
, ,

Fa rre l F C , . . B r i g h t o n 1 11 .

G r i f n T h om a s e x p o l i c e m a n a n d
, ,
- P re i s F A , . .

t h re e c h i l d re n . R ee d J o h n , .

G a g e M r s R o bt a n d A mo s
, . . . Rose H e n ry , .

G l d h w w a i t re ss R u ff s h o t e l R i c h a rd s o n L

a s a , .
, .

G l dd
a H e n r y a nd E mm a
ue, . Reams John , .

G r ubb Ma r t i n , . R o ss F r a n k , .

Hear n Joh n C , . R oo f M r s , .
23 8 m ( : 1t

'

Ti \ l

R i c e \V A
, . .
, H un t i n gb i r d , Ky . S i mmo n s R , . E .

Rot h e C h a s, . S m i t h \V F , . .

S t r i ck er P h i l , . S t ep p e ] S t el l a , .

Snow Sa m , . S t a t e M r s G eor g e
, . .

S ib
n e r, A me l i a . T r u m p D i y a n d Ma b e l b a b e s
, ss .

S u r b er \V l l m,
i ia . V o gt H e n r y
, .

S a g e D av i d a n d M r s
, . Vale n ti n e J oh n , .

S t o ck M r s
,
. V lkm
a A l b er t
an , .

S t r i ck e r P J , . . \Vi t n m
er Hen ry an , .

S p e l lm a n M a r t i n , . \V i t C h a rl e s a n d c h i l d
a , .

Smo k c M i ss
e, . VV l m l y P e t e r
a s e , .

Sp i k
r c H e n ry
er, . Wh i h c C apta i n J J
er, . .

S u l l i va n M r s E mm a
, . . \Vi n dle y,
S u l l i va n J o h n , . W a l d ro n M r s , . E .

S u l l i v n M r s Ja me s F
a , . .

AFTE R MAT H OF T HE C YCLONE .

Fe w peo pl e ca r r i ed cyc lo ne i n s u r an ce p ri o r to t he d i s
aste r of May 27 A pe r usal o f th e ea r l ie r pages of th is .

b ook w i ll sh o w th e r easo n w h y \Vi t hi n a week o f th at .

day m ill i o ns of d ol la r s of th i s class of r isk h ad bee n

w r itte n a n d f r o m al l appea r ances th e w o r k h ad o n l y j u st
,

com m e nced M o r e to r nad o i ns u r ance was w r itte n on D ec

.

o r ati o n D ay a l ega l h ol iday th a n i n th e e nti r e y ea r of

, ,

1 8 9 5 i n th e w h ol e State o f M i sso u r i Th e l ast O ill C i d l .

r epo r t of J ames R \Vadd i ll Su pe ri nten de n t of th e State .

,

I n s u r a nce D epa r tm en t s h o ws th at l ast y ea r s to r nad o ,

r isk s i n th e w h ole State f o oted u p o nl y 3 1 The ,

p r em i u ms am ou nted to a n d th e l osses pai d to

I t was a ve r y p r o table yea r s b us m ess fo r th e
t or nad o u nde r w r i te r s b u t th e cycl o ne i n St Lou is ate u p ,
.
 TH E G R E A T C Y C L ONE . 24 1

th e p r o ts of 1 8 9 5 an d all p r ev i ous yea r s Th e l ocal .

a gency th at s u f f e r ed m ost w as th a t of D e lae ld Snow .

It h ad on on e b u ild i n g Ce nt r al Ele vato r B

,
.

Th e st r uctu r e was d a maged ove r t he p o r ti o n

above th e b i n wal ls b ei n g w r eck ed T h e m ach i ne r y o n th e
.

u ppe r oo r s w il l h ave to b e r epl aced Luck i l y fo r th e .

U ni ted El e v ato r Com pan y th e r e was n o g r ai n i n th e el e

,

v at or at th e tim e of th e sto r m T h e com pan y o w n ed te n

.

el e vato r s b ut th e on ly to r nad o i nsu r ance i t ca r r ied w as

,

on Ce nt r al B Ni n e of t h e te n w e r e damaged b y th e
.

sto r m th e Ve n ice el e vato r bei n g th e e xcepti o n

,
A pa r t .

of th e r oof of th e m ai n h ou se of th e East St Lou is .

el e vato r was bl ow n off th e en gi n e h ou se a n d bo ile r

,

h ouse w r eck ed and an add itio n to th e el ev ato r pa r tl y

,

dest r oy ed .

T h e g r ai n was t r ansfe r r ed to th e Me r ch a nts el e vato r .

Th e Val ley el e vato r w as p r acticall y d est r oyed Ce n t r al .

as al r ead y stated was a total w r eck ab o ve th e b i n

,

wal l s i ncl ud i n g th e m ach i ne r y i n th e u ppe r oo r s and t h e

, ,

r ive r h o use was co m pl etely w r ecked T h e r oof a nd s m o ke .

stack of Ce nt r al A w e r e b lo w n d o w n Th e r oof a nd
. .

sm okestack a nd a co r ne r of th e b u i ld i ng of th e Un i o n
D epot ele vato r a r e bl ow n a way A pa r t of th e r oof
.

and th e s m o kes tack of th e St Louis elevato r we r e .

bl ow n away an d th e wa r eh ouse i s al m ost a total

,

w r eck Th e U n i o n el e vato r h ad its r oof bl o w n off

.
,

and co r ne r bl ow n off th e cu pol a and th e r i ve r h o u se and

con vey o r b adl y d amaged All ab ov e th e b i n wall s of
.

th e Ad vance el e vato r was a w r eck an d th e m ach i ne r y on

,

th e u ppe r oo r s i s d est r oy ed an d th e e ngi ne a n d bo il e r

16
24 2 TH E G REAT C i c L oNE .

h ou se w r eck ed Th e u ppe r pa r t of th e r i ve r h ouse of th e

.

Me rch a n ts el e vato r i s bl o w n a way .

INSU R A NC E c on P ANr s L O SS E S .

T h e $ 4 5 000 i ns u r ance o n Ce nt r al B w a s d i v id ed ab ou t
,

equal l y am on g th e R oyal of Li ve r pool ; Aetn a Nati o nal

, ,

a nd Ha r tfo r d of Ha r tfo r d ; a n d H om e Niaga r a a n d

, ,

G le n s Fal l s of Ne w Yo r k
,
St Lou i s h as fou r oth e r el e
. .

v a t ors B u r l i ngto n

Fa r m e r s R oge r s an d Te r m i n al
, ,
.

O nl y th e Te r m i n al w as d amaged and th at on e n ot ,

se r i ously T h e l oss i s co ve r ed b y to r n ad o i ns u ra n c e
. .

Th e R oge r s h as to r nad o i nsu r ance b u t th e oth e r s h a ve ,

n o s uc h p r otecti o n as et
y .

T h e i n su r a nce co m pan y th at s uffe r ed t he m ost f r o m th e

sto r m w as th e C o nco r d ia of M i l wau k ee I t was r epo rted
, .

i n l ocal i nsu r a nce c i r cl es th at th e sto r m w oul d cost th e

Conco r d i a ful l y $ 5 0 000 b u t acco r d i n g t o F r an k T om
, ,

b r id ge t he co m pany s ge n e r al age n t h e r e i t w i l l n ot e x
, ,

ce e d $ 3 0 0
,
00 M r T om b ri dge r ece i ved a teleg r am f r o m
. .

th e p r esid e n t of th e C o n co r d i a to pay all cl ai m s at o nce

th at of M r E s c hr i ck fo r d am a ges to h i s sto r e o n
.
,

G ra n d a n d G r av oi s ave n ue and settl ed te n oth e r s T h e .

pol ic ie s on wh i ch th e w il l be paid foo t u p 3 25 0 ,

000 F r o m Feb r u a r y 1 u p to th e sto r m M r T om b r idge

. .

w r ote a nd i n th e th r ee d ays fol l o w i n g i t ov e r

H e r el ates se ve r al i nte r esti n g i ncid e n ts c on nected w ith

h i s r ece n t to r nad o b u s i ness Te n d ays a go M r O tte n a d
. .
,

a me rch an t i n F r ench to w n too k ou t a to r n ad o pol i cy on

,

h i s sto r e \Vedn es day th e b u il d i n g w as w r ecke d and

.
,
24 4 TH E G REAT C Y C LO N E .

Geo I ) Cape n C O pl aced

. . . o f t o r nad o i ns a r

a nce s i n ce th e sto r m w ith th e Hom e a nd P hte n i x of Ne w ,

Yo r k a n d th e Sp ri n g fi eld of Massach u setts

, ,

We w e r e

u p l ate l ast n i gh t w r iti n g p ol ici es sai d on e of th e m an a
,

ge r s t w o d ays afte r th e to r nad o

\Ve u sed u p a ll th e
.

bl a nk p ol ici es i n th e o ffi ce an d h ad to teleg ra ph for m o r e

, .

B efo r e th e sto r m o u r to r nad o bu si n ess w a s al m o s t e xcl u

si vel on r esid ences T h e n e w b us i ness i s la r gel y o n bus
y .

i n ess h ou ses and th ei r co nte nts A good ma ny stabl es

.

a r e al s o bei n g i nsu r ed a nd co n sid e r able h ou se h ol d fu rn i

,

tu r e Peopl e l au gh ed a week ago w h e n w e asked t h em

.

t o ta ke ou t to r nad o i ns u r ance No w th ey a r e r ush i n g t o

.

get i t \ve w e r e t r eated ve r y n icel y by th e sto rm

. Ou r .

pol ici es a r e m ostl y i n th e West E nd w h e r e ve r y l it t l e ,

d am a ge was d o ne O u r l osses wil l n ot foot u p m o r e th an

.

I N D I R E C T L O SS E S .

B ecau se th e to r n ad o r u i ned m a ny
m i l ls an d fact o r i es a ,

l a rge n u m be r of m e n w il l be out of e m pl oy men t for w eek s

and m o nth s C h il d r e n and m oth e r s w il l wan t because
.

t h e i r p r o v ide r s a r e i d l e an d st r o n g w i l l i n g m e n w i l l weep
, ,

because th ey can n ot feed h u n g r y m on t hs H ow m an y m e n .

h av e bee n d ep r i ved of th ei r o ppo r tu n i ty to ea r n a l i vel i

h oo d can n ot b e stated w ith an y d eg r ee of accu r acy b u t ,

th e m aj o r ity of th e m a r e sk ill ed w o r k m en wh o h ave m ad e

good w ages and had accustomed th em sel v es an d th ei r
fam il i es t o s o me of t he l u xu r ies of l i fe .

T r u e th e r e i s a s i l ve r l i n i n g to th i s cl oud
,
Hu nd r e ds .

of l abo r e r s a r e be i n g em pl oye d to cl ea r away t he d eb r i s

 24 8 TH E G R E AT C YC L O NE .

w al l , for t he i nte r ested pe r so n s a r e k eepi n g a sti ff u ppe r

l i p i n th e h ope th at th ey ca n w ith sta n d th e m e r ca ntile
c vclon e th at i s fo r m i ng a nd t o th e c r ed i t of w hol esale
,

h ouses m any of th e m a r e oe ri n g e xte nsi on s w ith o u t b e

'

i ng asked O n e ci ga r sto r e o wn e r n oti ed hi s s u ppl y

.

h ouse h e was as p oo r as th e d ay th at h e w as b o r n He .

r ecei ved by m esse nge r a r ecei pt i n ful l fo r th e am ou nt of

h is i nd ebted ness w i th a n oti ficati o n th at as s oo n as h e
,

coul d op e n u p agai n i n a n y w ay h i s sto r e woul d be stock ed

,

fo r hi m on a n y te r m s of c r ed i t h e d es i r ed .

Al l was l ost save h on o r n o n ot qu i te Th e r epu
,
-
,
.

t at i on for h o nesty w h ic h th e s uffe r e r h ad ea r ned fo r h i m

self w as s u ffi ci e nt capi t a l for h i m to co m m e nce b usi ness
,

on agai n .

S U FF E R I N G M E CH A N I CS .

Th e n u m be r of m e n th r o w n ou t of w o r k can n ot be
esti m ated b u t i t c e i t a i n ly r u n s fa r i nto th e h u nd r ed s i n
,

excess of th e n u m be r e m pl oyed t o cl ea r a way th e r u b b ish

a nd r epai r th e d amage .

Th e l a r gest n u mbe r of m e n n ow i d l e on accou n t of th e

da m a ge d on e o n e conce r n i s th e fo r ce of 25 0 fo r m e r l y
em pl oyed by th e St L ou i s R ef r i ge r ato r a n d Wood e n
.

G utte r C O . Th e facto ry of th i s co nce r n at Mai n st r eet ,

a nd Pa r k ave n u e w as b u r n ed an d i s a h eap of r u i n s
, ,
.

I t w il l b e a l on g ti m e b efo r e O pe r ati o n s can be r esu m ed ,

an d a s yet l ittl e ha s bee n d o ne t o r ecove r f r o m th e bl o w

as t h e adj u stm e n t of t he fi r e i n s u r a nce i s p r ov i n g a
ted i ou s t ask Eve ntually b us i n ess w il l be d o n e on th e
.

same scal e 1 8 o f yo r e fo r th i s com pa ny i s rat e d v e ry h igh

,
.
 TH E G RE A T C YCL O NE . 24 9

by th e m e r ca nti le age nci es an d i s b el iev ed t o b e t he l a r

,

ges t and st r ongest co nce r n of th e k i nd i n th e cou nt r y .

Its r ecen t o r d e r for feet of l u mbe r i s

talk ed of by k i n d r ed conce r n s as th e la r gest co ntr act of
th e so r t e ve r m ade Th e 25 0 pe r so ns e m pl oyed i n th e
.

facto r y o f th e St Lou is R ef r i ge r ato r an d Woode n G u tte r

.

Co we r e en gaged i n mak i n g e v e r yth i n g f r om a n eed l e
.

to a n a nch o r .

Th e St Lou i s Stea m Fo r ge an d I r o n Wo r ks bette r

.
,

k n o w n as M cD on ald s Fo r ge at Mai n a nd M il le r ,

st r eets was bad ly d am age d by th e sto r m U p to l ast

, .

\Ve d n e s da y e ve n i n g i t gave w o r k to se ve nty m en Now .

te n me n a r e e n gaged i n cl eani ng a n d r epai r i n g Th e .

com pa ny ex pects to be i n s h ape i n ab out th r ee w eek s or

a m o nth .U n ti l th e n s i xty m e n w il l b e i n i d len ess .

Wh e n a r ep o r te r called at th e offi ce of t he U n i o n I r o n
and Fou nd r y C o Seco n d a nd B a r r y st r eets g r ou ps of
.
, ,

wo r k me n we r e sta nd i n g on th e co r ne r s T h ey h ad v is i .

ted th e sh o p to get th ei r pay an d th ei r tool s Si m il a r .

sce n es a r e t r an s pi r i n g d ai l y ab ou t m a n y l i ke places .

Th e m e n g ot th e w ages w h ich th ey ea r ned p r i o r to th e

sto r m an d th ey l ook ed at th e m o ney w ith a k n o wl ed ge
th a t i t m ay be th e l ast th ey w i ll r ece i ve fo r so m e ti m e .

T h e Un i o n I r o n Fou nd r y Co h ad 1 00 m e n i n i ts .

sh ops Th ey h a ve b ee n i d l e s i nce
. .

T E LE GRA PH C O MP A N I E S O VE R V
VO R K E D .

Th e sto r m s h ut off all teleg r aph i c co m m u ni catio n b e

twee n S t Lou i s a nd th e outs id e w o r ld fo r h ou r s a nd
.
,

he nce t he r epo r ts p u bl ish ed i n oth e r ci ties of th e exte nt

25 0 TH E G RE A T CY C L O NE .

of th e cal am i ty we r e w il dly exagge r ated I t w as th e .

g r eatest d isaste r o f th e ti m e b u t St Lou is bei ng a c ity

,
.
,

of i nh ab ita nts a nd h avi n g o ve r s i xty squ a r e

m i l e s o f te r r i to r y coul d n ot by a ny poss i bi l i ty b e bl ot
,
.

ted O ff t h e m a p by a to r nad o Ye t s uc h w as f r eel y
.

an n ou nced an d o n e i magi nati v e w r ite r place d th e l oss of

,

l i fe at Tel eg r am s a nd cableg r a ms of i n qu i r y
cam e i n c o nsequ e nce f r om al l pa r ts .

Asi d e f r o m th e actual sto r m d amage su stai ned by th e

tel eg r aph co m pan ies th ey we r e i n a n a b sol utel y pa r alyzed
co nd i ti o n u p to th e fol l o wi n g S u n day .

E v e n h ad n ot a s i ngl e w i r e of th e tel eg r aph co m pan i es

bee n dest r oyed b y th e to r n ad o th ey co ul d n ot h av e ha n
,

dle d th e i m m e ns e v ol u m e of b u s i ness th at was t h r u s t u po n

th e m .

E ve n h ad th e i r a r m i es of O pe r ato r s b ee n m ul ti pl ied by
te n e ve r y i nst r u m e n t cl ick i n g co nstantly an d t he a r m v
, ,

of m esse nge r s bee n m ul ti pl ied b y an d th e w h ol e

fo r ce w o r ked n i gh t a nd d ay th e am ou n t of b usi ness c r e
,

ated by th e sto r m coul d n ot h ave bee n p r o m ptl y h a nd led .

W ith i n a n h ou r afte r th e to r nad o b r ief bulleti ns w e r e

se nt o ve r th e o ne or tw o w i r es r e mai n i ng i n w o r k i ng
o r d e r to th e o utsid e ci ties a n n ou nci ng th at a te r r i bl e sto r m
h ad t r uck St Lo u i s At t h at ti m e i t w as i m possi b l e to
s . .

pa r ticul a ri ze fo r t he e xte nt of th e d am a ge was u nk n o wn

, .

T h ese b r i ef b ul l eti ns w e r e r e peated al l ove r th e Un ited

States a nd cabl ed to all pa r ts of th e ci vi l ized w o rl d Th e .

afte r n oo n pa pe r s o f Ne w Yo r k C h icago C i nci n nati Sa n

, , ,

F ra ncico Ne w O r l ean s B osto n a nd oth e r l a r ge citi es i s

, ,
.

s ued ext r a ed iti o n s . Th ey h ad n o d efi n ite i nfo r mati o n at

 T nE G R E AT C Y C L ONE . 25 3

h a nd a n d th ey r el ied o n th e i m agi nation of th ei r

,

w r ite r s .

Th ese p u bl icat i o ns w ith th e i r exagge r ated r epo r ts we r e

sol d on th e st r eets l on g afte r m id n i gh t w it h th e r esul t
,

th at al l St L ou i sa n s ab r oad a n d th ose r es id e nts of oth e r

.
,

ci ties i n th i s cou n t r y an d fo r ei g n l an d s w h o h ad r el ati ves

,

o r f r ie nd s i n th is ci ty r u sh ed to t he n ea r es t tel eg r aph office

,

a nd sta r ted m essages of i nqu i r y H u nd r ed s of th ou san d s

.

of St L ou i sa n s i n th i s c ity w h ose r st th ou gh t afte r

.
, ,

t h ei r o w n s afety w as assu r ed w as to r eass u r e f r i e nd s an d

,

r el ati ves ab r oad of t h ei r escape h aste n ed to th e tel eg r aph

,

o f ces an d l eft f r o m o n e to ft y m ess a ge s to b e se nt s u b ,

e ct to th e del ay w h ic h th ey k n e w woul d be e x pe r ie nced

j .

No c i ty i n th e w o r l d i n p r opo r ti o n to its p opu l ati on

, ,

h as bette r teleg r aph i c faci l ities th a n St Lou i s B u t th e

. .

sto r m h ad bl o w n d o w n t h e w i r es a n d sti ll ed th e i n st ru
me nts a nd fo r a fe w h ou r s St L o ui s w as V i r tu all y i n a
,
.

wo r l d t o i tsel f T h ou sa n ds on top of th ou sa nd s of m es
.

s a ges we r e stacked u p h e r e to b e se nt an d as g r eat a ,

n u m be r w e r e led i n oth e r citi es for St Lou is del i ve r y

. .

I n add iti o n t o th e p r i vate tel eg r am s i n qu i r i n g ab ou t

f r i e nd s an d i n r eply t o que r i es m any s peci al n e wspape r
co r r es po nde n ts h ad con g regated i n th e c i ty an d t o a ,

g r eat exte nt th ey m on opol ized t he w i r es w ith s pecial s to

th e i r pape r s F r id ay n i gh t n ea r l y
. w o r d s of
special tel eg r am s we r e se n t by th ese co r r es po nde nts .

I n th es e h u nd r ed s of th o usand s of p r i v ate m essages ,

bu si nes s was al m os t a tab o oed s u bj ect O n e ope r ato r.

kept accou n t fo r a gi ve n ti me o f m essages r ece i ved b y

hi m . O f th e se ve n ty tele gr am s h e h a nd led si x ty eigh t ,
-
 TH E G R E AT C Y C L ON E .

w e r e i nqu i r i es f r o m r el ati ves a nd f r ie nd s Th e oth e r tw o

.

we r e of a bu s i n ess n atu r e .

A t th e P o st ofc e th e co nd iti o n s w e r e al m ost as b a d as

-

w it h th e tel eg r ap h c o m pan ies .

W h e n th e g r eatl y ex a gge r ated r e po r ts we r e b ulleti n ed

O v e r th e co u nt r y,
th ou sa n ds of tel eg r ams pou r e d i nto th e
city T h ey came i n such a qu anti ty th at th e tel eg r aph
.

co m pan ies w e r e po we r l ess t o d el i ve r th em an d all day ,

T h u r sd ay an d F r id ay th e te l eg r ap h com pan ies pu t 2 ce nt -

s tam ps on th e e n vel opes a nd d u m pe d th e m b y th e b ush el

i nto th e post offi ce fo r del i ve r y T h e w i r es w e r e w o r k i ng
.

s o b ad ly th at n ea r l y all th e r e pl ies we r e se nt b y m ai l a n d ,

th i s i nc r eased th e b u l k of t he matte r full y 1 00 pe r

ce nt w h il e th e fo r ce was d i m i n i s h ed n ea r l y 25 pe r
.

ce nt .

T h e tel eg r am s w e r e gi ve n t h e p r efe r e nce a nd we r e se nt

out as r apidl y as p oss ib l e \Vhi le th e b u si ness m ai l i a
.

c r eased g r eatl y th e a m o u nt O f m iscel l aneou s l ette r s si m

pl y flood ed th e o ffice a nd th e ca r r ie r s we r e al l ove r
l oad ed .

Th e g r eatest i nc r ease i i i bu l k was i n th e ne w s pape r s se nt

th r ough th e mai ls F r o m th e ne wspape r offi ce s th e i nc r ease
.

was o nl y abou t 1 5 o r 20 pe r ce nt B u t th e peo pl e al l

.

o v e r th e city fel t th emsel ves p o we r l es s t o d esc r i be th e

sto r m i n l ette r s a nd th ey se nt th o usa nds of ext r a pape r s
t o th ei r f r ie nds a l l O ve r th e w o r l d T h e l ette r b oxes all
.

o ve r th e ci ty w e r e p il e d h i g h w i th th es e pape r s T h e .

vol u m e of th is k i n d of m atte r j u mpe d u p f r o m a n ave r

a ge o f 6 00 pou nd s pe r d ay to a nd
pou n d s
25 6 TH E G R E AT C Y C L O N E .

T h ey we r e al l to o b usy to m ou r n l onge r and a m o r e ,

ch ee r ful feel i n g p r e vai led A St Lou i s Sta r r e po r te r
. .

passed se ve ral w o me n w h o w e r e si ngi ng as th ey s to od

gua r d o ve r th e good s w h ic h th e m al e m e m b e r s of th e
f a m il y we r e r escu i n gf r o m th e d eb r i s of fal le n wall s .

T h e l i n e m e n wo r k ed i nd ust r i ousl y d ay a n d n i gh t c ut
ti n g d o w n a n d coi l i n g th e b r ok e n w i r es wh ic h h u n g ,

ev e r y w h e r e s o th at th e st r eets we r e n o l on ge r s na r es
,

fo r th e u n w a r y O u t J effe r s o n a ve n u e each h o useh ol d e r

.

see med to h a ve co nsti tuted h i m s el f a m e m be r of th e st r eet

cl ean i n g b r igad e a n d o r d e r r ap id l y su cceeded th e ch aotic
,

s tate w h ich h as p r e v ai led afte r th e cycl o ne At .

h al f a d oze n h ou ses w o r k m e n w e r e e ngaged tea r i n g d o w n

u nsta b l e wal l s s o th at th e w o r k of r eco nst r u cti o n cou ld
be r es u m ed I n f r o nt o f a sto r e a pa r ro t i n a batte r ed
.

cage h i s feath e r s d i sh evel ed a n d p os s e ss i n g a ge ne r al

'

appea r ance of a h a r d l uck tal e w as n ois il y scold i n g th e

,

w o r l d fo r goi ng aw r y H is i nd i gna nt p r otestati on s ove r

.

h i s i ll t r eatme nt cau s ed a s m il e to i ll u m i nate m an y a ca r e

-

w o r n c o u nte n a nce At 23 1 0 Hi cko ry st r eet a goat w h ich

.
,

so meh o w s u r v i ved th e s to r m was t r yi n g t o b utt a way th e

,

b r ick s w h ic h h ad co v e r ed i ts l ittl e d o m i cil e i n M r J oh n .

P E wa rt s back ya r d
. .

I v e h ad d i n n e r a n d I guess th e w i fe w il l h av e a b it

fo r s u ppe r s o w h at s th e use w o r r yi ng r ema r k ed He n r y
, ,

O ldha us ch ee r il y as h e sc r a pe d th e m o r ta r off th e
,

b r i ck s of h i s falle n h o use o n R utge r st r eet s o as to p r e ,

pa r e fo r r ebu ild i n g .

W h e r e th e r e w e r e n o i nj u r ies s ustai n ed th e w o r k i n g
eopl e i n the s i d e st r eets tak e t he calam it y m uc h m o r e
p
26 0 ME G R EAT Ci

s pecial t r ai n conti n ued to a r r i ve at s h o r t i n te r val s

s .

Each t rai n was l o ad ed t o i ts ful lest cap a city a n d i n sh o r t

o r de r th e m id way l o we r a nd u p pe r si tti ng r oo m s of th e
,

stat io n becam e c o nge s ted Ne ve r be fo r e i n t he h i sto r y

.

of th e U n i o n Stati o n h ad s uch a l a r ge c r o wd asse m bled

.

th e r e e xcept o n th e n i gh t of its d ed icati o n Fo r t he r st

.

ti m e s i nce t he o pe n i n g n i gh t t he u ppe r si tti n g r oo m was

c ro wd ed to o ve r o w i n g I n th e l o we r s itti n g r oo m th e r e
.

was ba rel y b r eath i n g S pace w h i l e out on th e m id way

,

th e r e was n ot e ve n co m fo rta b l e stand i n g r o om .

Vie wed f r o m a n el e vati o n t he m id way seem ed a m ov

i ng su r gi n g sea of h ats F or a w h il e i n t he afte r n oo n
,
.

th e c r o wd th i n ned o ut hu t ab out 4 o cl ock th e d e n se w av e
,

of h u m a n ity su r ged bac k i nto th e stati o n a gai n o ve r fl o w ,

i n g a n d fl ood i n g th e e nti r e b u ild i n g Th e d e n se c r o wd

.

h am pe r ed pe rso n s w h o w ish ed t o go f r o m o n e pa r t of th e
stati o n to th e oth e r .

D es pi te th e co ngested co n d iti o n of th e st a ti on w h e n
e ve ry bod y was h om e wa r d b ou nd th e peopl e conti n ued to
,

pou r i nto th e pl ace i n a stead y st r eam t h r ou gh e v e r y e n

t r ance I t see m ed th at th e stati on woul d n ot h ol d a n oth e r
.

pe r s on an d y et th ous a nd s cont i n ued to a r r i v e a n d l ose

,

th e m sel ves i n t he th r on g .

O ne pugnaci ou s excu r si on ist w h o o b j ected t o h av i n g h i s

co r ns ste pped on b y an yb od y c r eated some l ittl e exci te
,

m e n t o n th e m id way by st r i k i n g a s tyli s hl v d r essed y ou ng

m an w i th t he exclam ati on G et off my co r n you d ude
, , ,
.

T h e w el l d r essed you n g m a n m ad e a n effo rt t o a ppease

-

th e citize n and fo r ced h i s w ay t o oth e a n d safe r qu a rte r s .

Th e S pl e nd id faci l ities affo r d ed by th e U n io n Statio n

 TH E GRE A T C Y C L ONE . 26 1

fo r h an dl i n g l a r ge c r o w d s we r e s e ve r ely tested S u pe r i n .

te nde nt D u n l op w as i n e vid e nce h e r e th e r e a n d ev e r y,

wh e r e gi v i n g i nst r u ctio ns t o h i s r egula r fo rce of attend

,

ants a nd ext r a co r ps of assi st a nts Stati o n Maste r J e r e J

. .

Coakl ey w as on e of th e busi est m e n a b out t he stati o n .

Upo n h i m d e v ol ved th e d uty O f su pe r i nte nd i n g t he goi n g

a nd com i n g of passen ge r s a n d th e a r r i val an d d e pa r t u r e
of t r ai ns .

Th e task of l ook i n g afte r th ou sand s of peopl e an d d i

r ec t i n
g t h e m ovem e nts of 1 0 0 r egula r and fo r ty v e s pecial -

t r ai ns i s a n a r d u ous on e M r C oakl ey e a r ly i n th e d ay
. .

fou nd h im sel f al m ost s wa m ped b y a h ost of peopl e w ho

coul d n ot or woul d n ot u nd e r stan d th at a n i n fo r m ati o n
bu r eau was i n easy r eac h I t s oo n becam e necessa r y fo r
.

th e Stati o n M aste r to l ock h is d oo r a nd p ull d ow n t he

cu r tai n of th e wi nd o w i n o r de r to atte n d t o h is r egu la r

d u t ies. Th i s i s th e b i ggest c r o w d w e h a ve e ve r

h andled sai d M r C oa kley
,
. Th e r e we r e o ve r
.

pe r so n s w h o ca m e i n o n th e e xcu r si o n t r ai ns D u r i n g th e
.

d ay w e h ave t r ansfe r r ed t o a n d f r o m St Lou is . .

At a r ough esti mate I w oul d say th at o ve r peo pl e

passed th r ough th e U n i o n Statio n to d ay Th i s i s a cycl o n e
-
.

i n t r avel .

B e r na r d W F r au e n th al Mas te r of th e B u r eau of I n
.
,

fo r mation w as p r obabl y th e b us i est m a n i a th e c ity Su n

,

day Questi o ns r ai ned i n f r o m th e m id way i n a to r r e nt

. .

Th e r e was n o r est Peop le d esi r i n g i nfo r m ati o n w e r e

.

legi o n M r F r aue nth a l was u nabl e to m ak e a n ydi m i n u

. .

ti o n i n th e l o n g l i ne o f people d esi r i n g i nfo r mati on He .

was p r o vid ed with t w o ass istants b u t e ve n th e n th e r e was

,
26 2 TH E G R E AT

no getti n g a h ead of th e c r o wd T h e m o r e h e gave a ns we r s

.

t he t h icke r t h ey see med to com e Tal k a bout h u r r i

.

ca nes and o n e th i n g a n d a n oth e r r e m a rk ed F r auenth al to
,

a f r ie nd ,
bu t th is i s h u r r ica n e cycl o ne to r nad o al l i n
, , ,

one . T h e da v was t he l i ve li e s t e ve r s pe nt by t he pe rs on s
w h o d is pe n se i n fo r mati o n t o th e t r a vel i n g pu bl ic I t is .

esti mated b y M r F rau e nth al that fully

.
qu esti on s

w e r e a s ked a nd a ns we r ed S u nd ay at th e B u r eau o f I n for

ma t i o n
.

\ NO I I I E R
'
D I S A S T E R NAR R O l VL Y

Th e r e w as a ti m e at U n i o n Stati o n w h e n for a fe w ,

m o m e nt s i t l ooked l i ke th e c ity w a s t o be v isited b y

,

a n oth e r calam ity i nd i r ectl y b r ou gh t a b ou t by th e m o r e

,

te r r i b le catast r o ph e o f a fe w n i ghts ago A j ell y l ike .

-
,

squ i r m i ng mass of w o r n ou t h u ma n ity w as pack ed and

j am m ed i n th e Mi d way passage A nd th at pas s a ge w i th .

i ts i m mense a r ea of squ a r e feet was p r actically ,

i m pas s abl e \Vom e n coul d be see n s i tti n g on top of

.

Un ited States m ail b oxes to w h ich pl aces of safety th ey

,

h ad b ee n r aised by r el ati ves o r f r ie nd s Fam il ies we r e .

fo r ced apa r t ; w o me n w e r e c r yi ng Th e r e was n o r oom .

i ns id e th e bu il d i n g T h e s paci ou s w ai ti n g r oom s d o w n
.
-

stai r s and u p w e r e b u t a r e pet iti o n of w h at was tak i n g

pl ace al o n g th e gates a ff o r d i n g e nt r ance to th e t r ai ns .

\Vom a n fai nted Th e r e was a d a nge r of ch i ld r e n b e i n g

.

c r ush ed to d eath .

Th e r e w e r e ful l y peopl e i n th at i ncl osu r e 5 0

feet w id e a nd 6 06 feet i n l e n gth So meth i n g h ad t o be
.

d o ne t o s av e l i ves T h e j am becam e u n ma n a gea b l e

. .
 TH E GRE A T C Y CLO NE . 26 53

Th o usand s i n th e m ulti tud e h ad stood u p d u r i n g th e

n i gh t befo r e or r od e o n th e pl atfo r m s of coach es i n o r d e r

to get to St Lou is a nd satisfy a c r av i n g th at h ad go n e

.

fo r th th r ou gh ou t th e adj oi ni n g St a tes t o w itn ess th e r u i n

an d w oe th at h ad bee n left i n th e wake of th e Sto r m

Ki n g s t r ai l T h e co nstantl y i nc r easi n g gath e r i n g k ept
.

on c r o wd i n g t h ose al r ead y i n th e m i d way o pe ni n g close r

to th e bi g i r o n r ail i n g an d eve r y o ne seem ed t o r eal ize
,

that at th at m om e nt i t r equ i r ed bu t a ve r y sl igh t p r o voca

ti o n to c r eate a pani c th at w oul d b e f r au gh t w ith g r eat
fatal ity . Me n cl i m bed u p th e i r o n r ail i ng w om e n ,

sh oved bab ies th r ou gh th e l a r ge r h ol es i n th e botto m of

t he fe nce to sa ve th e m f r om th e appa r e n tl y u n avoid abl e

d isaste r .Rega r dless of r ul es of o r d e r a l l th e gates we r e

,

at o nce t h r o w n O pe n an d t he stati o n tu r n ed ov e r t o t he
,

m ul titud e .

Vi ce P r es ide nt B r ya n of th e Te r m i nal Ass oci ati on at

-
, ,

once tel eph o n ed pol ice h ead q u a r te r s th at th e c r o w d h ad

-

gotte n beyo nd th ei r co nt r ol a n d aske d th at 5 0 pat r ol me n

,

be se n t to th e statio n as s oon as p o s si bl e i n o r d e r th at
d isaste r m ay be ave r ted l n th e m ea n ti m e V ice P r esi
.
-

de nt Ram sey of t he Wabash h ad take n ca r e of th e

, ,

babi es a n d l i ttl e ch i ld r e n th at h ad bee n passed th r ou gh

th e o pe ni n gs i n t he b otto m of th e fe nce an d t he seve r al,

wo m e n w ho h ad fai nted w e r e r em o v ed to pl aces of s afe t v .

Alth ou gh t r ai ns c r o w ded to t he gua r d s h ad bee n l ea v

, ,

i n g U n io n Stati o n si nce th r ee o cl ock i n th e afte r n oon i t ,

see med th e j am was a n i nexh au sti ble o n e .

366

i n t: ( : R I C VI

(

Yt LON I

lll
'

A N " F U R I Y T H O I S AND
Nh l t l) ) CO U NT ' '

, .

By a ctual cou nt th e re w e re passe n ge r s w ho

a r r i v ed a t a n d pass ed o u t of t he gate s at th e U n i o n Sta

t i o n o n S u nd ay Out o f th i s n u m be r h o we ve r th e r e
.
, ,

w e re by a co nse r vati ve e ti m ate ab o u t

,
p asse n s
,

ge rs w ho came f r om oth e r po i nts an d f r om oth e r St a te s

.

t o go o v e r th e w r eck and r u i n i n th i s ci ty Th e oth e r .

pas s e n ge rs w e re t h ose wh o r etu r ned f r o m East St .

L o u i s on t he t r a i ns o f t he Te r m i nal A s s ociati on I t w as .

ex pected th at a n i m m e nse th r on g of peo pl e w oul d gath e r

i n th e c i ty a n d t he Te r m i nal peopl e a r r anged t r ai n s te n
,

m i n utes a pa r t be twee n St Lo u i s an d E ast St Lou i s for . .

th e be ne fi t o f th e e xcu r si o n i sts w ho w i sh ed t o v is i t both

s id es of th e r i ve r O ut of twe nty th r ee r oad s r u n n i n g
.
-

i nto th i s city v e co m pan i es al on e b r ou gh t i n by actual

,

fi gu r es peopl e Th e Wab a s h h ad th i rtee n t r ai ns

.

i n w it h fo rty s i x ca r s and b r ou gh t i n o ve r
,
-
,
excu r
s i on i s t s . T h e Balt i m o r e a n d Oh i o South weste r n h ad
se ve n t r ai n s i n wi th fty si x ca r s a n d h ad a b ou t -
,

passen ge r s V a nd al i a b r ou gh t i n
. passe n ge r s on
el ev e n t r ai ns w ith si xty ei gh t ca r s Th e B u r li n gto n
,
-
.

m a d e n o s peci all y r ed uced r ates fo r th e occasi on yet th ey ,

h ad eigh t t r ai n s i n to th e ci ty w ith th i r ty ei g ht ca r s Th e ,
-
.

Cl o v e r Leaf ha d o nl y th r ee t r ai ns i n w i th t we n ty si x ,
-

ca r s bu t t h ey ca r r ied ab ou t
,
peopl e .

T h e Lou isv ille Ai r Li n e had fou r t r ai ns w ith t wenty ,

ca rs Th ey we r e s o h o r t of passe n ge r equ i pm en t t h at
. s

t h ey h ad to b r i ng f r ei gh t cab ooses i nt o se r vice i n o r d e r

to t r y a n d h and le th e peo pl e Th e M i ss ou r i Paci c and .

I ro n Mou ntai n s vs te m b r ou gh t i n twel ve t r ai n s i n w ith se v ,

26 8 TH E C\ l
' '
t

of Lafayette Pa r k a nd t he Com pt o n l l i ll d i v i s i o n of th e
,

Li nd el l wh ic h s ki rts th e pa r k o n t he n o rt h ca r ri ed th ous
, ,

a nd s and t h ou sa nd s o f passen ge r s T h e Jeffe r s o n ave n ue

.

l i n e wh ic h was i n o pe r ati o n a s fa r s ou th a t he b r idge

,
s

ac r oss th e r ail r oad t r a ck ca r r i ed th e m by t he th ou a nd s

s
,
s
,

w h i l e o th e r s cam e o n foot i n bu ggi es w ago n s a nd

, ,

i n cabs .

F r o m b oth end s of th e city th e B r oad way cabl e h aul ed

peopl e b y t h e 200 a nd 3 00 t o th e t r ai n w ith th r ee ca r ,
-

t r ai ns r u n n i n g i n e ith e r d i r ecti o n e v e r y m i n ute i n t h e d ay

f r om ea r l y m o r ni ng t il l l ong afte r da r k .

A r o und th e p r i n ci pl e ru i ns w h e r e t h e re w as l oss of l i fe
or pa rti cul a r l y h eav y p r ope rty dam a ge th e cu r i ou s gath

e r ed t il l t h e st reets w e r e bl ocked a nd i t w as al l th e p o
,

l ice coul d d o t o kee p th e c r o wd s m ov i n g F r o m e ve r y .

st r eet and a ve n ue t h ey pou r ed i n to th e st r eets w h e r e th e

sto r m s fu r y was g r eatest a n d gazed i n O pe n m outh ed

,
-

amazem e n t at t he h o r r i d p ictu r e p rese n ted .

F r o m th e \Vest E n d r e s id e nce po rtio n o f th e t ow n th ey

cam e by th e Li nd el l o n al l o f i ts b r anch es th e S u bu r ba n ,

and t he Ol i ve st r eet cabl e i n vad i n g th e n ce th e secti o n

,

l ai d w aste th r ou gh e v e r y s t r eet aff o r d i n g i n gr ess T h e .

Lacl ed e a ve n u e a n d Peo pl e s l i nes b r ou gh t th ei r p r o r ata

f r o m th e west a n d s outh west and th e Cass a v e n u e No r th
, ,

e r n C e nt r al Mou n d City Bellef o ntai n e Un i o n Fai r

, , , ,

G r ou nds l i n es an d C itize ns l i nes fai r l y e m ptied th e pop
u lac e of th e n o r th we s t pa r t o f t he city i nto th e Lafayette

P a r k a n d B r oad way d ist r icts .

T h e c r o wd d ou bl e d iscou nted an y th at h as eve r bee n

see n at th e V eiled P r o ph et s pa r a de t he ai r o r t he i ll u m .

"
942 m u : m mr L o NE .

t ri c i ty a s a t r ol l ey sl i p ped f rom t he w i r e w ould m om e n ,

o

t a r i ly l igh t u p th e sce ne He r e a nd th e r e peopl e i tte d

.
,

ca r ry i n g lan te r n s a n d l o ok i n g l i ke st r aggl i ng l i gh tni ng

bu gs i n J u ne A s udd e n r ap of a p ol ice m an s cl u b on
.

th e s ide w al ks sta r tl ed th e passe rs by O ccas i o nally a .

gon g on a ca b le ca r w o ul d b r eak th e still ness o f th e n i ght .

S h ee t l igh tn i ng at i nte r val s l ighted u p th e easte r n sky a nd

b rou gh t ou t i nto r el ief th e f r o w n i n g r u i n s of h o me s
sto r es ch u r ch es bu ild i n gs a nd cl u bs Th e twi sted stu m p s
, ,
.

and b r oke n t r ees i n Lafayette Pa r k m ad e a gh o s tly sigh t .

Ru i ns r u i ns e ve r yw h e r e T h e r e we r e n o l igh ts s t r ea m
,
.

i ng f r o m th e w i nd o ws o f t h e m a nsi o ns o n t h e ave n u es .

Occas i o nal l y a st r aggl i ng b ea m w oul d icke r out f r o m a

h o use n ot totally w r ecked Al l was a s si le nt as i f th e
.

ci ty w as d ese r ted S uc h w as th e co nd itio n of affai rs l ast

.

ni gh t ou t i n th e r u i ned r esid e nce d ist r i ct .

Th e r e we r e but fe w peopl e o n th e st r eet s Pol ice me n .

we r e e ve r y w h e r e k eepi n g g ua r d a gai n s t th e c r o o k e d ge n
t r y O ut J e tfe rso n a ven u e coul d be see n t he icke r i n g
.

l igh ts o f to r ch es m o v i n g ab ou t as th e m e n w o r ked o n th e
r u i ns o f th e po w e r h o use at Geye r ave n ue Th is was th e .

o nl y si g n of l i fe ou t th e r e .

\ V est of Je ffe r so n av e n u e i n th e C o m pto n H il l d ist r ic t

i t w a s as s i le nt as a g r a veya r d O nce th e ti n kl i ng m us ic
.

of a pi a n o b r oke th e sti ll ness fo r a m om e n t a nd t h e n th e r e

w a s si le nce a g a i n . Th e pa r k w as d ese r ted s ave fo r th e
of ce r s at th e pol ice stati on C om i n g on d o w n Lafay ette
.

a ve n u e th e o nl y s peck of l i gh t was at th e Ph oe n i x B r e w
e r y w h e r e E n gi n e Co m pan y No 7 h as i ts tem po r a r y
,
.

qua rte r s T h e old C ity Hos pital w as d ese r ted Not a

. .
 T H E G R E AT CYCLON E . 27 3

si g n of l ife was v i sible Occas i onall y a b r ick or piece of

.

deb r is w oul d fall a n d wh e n th ey st r uck t he r u i ns belo w

,

th e c r ash wo ul d re ech o fo r se ve r al m om e nts He r e an d

-
.

th e r e l i gh ts co ul d be see n th r ou g h th e b r oke n t r ees i n th e

h ouses u ntouch ed b V th e sto r m .

O n d o w n an d th e w r eck ed Soul a r d M a r k et l oo m ed u p
i n al l its gh astl i ness O n e o r t wo m e n stood abou t
.

s wappi n g pe r sonal e xpe r i e nces an d tel l i n g of th e he r oi c

deed s th ey pe r fo r med T h e r u i n s of th e ol d I nsa ne Asy
.

lu m f r o w n ed o m i n ou sl y f r o m th e n o r t h To th e sou t h
.

ligh t was st r eam i ng f r o m th e S oul a r d Pol ice Stat i o n .

F r om u pstai r s th e ech o of a h ym n oated out i n to th e

still y ni gh t. T was a quee r state of a ffai r s D owns tai r s.

th e pol ice w e r e gua r d i n g th e offe nd e r s agai nst pu bl ic

peace an d m o r als . Upstai r s th e m e mbe r s of th e Sou la r d
Stati o n M issi o n w e r e w o r sh i pi n g thei r D ei ty As th e .

ol d h y m n Nea r e r My G od to T h ee oated out on th e
, , ,

n i gh t ai r a se r gean t cam e to t he d oo r to an s w e r a k nock .

He l iste ne d a m o me nt took off h i s h at u ntil th e last n ote

,

of th e h y m n h ad d ied a w ay th en w i th a si gh
, , r eplaced ,

it sayi n g : M ise r y m ak es st r an ge bed fel l ows
,
.

A LON G B ROAD W A Y .

Along l o w e r B r oad wa y th e r e was n ot m uc h l i fe .

T he sal oo n s we r e al m ost d ese r ted No d r u nke n peopl e

.

coul d be see n Th e cal am i ty h ad sobe r ed e ve r yo ne an d

.
,

most of th e m h ave r em a i ned s o O n t he f r o nts of th e

.

sto r es we r e l a r ge b an n e r s a n n ou nci n g g r eat sales of d am

aged s tock A r o u nd th e r u i ns of O tte n ad s b u i ld i n g a
.

c r owd of i dle r s gossi p ped of th e h ap pen i ngs of th e day :

18
27 4 TH E G R E AT C YCLON E .

O n d o w n Soul a r d st r eet to wa r d t he r i v e r th e qu i etud e

of d eath r eig ned Be neath th e r u i ns th e r e w e r e m a n v
.
,

gh astl y co r pses O ve r on Rutge r st r eet n o on e a ppea r ed

.

bu t a n offi ce r w h o s i le ntl y s u r ve ve d th e passe r by w on

, ,
.

d e r i n g w h at coul d i nd uce a nyo n e to wand e r ab ou t th at

d a r k and d esol ate pl ace Op pos ite th e old F r ench Ma r
.

k et on B r oad w ay on th e v aca nt l ot a sm al l c i r cus te nt

w as l i gh ted u p A ba n d was pl ayi n g a l i v el y ai r
. .

Th r ou gh th e te n t coul d be see n th e s il h ouettes of a fe w

pat r on s wh o w e r e wi ll i n g to si t th r o ugh th e ch i ll y t w o
h ou r s to w h il e away th e ti m e Ac r oss th e st r eet s i le n t
.
,

a n d d a r k stood th e r u i ned ch u r ch
,
.

D o w n i n th e m an u factu r i n g an d te n e m e n t d i st r ict th e r e
was n ot a si gn of l i fe All th e w r eck ed bu i ld i n gs we r e d e
.

se rt e d
. T h e Rel ief Co m m ittee h ad m oved th e te na nts to
oth e r qu a r te r s Pi l es of b r ok e n b r ick batte r ed ti n a n d
.
,

oth e r d eb r i s stil l l itte r ed th e st r eets an d it w as da n ge r ous ,

to wal k abo ut Th e Le vee w as d ead Not a r ou stabo ut n or

. .

a Le vee r at c oul d be see n At i nte r val s a t r ai n d a r ted

.

al on g th e el e vated t r acks A fe w l i g hts on th e steame r s

.

tol d of th ei r p r ese n ce wh il e th e s wol le n r i ve r r ush ed by

,

on i ts head l o n g p itch t o th e gul f .

Ac r oss i n st r ick e n East St Lou is coul d be see n m o v

.

i n g l i gh ts tel l i n g of th e acti v i ty ov e r th e r e A t r a i n
,
.

c r awl ed cau ti ou sl y o ve r th e w r eck ed E ad s B r id ge w it h a

l oad of f r ei gh t A tu g soo n afte r wa r d s cam e pu ffi n g
.

d o w n th e r i ve r d i stu r b i n g th e spel l
,
.

S wi n gi n g back agai n i nto th e w h ol esal e d ist r ict th e g r eat ,

Cu pples b uil d i n gs stood ou t i n b ol d r el ief w ith b r oke n ,

w i nd o ws a n d t w isted r oo fs Nu m e r ou s smal l bu ild i n gs

.
 TH E G RE AT CYCLON E . 27 7

i n r ui n s m a d e a d esolate sce ne i n t he st i ll ness of th e n i gh t .

Ch outeau a ve n u e was d ese r ted a nd bl ack as p r i nte r s i n k .

Pa r k ave n u e was l i ke a l o n el y cou n t r y lane Th e .

o nl y th i n g th at b r oke th e stil l n es s of th e n igh t was

t he w h i r r of th e m ach i ne r y i n th e w r eck of th e cable
powe r h ouse as i t r a n i n t h e o pe n ai r S t Vi n c e n t ave n ue
-
. .

w as l ike a r u i ned ci ty n o sou nd n o l i fe n o e xi ste nce
, ,
.

It w as l ate Th e c ity was asl eep u nco nsci ou s of th e

.
,

m i se r y th e s uffe r i n g th e w oe O f th e m o r r o w
, ,
.

B URYIN G TH E DE A D .

I n al l th e w id e w id e wo r l d th e r e n e ve r was a sadd e r
,

ci ty th an St Lou i s was th i s sad Su nd ay I t was th e

. .

d ay on wh ic h sh e b u r ied h e r d ead .

T h e r e we re 200 fu ne r al s i n St Lou i s and h e r s iste r city

.

on th e I l li no is si d e of th e tu r bule nt M iss iss ip pi n ea r l y ,

e ve r y on e of w h ich was th at of a to r n ad o v icti m .

All d ay l ong th ese m ou r nfu l co r teges w e nd i n g t h ei r ,

way si le ntl y an d tea r fu l ly to so me peaceful ce mete r y ,

we r e s ee n i n ev e r y sect io n of th e city a nd on th e a ve n u es
,

lead i n g t o t h e p r i nci pal bu r yi n g gr ou nd s o n e p r ocessi o n

fol l o wed an oth e r s o cl osel y as t o m ak e i t l ook l ik e o ne
l o ng u nb r ok e n l i ne m iles i n l e n gth
, ,
I t was n o u n u su al
.

si gh t to see t wo a nd e v e n th r ee fu ne r al s m ov i n g s id e by
s id e on st r eets l ead i n g f r o m th e d e vastate d d ist r icts and ,

such a vast co ncou r se of m ou r ne r s p r obabl y n eve r gath

e r ed i n a m od e r n city to wit ness se r v ices s o sad .

Th e scenes at s om e of th e ch u r ch es w e r e pai nful l y i m

r ess i ve and i n ce r tai n l ocal ities th e sac r ed ed i ces
p ,

see med t o h a ve bee n co n ve r ted i nto m o r gues Th e r e .

27 8 TII E G R E A T CYC LON E .

we r e fam il ies of two an d th r ee and i n on e case of ve pe r

so ns b u r ied f r o m th e sam e c hu r ch or r esid e nce I n m an y .

cases w h ol e fa m i l ie s w e r e k i ll ed a nd th e i r h om es w e r e
,

piled i nto r u b bis h h eaps i n th e cel la r s F r ie nd s an d r el

.

ati ves of th e v i cti ms gave th e m d ece nt b u r i al f r o m th ei r

ow n h o mes or f r o m u n de r tak i n g pa r l o r s n ea r th e o n ce
,

h appy h om e s of th e d eceased .

T h e p r iests i n som e of th e ch u r ch es p r each ed h al f a

d oze n fu ne r al se r m o ns d u r i n g th e day As fast as on e.

b ody was ca r r i ed f r o m th e ed ifi ce a n d th e m ou r ne r s h ad

sta r ted to fol l o w i t to i ts w i nd o wl ess pal ace a n othe r t ook ,

i ts pl ace on th e catafalqu e wh i ch w as pl aced i n f r o n t of

,

th e c h ancel r ai l on F r id ay t o r e mai n a xtu r e u ntil Mo n

d ay i n a ntici pati o n of th e n u me r ou s fu ne r al s th at m u s t
be h eld . Th e r e we r e a d ozen i nstances i n St Lou i s a nd .

East St L ou i s wh e r e the r e we r e fou r a nd ve co r pses i n

.

th e ch u r ch es r es id e nces an d u nd e r tak i ng establ ish m e nts

,

awaiti n g th e sac r ed ofces .

Moth e r s wi ves si ste r s fat h e r s b r oth e r s th e w id o w

, , , , ,

and th e o r ph an m i ngl ed th ei r sobs an d th ei r tea r s o v e r

,

l i fel ess cl ay th at u ntil Wed nesd ay s h o r r o r h ad l i ved and
m oved an d l oved .G r ief an d a ngu is h and h ea r t ach es
we r e pl ai nl y s tam ped on th e faces of th e sad eyed g r o u ps -

t hat gath e r ed abou t bie r s i n m a ny of G od s h ou ses Th e .

lam e ntati ons of th e be r eaved a n d th e s oft s weet m u si c of ,

ch u r ch ch oi r s ch a nti ng th e r equi e m we r e r ud el y d is
, ,

t u rb e d b y th e r i ng of th e m as o n s t r o wel th e ceasel ess ,

ch op ch o p of th e l i ne ma n s ax an d th e h am me r i n g of th e
,

ca r pe nte r as th e wo r k of cl ea r i ng away th e d eb r i s a nd
b r i n gi n g o r d e r ou t of ch aos we nt stead i l y on r ega r d l es s ,
28 0 TH E G RE AT CYCLON E .

SFU NE R A L S C E V E S
AD .

A m i d al l th e b ustl e th e re w e r e st r ik i n g r e mi nd e r s of
th e t r aged y of th e ele me nts a nd h ea r ses stood on se ve r al
,

th o r o u gh fa r es .

Pl ay mates wh e n th ey w e r e gi r l s cl e r ks fo r t h e sam e ,

r m and m eeti n g death l ock ed i n each oth e r s em b r ace .

M isses E m m a C h e n ey an d Is a Ho r ne we r e b u r i ed Sat
u rda No bel l s tolled as th ei r sto r m b r u i sed r em ai ns
y
-
.

w e r e tak e n to th e to m b Th e ch u r c h w h e r e th ey w o r
.

shi p e d w as le vel ed by th e same awful w i nd w h ic h blew

out th ei r l i fe l i gh t fo r e ve r T h e h ouse w h e r e th ey h ad
.

l ived s o ma ny h ap py d ays w as n ot t o w i t ness th e pay

me nt of th e l ast t r i bu te pai d by th e qu i ck t o th e d ead .

I t al s o l ay a w r eck ed m ute w i tness of th e m i gh ty powe r

wh i c h st r uck a nd spa r ed n ot at al l M is s C h e ney a nd .

M i ss H o r ne we r e cl e r ks at th e Sawye r Man u factu ri ng

C om pany s b u ild i n g No 1 8 1 9 C h ou teau av e n ue an d

,
.
,

w h e n th at b u i ld i n g w as l ite r al ly bl own to pi eces l i ke ,

m any oth e r s th ey h ad n o t i m e to escape As th ey fel t

, .

th e b u ild i n g gi v i ng way be neath th em th ey r u sh ed i nto ,

eac h oth e r s a r ms an d s o m et d eath W h en a r escu i n g .

pa r ty r each ed th e m th ey w e r e yet i n th at na l e m b r ace

,

and as th e sam e beam st r uck both th ey m ust h av e d ied

togeth e r . Th e gi r ls n eith e r was t w e nty yea r s h ad
, ,

boa r d ed at 1 5 29 M issi ssi pp i ave n u e b ut th at h ou se was ,

w r eck ed so th e r em ai ns w e r e take n t o th e r es i de nce of

,

a r ela t i v e of M iss C h e ney M r s B T H and ley 1 4 3 2

,
. . .
,

M ississi pp i ave n u e It was r st i nte nded to bu r y th e m

.

i n th e s am e g r ave bu t Wm H o r ne fath e r of M iss Isa

,
.
, ,

p r efe r r ed t o take h e r b ody to Sh r e wsb u r y a nd i nte r i t i n ,

AL O NE I N TH E R U I NS .

28 2
28 4 TH E G R E A T C YCLON E .

f r om th e h ou se wh en i t fell ca r r yi n g h i s l ittl e s on J o h n
, , ,

i n h i s a r m s A h eav y bea m st r uck h i m a gl a nci ng bl ow

.
,

k nocked th e b oy out of h i s a r m s a nd f r actu r ed h i s sk ull .

\Vi th t h e l oss of th e h o u se th e H e l w ood fam il y was

d ou bl y b e r eaved T h ey s uffe r ed t h e ch i l d at r st t o be
.

tak e n t o th e M o r gue b ut w h e n th e ne ws of th ei r l oss

,

r each ed t h e A M E c o n g r egati o n of wh ic h th ey w e r e
. . .
,

m e mbe r s m o ney w as co nt r i bu ted t o p r e ve nt th e g r i ef

,

st r i ck e n s u ffe r i n g th e add i tio nal bl o w of see i ng th ei r

ch il d b u r i ed i n th e potte r s el d Re v Joh n M a s on . .

p r each ed th e f u n e r al se r v i ce w h i c h w as h el d i n th e o pe n
,

ai r w ith r u i ns of houses on e ve r y si d e A l a r ge a ss e m b
,
.

l age of b oth w h ite an d col o r ed su ffe r e r s gath e r ed a r ou nd

th e b i e r a n d ente r ed i nto th e se r v i ces w ith h ea r tfel t sy m
pathy .

AN E A ST ST . LO UI S FUN E RA L .

A m on g th e
el i cited m o r e r eal
th at of C ity T ax
w h o we r e b u r ied
m any fu ne r al s th e r e w as n on e w h i ch
sy m path y f r o m th e ge ne r al pu bl ic th a n
C oll ecto r Dav i d S Sage a nd h i s w i fe .
,
i n a s i n gl e g r ave at St Pete r s Cem .

e te r
y .

Not o nl y th e fact th at M r S a ge stood h i gh i n s ocial .

,

pol itical an d n ancial ci r cl es b r ou gh t m an y t o s ee h is

b ie r w h o th r oug h th ose c h an n els ass ociated w i th h i m
, , ,

i n l i fe b u t th e m o r e touch i n g ci r c u msta nces o f h i s t r agic

,

and path eti c d eath M r s Sage was th e accom pl is h ed an d

. .

p r etty d aug h te r of Atto r n ey E R Dav is Sh e w as m a r . . .

r ied to th e h a nd s om e r eal es tate m a n about ve yea r s ago ,

a n d th e pai r l i ved i n a ne h o m e on Eigh th st r eet A bout .

 T H E GR E AT CYCLON E . 28 5

a yea r ago th ey r e nted th e i r r es ide nce an d a tem po r a r y

h om e w as e stabl ish e d i n th e St r i ckl e r h ou se h ol d .

O n th e fatef u l e ve n i ng th e cou pl e h ad bee n e nte r tai ned

by St Lo u i s f r ie n ds a n d r etu r ned t o th e city abou t 5
.

o clock A fe w m o me nts we r e passed at M r Sage s
. .

o f ce an d M r a n d M r s S age n otici n g th e th r eate ni n g

,
. .

cl ouds h aste ned th ei r steps to wa r ds C oll i n s v i ll e a n d St

,
.

Lou i s ave nu es As th ey r each ed th e co r ne r a n e ye w i t

.
,
-

ness s ays th ey stopped fo r a m o me nt a nd atte m pted t o

,

ente r th e f r o nt d oo r of th e g r oce r y Th e d oo r w as eith e r .

l ock ed or faste ned i n s o m e w ay an d a b r eak w as m ad e ,

for th e h all way J u st as th ey e nte r ed th e d oo r t h e awful

.

c ras h came Th e ai r was ll ed w ith y i n g m i ssi les an d

.

th e h ouse bega n t o fal l fo r wa r d T h e co upl e we r e th e n .

stand i n g i n th e l andi n g l ead i ng to th e r s t i gh t of s teps .

M r s Sage l ea ned on h e r h usba n d s a r m w h il e h e r oth e r
.
,

a r m w as h i gh u p on h i s b r east as i f s h e we r e h al f pl ead i n g
,
-

fo r fu r th e r p r otecti o n T h e r equ est was g r anted w it h out

.

ce r em on y a nd l o n g befo r e th e b u i ld i n g n al l y c r as h e d
,

M r Sage h el d h i s w ife r ml y i n h i s a r m s w h il e h e r s w e r e
.
,

as l ov i ngl y cl as ped ab out hi s neck I n th i s pos iti on th ei r .

man gl e d bod ies w e r e fo u nd an d as th i s was th e posi ti o n

,

i n w h ich th ey we r e l ast see n al i ve it i s bel iev ed th at w h e n

,

they n otice d th e a wf u l e ffect of th e sto r m u po n t h e back

pa r t of th e h ouse a nd k n e w escape w as i m poss i bl e i n an y
d i r ecti o n th ey a waited i n te r r o r and i n a ffecti onate e mb r ace
th ei r d oo m .

T h e bi g b u i ld i n g r ock ed and s wayed befo r e nall y

pl u ngi ng i nto t he s h apeless m ass for p r obabl y te n seco nds .

T h at s pace Of ti me m ust h av e appea r ed as s o m an y days

28 6 TH E G RE A T C YCLON E .

to th e pai r bu t th ey we r e s u r el y m oti onl ess d u r i n g th e

,

ti me e x tend i n g f r o m th e sto r m s r st i m pact u ntil th e
b ui ld i n g was r azed .

A I I I I E VEs
'
O PP O R TUN ITY .

Ge ntl eme n p ossessed of th i e vi n g p r ope n s i ties ocked

to St Lou is f r o m all pa r ts of th e cou nt r y to ply
.

th ei r nefa r i ous b usi ness i n th e sto r m s wept d ist ricts A n -

.

e n ti r e gan g of Ci nci n nati th i e v es a r r i ved Su n day on an

e xcu r s i o n t r ai n a n d i ts m em be r s w e r e p r om ptl y a r r ested
,

by C h i ef Des m o nd s m e n a n d l od ged beh i nd th e col d i r on
ba r s of th e cool e r a t T wel fth an d Cl a r k ave n u e T h ese .

ge ntl e m e n w e r e t r eated t o a fo r ce d stay at th e City Wo r k

h ou se an d w i l l n ot s oo n fo r get th e ex pe r ie n ce of attem pt
,

i n g t o tak e ad van tage of th e e xci tem e nt an d t he d i s or

d e r ed state of affai r s i n th i s ci ty s u bseque n t to t h e t or
n ad o T h e n am es of th e Ci nci n nat i m e n w e r e n ot m ad e
.

p ubl ic by C h i ef Des mo n d He h ad r eas o ns fo r w ith .

h ol d i n g th e m .

A n u m be r of th e l i gh t n gered gent r y f r o m C h icago

-

al so bl e w i n w ith th e sto r m T h ey e nj oyed abou t t w o .

h ou r s l ibe r ty a nd th e n kept th e C i nci n n ati f r ie nd s com
,

pany i n th e d is m al con nes of th e h ol d o ve r Nei th e r th e .

C h icago n o r th e C i nci n nati c r ook s w e r e al l ow ed to m ake

a s i n gl e s tea l Th ey we r e nabb ed al m ost be fo r e th ey
.

h ad take n a b r eath of th e e xhi le rat i n g atm os ph e r e com

m o n t o St L ou i s a n d oth e r s w h o fol l owed m et w i t h th e
.
,

sam e e xpe r i ence .

Ka nsas City an d se ve r al oth e r ci ties we r e al s o re p re

se nted at th e h old ove r I n fact th ieves f r om al l pa r ts of
.
,
 TH E G RE A T C YCLON E . 28 9

th e U n ited States we r e soo n r egi ste r ed at th at ci ty i nsti

t ut i on and f r o m p r ese nt i nd icati o ns th ey w i l l
,
r emai n
l on ge r th an th ey ex pected ; n ot f r ee h o weve r to r oam at , ,

wil l r obbi n g de m ol ish ed r esidences an d sto r es b ut con

, ,

ned beh i nd l ock e d d oo r s .

A l a r ge fo r ce of e xt r a p ol ice a n d detecti ves we r e d e

tailed at th e U ni o n Stati o n a nd th r ou gh out th e dam age d
dist r ict T hie ves we r e a r r es ted w i th ou t u n necessa r y d e
.

l ay an d se nt fo r safe k eepi n g to th e h old o ve r

-
Ch i ef of .

Detecti ves Des mo nd we nt t h r ou gh th e w i nd s wept l ocal i -

ties e ve r y ni gh t a n d th e B oa r d of Pol i ce Co m m issi one r s

,

met i n sess i o n dail y c o ns id e r i n g meas u r es to p r otect t h e

,

p r ope r ty of sto r ek eepe r s and citize ns w h ose b u ild i ngs

we r e d amaged .

I NC I DENT S OF T HE C Y CLONE .

NAR R O W E S C A P E S D E E D S O F H E ROI S M R E CORD S O F D I S A S T E R

, ,

AND D E S O L A TION .

T h r il l i ng and m i r acul o us escapes d u r i n g th e sto r m we r e

nu me r o us bu t t h a t of Geo r ge A S i m o ns seco nd cl e r k of
,
.
,

the l ost steam e r J J O di ll i s special l y wo r th y of n ote

. .
,
.

M r S i m ons a n d Fi r s t C le r k W S W ood s we r e i n t h e
. . .

cabi n wh e n t he sto r m st r uck T h e boat was to r n f r o m .

the w h a r f b y t h e fu r y of th e s to r m an d w h e n i n m i d ,

st r eam was st r uck b y th e L ibb i e C on ge r an d o ve r tu r ned .

W h en th e c r as h cam e M r W oods call ed t o h i s com pan

.

19
 TH E G R E AT C YCL O N E .

i on , Sa v e yo u r s el f Geo r ge t h e boat s go n e a n d t h ose
, , ,

we r e th e l as t w o r d s e ve r u tte r ed by th e u n fo r tu nate r st
cl e r k as at th at i nstan t th e boat o ve r tu r n ed a n d we nt to
,

th e botto m M r S i m ons cam e t o th e su r face e n tan gl ed

. .

i n w r eckage an d d r aw i n g a l o n g b r eath d i ved u n

, ,

d e r th e w ate r agai n th i s t i m e com i n g u p cl ea r of th e

,

w r eck . He th en s wa m to s o m e w r eck age w h ic h h e r ec og

n i ze d as pa r t of th e cabi n of h i s boat a n d i n a n ex h aust e d ,

cond iti o n pu ll ed h i m sel f on top and oated d ow n th e

st r ea m .

A bo ut th e fo ot of C h o uteau av enu e h e passed a s t eam e r

w h i ch h e r ecogn i zed as th e Ha r bo r B oat a n d i n e n dea v ,

o r i ng t o get on b oa r d h e l ost h i s hol d on th e p o r ti o n of

t h e cabi n wh ic h h ad b ee n h i s s u p po r t a nd n a r r o wl y c s ,

caped be i n g r u n d ow n H e th e n came i n con t act w i t h a

.

log w h ich h e m a naged to get ast r id e of a nd conti nu ed

, ,

h i s pe r i lo us t r i p do w n t h e r i ve r S h o r tl y afte r th i s he
.

passe d th e Bal d Eagle b u t co ncl ud ed to stay w it h th e

,

l og r ath e r th a n agai n r i sk h i s l i fe t r yi n g to get o n b oa r d ,

as h e was n ow i n a v e r y ex h au sted c o nd iti o n a n d ch ill ed

by bei n g i n th e wate r .

Fu r th e r d ow n h e pass ed m o r e b oats th e n am es of w h i c h ,

he c oul d n ot see A n d afte r two h ou r s a n d a h al f h e was

.

r escued at A r se nal I sl a nd fou r m il es f r o m w h e r e h e

,

sta r ted by tw o m e n i n a sk i ff w h o l a nd ed h i m on th e
, ,

i sl an d m o r e dead th an al i ve M r S i m o ns says h e was . .

bl own d o w n st r ea m a d istance a nd th e n back agai n u p

st r eam o nl y t o oat d ow n agai n d u r i ng th e ne xt l ul l i n
,

th e w i nd a n d i n th i s way co ns u m ed two a nd one h al f

,
-

h ou r s m ak i n g th e t r i p of fou r m i les He l ay sca r cely .

29 2 TH E G R E A T C YCLON E .

s u m m e n tion ed a nd th e sl i m pack age of pape r s seem su r

p ri s i n l
gy s m a l.l W h il e i t i s n ot as y et kn o wn th at t he

r e m ai ns w e r e tam pe r ed w i th th e ci r cu m stan ces decid ed ly

,

gi v e col o r to th at su pposi ti o n .

T h e fact t h at a d ay a n d a h al f we r e al l owed to elapse

befo r e th e b ody was m ov ed f r o m t h e r i v e r ban k s peaks
fo r i t sel f .

As s oon as th e i d e ntity w as m ad e cl ea r by h i s pa pe r s ,

tel eg r am s w e r e se nt to th e fam i l y of d eceased a n d t o th e

K r e n n i n g Glass Com pa ny of 8 20 and 8 22 No r th Fou r th
st r eet w i th wh o m M r Fisch e r was on cl ose bu si ness and
,
.

f r i e n dly r el at i o ns .

T h e K r en ni n g Glass Com pan y at once n otied th e

au th o r i ties at Col u m b ia t h at a ca sk et w oul d be se n t as
fast as a w ago n a n d te am coul d get th e r e th e r ail r oad ,

r ou te be i ng tem po r a r il y bl ock ed I n t h e m ean ti m e t he.

son of d eceased accom p an ied by a f r i e nd p r oceed ed to

, ,

Col u mb i a h ad th e r emai ns d isi nte r r ed a n d pe r so nall y

,

id e nt i ed th em T h ey th e n l eft fo r St Lou is to pu r ch ase

. .

a ca ske t . Fo r tu natel y th ey r st called on th e K r e n n i n g

Gl ass C o mpany w h o h ad al r ead y fo r w a r d ed th e cask et
, ,

ot h e r w ise d u pl icate coi n s woul d h av e bee n bou gh t .

FO R H IS LIFF
Had n ot F r a nk C u r r y a sm all boy of 1 4 yea r s been
,

a good s w i m m e r h e d ou btl ess w oul d n o w be at th e b ot

,

t om of th e r i ve r w i th ma n y ot h e r v i cti m s of th e cyclone .

Th e b oyw as tak e n to th e old Hou se of th e G ood S hep

h e r d w ith a se ri ouslyi nj u r ed r i gh t a r m He tol d a r e ma r k .

abl e sto r y of h i s escape He was sta nd i n g o n a coal

.
NE W l 2
'
STO R Y C E NT U RY B U I L D I NG AS IT \VAS D U R I NG T H E S TO R M .

29 4
206 TH E G R E AT C YC LO NE .

ly i n g u nd e r neath m e bu t th e bl o w f r o m th e ceil i n g h ad
,

k i lled h i m My m oth e r was ab out 4 feet aw ay and

.

c r u sh ed to d eath Ed S chl un t w as l yi n g abo ut 2 feet

. .

f r o m m e bu t w as u n h u r t and was tak e n ou t w h e n I was

, ,
.

DUG H I S ( H VN \M A\
'
VT .

A n ton Hoo ve r was i n th e seco nd oo r of t h e th r ee

sto r y ca r r i age facto r y of Lo u is Ne i b li ng w h e n th e t or
n a d o st r u ck i t T he s ec on d a nd th i r d oo r s c r u sh ed th r ou gh
.

i nto th e r st a nd H oo ve r cam e ou t w i th out a sc r atc h and

,

d u g h i s ow n way out of th e r u i ns Ne i b li n g was i n th e r st .

o o r a nd ran i nto th e back ya r d befo r e th e bu i ld i n g fel l .

V ogel was al so i n th e s eco n d oo r an d escaped as na r

row l as H oov e r d id
y .

TRI E D TO SAVE I IER D I A M OND S .

Wh en D r J T P i rtle s h and som e a nd r ich l y fu r n ish ed
. . .

d well i n g at th e co r ne r of O h io an d Pa r k ave n ues c ol

l apsed i n th e cycl one i t bu r i ed be n eat h i ts fal l e n wall s
and r oof M r s J T Pi r tl e h e r m oth e r M r s Lu ci nd a
. . .
, ,
.

Newco m b an d d au gh te r M r s Lul u S m it h M rs Pi r tl e
, ,
. . .

fou nd s t r en gth e n ou gh to cl ea r h e r way out of th e d eb r i s .

H ow sh e m anaged t o sc r am bl e o ve r t he fal le n wal l and

ou t of th e r u i n sh e i s u nable to state M r s Lu l u S m i th . .

was i n th e d i n i ng r o om w h e n th e c r ash cam e S h e m ad e .

a r ush t o h e r sl ee pi n g a pa r tme nts for h e r val uabl es Sh e .

h ad j ust g r ab bed o n e d i am o n d r i n g w h e n th e oo r ab o ve
cam e d o w n an d sh e fel t h e r sel f h u r l ed t o th e oo r Sh e .

m a naged h o w e ve r to s c r am bl e to t he t op of th e d eb r is
, ,
.

T h e n t h e b r av e you n g l ady a nd h e r m oth e r set u p a

 TH E G R E AT CYCLON E . 29 7

sea r c h forM r s Ne w co m b Th ey cal led to h e r b u t r e

. .
.

cei v e d n o an s w e r I n atte m pti ng to d i g a w ay th e d eb r is

.

bot h l ad ie s got th ei r h a n ds ou t a nd b r u ised Fi nal l y th e .

wi n d ceased i n se ve r i ty a nd se ve r al m e n cam e to th e as
s i stan ce of th e wom en M r s Ne wco m b was fou nd bu r i ed
. .

beneath pl aste r pl an ks a n d b r ick s an d was u n abl e t o

,

s peak or m o ve S h e i s 8 0 yea r s old T he fam ily sl ept

. .

i n a nei gh bo r s h ouse th at n i gh t an d n ext day took u p
qua r te r s on C hi p pe wa st r eet n ea r Pe n nsyl van i a avenu e ,
.

M r s Pi r tle h e r m oth e r a n d d au gh te r a r e all se ve r el y i n

.
,

j u r ed M rs Ne wco m b i s co n n ed t o h e r bed T h e
. . .

d amage to b ui l d i ng fu r n i tu r e an d l oss o n j ewel r y total e d

,

A P E RI L O U S VO YAG E .

Joh n E Masse ngal e ge ne r al m anage r of th e St L ou i s

.
,
.

and Te n nessee Ri ve r Packet Co m pa ny r el ate d s om e of ,

h i s e xpe r i e nces w h il e on a t e n m i l e v oyage on a pa r tial ly

w r ecked w ha rfb oat Th e b oat w as at th e f oot of Locu st
.

st r eet an d th e s team e r Bell e of Cal h ou n was ti ed to it .

We paid bu t l ittl e atte n ti o n t o th e sto r m u nti l i t was

al most u po n u s sai d M r Masse n gale
,
It st r uck t h e
. .

boats f r o m th e east a nd fo r ced th e w harfb oat out on th e

sh o r e at th e same ti m e badl y d amagi n g th e ofce We
,
.

th ou gh t h owe ve r th at i t w oul d stay th e r e b u t i n a

, , ,

secon d a harder bl ast st r u ck u s f r o m th e west sid e th r ow ,

i ng th e boat back i nto th e r i ve r a n d w r eck i n g th e ofce .

Besi des mysel f i n th e oi ce was W m Pe n i ston Capt

, ,
.
,
.

Joh n Kei e i n M i ss Cec il e Dal y a n d th e of ce b oy

,
.

Wh e n th e c r as h cam e M r Pe n i sto n r ush ed d o w n stai r s.

208 TH E Ci C L ON E .

a nd cl u n g t o a s ta nch i on I sta r ted d ow n tel l i n g M iss

.
,

Da ly t o wai t ti l l I coul d see i f th e re was a safe pl ace on

th e stai r s \V h e n I got p ar t o f th e way d o w n I saw th e
.

r o of be i n g r ol l ed u p a n d th r o w n ac r os s th e d eck a nd ,

k new th at th e r e w as n o pl a ce th e r e for us I sta r ted .

back b ut by th i s ti me th r ee w al l s o f th e of ce h ad been
,

to r n out a n d I fou n d th at w e coul d go n e ith e r way .

T h ey j o i ned m e on t he s tai r way w h e r e we we re sl i gh tl y

,

p r otected b y a po r tio n of th e w al l th at r em ai ned i n th e

na r r o w box l ik e stai r way By th at ti m e w e w e r e out i n
-
.

th e r i ve r ; th e b oa ts b ei ng b u m ped a gai nst oth e r boats

an d b a r ges th at h ad bee n b r oke n l oose and i n m o me nta r y
fea r th at th e w ha r fb oa t wo ul d b e c r u sh ed and s u n k .

\Ve pas s e d a nd r epassed t he Ci ty of P r o v i dence
seve ral ti m es and w e r e p r o pel l ed by th e w i nd f r o m on e
s id e of th e r i v e r to th e oth e r \Ve nal ly l an d ed on th e
.

I lli noi s s id e abou t te n m il es bel o w T h e Bel l e of Cal

,
.

h ou n was w it h u s al l th e way a nd afte r wa r d s u nk b e

s id e th e w ha rfb oa t We got a sk i ff an d came ac r oss th e
.

r i ve r. Lea vi ng M iss Dal y at a fa r m h ouse th e m e n of ,

th e pa r ty set ou t fo r th e city an d I r each ed h o me abou t

,

2 o cl ock th e n e xt m o r n i n g I n cl ud i n g se ve r al m em be r s
.

of th e c r e w of th e B ell e of Cal h ou n th e r e we r e s i xtee n of,

u s on t h e b oat a nd l ook i n g at i t s i nce I can h a r d l y see

, , ,

h o w an y of u s esca ped al i ve .

D RI FT E D TO TH E B \ R R AC KS .

O n th e d ay of th e t o r nad o Hu gh Patti son e x cle rk of ,

o

th e C r i m i nal C o u r t A J Gal laghe r C a nd F r ed M eye r

,
. .
,
.
,

F r ed Fil ch a n d \V i l l Z ep p we r e aboa r d th ei r yac h t

 TH E G RE A T C YCLON E . 3 01

G azell e , th e foot of Ru tge r st r eet ove r s ee i n g al te r a

at ,

tio n s p r e pa r ato r y to e n te r i n g t he b oat i n th e Al to n r aces .

Wh e n th e sto r m ca m e u p all of th e pa r ty excepti n g Pat ,

tiso n w e nt aboa r d a c oal b arge fo r g r eate r s afety Pat
,
.

tis o n watch ed th e sto r m f r o m th e yach t a nd saw th e el e ,

v at ors a nd b ui l d i ngs al o n g th e r i ve r t r em bl i n g H e sa w .

a h o r s e bl o w n i nto th e wate r a nd th e bu ggy to r n to ,

pieces Boats i n th i s nei gh bo r h ood be gan to b r eak f r o m

.

th ei r m oo r i n gs an d h e th e n co n cl ud ed t o go on sh o r e
,
.

As h e w as abou t t o step f r o m th e yach t to a yawl th e l at

t er w h i pped i nto th e ai r an d w h i r l ed o ve r a t r ai n of
f r ei gh t ca r s He g rasped th e s i de of th e yach t w h i ch
.
,

wa s l i fted by th e w i nd and ca r r i ed o ve r a co a l ba r ge out

i nto deep wate r an d s u nk Pattiso n we nt d ow n w i th i t
. .

W he n h e ca me u p h e g r asped tw o s m al l pieces of oati ng

w ood and t r ied to s w i m to wa r d sh o r e As h e passed t h e .

steam boat Mad i ll th e pil oth ou se w as bl own off an d

,

landed on h is h ead a n d back Pattiso n w as stu n ned and .

,

agai n went u nde r wate r bu t h e came u p a m o me n t l ate r

, ,

and agai n st r uck out fo r s h o r e sti ll h ol d i n g on to t h e

,

sticks of wood T h e e ffo r t to get to land was too m uc h

.

for h i m an d h e d r i fted d o w n as fa r as Jeffe r s o n Ba r

,

r acks w h e r e Captai n He n r y L e yhe of t h e tu gbo at L ou i s

, ,

Ho uck e pick ed hi m u p
,
.

T h e tu g itsel f was n ea r l y s i nk i n g a nd w h il e th e c r ew
,

we r e w or k i n g at t h e p u m ps Pattiso n was al m ost th r o w n

,

i nto t h e r i ve r agai n by a h eav y g al e w h ich st r u ck th e

boat Afte r effecti ng a l and i ng at t h e foot of A r se nal
.

st r eet Captai n L eyhe r e nde r ed e ve r y ass istance t o M r

, .

Patti so n w h ose sp i ne was i nj u r ed by th e bl ow f r o m th e

,
3 02 TH E G R E AT C YC L o NE .

pil oth ou se Sca r cel y abl e to wal k M r Pattiso n s ta r ted

.
, .

fo r h is h o me at Je ffe rs o n a ve n u e an d Mad i s o n st r eet ,

w h ic h h e r each ed l ate at n i gh t D r Ma r k s w as cal l e d

. .
,

a nd p r o no u nced th e i nj u r i es se r i ou s bu t n ot d a n ,

ge r ons.

T h e m e n w h o took r efu ge i n th e c oal ba r ge s u dd e nl y

fou nd th emsel ves d r i ft n i n m i dst r eam Th r ee of th em .

secu red th e se r v ices of a sh e r m an an d w e r e b r ough t to

th e M issou r i s h o r e Th e o th e r s d r i fted w i th th e ba r ge to
.

t h e Il l i n ois bank w h ic h th ey r each ed i n safety and th e n

, ,

t h e ba r ge sa n k to th e b ottom .

W H E E LS I N TH E AIR .

O ne Of th e st r angest si gh ts w i tnessed i n S t Lou i s as .

th e r es ul t of th e to r n ad o s d ep r ed ati o ns w as th e po we r

h o use of th e Peo pl e s R ail way Com pany at th e co r ne r of ,

Ei gh tee nth a nd Pa r k ave n ue Th e m agn ice n t b u il d i n g

.

was co m pletel y d i s ma n tl e d an d th e ex pe ns i v e m ach i ne r y

,

of t h e cabl e r oad w as e x pose d t o t he el e m e nts I t w as .

a s t ra n ge s i gh t t o see a bi g pl ant l ik e th at r u n ni n g w h il e
th e b uild i n g i n cl osi n g i t w a s i n r u i ns .

T h ousa nd s a n d th o usand s of peopl e we n t to th e pl ace

on ca r s i n ca r r i ages a nd on fo o t att r acted by th e n ovel ty
, ,

of th e s i gh t . O pe r ati ng as i t was u nd e r th e m ost ad

, ,

v e r se co nd iti o ns th at coul d be i magi ned i t i s safe t o s ay ,

th at ne ve r i n th e h isto r y of th e r oad h as i t ca r r i ed as
m any p asse n ge r s as i t d i d w h e n i t r esu med r u n n i n g T h e .

th r eate n i n g as pect of th e d ull m u r ky cl oud s t h at h u n g

,

o ve r h ead d id n ot d ete r th e c r owd s f r o m ock i ng to th e

d e vastated d ist r ict and e ve n w h e n th e r ai n bega n to pou r
,
3 04 TH E G RE AT CI L IC NE .

Roh r bach we r e n ot h u r t T h e sh aft of t he d u m b waite r

.

sa ved th e l i ves of a ll ve as th e seco nd oo r was com

,

pl e t el
y w r eck ed A la r.ge c h i m n ey f el l i n to th e r oo m
w h e r e M r s R oh r bach and h e r ch i l d r e n we r e
. .

M YS T E R I O I S
'

ML
'

NN F A M I LY .

On th e l 6th of May P T M u n n h i s w i fe and twel v e

. .
,

ch i ld r e n l eft Li ncol n Neb to make th ei r h om e i n St

,
.
, .

Lou is El ev e n d ays l ate r th e e nti r e fam i ly w i th t he p oss i

.
,

ble e xce ptio n of one s o n F r a nk Mu n n we r e l y i n g d ead

, ,

s o me w h e r e be neat h th e w r ec k left by th e sto r m F r an k es .

caped . H e se nt a tel eg r a m back to h i s fath e r s r elati ves
i n Li ncol n a nd t he n h e to o d isappea r ed
, ,
Th e m ost ,
.

d ilige n t sea r c h failed t o l ocate h i m Wh e r e h e i s or .

,

w he r e h is pa r en ts a n d b r oth e r s a nd s i ste r s m et th e i r fate ,

i s u nk no w n .

Th e Weste r n U n i o n a n d th e Postal Te leg r aph Com

a n i es co ul d nd n o r eco r d o f any message s e n t by F r an k
p
M u n n th ou gh th ey ad m itte d th at i n th e g reat qua nti ty o f
,

b usi ness at te nd ed to i n th e l ast fe w d ay s th ey m i gh t h av e

neglected to r egiste r th e s end e r of s uch a mess age .

Th e pol ice we r e equ al ly i g n o r ant of a ny d ead by th e

n a m e o f M u n n o r of th e v i si t of th e l i v i n g F r a n k M u n n
,
.

T h e d ead co uld n ot be am ong th e u n ide ntied fo r n o ,

ch i ld r e n s b od ies w e r e u nclai m ed .

TH E CR I M E OF THI E V E S .

T h i e ves h ave add ed i nce nd ia r is m to t he i r i nfam ous wo r k

i n East St Lou i s and th e m il iti a p r o m ptly an n ou nced
.
,

th at th ey wou ld sh oot to k i l l any sus pici ous pe r so ns see n

p r owl i n g ab out .
3 08 TH E G R E A T C Y CLON E .

fo r tu nates t o pl aces of safety w h e r e su r gical aid coul d be

r e nd e r ed He was u n sti nted i n h is p r ai se of th ei r b r av
.

e r y Not on l y did h e com me nd th e d r i v e r s bu t b e d e

.

cl ar e d th at h i s sta ff was th e best m ed ical an d s u r gical

staff i n th e w h ol e wo r l d Wh y i f I h ad to go th r ou gh
.
,

th e b attle of Gettysb u r g I woul d pi ck m y o w n s t a a s th e

"

one w h ic h w oul d d o t he w o r k I can not say e n ou g h i n

.

p r aise of m y m en I h a ve n ot bee n abl e to pe r so nally

.

th ank th e m fo r th ei r ass ista nce b u t I gladly take th is ,

m eans to exte nd t o on e an d all m y h ea rt fel t th anks for

th ei r m a nl y co nd uct i n th i s g r ea t e me r ge ncy T h e e m .

l
p y o e s o f th e St Lou is
. h eal t h d epa r tm e nt a r e th e best
m e n i n th ei r l in e i n th e w o r l d Th at i s n o i dle tal k . .

T h ey h ave p r o ve n it .

HOR S E A ND A LI F E W IR E TA N G L E D U P .

A m an on h o r seb ack h itch ed h i s steed i n f r o nt of th e

Flan n i ga n b u i ld i n g o ppos i te th e Pol ice Stati o n i n East
,

St Lou is I n s om e m a n ne r a l i ve wi r e wh ich was d an g

. .

l i n g f r o m th e pol e h appe ned to tou ch th e a n i m al w h ic h ,

we nt nea r l y w il d i n a n i nsta nt H e s p ra n g back wa r d s.

,

b r eak i n g th e h al te r a n d th e n m ad e a d as h at th e d oo r of
,

Sch nei de r s saloo n s mas h i ng i n th e sc r ee n Th en tu r n
,
.

i n g h e s h ot ac r oss th e r oad l i k e an oth e r to r nad o

,
.

I n f r o n t of th e stati o n a n u m be r of th e Bel le v ille

sold ie r s we r e si tti n g on th e pl a nk wal k th at h ad bee n
to r n u p b y th e sto r m Th ey we r e expecti n g to go on
.

gua r d m ou nt i n a fe w m i n utes an d w e r e s wappi n g ya r ns

,

an d ci ga r ettes w ith g r eat gusto T h e f r i gh te ne d h o r se .

b u r st i nto t h e c r o wd s catte r i n g th e m r i gh t an d l eft l ike

,
 TH E G R E A T CYCLON E . 8 09

a ock of s h ee p Som e of th e b oys d r opped th ei r gu ns

.

an d dash ed i nto th e stati on ev id e ntl y th i nk i n g th e to r

,

nad o was m ak i n g a r etu r n t r i p .

T h e u nfo r tu nate h o r se we nt clea r ac r oss th e wal k and

d ow n so me 1 0 or 1 2 feet i nto th e l ot th at l i es betwee n
th e stati ) I ] a nd Ku rru s l i ve r y stabl e an d th e r e h e wand

,

e r ed a r ou n d l i ke an u neasy gh ost all n i gh t l on g n o on e

-
,

c o m i n g t o clai m h i m At l ast acco u nts h e w as sti ll u n

.

cl ai m ed . Si n gul a r l y e nou gh h e was n ot i nj u r ed i n an y

,

w a y by h i s fal l . T h e s ol d i e r s r e t u r ned pi cked u p th ei r ,

3111
.

gu n s and we nt on d u ty say n n oth i n g ,

.

t
tes
TRU E B ROTH E RLY LO V E .

W h e n m e n o f m ea n s a nd p r o mi ne nce becom e l abo r e r s

at th e se r v ice of pau pe r s th ose w ho we r e r ed uced to p ov i
,

ert
y by th e sto r m c h a r i
,
ty becom es gl o r i ous .

Do w n i n th e w r eck ed d ist r ict S u pe r i nte nde n t Sam pso n

of th e Well s Fa r go E xp r ess Co w o r ked l ik e a beave r
,
.

al l d ay afte r th e cycl one H e h ad a h al f d oze n of wagon s

.

at wo r k a nd h ad pe r sonal ch a r ge of on e of t h e m He .

d i d n ot h es i tate to ca r r y a m att r ess i nto th e l o wl y qua r

t em of th e poo r a n d i t see med h i s es peci al d el i gh t to
,

I h and som e old n eg r o w o ma n a bo x of p r o vi si on s pe r h aps ,

mo r e th a n sh e h ad e ve r h ad at on e ti me i n h e r l ife b e
fo r e
.

M r Bau e r P r es id e nt of th e Baue r G r oce r C o w as a

.
,
.
,

wo r ke r w it h th e poo r an d coul d be see n r ush i n g about

betwee n th e Rel i ef Head qu a r te r s at Soula r d St r eet Sta
tio n an d th e p o ve r ty st r icke n h om es ca r r yi n g baskets of
-
,

fo od to th e h u ng r y .
3 10 TH E G R E A T C YCLON E .

S e ve r al p r om i ne nt ph ysician s w e r e at wo r k w i t h th e
poo r . D r Lo ui s D r ec h sl e r 27 01 Bl ai r a ve n ue ; D r
.
, .

Jaco b A Ha r tm a n n 1 4 00 So uth B r oad way a nd D r

.
, ,
.

Al be r t B Vogel 4 23 2 West m i nste r place wo r k ed al l o f

.
, ,

th e d ay wi th th e v icti ms of th e s to r m W h en e ve r a pe r .

s on or fam i ly w as r epo r ted to th e p ol i ce as s ick a nd u nabl e

t o pay for m ed ical atte nti o n t h ese d octo r s w oul d cal l on

th e afi cted t r eat th e m an d s u ppl y th em f r ee wi th all th e
,

m ed i ci ne r equ i r ed .

I f o ne wa nted to s ee ch a r i ty i n all i ts beau ty th e r e wa s

l ots of i t w h e r e th e to r nad o s wept .

H ow DID IT G ET TH E D IA L ?
T h e p r open s i ty of th e l ate sto r m t o d o quee r th i ngs was
st r i k i ngl y exh i bi ted at th e n o r th east co r ne r of B r oad way
and Pa r k ave n ue w h e r e a l a r ge s t r eet cl ock was pe r ch ed
,

on th e r oof of a b u il d i ng T h e d i al of th i s cl ock poss i

.
,

bly t h r ee feet i n d i amete r and m ad e of i r on was ly i n g i n th e ,

st r eet i n f r ont of No 1 6 e n gi ne h ouse at 1 3 3 7 Sout h B r oad

.

w a y I t was u n b r ok e n
. T h e st r a nge featu r e of th e m atte r
.

i s th e fact th at th e h an ds of th e cl ock r e mai n u nfaste ned .

H ow t h e wi nd m anaged to sc r e w th e d i al off i s pecul ia r i n

i tself b u t how i t co ul d r em ov e th e d ial w ith o ut tea r i n g
,

t h e h ands off w ith i t i s i n expl i cabl e .

O ne pe r so n w h o obse r ved th e p h e nome no n su ggested

t h at th e h and s we r e mad e of r u bbe r .

CHI E F G RO SS \VAS ROLL E D .

Eugen e G r oss Fi r s t Ass i stan t Fi r e Ch i ef h ad a h ai r

, ,
.

r ais i ng ex pe r ie nce i n th e to r nad o al th ou gh h e escaped ,

se r ious i nj u r y C h ie f G r oss w as r etu r n i n g to th e e n gi ne

.
H E AD QU AR T F R s, R EL I EF CO M M I TTE E .

3 1 2
 TH E GR E A T CYCLON E . 313

h ouse o n Se ve n th st r eet f r o m a s mal l r e i n t h e South e n d .

J ust as h e r each ed Se ve n th an d Locu st st r eets th e bol t of

l ight ni n g th at dem ol is h ed th e gaso m ete r on Fou r tee nt h
an d G r ati ot st r eets st r uck G r oss at o n ce tu r ned hi s
.

h o r se so uth agai n a n d began a w il d r i de fo r th e sce n e of

th e d isaste r th r ough th e bl i ndi n g r ai n
,
Hu ge sc r ol ls of .

ti n r oof h eav y si g ns ba r be r pol es an d m i ssi les of e ve r y

, ,

desc r i pti o n h ustled abou t h i m At Wal n ut st r eet h e

.

tu r ned west an d h ad j u st r each ed Ei gh th st r eet w h e n th e

to r nad o picke d u p th e h o r se b uggy an d d r i ve r
,
Th e .

v eh icle was o ve r tu r n ed an d sepa r ated f r o m th e an i m al ,

w h i ch was d as h ed agai nst t h e cu r bi n g Th e Ch ief h i msel f.

was bl o w n cl ea r d o w n Wal n u t st r eet to Si xth bei n g r ol led ,

ove r an d o ve r on th e st r eet i n al l th e m u d a n d r ai n He .

succeed ed i n secu r i n g r efu ge at th i s poi n t a n d d isco ve r ed

th at t h e o nl y i nj u r y h e r ece i v ed was th e se ve r i ng of a
smal l a r te r y i n on e o f hi s nge r s T h e h o r s e was p r etty
.

seve r el y b r u ised
.

H E S A V E D A CITY .

O ne of th ose i n stances of si le nt u nconsci ou s h e r ois m

,

wh ic h m ak es th e bl ood th r ill a nd th e eyes sh i n e was th e ,

wo r k of F r a n k H o m e r th e S u pe r i nte n de n t of th e wate r
,

wo r ks i n savi ng th e w ate r s u pply of East St Lo u is . .

Had h i s p r esence of m i nd d ese r ted h i m or h is b r av e

h ea r t fail ed h i m East St Lou i s m i gh t an d i n al l p r ob
,
.
.

abil ity wo ul d h av e bee n a m ass of s mold e r i n g ash es A .

city s pl it i nto k i nd l i ng woul d h ave m ad e a spl endi d feast

for th e r e e n d b ut h e was ch eated Of h i s b ooty by th e
,

cl ea r h ead an d i r o n n e r ve of F r an k R Ho r n e r w h o n e ve r
.
,

for an i nst ant fo r got h is d uty .

3 14 TH E G R E AT CYCLON E .

Th e wate r w o r k s a r e si tu ated i n th e n o r th e n d of t h e
i sl and ab out t wo m il es f r o m t he bi g b r id ge W h e n th e
,
.

sto r m b r ok e th e po we r h ouse was fel l ed as w ith th e bl ow

,

of a n a x a n d th e g r eat mass of d eb r is ca m e p il i ng a r ou nd
,

th e e n gi ne w h i c h s u ppl ied th e c ity w ith wate r .

F r an k H o r ne r w as th e r e at th e ti me a nd r eckl ess of, ,

d ange r h e r a n to h is e n gi n es to see wh at d amage h ad

,

bee n d o n e T o h i s h o r r o r h e f ou n d t h at th e steam p i pes

.

w e r e b r oke n off by th e fal l i n g b r i cks an d h e k ne w w h at

,

th i s m ean t .

East St Lou i s l ay tw o m i l es bel ow hi m i n r u i ns a nd at

.

th e m e r cy of t he re e nd I f h e coul d n ot r epai r h is
.

e ngi nes t h e w h ol e tow n w oul d b e w i ped out .

R ush i n g i nto th e st r ee t h e fai r l y e w th r ou gh th e w i r es

an d b r o ke n tel eg r aph p ol es yel l i n g with al l h i s m i gh t
,
.

Fi ftee n d ol la r s to e ve r y m a n wh o w il l w o r k at th e

wate r wo r k s "
He k ept th i s u p u n ti l h e h ad a c r ow d at h is h eel s a n d
th e n h e l ed th e m back to h is batte r ed and d i sm antl ed
e n gi nes .

T h r ow i n g th e r u i ns asid e h e got d ow n t o wh e r e th e
b r eak s w e r e and th en h e d i d so meth i n g w h i ch r i sk ed th e
,

l ife of e ve r y m an i n th e b u i ld i ng h is ow n i ncl ud ed
,
.

I f h e c oul d stop u p th e steam pi pes all w oul d be wel l ,

an d saw n ou t fou r i nc h pl ugs h e o r d e r ed th e m d r i ven

-

i nt o t he gapi n g hol e s .

T h is d o n e h e c r owded on n i n ety pou nd s of steam an d ,

se n t th e welcom e tid e of th e M iss issi pp i wate r r u sh i n g

th r ough t he m ai ns t o th e city bel o w j ust on the v e r ge of
a te r r i ble c on agrat i on .
3 16 TH E G RE AT CYC LON E .

u re was negotiated fo r sal e n ot l on g ago a nd was n ext .

yea r to b e u sed as a sch ool fo r col o r e d pu pil s .

P E NN E D U P F OR S E V E RA L HO U R S I N A B A S E M E NT .

Th e fam il y of Capt H en r y Sack m an l i v i n g o ppos ite

.
,

t o th e D ougl as sch ool b uild i n g on th e Isl and w e r e am o ng ,

t h e m an y wh o h ad n a r r o w es capes f r o m d eath .

R eal iz i n g th e d an ge r of th e sto r m M r s Sack m a n ,

.

s ou g h t safety i n i gh t .

Gat h e r i n g h e r ch il d r e n togeth e r sh e r a n ac r oss th e

st r eet i n to th e b ase m e nt of th e Dou gl as Sch ool .

S h e h ad sca r cely cl ea r ed th e f r o n t gate befo r e t he sec

on d s to r y of t h e b r i ck h ouse i n wh i ch s h e l i ved ble w d o w n .

A m o me nt l ate r w h e n th e l ittl e pa r ty we r e safel y h i d

,

de n i n th e base m e nt th e h ea vy sch ool bu ild i n g collapsed

, .

T on afte r t on of sto nes an d b r i ck s ca me tu m bl i n g

d o w n b ut th e b ase m e n t w alls w ith stoo d th e sh ock a n d
,

M r s Sack m an and h e r ch il d r e n we r e s av ed th ou gh th o r
.
,

ou gh l y d r e nch ed with r ai n .

C apt Sack m an i s s u pe r i nte nd e nt of th e Wi ggi ns Fe r r y

.

C o on th e East S id e i s P r es id ent of th e Sch o ol B oa r d

.
,

on th e Isl an d and h as bee n a m em be r of th e C ity C ou n

c i l for twenty yea r s .

TE N DOLL A R S F OR A N E W SP A P E R .

R e v F r J J Fu r l on g of Ne w Mad r id Mo was a
. . . .
,
.
,

p asse n ge r on t he I r o n M ou ntai n t r ai n com i n g to St L ou is .

th e day afte r th e to r n ad o He h as m an y r el at io ns i n St
. .

Lo u is a nd h i s m issi o n was to asce r tai n wh eth e r or n ot

th ey we r e safe .
3 20 TH E G RE A T C YCLON E .

th e sto r m s a pp r oach Estel l a and Ed n a gi r l s of 6 and ,

4 yea r s j u st begi n n i n g to O pe n th e i r eyes to th e pl easu r e

,

of ch ild h ood h ud d led cl ose to th ei r m oth e r s h e h a rdl y

, ,

3 0 and e nj o yi n g th e ful n es s of l i fe T h e h u sban d bolted

.

th e w i nd o ws sec u r ed th e d o o r s a nd e xti ngu i sh e d th e

,

l i gh t th e l atte r t o p r e ve n t th e pl ace catch i n g r e sh oul d

,

th e h o use fal l .

A bo ve t he c r ash i n g O f fall i n g h ouses al l ab out th e m

cam e th e r u i n of th ei r ow n st r uctu r e an d th ey we r e c r u sh ed
be n eath i t .

An h ou r late r h e was tak e n out w i th o nly a fe w

b r u ises b ut h i s w ife an d c h i ld r e n h ad bee n c r ush ed to
,

d eath .

F r i es e ke was n ea r l y c r azed w i th g r i ef He v isi ted th e .

s pot to d ay w h e r e t he to r nad o s natch e d f r o m h i m th at

-

fo r w h ich h e h ad l i v ed a n d w ith th e th ou gh ts th at cam e

to h i m h e wept an d w i s h ed th at h e t oo was d ead , ,
.

SH E LO V E D H ER D OG .

W h e n th e s u n c r ept o ve r th e r i ve r a fe w days afte r th e

sto r m i ts r st r ays fel l on t h e fo r m of a l ittl e gi r l O f n ot
m o r e th a n 1 0 yea r s w h o was w atch i n g an d weepi n g ov e r
,

th e r u i ns o r h e r h o m e at 9 1 6 S oul a r d st r eet
,
.

S h e was Lo r na C la r kson an d be n eath th e w r eck age of

,

h e r h o m e was b u r ied th e g r eat m asti ff d og th at h ad

gua r d ed h e r f r o m th e ti m e sh e coul d r e mem be r .

T h e attach m e nt g re w so g r eat b et wee n th e two th at

d ou btl ess h ad th e d og b ee n spa r ed an d th e gi r l bu r i ed h e
woul d h ave take n h e r pl ace as c h ief m ou r ne r on th e
r ul n s .
 TH E G R E A T C YCLON E . 3 21

T wo m e n wh o w e r e l ook i ng fo r wo r k sym path i zed w i t h

th e ch i ld and got th e l i feless c o r pse of th e d o g f r o m th e

w r eck Th e gi r l s fath e r ca r r i ed i t away
. .

SI I ANT Y B OAT S E S CA P E D .

Me m be r s of th e h ou seb oat col o ny al o n g th e r i v e r f r o nt

i n Sout h St Lou i s co n g r atu late th em sel ves on th e i r n a r
.

r ow escape f r o m t h e fu r y o f th e w i nd .

T hes e f r ai l c r afts a r e p r otected by t wo h i gh bank s a nd

have th e ad d iti on al p r otecti o n a ffo r d ed by a s e r i es of i m
me nse ice h ouses e xte nd i ng fo r h al f a m i l e along th e r i v e r
f r ont.

No ne of th e l ittl e h o uses we r e aoat w h e n th e sto r m

cam e u p Th ei r occu pa nts coul d se e po r ti o n s of h o uses
.

u p on th e bl uffs be i ng ca r r ied o v e r t h ei r h eads fa r out

i nto th e r i ve r b u t th ey w e r e bel o w th e dead ly sto r m
,

cl oud .

A F A M ILY N E A RL Y EX E T R M INATE D .

O ne of th e saddest i nci de nts O f th e big sto r m was th e

al most total W i p i n g out of the Wi n d ha us fam il y of East
St Lou is T he h ouse i n w h ich t h e fam il y r es i ded w as
. .

totall y dem ol ish ed As a r es ul t Le n a Wi n dhau s th e

.
, ,

dau ghte r i s dead an d Be r n a r d and M r s Wi n dha us th e

, ,
.
,

fath e r a n d m oth e r a r e l yi ng o n cots i n St Ma ry s hos
,
.

pital on th e v e r ge of d eath B oth we r e i nj u r e d to su c h

.

an e xte nt t h at th ei r r eco ve r y i s des pai r ed of b y th e s is

te r s at th e h osp ital M r s Wi n d ha u s s ustai ned th e se
. .

v e res t i nj u r ies He r ch est w as c r us h ed i n by t he fal li n g

.

bu ild i n g a nd on e l eg c r ush ed .

21
3 22 TH E G R E AT C YC LON E .

CR AZED BY G RI E F .

A path eti c i ncid e n t o f th e a w fu l cal am i ty cam e to th e

n otice of th e pol ice w he n a pat r ol ma n took to th e Sou
l a r d St r eet pol i ce stati o n a you n g w o m a n w h o afte r v ie w ,

i n g th e r u i ns of th e h o u se w he r e h e r s is te r met d eath b e ,

came tem po r a r il y i ns an e .

Sh e was fo u nd on th e p il es o f th e w r eckage o n B a r r y
st r eet b et ween Se ve nth an d E igh th cal l i n g out to God
, ,

i n H is good ness t o b r i n g back to h e r h e r s iste r .

T h e s i gh t Of a p r ettil y fo r med w o man of n ot o ve r 25

-

yea r s d r essed i n d eep b lack w i t h cl as ped h a nd s l i fted

, ,

u p to th e sk y wai l i ng at th e fate th e ele me n ts h ad v i s

,

i t ed u po n h e r s iste r a nd i n a n i n sa n e m o m e nt c r y i n g for
h e r r es u r r ectio n d r e w a c r o wd about th e pl ace
, ,

Sh e to r e th e pl a n k s a n d r u bb i s h as id e as i f to bu il d
agai n th e w r ecked h o m e b u t i n th is s h e was stopped by
,

th e pol ice m an w h o took h e r to th e stati o n

,
.

A n h ou r late r s h e h ad r egai ned h e r se nses a n d was al

l o wed to depa r t afte r l eav i n g h e r n am e as Ma r th a B .

\V e ndel l . Sh e sai d s h e h ad co m e f r o m Te r r e Haute to

atten d t h e fu ne r al o f h e r s i ste r .

A PI G s S O U V E NI R .

About th e onl y th i ng l eft stand i n g u nh a r m ed on th e

Isl an d th e d ay succeed i n g th e sto r m was th e r ow of L ov
i n gs t on ats on A s t r eet Th ey a r e w ood e n st r uctu r es
.
,

abou t te n i n n u mbe r o n e sto r y h i gh a nd a r e s o situ ated

, ,

th at th e w i nd see ms to h ave s ail ed on i ts ai r y way above

th e m .
 TH E GRE AT CYC LON E . 3 25

Som e a r e i ncl i ned to bel i e ve th at th e cycl on e o ve r

l ook ed th e row i n i ts h aste and did n ot h av e ti m e t o go
,

b ack a nd p ick i t u p Pe r h aps i t d i d n ot cons ide r i t

.

wo r th w h il e as e v e r yth i n g else w as go ne
,
.

Th i r ty on e te nts we r e i n u se o n th e I sl and an d it was

-
,

s u r p r is i ng to n ote th e r es pectabl e appea r ance of seve r a l

f am i l ies w h o w e r e occu pi n g th em .

So me of th e m s poke ch ee r full y of th e situ ati on an d ,

exp r essed an i nd e n i te ki nd Of a h ope t h at th ey w ou ld

c om e out all r i gh t O ne Ol d w o ma n wh o h ad see n bette r
.

days was n ot s o wel l sati sed Nea r by was stan d i ng a .

s m al l h o use occu pied by n eg r oes T h e r oof was off bu t .

,

th e vacancy was s u ppl ied by a t a r paul i n .

Look at th e m n i gge rs ll e xcl ai med th e Ol d w om a n .

S eem s to m e th at th ey fa r e th e best al l th e ti m e .

Ru n n i n g l oose on th e isla n d w as a d r ov e of ne B e r k
sh i r e h ogs O ne of th e m ca r r i ed w i th h i m a pi ece of ta r
.

r oo n g w h i c h w as bl o w n squa r el y i nto h i s left sh oul de r

, .

It p r ot r ud ed abo u t ei gh t i nch es an d t h ou g h i t sh ak es,

co nstantl y w ith e ve r y m ov em e nt of th e m uscl es th e an i ,

mal d id n ot see m to su ffe r pai n .

Al l attem pts to captu r e th e pi g and r e m o ve th e pape r

we r e futile .

KI L L E D ON H IS \VAY H OM E .

O ne of th e s ad d est a n d m ost u nti m el y d eath s f r o m th e

sto r m i n East St Lou is was th at of Ha r r y F Good w i n
. .

a s on of Ed ito r J West Good w i n of th e Sedal i a B azoo

.
,
.

Y o u n g G ood w i n w as i n h i s 2 l s t yea r H i s m oth e r .

d ied te n yea r s ago an d afte r th at ti m e h e mad e h is h ome

,
3 26 TH E G R E A T CYCLO N E .

w i th h i s u n cl e Capt Jam es S Whi che r at De H odi a

,
. .
,

m o n t n ea r St Lo ui s . .

A m o nth ago Capt \Vhi che r an d h i s w i fe m o ved to .

East St Lou i s b u t th ei r stay w as o nl y tem p o r a r y as th ey

.
, ,

i ntend ed to go t o I nd ia n a to l i ve w i th th ei r so n .

Y ou n g G ood wi n had hi s pos sessi on s pack e d a n d o nl y ,

a fe w h ou r s a fte r th e sto r m he w ou l d h av e r etu rn ed to

h i s fath e r s h o m e i n Sed al i a t o l i v e .

Capt and M r s W hi c he r w e re both k ill ed Ha r r y was

. . .

cau gh t i n th e w r eck a nd fo r v e h ou r s was p i ni o ned d o w n

,

i n s uc h a pos iti o n th at h e could m o ve n oth i n g b u t h i s

h a nd s a nd toes .

A d ee p cu t o n th e back of h i s h ead p r o ved fata l and ,

h e d ied a fte r se ve r al h ou r s of d el i r i u m .

T h e b od y w as tak e n i n ch a r ge by h i s b r oth e r Be n J ,
. .

Good w i n a cl e r k i n th e Me r ch a nts Lacl ed e Nat i on al

,
-

Ba n k St Loui s w h o w as w ith h i m w h e n h e d ied a n d

,
.
, ,

w as s h i p ped to Sed al i a fo r i nte r me nt .

M a r k Go od wi n a n oth e r b r oth e r of th e d eceased i s a

, ,

n e ws pape r m a n at De n is o n Te x I I s fo r me r l y w o r ked ,
.
-

i n St Lou i s
. .

CA P T . M . M M AI I O N S E X E P RI E NC E .

Th e r e i s n o m o r e com pete nt pol ice ca ptai n i n St Lou i s .

th a n M a r ti n M M a hon w h o i s a h u m o r ist a nd a p hi los o ,

ph e r as wel l as a rst cl as s o r gan ize r an d d isci pl i na r i an

-
.

I t w as at r st fea r ed h e h ad bee n k illed bu t h e w as n ot .

I nd eed n o m a n wo r ked h a r d e r th e n i gh t afte r th e st o r m

an d for d ays follo wi n g to h el p th e su ffe r e r s A fe w .

ya r ds east of th e lake i n Lafayette Pa r k stand s a r u sti c

3 28

TH E G R E A T CYC L NB D .

h o n wh o i s i n ch a r ge of th e Pol ice Stati on i n L afayette

,

P a r k o nl y a sh o rt d i sta nce to the s outh e as t of th i s s u m

m e r h o use w as at h i s post T h e Ca ptai n says th at w h e n
.

h e got h om e afte r th e sto r m h e fou nd h i s o w n h o us e i n

r u i ns a n d l ea r ned f r o m th e lad ies of h i s fa m i lv th at
,

d u r i ng th e h ei gh t of th e to r nad o th ey w e r e all p r ayi n g

ea r nestl y for p r otecti o n w h e n s udd e nl y th e r oof was l i fted
f r o m off t h ei r h ead s Wh il e r el ati n g t he i nci den t th e

Captai n s m il ed a n d seem ed to th i nk th at pe r h aps t he l ad ies

p r ayed too h a r d I n oth e r w o r d s th ey l i fted th e r o of
. .

A H U M ORO U S INCID E NT .

Th e d isaste r on th e r i ve r was n ot w ith ou t its h u mo r ou s

featu r es T h e fe r r y boat A nd r e w C h r i sty of th e Wi g
.
,

gi ns Fe r r y Co m pany s eet was one of th e m an y c r afts
,

t h at d r i fted h el pl essl y d o w n th e st r eam an d lod ged

agai nst t h e easte r n ba n k Afte r wa r d th e steam e r Belle
.
,

of Cal h ou n an d a w har fb oat oated d ow n a nd afte r , ,

b u mp i ng agai nst th e C h r isty passed on Se ve r al pe r

,
.

s on s we r e ou th e w ha rfb oat an d a fe w on th e fe r r y boat ,

am o n g t h e m th e e ngi nee r Wh en th e boats touch ed

.
,

s om e on e o n th e w ha rfb oat ask ed th e e ngi nee r i f h e

w anted to get off h i s boat .

Y es Wa it till I get m y d og co nfused l y an s we r e d
.

,

th e e ngi nee r .

He got th e d og a nd m anaged t o get on th e w harfb oat

befo r e i t got by .

TI I REW H IM A LI F E LIN E .

Ha r r y Pe nce a you n g m ill io nai r e f r o m M i n n eap ol i s

, ,

h ad a n expe r i e nce d u r i ng th e sto r m th e m e m o r y of w h ic h

,
33 2 TH E G RE AT C YCLON E .

As th e steam e r passed ou t i nto th e r i ve r al l th e state

r ooms o n t h e sta r boa r d si d e w e r e bl o w n a w ay a n d th e ,

Ti nke r s we r e saved o nl y by be i ng d r agged to th e po r t

s id e I t was n ot l o n g u nti l th e state r oom s o n th i s sid e
.

fell i n an d all th e m e m be rs of t h e t w o fam il ies we r e

,

m o r e or less i nj u r ed A l l th at r em ai n ed of th e stau nc h
.

c r aft was th e h ul l a nd oo r o f t he cab i n Th e texas an d .

p il ot h o u se h ad e nti r el y d i sappea red a n d h av e n ot ye t .

bee n fou n d M r s J L T i nk e r wh o n a r r ated th e sto r y

. . . .
, ,

say s th at h ad it n ot bee n fo r th e captai n s h e a nd a ll th e ,

oth e r s w o ul d h a ve bee n k il l ed A l m ost e ve r y m e m be r

.

of th e c r e w d ese r ted befo r e th e sto r m i n i ts fu r y s wept

d o w n a n d th e captai n t oo was aske d to leav e bu t re
, , , ,

f used T h e b oat d r i fted fou r m i les d ow n th e r i ve r an d

.

g r ou nded o n a n i sl and a n d at a l ate h ou r a tu gb oat cam e

,

to th e r escu e a nd b r o ugh t th e i m pe r i l ed passe nge r s to t h e

ci ty .

RE S CU E D BY A N OFFIC E R .

T h e r e i s a n anecd ote of t h e sto r m i n w h ich Detecti ve

Mea ney pl ayed th e l ead i n g r ol e He was at Ei gh teenth .

st r eet a n d O h i o ave n u e w h e n th e sto r m was h eav iest

, .

T h e b u ild i ng at 1 8 06 O h i o ave n ue w as to t te r i ng Th e .

occu pants on th e seco nd oo r M r s G o r m an and tw o ch il

,
.

d r en w e r e sc r eam i n g fo r ass istance Detecti ve M eaney

,
.

r a n u p th e steps of th e b u il d i n g an d got th e fam i l y to on e

side of a wal l wh ich h e gu r ed w oul d be th e safest Th e .

to r nad o took t he r oof O ff t h e bu il d i n g a nd th e d eb r is fell

i m m ed i ately i n f r on t of th e m T h e d etecti v e th e n took
.

th e ch i l d r e n i n h i s a r m a n d ca r r ied th e m d o w nstai r s He .
 TH E G RE A T CYCLON E . 333

th en we nt afte r th e m oth e r an d land ed h e r safely on te r r a

rm a A l l th e n w e nt ac r oss th e st r eet an d s ough t s h elte r i n
.

a sol i d b u ild i n g F i ftee n m i n utes th e r eafte r th e h usba n d

.

of M r s Go r m a n w ho i s a c o nd ucto r on th e Fou r th st r eet

.
,

cabl e l i n e cam e h om e H is eyes m o i sten ed as h e s aw

,
.

h is h o m e w as d e m ol ish ed He asked piteousl y of by .

.

stand e r s for th e fate of h i s family D etecti ve M eaney .

w e nt ac r oss t he st r eet to M r Go r m an an d poi nted t o th e

.

l atte r s wi fe a n d tw o ch il d r e n s afe on th e oth e r si d e of
th e st r eet T h e h u sba n d w ept i n h i s j oy and sh ow e r ed
.

th ank s a n d bless i n gs u po n Detecti v e M e a n e v

M RS . R ENE S EX EP RI E NC E .

Th e te r r i bl e o r deal th r ough w h ic h M r s Lil l ie Be ne .

,

of 1 4 1 8 O h i o a v e n ue passed i s pe r haps w ith o ut

,

a pa r all el am on g th e e nt i r e l ist of c ycl on e s u ffe r e r s .

He r escape f r om d eath i s m ost r em a r k abl e b ut th e ,

wo nde r i s th at th e poo r wo m an h as n ot l ost h e r r ea

son . O ne of h e r ch ild r e n w as k i ll ed b efo r e h e r eyes ,

th e oth e r b u r ied w ith h e r i n th e w r eck of h e r h o m e an d

se r iou sly i nj u r ed w h ile s h e i n add iti o n to n u me r ou s
, ,

w ou nd s n a r r o wl y escape d be i n g r oasted al i ve by th e
,

bu r ni n g d eb r is .

He r h usband Jam es Be ne i s em pl oyed by th e E m i l

, ,

W ach te r Ha r d wa r e Co m pa ny an d w h e n th e to r n ad o ,

cam e sh e an d h e r t w o l ittle b oys Syl veste r a nd Ol i ve r , ,

ve and th r ee yea r s of age r es pecti v ely we r e th e o nl y, ,

occu pan ts of th e r es id ence A s t h e sto r m i nc r eased i n

.

fu r y S he t ook th e ch ild r e n a nd we n t i nto th e m id dl e r oo m .

Syl veste r i n h is f r i gh t r an to th e k itch en i n th e r ea r A .

334 TH E G R E AT C YCLO N E .

m om e n t l ate r h e com men ced to c r y t o h i s m oth e r to come

to h i m and sh e d i d so o n ly to see h i m st r uck by s om e
,

yi n g d eb ri s a nd k ill ed Sh e was to o h o r r o r st r ick e n t o

.
-

th i n k of h e r ow n safety a nd as s h e ad vanced to p i ck u p
,

th e l i ttl e m angl ed b od y on e of th e w al ls fel l a n d S he a n d

Ol i ve r w e n t d o w n w i th th e w r eck to th e oo r bel o w .

St r a n ge to say S he d id n ot l ose co nsci ou s ness an d at

,

o nce t r ied t o ext r ic a te he r sel f H e r h and s we r e f r ee b u t

.
,

h e r b od y w h ic h w a s b r u i sed a n d bl eed i n g w as pi n n ed
, ,

fast So h i gh w as th e w r eckage p iled abo ve he r th at al l

.

w as i n total d a r k n ess Sh e t r ied to cal l for h el p b u t

.

coul d n ot H e r m ou t h an d n ose w e r e lle d w it h d u st

.

an d m o r ta r t o s uc h a n exte n t th at S he was al m ost s u ffo

cat e d . \V it h h e r n ge r s sh e r em o ved th e pa r ticl es su ffi
c i e n tl t o b e abl e t o b r eath e a n d th e n feebl y c r i ed fo r
y
h el p To ad d t o t h e h o r r o r of h e r S itu ati o n t h e ti m be r
.

be neath h e r l egs co m me nced to bu r n h a v i n g cau gh t re

,

f r o m th e sto ve of th e k i tch e n on th e g r ou nd oo r Had.

i t n ot bee n fo r th e m ass of b r ick an d m o r ta r w h ic h w as

scatte r ed ab out an d w h ic h i n a m easu r e s m oth e r ed th e
am es s h e d ou btl ess w oul d h av e bee n bu r n ed to d eat h
,

befo r e r esc u e came Cl ose to h e r l ay th e d ead bo dy of

.

h e r l i tt le s o n an d seve r al ti m es s h e m a n aged to tou ch h i s

face He r baby Ol i ve r w as l yi n g at a g r eate r d i stance
.
, ,

away b u t by h i s c r ies sh e k ne w th at h e h ad escaped

,

d eath . Fo r o ve r a n h ou r th e m oth e r u nde r we nt th i s te r

r i bl e o r d eal b efo r e tw o of th e nei gh b o r s h ea r d h e r c r i es .

I t took th e m an oth e r h ou r to cl ea r th e ti m be r s aw a y .

\Vhile th ey w e r e at w o r k a r em an c a m e a nd d ragged
Ol i ve r f r o m t he w r eck Ac r oss h is bod y was the dead
.
 TH E G RE AT CYCLON E . 337

body of th e l i ttle fel l o w s pet d og a n I r i s h sette r The .

d og s bod y h ad sh ield ed th at of i ts m aste r a n d i t w as ,

d ue to th i s fact th at Ol i ve r was n ot k ill ed .

M r s Be n e w as ca r r ied to th e h om e of a n ei gh b o r Sh e
. .

was m o ve d n o l ess th an th r ee tim es befo r e h e r a r r i v al at

St J oh n s He r body was co v e r ed w ith cuts and b r u ises
. .

a nd h e r legs f r o m th e k nees d ow n a r e badl y b u r ned .

A J OCK E Y O N I CE .

Jock ey K uh n ar id e r at th e S o uth S id e r ace t r ack was

, ,

i n th e ne i gh b o r h ood of th e t r ack w he n th e s to r m ble w

u p a nd ra n to t he U n i o n Depo t R ai l w ay p o we r h o use for
p r otectio n He says th at h e s a w at l east t we nty peopl e
.

r u n ni n g to wa r d th e b u i ld i ng se v e r a l of w h o m ca r r i ed
,

b icy cles Ku h n left th e r e an d r a n to a b utch e r s h op o n

.

J effe r s o n ave n ue a n d c r awl ed i nto a n i ce ch est T h e Ge r .

m an p r op r ie t o r m ade fu n of hi m fo r cl i mb i ng i nto th e
b ox an d call ed hi m a co wa r d Wh e n th i ngs bega n fall i n g
.

a r ou nd th e n ei gh bo r h ood th e Ge r man h i m sel f m ad e a

d i ve for th e i ce c h est T h e j ockey told h i m to stay ou t
.
,

as h e was to o b r av e to hi d e h i m sel f T h e b utch e r .

th ough t oth e r wis e h o wev e r and cl i mbed i nto th e c h est

, ,

w it h Ku h n .

CONTR I B UT E D A$5 0 S UIT .

A West E n d r es i de n t co nt r i buted h i s n e w $ 5 0 s u it of
cl oth es t o th e sto r m s uffe r e r s agai nst h i s w i ll A fash i o n .

abl e cou pe d r o ve u p to the Me r ch ants E xch an ge a nd a
footma n i n l i ve r y b r ou gh t a la r ge b u ndl e of cl oth i n g t o
the R el ief C o m m ittee h ead qua r te r s T h e bu nd le was n ot
.

22
338 TH E G R E AT CYCLON E .

O pened b ut wi th se ve r al oth e r s was d u m ped i nto a d is

, , ,

t r i buti n g wag o n .

A b ou t an h ou r l ate r th e cou pe d r o v e u p agai n a n d th e

footma n g r eatl y excited r u sh ed i n a n d ask ed fo r th e
, ,

b u nd le h e h ad b r ou g h t ea r l ie r i n th e d ay Wh e n tol d .

th at th e b u ndl e h ad bee n se n t out h i s d ist r acti o n k n e w n o

b ou nd s He sai d th at h is em pl oy e r s n e w $ 5 0 su i t o f
.

cl oth es h ad bee n pl aced i n th e b u nd l e by m istak e by th e

m ist r ess of th e h ouse T h e s u it h ad j ust com e f r o m th e
.

tai l o r a n d th e b ox con tai n i n g it h ad n ot e ve n bee n ope n e d .

A s n o r eco r d was k ept of th e cl oth es se nt ou t i t wa s i m ,

p oss i bl e t o r eco ve r th e s ui t an d th e footma n left d ej ected

,
.

He d ecl i n ed to gi ve th e n am e of h i s em pl oye r .

H E LL N E V ER S AY DIE .

A s a n ill ust r ati o n of th e d ete r m i nati on of th e ave r a ge

Eas t S t L oui sa n to o ve r com e th e d est r u cti ve wo r k of th e
.

cycl o ne an d a n i nd i cati o n th at th e ci t y w il l s oo n r ecove r

f r o m th e pe r i od of gloo m th at h u n g o ve r i t for a fe w
d ays t h e cond uct of e x S upe r v iso r Pat r ick Kel ly m ay be
,
-

cited .

M r Kel l y at th e ti m e of th e cycl o n e a nd m a ny yea r s

.

p r ev i ou s co nd ucted th e Ri v e r si d e G r oce r y on th e Le vee

, ,
.

By th r i ft an d st r i ct atten ti o n to b us i ness h e h ad acqui r ed

qu ite a com pete n cy w h ich h e i n v ested i n t h e b u ild i n g of
,

a row of f r am e b u i l d i n gs o n th e I sl an d .

Th e cycl o n e bl e w d o w n al l th ese b u i ld i ngs an d l eft M r .

Kell y al m ost d estitu te He h o weve r w e n t to w o r k afte r

.
, ,

th e sto r m had s pe nt i ts fu r y a n d e r ected a sh a nty w h e r e

h i s g r oce r y fo r me rl y stood .
3 40 TH E G RE AT CYCLO N E .

Sav i o r su r r o u nd ed by a c r ow n of th o r ns U nd e r neath
,
.

was th e i nsc r ipti o n I n m em o r y of J ames B Ead s
, . .

Bo r n May 23 1 8 20 D ied Ma r ch 8
,
. I t was th e ,

o nl y m e m o r i al w i nd o w i n th e c h u r c h th at was b r oken ,

a n d m e m be r s of t he co n g r egati o n a r e co m m e nt n u po n
th e occu r r e n ce th e m assi v e b r id ge w h ic h w as th e en gi n
,

ee r s g r eatest w o rk h a v i n g s u ffe r ed dam age i n th e same
,

st o r m .

P INIO NE D I N D E B RI S .

Ma r ti n Ma r tell p r o p r ieto r o f th e Ma r tel l Hotel East

, ,

St Lo u is r eco v e r ed f r om h is i nj u r i es i n a fe w d ays s uf
.

c i e n tl
y to v i si t th e w r eck of h is h ou se al th ou gh s o bad l y ,

h u r t th at h e was r epo r ted d ead A n u m be r of t r avel i ng .

m e n m et h i m at th e Rel ay a n d afte r th ey h ad c on grat u

,

l ated h i m u po n h i s escape w it h l i fe h e tol d th e fea r ful

sto r y of hi s escape He sai d th at w h e n th e r s t s h ock
.

cam e h e le ft h i s d i n i n g r oom a nd cam e out to th e f r ont

r oo m faci n g th e Rel a y He r e h e m et Jud ge A W
,
. . .

Hope of Al to n Jud ge Foul k of V an dal i a an d Mess r s

, , , ,
.

Will i a m Fly n n a nd Joh n M u m me of Ed w a r d s v i ll e , .

Hope Mu m me a n d Fly n n d ecid ed t h at th ey woul d r u n

,

ov e r th e r oad s w h il e M r M a r tell and Jud ge Fou l k con

,
.

cl ud ed th at i t woul d be safe r i n th e h ouse T h e th r ee .

ge ntl e men h ad sca r cel y l eft th e bu i ld i n g w h e n th e h ouse

was r azed .

Ma r tel l d oes n ot k no w w h at occu r r ed afte r w a r d t o t h e

oth e r s but w h e n h e r e vi ved h e was pi n i o ned i n su c h a
,

way th at h is feet we r e ele v ated at a n angl e of p r o b abl y

fo r ty ve deg r ees w h i le h i s h ead was p us h ed fa r u p on
-
,
llutt ell Ho
tel, East n
a

outer d lh
5:; 5:
a ssu
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.

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. .
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ouldrun
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3 44 T H 13 om : C Y C L ON E .

l o ok i ng at a w aste w h e re a fe w sec o nd s befo r e stoo d ne

b ri ck a nd f r a m e b u i ld i ngs t he V and a l i a rou nd h o u se a nd
,

o th e r r a i l r oad p r o pe r ty a ll o f w h i c h c u t off a V ie w of
,

a ny p a r t o f th e b r i d ge Now h o we ve r h e sa w th e
.
, ,

st r uctu r e i n i ts e nt i r ety a nd co u l d no t o n th at acco u nt

, , ,

r e a l ize h i s pos i t i o n S ee i n g t he b r i d ge h e natu r al ly co n

.
,

cl uded th at i t w as h e w h o h ad bee n blo w n away an d n ot ,

t h e o bst r u cti o n s Ye t tu r n i n g a g a i n h e r ec o gnized th e

.
, ,

r e m ai ns o f t h e R el ay D ep o t and t h e n fo r th e fi r st ti me
,

h e co ncl ud e d th at th e st o r m h ad ac tuall y tak e n e ve r y th i ng

f r o m t h e c r ee k t o th e L e vee a d i stance o f n ea rl y a m ile
,
.

Th e r a i n w a s p o u r i ng d o w n i n to r r e nts th e th u nd e r r ol l e d , ,

and t he l i gh tn i n g m o m e nta r il y l it u p th e h ea ve n s D u r .

i ng t h e i nte r v a l s h o we ve r th e d a r k ness was i nte nse

, ,
.

T h ese as h e s s e t o u t t h e w h ol e pa no r am a o f d es t r ucti o n
m o r e v i v i d l y t h a n i f th e l i gh t w a s co nti nu o us a n d s u r el y , ,

h e states t h e sce ne was m o r e te r r i bl y i m p r essi v e

,
.

A B AR B E R s ST O R Y .

U po n th e t op oo r o f th e \Va i n w ri ght b u ild i n g th e r e

i s a n eat l i tt l e ba r be r s h o p p r es id ed o ve r b y L o u is Tisc h
,
,

t h at h as h ad l ots of t r a de si nce t h e cycl on e becau se a ,

g r e a t d esc r i pt i o n of th e to r nad o an d i ts igh t to th e ci ty

i s se r ved u p w i th e ve r y sh ave \V i t h a h ai r c u t Tisc h a n d
.

h i s ass i sta n t s p o i nt o u t d i e re n t pl aces of i nte r est i n th e
p a th o f t he sto r m as t h ey a r e see n f r o m h is el e vated
,

e rch a n d i f a m a n t ak e s a s h ave a h ai r c ut an d a s h a m poo

p , ,

m ay be i f h e i s good h e c a n go out on th e r oof .

T h e b a r be r s i n th e \Va i n w r i ght b u ild i ng T i sch G C , ,

. .

A d am s Joh n P ll n p pe rt a n d A R ust s a w th e s to r m
,
) . .
,
 TH E G R E AT C Y C L ON E . 345

r o m sta r t t o nish an d th ey tel l a m ost r e m a r kabl e sto r y

,

it T h ey say i t was not a fu n nel s h ape d cl ou d s uc h

.

pictu r ed as be i n g th e s h ape of a to r n a do .

ole m n l s w ea r s i t w as a h o r izo ntal bl ack cl o u d th at

y
th r ou gh th e c ity w ith a t w i sti n g m otio n l i k e a
sc r e w faste r th a n an y r ail r oad t r ai n t h at e v e r r a n P r e
,
.

c e e di n t h e bl ack cl o u d w as a d e nse yel lo w cl o u d t h at

g
l ook e d as th o ugh i ts i nte r i o r w as a m ass o f ames F r o m .

o u t o f th i s cl o u d s h ot l o n g rey a r m s i n e v e r y d i r ection ,

a nd w h e r e ve r o ne o f th ese a r m s st r u ck so meth i n g wen t to

pi eces .

T isch co m pa r es t he cl o ud to a bi g se r pe nt th at w r i ggl ed
al ong u p i n th e ai r a n d t r u st o ut a m ul ti fo r k e d tongu e as
-

th ou gh i n a n ge r .

S h o r tl y befo r e th e sto r m b r oke H u p pe r t w e nt u p o n

,

th e r oof a n d ca m e bac k w i t h th e i nfo r matio n th at th e r e

w as a to r nad o i n si gh t R u st fol lo we d h i m a nd cam e
.

back w it h a co n r m at i o n of t h e r e po r t an d th e n t h e t w o
,

ba r be r s w e nt o ut an d sa w th e g r an d m a r sh all i n g of th e
sto r m i n th e w este r n sk i es W h e n th e r ai n bega n t h ey
.
,

cam e d o w n i nto th e s h op and th e l ast th ey sa w as th ey

,

we r e co m i ng t h r o ug h t h e sc uttl e w as t h e ad vance gua r d

o f th e to r nad o as it ca me i n f r o m th e so u t h w est .

Th e ba r be r shO p is at t h e so u th east co r ne r o f th e b u il d
i ng a n d all a r o u nd i t a r e l i ttle w i nd o ws r o u nd l ike th e
, , ,

po r t h ol es i n a s h i p T h e ba r be r s s too d at t h e so ut h
.

w i nd o ws a nd w a tch ed th e to r nad o f r o m th e ti m e i t a p
e a re d away of f to t h e so uth wes t u ntil a po r tio n o f i t
p , ,

r ol led u p agai nst t h e b u i l d i n g and mad e th e m w is h th ey w e r e

so me w h e r e e lse Tisch says th ey sa w h ou ses a n d b us i
.
3 46 TH E G R E AT c r ow n E .

ness bl ock s go d o w n befo r e i t t h e i r v i e w of th e des t ruc

,

t i o n i t was w r eak i n g be i ng m ad e p l ai n by th e yel l ow

c low d o f r e th at p r eced ed th e sto r m p r o pe r He is .

s u r e i t c r osse d th e r i v e r so me d istance bel o w Pa r k av e n ue ,

s w i tch e d a r o u nd w h e n i t got nea r ly to t h e Il l i no is sh o r e

a n d sta r te d d i r ectl y u p th e st r eam I n th i s h e i s bo r ne
.

o u t by t h e state me n ts o f th e oth e r s w h o we r e w atch i n g it .

J ust as t h ey w e r e getti n g r ead y t o m o ve a r ou n d to th e

east w i nd o ws i n o r de r to ob se r ve th e p a ssi ng of th e
,

sto r m u p t h e r i ve r a g us t o f w i n d and r ai n th at sh o o k
,

th e bu ild i n g ca m e al o n g a n d th ey we r e i n th e m id s t o f
,

th e sto r m W he n n ex t th ey s a w th e r i v e r a n d th e c i ty
.

bel o w t he sto r m h ad passed a n d t h e r ai n w as fal l i ng

, ,

st r ai gh t d o w n T h ey sa w d oze ns o f w r ecks oati n g d o w n

.

th e s t r eam a n d o n th e oth e r s id e sa w all t h e stea m boats

,

bl o w n away f r o m th e h a r bo r a n d p i l e d u p al o ng t h e
ba nk . T h e n ca me t h e seco n d sto r m fol l o wed by th e S t ,
.

L o u is W ood e n G utte r C o m pa ny s r e w h ic h t h ey sa w ,

f r o m th e i r a i r y o bse r vato r y I t was l ate w h e n th ey W e nt

.

d o w n afte r t h r ee h o u r s o f u n i nt e r r u pted e xc i te me n t
,
.

A col o r e d boy n a m ed Mose i s o ne of th e v al ued

attach es o f th e s h op a nd h e w as o ne o f th e s p ectato r s
,

w h e n th e awful cl o u d w as r st s ee n He i nstantly .

sta r te d fo r th e g r o u nd a nd h e got th e r e i n a h u r r y
,
He .

fo r go t abo ut th e el e vato rs and m ad e a s l i d e i t i s av e r r ed ,

d o w n te n igh ts o f s ta i r s N o a m o u nt o f pe r s uas io n
.

c o ul d ge t h i m b ack to t h e sh o p t h at n i gh t N ex t m o r n .

i ng w h e n h e w a s bei ng tw i t ted abou t h av i ng r u n a way

f r o m th e s to r m h e r e ma r k ed :
,

O h t h e r e was oth e r s .
 '

TH E G R E A T C Y C LO N E . 349

D A U G H T E R S A SH E S
H ER .

B e nt W it h age a n d w ith feebl e steps an ol d l ad y h o b

ble d i nto C h ief H a rr i ga n s ofce at th e F o u r C o u r ts t w o
d ay s afte r th e t o r nad o ca r r y i n g o n h e r a r m a m a r ket
,

bas ket i n w h ic h w as a cu r io us l ook i ng ca n o r u r n Po v .

~

e rt
y h a d p i nch e d th e featu r es o f th e age d wo man an d s or

r ow h a d left i ts d ee p l i nes S ec r eta r y E s py w as at h i s

.

d esk a n d h e n otice d th e v isito r a n d aske d h e r w h at s he

d es i r ed He r sto r y w as m ost path etic and th e sec r eta r y
.
,

w as m ov e d to pity at i ts r eci tal W ith h es i tati ng wo r d s

'

s he s tate d h e r m iss io n :

My n a me i s J ul i a We i s e a n d I l i ve at 4 1 6 B a r to n
,

st r eet T w o yea r s ago m y d au gh te r M r s L o u is S e h r

.
,
.
,

d ie d i n Me m ph is a n d th is u rn w h ic h I h ave i n m y bas
, ,

ket co ntai ns al l t h at r e mai ns o f h e r afte r h e r bo d y h a d

, ,

bee n c r e m ated It w as h e r l ast d es i r e t h at h e r h usb an d

.
,

L o u is S eh r s h o ul d h a ve he r bod y c r e m ate d
,
Fo r t wo .

yea r s h e ca r r i e d the as h es of h is d ea d w i fe w ith h i m

w h e r e ve r h e we nt S o m e m o nth s ago h e cam e to th i s
.

city a s uffe r e r f r o m co ns u m ptio n He l i v e d w ith m e at

,
.

4 1 6 B a r to n s t r eet a n d d i d w h at h e co u l d to ea r n a l i v
,

i n g th o ugh g r o w i ng w eak e r e ve r y d ay F i nal ly h e w as

,
.

co m pel le d to r e mai n i n be d an d fo r weeks h e l i nge r ed ,

wasti ng a way to a s h ad o w Wed nesd a y h e d ied an d I

.
,

h a d n ot t h e m ea ns w ith w h ic h to b u r y h i m s o h is bo d y ,

was tak e n to th e Mo r gue w h e r e it n ow is , .

I a m g r eatl y i n need o f h el p sai d t h e o l d w o m a n , ,

w it h qu i ve r i n g v oice a nd I want L o u is b u r ied d ece ntl y
, .

He h as a b r oth e r i n Utica N Y M i ch ael S eh r a w el l to

,
. .
, ,
-

do b a r b e r a n d i f you co ul d n o t i fy h i m of L ou is de ath
,
350 TH E (: REAT C Y C L ON E .

a nd ask h is ass i sta nce h e m i gh t se nd m o ney e nou gh to

pay fo r t h e fu ne r a l .

T h e old l ad y w as t o l d to co m e back at 4 o cl ock i n th e
afte r n oo n I n th e meant i m e C h i e f Ha r r iga n teleg r aph ed
.
,

to t h e b r oth e r i n Utica stati ng th e c i r c u ms ta nces a nd

, ,

aski n g i f h e w o ul d d e f r ay th e e x p e n ses o f th e b u r i al .

T he u rn co ntai ni n g th e ash es o f M r s We i se s daugh te r .

r em ai ned i n th e C h ief s office al l d ay T h e o l d w o ma n .

l eft i t th e r e for safe k eep i ng S h e h ad n o s pec i al pl ace

-
.

t o stay a n d i s af r ai d s he w ill l ose th e u r n I t w as th e ob

,
.

ect o f m uc h cu r iosity o n th e pa r t of attach es of th e

j
offi ce a nd v isi to r s o n acc o u n t of its pec ul ia r s h a p e -
.

I t i s m a d e o f h ea vy ti n a n d h as a sc r e w top w h i ch ca n ,

be r e m o ve d at w i l l Th e as h es w eigh abo u t ve po u nd s
.

a n d a r e of a l i gh t st r a w col o r .

A M A N LO ST H IS R E A SON .

A t th e o l d pol ice stat i o n i n E ast S t Lo u i s t h e o ffice r s .

,

w r estl ed w i t h a m an w h o s a id h i s n am e was Th o m as Ph il
l i ps Ph ill i ps w as p i ck e d u p w h i le ai mlessl y w al ki n g
.

abo u t th e r ai l way ya r d s a nd l od ged i n t he statio n AS .

soo n as h e w as b r o ugh t i n h e d is pl ayed u n m istakable

S i g ns o f i nsa n it y a n d atte m pted to m ak e a b r eak fo r l i b
,

e rt y . H e co nte nded th at t h e office r s w i sh ed to m u r d e r

h i m o n accou nt o f th e p a r t h e h a d tak e n i n th e l ate to r
nad o a nd as h e wa s a m a n o f stand in g h e w o uld sel l hi s
,

l i fe d ea r l y T h e n e x t i nstance h e qu ieted d ow n and said

.

th at h is n am e w as T h o mas Ph i l l i ps ; th at h e l i ved at
G r ee n v i l l e Mo b u t afte r w a r d s h el d th at h e h ad j us t a r
,
.
,

r i ve d f r o m C a nad a A s soo n as h e was pl ace d i n th e

.
352 TH E G R EAT ci C LONE .

S exto n sa ys th at abo ve t h e r oa r of th e w i nd s h e co ul d
h ea r s o me v e r y a ud i ble a nd fe r ve nt p r aye r s A tel e ph o ne .

pol e b r ok e j us t i n f r o nt o f th e ofce a nd was s h ot st r aigh t

,

as a n a r r o w agai nst t he w al l k nock i n g a h ol e i n i t a nd

, ,

a d d ed to th is t h e te r r o r st r ick e n occu pa nts co u l d h ea r t h e

-

r oof c r ack l i ng a nd fal l i ng abo ve th e m .

T h ey da r ed n ot ve nt u r e out s o l ay p r o ne u po n t h e
,

oo r e x pecti n g th e w o r st bu t w h e n t h e sto r m h a d S pe nt
, ,

its fo r ce all r o se s h o o k th e we t m o r ta r f r o m th ei r cl oth es

, ,

a nd ve ntu r ed o ut .

M r S exto n says th at fo r fu l l y te n m i n utes b efo r e th e

.

sto r m r each ed E a s t S t L o u is h e st o od i n hi s o ffi ce an d

.

watch e d t h e g r an d el e me ntal d is pl a y th at w as pl ay i ng
s uch h a voc i n S o uth S t L o u is . .

He s ai d at ti m es th e h eave ns S ee med to b r i gh te n an d
h e cou l d s ee th e sto r m m o vi ng n o r th wa r d at a r ap i d r ate .

He ex pecte d i t to r each th e E as t S i d e b u t fo r th e m o m e nt ,

h is at t e nti o n w as tu r ned to a te r r i c gust of w i n d th at

cam e f r o m t h e no r th .

T h e co nte nd i ng fo r ces we r e ad va nci ng to m eet e ac h

oth e r an d th ey d id w i th te r r ibl e fo r ce j ust abo u t at th e
,

E a d s b r i dge N oth i n g b ut s uch co m bi ned fo r ce coul d

.

h a ve s h ake n and c r u m bled a s pa n of th e g r eat b r i d ge i s ,

M r S ex to n s o pi n i o n
. .

T he so uth w i n d w a s th e st r o nge r bu t th e b r ief gh t ,

th e no r t h w i nd gave it was d ead l y a n d te r r i c B oth .

ai med th ei r wa nto n fo r ces u po n th e d e fe nsel ess v ict i m s

o n th e L e vee a nd u po n th e r ail r oad wa r e h ou ses i n th at
sectio n Th at i s w h y th e r es ul t was s o cal am it o u s T h e
. .

so u t h w i nd i n its m ad d e ne d t r i u m ph s we pt on w it h te r
, ,
 T ] "E G R E AT C Y C L ON E .

oth e rs w e r e k i l l ed i nstantly . T h e s u r v i vo r is 1 9 y ea r s
of a ge and sel f s u ppo r t i n g
-
.

A TE RR IB L E S CATT ER .

Joh n W D u n n A ss i sta n t C i ty T r eas u r e r tel l s a re

.
, ,

m a r k abl e s t o r y th at h e d u g u p w h il e vi s i ti ng th e cycl o ne
d i st r ict nea r L af a yette Pa r k A d r i ve r for a n ice w ago n.

w as l ast s ee n e nte r i n g a n al ley back of th e p o we r h o u se

of t h e Peo p l e s R a i l way C o m pany seated on h i s wago n ,

w i t h hi s w h o l e o utt i ntact L a t e r h e w as m iss i ng a n d

.
,

f o r h o u r s no t h i n g w as k no w n o f h i m M r D u n n says . .

th at th e e nt i r e outt w as d isco v e r ed th e wago n i n on e ,

pl ace th e h o r se i n a noth e r a n d t h e d r i ve r i n a n oth e r

, ,
.

T h ey we r e at th e t h r ee a n gl es of a t r i an g l e and M r ,
.

D u n n i s auth o r i ty f o r th e statem e nt t h at th ey w e r e 1 00
a rds a a r t It i s i m pos s i b l e to e x p l ai n ho w t he d r i ve r
y p .

w a s b l o w n f ro m th e seat o r t h e h o r se s epa r ate d f r o m th e

,

w a g o n bu t t he f a c t s M r D u n n s ays a r e as stated abo v e

,
.
,
.

A M AN AND WO M A N B LO WN A W A Y .

A r ch i tect Is aa c S Tay l o r tel ls of a d r a mat i c sce ne

.

w h i c h h e v i ew ed f r o m h i s o fce on th e n i n th oo r o f th e
C ol u m b i a Bu i l d i ng at E i gh t h a nd L oc usts st r eets
,
Mr . .

Tayl o r say s th at s oo n afte r th e s t o r m b r ok e a m a n a nd ,

w o m a n tu r ned i nto E i gh t h st r eet f r o m L ocust A s soo n .

as th e r a i n bega n t o fal l th e m a n p u t u p a n u m b r e l la .

\V h e n th e s peed of th e w i nd i nc r eased b ot h of th em
s ou gh t th e r ai l i ng a r o u nd th e C ust o m House w i th t he ,

u m b r e l l a s ti l l u T h e l a t te r was s oo n w i ped ou t b v th e
p .

g a l e and t h e n th e m an a nd w o man we r e see n des pe r a tel y

,
 TH E G R E A T C Y C LON E . 35 7

cl in gi n g to t he i r o n r ail i n g T h e fu r y of th e ga l e i n
.

c r ease d f r o m fo r ty to fty s ix ty se v e nty m il es a n h o u r

, ,
.

T he r e w as a m o ment o f d a r k ness as th e w i nd bl e w fu r i
ousl a nd t h e m a n a n d wo ma n w e r e st i l l cl i n gi n g to th e
y ,

r ai l
. I n a not h e r m i n ute th e st r eet l it u p an d th ey h ad
e nti r el y d i sappea r ed M r Ta yl o r says he d oes n ot k n ow
. .

w h at becam e of th e cou pl e b ut t h e r e i s n o d ou bt th ey
,

we r e s wept d o w n E igh th st r eet by th e w i nd an d i t i s ,

p r obabl e t h ey w il l gu r e e v e n t u a ll y a m o n g th e n u m b e r
of m i ssi n g pe r so ns who h a v e n ot bee n acco u n t ed for s i nce
th e sto r m .

H ORSE RE SC UE D A LI VE .

Wo r k m e n o n th e r u i ne d S t r i ckl e r B u i ld i n g ca m e u po n
a l i ve h o r se S u nd a y n i g h t a fte r th e w r eck T h e poo r .

a ni mal was f r ee d f r o m i ts p r ed icame nt so m e ti me d u r i n g

t h e d ay .

T h e S t r ickle r B u i l d i n g w a s o ne of th e w o r st u sed b y
th e sto r m of a ny o f th e s t r uc t u r es i n E a st S t L o u i s I t . .

was abso l utel y r azed to th e g r ou nd an d at l east fo u r peo

pl e k i lled A mo n g th ose w ho l ost t h e i r l i ve s th e r e w e r e
.

S pecial Ta x C o l lecto r Sa ge a nd h i s w i fe Ph i l S t r i ck l e r , ,

th e d r i ve r and D r C E M i ll pe r h aps t h e m ost p r o m i

,
. . .
,

ne nt v ict i m s o f th e d i saste r
. .

T h e r e w a s a h o r s e st a bl ed i n t h e b ase m e nt He u sed .

to d r a w o ne of S t r i ck l e r s g r oce r y w ag o ns A f te r th e .

bu i l d i n g fel l and peo ple began t o th i nk agai n s o m e of ,

th e m r e m e m be r ed th e p oo r a n i ma l b ut th o u gh t o f co u r se
, , ,

h e m us t be d ead co ve r ed as h e w as by th e g r eat m ass o f

,

d eb r is T h e wo r k me n h a d bee n l abo r i n g e ve r s i nce to

.
358 TH E G R E AT C Y C LON E .

get t h e w r ec k c l ea r e d a way w it h a V ie w t o nd i ng any

m o r e d ea d bod i es t h a t m i gh t b e th e r e .

S u nd ay n ig ht t h ey h ea r d so u nds i nd i cati ng th at s o m e
th i ng w as a l i v e s o me w h e r e i n t he d eb r is G r eat e xcite .

E A ST ST . LO U I S E L E CT R I C C AR B LO W N F R O M TH E B RIDGE .

m e nt f o l l o w e d t h is d i sco ve r y L abo r ed b r eath i n g coul d

.

be he a r d an d t h e s ou n d o f so meth i ng st r u gg l i n g as
,

th ou gh t o ge t f r eed f r o m th e c r ush i n g w e i ght .

3 60 TH E G RE AT c vc 1 o NE
. .

TY PI C A L S \D
. NE S S .

O n e o f th e m ost p i t i a bl e ca s es s ee n a t r el i ef he adqu ar
t e r s w as th at of M rs A ugu st B r au e r an d v e of h e r s i x
.

c h i ld r e n .

U n t i l t h e sto r m th ey l i ved at 5 00 B r oad a y T h ei r '

.

h o use w as to r n d o w n co m pl etel y M r B r aue r w a s s o . .

bad ly b r u ise d t h at h e co ul d n ot W a lk a nd Ph ili p 8 y ea r s , ,

old h a d a l eg b r ok e n
,
.

H ow th e oth e r m e m be r s of th e h ou se h ol d esc a ped i s a

m a r vel .

N ot a s i n gl e a r ticl e of fu r ni tu r e w as sa ved a n d a l l o f
th e i r cloth i n g w as lo s t .

To ad d to th ei r m isfo r tu ne th e baby w as bad l y b r u ised

o n th e h ead a nd h as si nce beco m e s i ck because of th e
w eath e r .

T h e fa m i l y fo u nd te m p o r a r y s h elte r w it h M r B r au e r s .

s iste r M r s A nd re w Pete r s o n w h o se h usba nd i s a m e m

,
.
,

be r of th e E a s t S t L o u i s F i r e D e pa r t m e nt
. .

A WI LD AND A\VF U L R IDE .

T wo m add e ned h o r ses r a ci ng so u t h on Je ffe r s o n a ve

n u e d r a gg i ng beh i nd t h em a t r o u ble w a go n o f t h e
,

U n i o n D e pot S t r eet R a i l way C o m p any w i t h t w o f r i gh t ,

e ne d m e n c l i ng i ng t o th e r a il s on t h e e l e va t ed t o we r
w h ich r ests on t h e bed of th e w a go n w a s on e of th e sce nes ,

w i t nessed .

T h e wago n h ad go ne t o 23 1 3 S out h Je ffe r s o n ave n u e

t o r e p a i r a b r oke n t r o l l ey w i r e T h e w ago n h a d d r i ve n
.

i n t o t he t r acks T h e to w e r as el e ated o t h a t th e t w o
.
' '
s

m e n o n t o p co u l d be i n ea y r e a ch o f t h e t r o l l ey w i r es
s .
 TH E G R E A T C YC LON E . 36]

A fte r th e w ago n w as i n place and th e t wo men atwe r e

w o r k o n th e w i r es th e d ri v er le ft h i s seat t o go t o th e s i d e
w a l k He h ad h a r d ly r each ed th e g r o u nd w he n th e w i nd
.

bl e w a p ape r i n f r o nt o f th e h o r ses T h ey becam e f r i gh t

.

e ned a nd sta r ted o n a d ead r u n d o w n th e a ve n u e O ne .

of th e m e n i n th e to we r h ad h i s h and i n th e r o pes abo ut

th e t r ol ley wi r e an d h i s a r m w as n ea r l y j e r ked off .

Bo t h m e n sc r ea med b u t th a t o nly see me d to u r ge th e

,

h o r ses t o g r eate r s pee d .

S o h i gh w as t h e to w e r th at th e r ai l s n ea r l y c a u gh t i n
th e o ve r h ead w i r es a nd a d oze n ti m e s th e e nd a nge r ed
,

m e n stoo ped and c r awl ed t o t he floo r of t h e h i gh p l a tfo r m

to ke ep th e i r h e ad s f r o m bei ng se ve r ed f r o m t h e i r bod i es .

Me n w h o w e r e bl ock s d o w n t h e s t r eet s a w t h e tea m

co m i ng a nd r eal ized t h e j eo pa r d y i n w h i ch th e m e n s l i ves
we r e p u t on th e to w e r a nd th ey r u sh ed f r a nt i ca l ly i nto
th e ca r t r ack s s o m e p ul l ed t h ei r coats f r o m th ei r back s
,

a nd wa ved th e m i n th e a i r i n a n eff o r t to sto p t he h o r ses ,

b ut th at o nl y m ad e th e m t u r n f r o m t he t r ack s an d th e
w h ee l s i n gl i d i n g agai nst t h e r ails nea r ly o v e r tu r ned
, ,

th e to p h eav y v e h i cl e
-
.

F i n all y o ne o f t h e t w o m e n w h o h ad bee n d od gi ng el ec
t r i c wi r es a nd bo u gh s o f t r ees scaled th e r a i l a nd w h i l e
th e h o r ses we r e g o i ng th e fastest l o we r ed h i m sel f d o w n
th e to we r u nt i l h i s feet to u ch e d t h e bed of th e w a go n .

T h e n h e s p r an g to th e g r o u n d and r o l led o v e r i nto t h e

g utte r .

Th e ho r ses mad e fo r th e ca r s h ed s and d as h ed i nto o ne

of t h e ca r d o o r s T h e to we r w i t h th e m a n o n it st r uck
.

th e top of th e d oo r a n d i t w as to r n l oose f r o m th e bed

3 62 TH E G R E A T C YC LON E .

a nd t op pl ed o ve r to th e S i tlt l lk T he m a n j u m pe d a nd
.

st r uck i n t h e st r eet s ustai ni n g n oth i ng m o r e th a n a sp r a i n

,

of t h e a nk l e .

T H E WI ND S I DI OS Y NCR A C Y .

Th e t wi ste r fai r l y out t w isted itsel f wh e n it d e mol ish ed

-

Mt C al va r y C h u r ch at Jeffe r so n a n d Pa r k a ve n u es T h e
. .

SC E N E O N CH O UT E A U A VE N U E .

b e l fr yw a s o n th e no r th eas t co r ne r o f t h e bu i ld i ng be fo r e

th e sto r m . A fte r wa r ds it w as n t T h e to r na d o st r uck
.

th e ch u r c h and ca r r ied th e r oof u p i nt o t h e ai r \Vhi le .

i t w as u p t h e r e th e walls gave w ay T h e n th e r oo f tu r ned

.

e n d for e n d and d r opped on th e r u i ns co v e r in g th e m ,

3 64 TH E G R E AT C\ CLU NE .

d ent occu r r ed A n u m be r of peo p l e h a d take n r efuge i n

.

th e l a r ge cor r i d o r o f t h e U n i o n T r u s t B u i l d i ng A s no w .

w h i te d o ve u nabl e to cope w i t h th e w i nd i n i ts n a t i ve
,

el e m e n t equ a l ly u n abl e t o nd sec u r ity o n an y r e s ti ng

,

pl a ce ex posed to th e w i n d b l o w n h i t he r a n d th i th e r i n
, ,

i ts f r i gh t e nte red th e o pe n d oo r way an d e w t o t h e

sh o ul d e r of a ge ntl e m a n sta nd i n g th e r e Th e f r igh t e ned .

b i rd see m ed t o k no w i t was s a fe an d sat th e r e qu i t e a nd ,

co nte nted .

He n r y J R u ck w ho l i ves at T h i r tee nth and G eye r

.
, ,

h a d a r ed b i r d a n d t he r eb y h a n g s a tal e Bef o r e th e sto r m .

th e c a ge co ntai n i n g th e b i r d h u n g on a n ail o n t he back

po r ch . Mos t of th e po r ch w as ca r r i ed a way M r R uck . .
,

i n t he ge ne r al co nfusio n fo r got a l l abou t t he b i rd A n

, .

h ou r afte r t he sto r m h e l o o ked o ut of t h e f r o n t w i n do w .

Th e ca ge was l o dged i n th e tel eg r aph w i r es i n f r o n t of th e

h o us e a nd th e r e d b i r d w as S i ngi n g g a i l y a s i f to s ay

n e ve r to u ch ed m e .

SO M E CU RI O I S
'

E FF E C T S .

U nt i l r epai r s w e r e com m e nced th e cu r i o u s effects of th e

,

w i nd on ce r t a i n obj ects w as a so u r ce of m uc h co m me n t .

A t 1 9 1 4 S o u t h B r oad way w as J B S te e n s fu r ni tu re
,
. .

sto r e w h ich occu pie d a th r ee s to r y b r ic k b u i ld i n g on th e

,
-

e as t s i d e of th e st r eet \V h e n th e w i nd st r uck th e r e i t
.

s ha v ed off th e e nti r e f r o nt w a l l of th e t h i r d sto r y b ut d i s ,

c r i m i na t ed at th e seco nd O n each s i d e cl ose to th e s i d e

.

w a l l s w a s a ful l l ength w i nd o w w i t h l a r ge panes of gl a ss

, ,

o n e t o th e s as h A l l th e r est of t he f r o nt o f th a t o o r i s
.

go ne b u t th ese t w o w i nd o ws a r e st i l l i n t h e i r pl aces th e
, ,
 TH E G RE AT C Y C LONE . 3 65

f r a mes i ntact and th e g l ass not e v e n c r ack ed Th e w i n

,
.

dow to th e so u th w as e v i d e nt l y o pe ne d sl igh t ly at t h e
b o ttom as th e d r a w n cu r tai n beh i nd i t h as bee n stai ned
,

as i f b y r ai n bu t oth e r w ise n o dam a ge w h ate v e r was d o ne

,

to i t .

T h e v e r y tal l stee pl e an d its p r ototype o f a m i n a r et ,

w h i ch to we r abo ve th e C ath ol ic C h u r ch of S S Pete r and .

P a uI a t E i gh t h a n d A l l e n a ve n u e m u st h av e bee n l i ne d ,

w ith stee l to h av e w ith stood th e sh ock s as wel l as th ey

d id. T h e i nte r m ed i ate r oof betw ee n th e m w a s bad l y
w r eck ed m ost o f t h e d eb ris fal l i ng i nto th e bod y o f th e
,

ch u r ch an d th e ve r y steep r oo f of th e east to we r w as also

,

to r n u p ve r y co nsi d e r abl y T h at t he m ai n r oof sh o ul d

.

h ave bee n s o d am aged w h i l e t he s pi r es escaped i s t h e m o r e

r em a r k able as th e ch u r c h l ies east and w est th e d i r ectio n
, ,

of th e sto r m s pat h an d h e nce th e r oof w as to a v e r y l a r ge
,

exte nt p r otected by th e tw o s pi r es .

O ne of th e out of place obj ects see n h an g i n g to o n e of

- -

th e sp ik es o f L afay ette P a r k fe nce was a ne w s p r i n g b on

n et It w as n ot cl a i med
. .

A coat and v est f r o m som e u n k n o w n so u r ce cam e sa i l

i ng th r o ugh t h e a i r a nd l a nd e d o n t h e co r n e r of S t A nge .

a nd Pa r k A neg r o soo n afte r t h e sto r m ap p r o p r iated

.

th e ga r m e nts and w as see n to abst r act a r o l l f r o m th e
Vest p ocket No i nqu i r y w a s m ad e afte r fo r ei th e r
.

cl o th e s or m o ney .

A t o ne h o use a s h i r t w as f o u nd u nde r th e back cella r

d oo r A s th e cel l a r d oo r w as faste ned d o w n th e o nl y
.

w ay th e s h i r t coul d h a ve got th e r e w as by bl ow i ng
th r ou gh th e f r o n t cell a r w i n do w I t w as m a d e for a m an .
3 66 TH E G R E AT C Y C LO NE .

as b i g i n g i r t h as G r o ve r C le vel a nd an d as th e n e w spa
,

pe r m a n i s a l igh t w eigh t th e n d d i d n ot p r ot h i m
,
.

He also acqu i r ed t h r ee t r ees a n old r ug a n d an e m pty

,

c h i cke n coop w h ic h l atte r w as i d e nti ed as th e p r ope r ty

,

of a b utch e r nea r th e C ity Hos pi tal a bl ock aw ay,

.

O n S t A n ge a v e n ue f r o m Pa r k to C a r r oll n ot a house
.
, , ,

U N IO N D A I RY CO M P A NY .

sa v e o ne escape d d a m age m any bei ng e nti r el y w r ecked

, ,
.

A l l of th e m we r e occu pie d b ut o ne a n d st r ange to s a y

, , ,

th e e m pty h ouse w as th e o ne w h ic h escape d I t w as o nl y .

sl i gh tly d a mage d by fal l i n g b r i cks f r o m a ch i m ney next

3 68 TH E GR E AT C Y C LON E .

el em e nts A p o ny w h i c h was t i ed i n th e stabl e back o f

.

t h e m i ll af t e r t h e sto r m was fo u nd c utti ng al l k i n d s of

,

d i d os a n d c o ul d not be p acie d u ntil M r R ob i nso n fo u nd

,
.

i n i ts stall a n el e vato r belt ch ai n abo ut 9 feet l o n g w h ic h

h a d bee n bl o w n i n f r o m t he el ev a to r eas t of t he b r id ge
a d istance o f abo u t 4 00 ya r d s W h e n th e ch ai n w as re .

m o ved t h e po ny b eca me qu iet .

A L ON E \V I T H H ER BABY .

M r s L S ch n ute w h o l i ved at 8 3 8 G r atiot st r eet w as

. .
,

al o ne w ith h e r babe T h e i r t wo sto r y r es i d e nce i s a co m

.
-

p le te w r eck d o w n to th e r st oo r fu r n itu r e an d al l M rs ,
. .

S c h nu te too k h e r babe w h e n s h e sa w th e s to r m co mi n g
a n d sto o d i n th e h all w ay cl ose to t h e d oo r W h e r e s he .

stood i s a s pace abou t 6 feet l o ng and 5 feet w id e n ot

m ol este d by th e w r eckage A ny w h e r e el se i n th e b u i l d
.

i n g th ey w o ul d h av e bee n k ill e d M rs S c h nute says S he . .

o wes h e r r esc u e to James S te ve ns a n d E d S canl o n th e .

,

l atte r a w atch ma n for th e S N L o ng S y r u p C o m pany

. . .

M r S canl o n w as bl o w n f r o m t h e th i r d sto r y of th e S N
. . .

L o ng S y r u p C o m p an y bu ild i ng a n d th e sol es o f hi s sh oes

to r n f r o m h i s feet ; o th e r wise h e was n ot i nj u r ed a nd i s ,

c r ed ited w i t h m any n ob le d eed s o f r escue .

M RS . WO R H EI D E S E XP ER I EN C E .

E ve r s i nce th e cycl o n e M rs F r ed Worhe i de h as bee n . .

wo nd e r i ng how s he and h e r t w o ch ild r e n escaped d ea t h .

He r h o m e i s j ust ac r oss th e st r eet f r o m S t He n r y s .

C h u r ch co r ne r of H i cko r y st r eet a nd C al ifo r n i a a ve n u e

, ,

w h ic h w as so bad ly w r ecked S h e and h e r l i ttl e s o n an d

.
 TH E G RE A T C Y C LON E . 3 60

dau gh te r , 5 a n d 7 yea r s of age r es pect i vel y w e r e o n th e ,

seco n d oo r w h e n t h e cycl o ne s wep t d o w n u po n th e r es i

d ence T h e e nti r e seco n d sto r y w as l i f t ed u p an d ca r r i ed
.

a way an d a m o me nt l ate r h e r l ittle g i r l w as d r aw n aw a y

by t h e fo r ce o f t h e w i n d a n d d r o p ped u po n t he d eb r is o n
th e st r eet M r s Worhe i de a n d h e r so n escaped w i t h
. .

sl i gh t i nj u r ies but th e l ittl e gi r l it i s fea r ed m ay n ot re

, , ,

co ve r
M r s Worhe i de says th e w i n d see m ed to h ol d h e r fast
.
,

w h i l e h e r l i ttl e d a u gh te r w ho w a s stan d i n g o nl y a fe w
,

feet fr o m h e r w as bl o w n u po n t h e st r eet Jud g i ng f r o m

,
.

th is i t i s th o ugh t t h e r e m ust h ave b ee n se v e r al tw ist i ng

,

co u nte r w i nds s weepi ng t h r o ugh t he bu ild i n g .

A N A D V E NT U R O U S A N D COSTL Y R ID E .

F e r d i na n d F He r o l d o f th e He r ol d L i ve r y
.
,
Co .
,
No .

1717 Pa r k a ve n ue se nt M r Je r o m e Hi l l a b i l l fo r $ 1 5 5
,
.

fo r a ca r r iage o n t h e n i gh t o f t h e cy cl o ne .

I d id n ot c h a r ge h al f w h at I s h o u ld sai d M r He r ,
.
.

old . I a m a w r eck m ys el f a nd t wo h o r ses a r e r u i ned .

I we nt o ff a n d l e ft my fa m ilyi n th e woods h e d a n d o n e o f
m y m e n i s h al f c r azy I w o u l d not go th r o u gh i t aga i n fo r
.

M r H i l l cam e t o m e ve t i mes a nd begged m e to
.

h itch u p and take h is fam i l y d o w n to th e h ote l Th e .

O fce w a s f ul l of i nj u r ed peopl e w ait i ng to b e take n ,

h o me M r H i ll t r ied to get M r K ey es to tak e h i m

. . .

d o w n an d M r K eyes tol d hi m h e wo uld n ot h i tc h u p fo r

.

a ny a m ou nt O f m o ney .

F i nal l y M r H il l asked m e i f I wo u l d h itch u p i f h e
.

24
3 70 TH E G R E AT C Y C L ON E .

g o t a l ante r n He offe r ed a ma n ac r oss th e st r eet $ 1 0

.

f o r a l a nte r n bef o r e h e go t on e I h itch e d u p mysel f and

.

E A ST OF L A F A Y ET T E P ARK .

h ad t o d r iv e o v e r th e s ide w al ks m ost of th e way a nd ,

I h a d to w al k ah ea d a n d cut w i r es or l i ft th e m
3 T:3 TH E G RE AT C YC L O NE .

s h el te r ed by f r ie nd s a n d th e th o u gh t o f m a r r i age w a s
,

t e m p o r a r i l y p u t o ut of th ei r m i nd s .

Wh e n t h e e x pecta n t g r oo m ag a i n be t h ou gh t h i m of th e
l i ce nse th e p r eciou s d ocu m e nt cou l d n ot be fo u n d T h e
,
.

w i nd w h i c h b r oke u p t h e w ed d i ng pa r ty h ad m a d e i t s
w o r k co m pl ete by ca r r y i ng a way th e l egal w a r r ant for it .

T h e co u pl e w e n t t o Bel l e v ill e l ate r a n d a d upl icate w as

i ss ued to t h e m w i t h o u t ex t r a cost .

E I G I I T Y- I I V E M I LE S .

T h e r e w e r e j u st 8 5 m iles of st r eets obst r ucte d by d eb r i s

as a r es ul t of th e to r nad o A l l of th ese st r eets we r e
.

cl ean ed u p i n 1 0d ay s I n S t L ou is th e r e a r e 4 8 0 m il es o f
. .

i mp r o ve d st r eets S O i t can b e see n t o w h at exte nt th e

,

to r nad o i nte r r u pted t r afc T h e sto r m d i st r ict o n i ts

.
,

o uts i d e l i nes ex te nd e d f r o m th e r i v e r on th e east t o

,

T o we r G r o ve av e n u e on t h e west a n d f r o m O l i ve st r ee t
,

o n th e no r th to L ync h st r eet o n th e sou th Th e e xt r em e .

l i m i t s we r e th r ee m il es east an d w est a n d tw o m i l e s n o r th
and sou th .

A n ad equ ate id ea of th e d a m age ca n b e fo r m e d w h e n

i t i s stated th at i f al l th e h ou ses d am aged a nd b l o w n d o w n
we r e on bot h s id es o f o ne st r eet th a t s t r eet wo ul d j ust be
,

8 5 m iles l o ng . T h is g u r e i s gi ve n by th e S t r eet C o m
m i ss io ne r w h o h as bee n th r o ug h t h e e nti r e d ist r ict a nd
, ,

f r o m th e r e po r ts of h i s ge ne r al s u pe r i nte nd e nt w h o h as ,

c ut a r oad way th r o ugh th e 8 5 m i l es o f st r eets .

I n add i ti o n to th i s th e r e we r e m any m o r e st r eets ob

,

st r ucted by w i r es and th e l i k e w h ich a r e n ot co u nte d i n

,

th e t o tal , as t h e o bs t r u ctio n w as b ut sl i gh t T h ese st r eets .

 TH E G R E A T C Y C LON E . 3 73

we r e cl eane d u p r o u gh l y th e fi r s t d ay I t took j u st th r ee .

d ay s to c ut o ut a p assage t h r ou gh th e d eb r i s s o th at t r af
c co u l d be r es u m ed As . m e n w e r e e m pl oy ed at
th i s w o r k th e m ag n i tud e of t h e task ca n be r eal ized
,
.

T h e r e a r e 9 0 al l ey s o bst r ucted T h ese al l ey s r ep r ese n t

.

about 20 m i l es Th e st r eet gan gs a r e n ow e n gaged i n

.

cutti ng a passage w ay th r ou gh t h ese all eys I t i s a v e r y .

d i fCult task as i n som e of t h em th e r e a r e th r ee and fo u r

,

feet of b r ick a n d o t h e r d eb r is .

T he w ork of r epai r i n g an d r eb u il d i ng i n th e w r ecked

'

d ist r ict w a s p u sh ed as r ap i d ly as p oss i bl e T h e fo rce O f .

'

th e B u ild i n g I nspecto r s O fce w o r k e d w ith al l its vi m t o

s e e th at u nsafe b u i ld i n gs a r e p r o pe r l y a n d p r o m ptl y r e

p ai r e d ; N o p e r m it t o r eco n s t r uct o r r epai r d e m an d e d .

T h e i ns pecto r s w e r e S i m pl y seei ng th at th e w o r k i s d o ne
s ubstanti a l l y an d safel y N o on e w as ask e d t o S h o w a
.

pe r m i t O ffi cial r ed tape w as t a booed

. .

A R I D E ON TH E
'

IN D .

On T h u r sd ay follow m g t he g r eat sto r m i n S t L o u is

,
.

th e r e w as fo u n d o n a fa r m i n th e n o r t h w este r n p a r t of
F ayette co u nty Il l a piece of t ar r oo n g pape r f ul l y a
,
.
,

y a r d s qu a r e S i xtee n m il es w est of V a nd al ia n ea r
.
,

S m i ths b oro a p h otog r ap h of tw o yo u n g gi r l s p res u m

, ,

ably si ste r s bea r i n g th e n ame of a S t L o u i s p h otog

,
.

r a he r
p ,
w a s fo u nd i n W i l l i a m D e free s do o r y a r d th e

n ex t m o r n i ng afte r th e sto r m A s S t L o u i s l i es i n a
. .

so uth weste r l y d i r ectio n and th e cou r se of t h e sto r m b e i ng

,

f r o m t h e s o u t h west to n o r th w est i t i s v e r y p r obabl e t h a t

,

th ese a r t i cl es w e r e ca r r i ed th at d istance by th e w i nd .
3 74 TH E G R E AT C YC L oNE .

A K IN D L Y D E E D .

A path et i c st o r y and a ge n e r o u s act i o n came t o n ot i ce .

M r S anf o r d S nyd e r ( 5 ye a r s o l d w ho a t on e t i me w a s
.
,
3
,

q u ite w el l to d o b ut of l ate ye a r s h as s uffe r ed r e ve r ses o f

- -
,

fo r tu ne w as co m i ng h o me on a S ixt h s t r eet ca r th e e ve n
,

i ng O f t he st o r m f ro m C a r o n del et w h e r e h e h ad bee n
, ,

AD v ANC E E L E v AT O R E A ST ST . L OU I S .

e m pl o y me nt T h e ca r w a s a t E i gh t h and Ni ck
.

or v w he n th e st o r m st ruck and e ve r yone o n th e ca r w a s

,

m o r e o r l ess i nj u r ed M r S nyd e r b e i n g k nock ed i n s e n s

,
.

i b l e S o m e o ne ca r r i ed h i m t o th e s i d e w a l k w h e r e h e
.
,

l a y i n th e d r i v i n g r a i n f o r s o m e t i me F i nall y r ec o ve r i n g
.

co n c i o u s ness h e r e t u r ned t o h i s h o m e i n a p i tiabl e c o nd i

s
3t TH E G REAT Ci C LO NE .

Tll E ( II I

NE Q E AND THE ST O R M .

L i tt l e i f any m e nti o n w a s m ad e of th e C h i nese w ho

,

w e r e i n j u r e d o r th e l o ss of p ro pe r ty t h ey s usta i ned No .

l ess th a n s e ve n w e r e i nj u r e d on e of t h e m se r i ou sl y w h i l e
, ,

th e l o ss t o th e i r l a u nd r i es alo ne w ill i t i s sa i d a mo u n t , ,

t o m o r e th a n T h e m o r e fo r tu n ate m e m be r s o f
th e r ace hav e n o t bee n i d l e h o w e v e r T h ey a r e n ot o nly
,
.

tak i ng ca r e o f t h ei r s u ffe r e r s b u t h a v e r aise d $ 1 00 fo r

,

th e ben e t o f oth e r u n fo r tu nates .

\V o ng C h i n F oo th e w e l l k no w n i nte r p r ete r state d

,
-
,

th at a m eet i n g of th e C h i nese m e r ch a nts was h el d a nd

m eas u r es w e r e at o n ce tak e n to al le viate th ei r c o u nt r y

m e n s s u ffe r i n gs T h e i nj u r e d we r e g i ve n m ed ical atte nti o n
.

by C h i nese ph ys ici ans w h i l e th ose w ho l os t th ei r p r ope r ty

,

h a ve r ece i ved s u bstant i al assi sta n ce nancial ly T h ey .

h ad l i ttl e d i ffi cul t y i n r a is i ng t he $ 1 00 fo r al l oth e r v i c

t i ms o f t h e st o r m .

H EN R Y \V E D E R M E Y E R S P R I EN CE
EX E .

He n r y \Ve de rm e ye r of 9 1 1 \Va rre n st r eet a s w itc h

, ,

m a n i n t h e e m pl oy o f t h e \Va b as h R a i l r oad C o m pany ,

was at wo r k i n th e y a r d o f t h at co m pa ny w h e n th e sto r m

bega n . A bo ut h al f p ast 5 o cl ock-
said M r \V ed e r ,
.

m eye r ,
I w e nt o v e r to th e b ui ld i ngs o f th e Belch e r
S u ga r R e ne r y a n d cl i m bed i n a tank i n o n e of t h e ol d
s h ed s to tak e r efu ge f r o m th e sto r m A s I s to o d t h e r e .

p i eces of y i n g b o a r d s a nd b r ok e n gl a ss fel l a l l a r ou nd
m e W h i le look i n gso uth I sa w t h e c u p o l a of th e S t
. .

Lo u i s el e va t o r a n d t he b i ggest pa r t of t h e r oo f b l ow n O ff .

T h e O l d b u i l d i ngs of t h e B e l c h e r S uga r R efi ne r y bet wee n ,

 TH E G R E A T C YC LO NE . 3 77

D i xo n an d A s h l ey a n d L e w i s a n d Mai n st r eets w e r e ,

nea r l y e nt i r el y u n r oofed T h e co n v ey o r s ab o ut eigh t i n

.
,

n u m be r on th e r i ve r h o u se o f th e S t L o u is el e v ato r w e r e
,
.

pa r tl y d est r oyed a nd th e t op o f t h e b u i ld i ng w h e r e th ey
,

we i gh an d s h i ft th e g r ai n f r o m o n e b i n to a n oth e r was ,

blo w n O ff T h e s m okestack o n th e S t L o u is el e v ato r

. .

w as de m ol ish ed Th e S t Joe H o use o n L e w is st r eet

. .
, ,

bet wee n A s h l ey a n d B id d l e w as totall y u n r oofed a nd th e

,

gabl e e n d of th e b u ild i ng w as bl o w n i n A bo x ca r o n .

th e Me r c h ants E l e v ato r t r acks foot of M u llan p hyst r eet , ,

w as blo w n off th e t r ack a n d l a n d e d o n its s i d e T h e .

Me r c h a nts el e v ato r b u i l d i ng w a s al so u n r oofed an d bad l y
d amaged T h e steam boats Pol a r Wave Be nto n C h a r
.
, ,

l otte B oec kler a nd Jack F r ost ly i ng bet wee n S m i th a n d ,

O F allon st r eets w e r e d a m age d a nd th e p i lot h o uses an d
, ,

s mokestacks be i ng bl o w n off a n d t h e s ides d e mol is h ed .

U N E A S IN E SS O F S H A NT Y -
BOA T O W N E R S .

Wh e r e a r e th e s h e r me n a nd ot h e r s w h o occ u pie d th e
b oat h ouses i n t h e beac h j u st bel o w t h e el e vato r ? w as a
st a nd i ng qu estio n o n th e Isl and afte r t h e cyclo ne It i s .

k no w n th at t he r e w e r e t we nty o r m o r e of t hese boats on

th e ba nk m any o f w h ich ca me i n w h e n th e r i ve r W EH at
,

i ts h e igh t F e w we r e k no w n as th ey h a d co me f r o m a
.
,

d i sta nce an d nd i n g a goo d h a r bo r sou th of th e el e va

, ,

to r a nch o r ed th ei r c r afts O n th e m o r ni ng afte r th e

,
.

sto r m all o f th ese l ate a r r i v al s h ad d i sa ppea r ed a n d th e ,

d e nize ns o f th at local i ty n ow bel ie ve t h a t th e boats w e r e

s we pt i nto th e w ate r a nd th e occ u pa nts w e r e d r o w ned .

T h ese boats w e r e n ot a s h i g h u p u nd e r th e sh el t e r of th e
3 . 8 TH E G RE A T C Y C LON E .

e l e v a t o r as th e oth e r s w h i c h m a y ex pl ai n th ei r l oss ;
,

w h i l e t h e old t i m e r s w eath e r e d t he st o r m w it h o ut a S i ngl e

-

f a ta l i t y an d i t h l i t t l e l oss
,
NO i nq u i r ies h av e bee n re
.

c e i v e d at h ea d u a r te r s fo r l ost s h e r m e n o r pe r so ns w h o
q

\VR E C K OF E L E VA T O R ON TH E L EVE E .

fo l l o w t h e r i ve r i n boat h o uses f o r a l i v i ng b ut th e r es i,

d e n t s o f S and y H o ok fi r ml y bel ie ve th at w h e n t h ese

p e o p l e f a i l t o w r i t e f r o m th e poi nts al o n g th e s h o r e d es
3 80 IE G R E A T C Y C LO NE .

O ne of th e d e a d h o r ses on th e I sl a nd r oad way was

ap pa re ntl y stabbed t o d eath w i t h s p l i n t e r s .

A s t a b l e w h i c h stand s i n th e r o ad way w as pi n ned

th r o ug h th e c o r ne r s b y w ood e n beam s w h i ch w e r e fo r ced ,

i nto both S id es by th e w i nd T h e e nd s of t h e be a m s
.
,

e xte nd i ng u p a nd ou t f ro m t h e stabl e co nt a i ned a p i l e of ,

l u m be r c a r eful ly a r r an ged as i f placed th e r e by h a nd

,
.

A TRUNK M Y ST E R Y .

T h e pol i ce we r e w o r r i ed by a t r u nk w h ic h w a s fis h ed ,

o u t o f t h e r i ve r at th e foot of E lw ood s t r eet o n th e n i gh t ,

o f th e sto r m by Jo h n G a mac h e r es i d i ng at 5 9 01 So u t h
,

B r oad way A q uan tity o f w o m an s cloth i ng so me
.
,

d r esses e v id e ntl y bel o n gi n g to a l i ttl e g i r l a ch i ld s p i c
, ,

tu r e a nd a l a r ge n u m be r o f l ette r s m ak e u p th e co ntents
of t h e t r u nk T h e l ette r s a r e ad d r essed t o M i ss E m m a
.

Boyl e a nd n ea r l y al l of th e m a r e s i gned J W R i ce T h ey . . .

a r e w r i tte n o n l ette r h ead s o f th e Mo s e r Hote l S t L o u is ,

.
,

th e R i ngo H o tel o f Me x ico M o t h e G r a nt Ho use of

,
.
,

R ol l a M o a nd so m e a r e on pl a i n p ape r
,
.
,
T h e ad d r ess .

3 5 3 1 O l i ve st r eet appea r s i n o n e l et te r
,
I n oth e r s R i ce .

r equests t h e r eci p i e nt t o add r ess h i m at Pos t O ffi ce S ta

tio n F .

O ne o f th e l ette r s i s s i gne d by C h a r l es B oy le and f r o m ,

its co n te nts i t is e v id e nt th at th e M iss E m m a B o yl e i n
q uesti o n i s h is w ife T h e l et t e r i s r e ma r k abl e for th e e x
.

t ra ord i nary spell i ng of se ve r a l w o r d s A ns we r for i n
.
,

stance i s s pel t i n th e d el i gh t full y o r i g i n a l m an ne r ance r
, ,
.

T h e w r i te r r e fe r s to h i m sel f as h a v i ng b ee n a de vorse t

m a n a nd d ec l a r es t h a t h e l o v e s E m m a a s m utc h t o d ay
,
-
 TH E G R E AT C Y C LONE . 381

as h e e ve r d i d T h is l ette r O pen s w i th th e s i n gl e w o r d
.

M i ld r e d .It w as e v id e ntly w r i tte n by Boy l e to a
w om an w h os e r st n a me h e u ses i n o pe ni ng A p pa r e ntly .

S he gav e th e l ette r to th e o w ne r of th e t r u nk w ho is ,

th o u gh t to b e th e E m m a B o yl e befo r e m e ntio ned In .

th is co m m u n icatio n B oy le d iscusses at l e n gth h i s w ife s
,

acti o ns a n d ce r tai n th r eats w h ic h s he h ad m a d e a bo ut l ea v .

i ng h i m He d ecl a r es h i m sel f at a l oss t o accou n t for h e r

.

col d nes s and say s h e has al way s t r eated h e r r i gh t .

T h e l ette r s f r o m R i ce a r e add r essed to th e ge ne r al

d e l i ve r y an d n ot to th e h o use ad d r ess o f th e r eci pie nt
,
.

I t i s t ho u gh t poss i bl e th at t he o w ne r O f th e t r u n k pe r
i s he d i n th e sto r m T h eo r ies th at i t w as bl o w n f r o m a
.

t r a i n 0 11 th e E ad s b r i dge o r a w ago i o n th e r oad way o f

th e b r i d ge a r e a l s o ad vanced .

H AV L I N S THE ATER D AM AG ED .

A bo u t th i r d s of th e w est w a l l of H av li n s Th eate r
t wo -

bu i l d i ng fe l l i nto t h e all e y w ith a c r as h d u r i n g th e r st

sto r m Th e sect i o n o f th e w al l w h i c h fel l left th e e nti r e
.

stage e x p o sed and th e sce n e r y a n d can vass d eco r atio ns

we r e l o ose ned a nd to r n d o w n T h e r e nt i n th e wall e x
.

te n d s f r o m th e r oo f to th e g r o u nd T h e wal ls w h ic h
.

h av e r e m ai ned sta nd i n g a r e b u l ged a nd c r ack ed i n pl aces .

Afa m i ly r esid i n g o n th e th i r d o o r of th e b u i l d i ng ,

th i nk i n g th e e nti r e st r uctu r e u nsafe so ugh t oth e r qu a r ,

te r s
.

E N G IN E H O U S E CO M P LE T E L Y D E M O LIS H E D .

E ngi ne H ou se N o 7 w a s co m pletel y d em ol is h ed b y
.

th e sto r m T h e h ose r eel a n d t h e h o r ses bel o n gi ng to

.
3 3 13 TH E G REAT ) NE .

i t w e r e bu r ie d u n de r t h e d e b r i s i n th e cel la r T h e e ngi ne .

h ad r espo nd ed to an ala r m of r e at N i nth a n d \Valn ut

st r eets and escaped dest r uct i o n A t th e ti m e th e c r ash
,
.

c ame ve m e m be r s of th e com pan y we r e i n th e e n gi ne

ALL TH AT W AS L E FT OF A BE A UT I F U L H OM E .

h o use T h e s o u nd of th e to we r i n th e r ea r of th e h o use
.

f a l l i n g gav e t h e m t i m el y w a r ni ng a n d th ey r an ou t a n d
,

esc a ped i nj u r y .

J o se ph Utley a nd T i p L an h am of E n gi ne C o m pany

,
384 TH E G R E \T C Y C LO N E .

t he o th e r w i th t r ee s w h o le t r ees and b r o ke n b r a nch es

, ,

b r oke n tel eg r aph t el e ph o n e an d el ect r i c l i gh t poles th at

, ,

m a d e t r a ffi c o f e ve r y k i nd bot h ted io u s and d a nge r ou s i n

t h e d a r k ness an d f a l l e n w i r es and i t w as w i t h g r eat d i ffi
,

c ul ty th a t ped est r ia ns w o r med th ei r w ay al o n g th e S i d e

w al ks w h ic h w e r e s t r e w n w ith d eb r is O f e ve r y descr i p
,

tio n T h e m id d l e of th e th o r o u gh fa r e w as bl o ck ad ed w ith
.

elect r i c ca r s of th e v a r i ous l i n es th at t r a ve rs e i t f r o m e nd
to e nd a nd a n u m be r o f se r i o u s acci de nts o ccu r r ed on ac
,

c o u nt of h o r ses becom i n g e nta n g l ed i n t h e w i r es th a t

s t r e we d th e g r ou n d e v e r y w h e r e .

F o r h al f a n h o u r afte r t h e sto r m st r uck th e \V es t E nd

pa nd e mo ni u m r eigned s u p r e m e at t h e E xcel s i o r La u nd r y ,

co r ne r o f G ra nd an d Bel l a ve n ues O ve r 1 25 wo m e n are.

e m pl o y ed i n th i s esta bli sh me nt a n d th e r st gu s t o f t he
,

sto r m c r ash ed i n t h e w i nd o ws of t h e b u il d i n g ll i n g th e ,

ai r w it h b r ok e n gl ass an d w r eck i ng e ve r yth i ng th at w as

n ot n ai led d o w n th r o w i ng t h e e nti r e esta bl is h m e n t i nto
,

con fu s i o n .

M a n y of th e w o m e n we r e S l i gh tl y i nj u r e d by th e bits of
yi n g d eb r is All m ad e a r us h fo r th e e x its f r o m th e
.

bu i ld i ng a nd r en t th e a i r w it h th e i r sc r eam s an d se ve r al ,

w h o fai nted w e r e n ea r l y t r am ple d to d eath by t h ei r co m

pani o ns i n th e i r f r a ntic effo r ts to escape T h e d am age t o .

t he b u i l d i ng i s i nco ns id e r abl e an d w ith a fe w excepti o ns

,

th e w o m e n we r e m uch m o r e f r i gh te ned th a n h u r t .

All th e st r eets i n th e \V est E n d p r esen t ed a sce n e v e r y

m uch s i m i la r t o th at o n G r a n d av e n ue and i n m any p l aces
,

t h e st r eets we r e al m o st c o m pl etel y bl ocked with fall e n

t r ees fe nces p ol es an d oth e r d eb r is C h i m ney to ps
, , .
,
 TH E G RE A T C Y C L ON E .

w i nd o w bl i nd s s i g n b o a r d s a nd b r o ke n gl a ss we r e e ve r y
,

w h e r e a nd t h e i n t e nse d a r k ness a nd po u r i ng r a i n l i g h ted

, ,

u
p by f r eq uen t and v i vi d as h es o f l i gh t ni n g th at bl i nd ed
and te r r ied th e soak i n g a n d d r i p p i ng m ul t i tud es O f
wo r k i n g peopl e w h o we r e co mpel l ed t o g r o pe t h e i r w ay
h o m e i n th e d a r k ness a nd r ai n m ad e a sce ne th at dees
,

d esc r i ptio n .

A P R I E ST S E S C A P E .

R e v F ath e r Head an d h i s s i ste r n a r r o wl y escaped w i th

.

th ei r l i v es B oth a r e p a i nfu l l y i nj u r ed es pec i a l l y th e

.
,

r e ve r e n d fath e r w h ose i nj u r ies a r e of a m o s t d a n ge r o u s

,

c h a r acte r. T h e to r nad o t o r e O ff th e t w o t o we r s of An
n u n c i at i on c h u r c h o n S ix t h st r eet n ea r C h o u t e a u ave n u e
,
.

Th ese w it h th e h eavy b el l of th e ch u r c h fe l l w i t h a c r as h
o nto th e th r ee sto r y res i d e nce o f th e p r iest i m med i a tel y
-

no r th o f th e ch u r ch T h e y s m ash ed t h r o u gh th e h o use
.

f r o m r oof to cel la r F a th e r He a d a n d h i s s i ste r w h o

.
,

w e r e i n th e r o o m on t h e s ec o n d s t o r y w e r e th r o w n i nto ,

th e cel l a r as w as t h e i r h ousek eepe r

,
.

T he i nj u r ed o nes w e r e ca r r i e d as soo n as p oss i ble by

te n d e r h a nd s to th e r esid e nce o f D r J C L eb r ech t at . . .

S i x t h a n d L a S a lle st r eets w he r e th ey s pe n t th e n i gh t
,
.

F ath e r Head h ad a te r r ible scal p w o u nd S i x i nc h es l o n g

a nd anoth e r i n th e back o f h i s h ead Both of h is eye s .

a r e i nj u r ed H i s l eft k n ee is v iol e ntl y s p r a i ned a n d h i s

.

r igh t th u m b c r u s h ed He s u sta i ned a S h ock t o h is s ys

.

te m th at m ay p r o ve ve r y se r i o us .

M is s Head w h il e not s o bad l y off h ad bo t h h ips i n

, ,

j u r e d an d i s i nte r nal ly h u r t .

T h e h ous ekeep e r escaped w i t h s l i gh t i n j u r i es .

25
380 TH E GR EA T C Y C L ON E .

D IE D I N T H EIR A R M S .

O ne of t he m o t affectin g st o r ies o f the te r r o r s o f th e

s

t o r n a d o co m es f r o m m e m be r s of th e F i r e D epa r tmen t
w h o w o r k ed o n th e w r eck of A nch o r I l all at th e s outh ,

I M P E R IA L LA UND R Y .

w est co r ne r of Jeffe r s o n and Pa r k a v e nues D o w n u nd e r

.

th e d eb r is l ay th e bod y of po o r Josep h Meye r a ba r be r ,

e m ploye d i n t h e s h o p i n t h e b u il d i ng W he n th e sto r m
.

cam e u p h e atte m pted t o t a ke r efuge i n th e basem e n t but ,

388 TH E G R E AT C YC LON E .

be rs o f h is f a m i l y a nd w o u ld n ot al l o w h i m se l f t o t h i nk
of gi v i n g u p w h e n h el p w as s o nea r .

A t l a s t abo ut n i ne o cl ock i n t h e m o r ni ng th e l ast stick ,

of t i mbe r w as r e mo ve d f r o m th e d yi n g m a n s legs a nd he
w as ca r r i e d t o th e s id ewal k abo ve H e s m ile d fai ntly on
.

h is r escue r s as th ey b o r e h i m out of h is p r iso n b u t i n ,

sp ite of h is effo r ts t o appea r st r o n g a nd b r av e it w as plai n

to be see n th at h e coul d n ot l ast l o ng a nd al m ost i n th e ,

a r m s O f th e m e n w h o h ad co me to h is r el ief h e b r eat hed

h i s last Befo r e h e d ie d h e sa i d :
. \V el l b o ys I d id , ,

my best t o h old out b u t I guess I m goi n g n ow
,
.

H E RO O F B A LA K LA V A D EA D .

A mo n g th e v icti m s of th e to r n a d o w as T h o m as G ri i n ,

e x p ol ice man e x sold i e r and a t o n e ti me a m e m be r o f th e

-
,
-

fam ou s S i x H u nd r ed w h i c h m ad e th e equ al l y f a m ou s
ch a r ge at Bal ak l a va I I O a nd t h ree d au gh te r s w e r e
.

cau gh t l ike r ats i n a t r a p at th ei r h o me on S e ve nth st r eet ,

an d w e r e c r u sh ed be neath th e w a l l s G r iffi n w as on e o f
.

th e b est k n o w n m e n i n th e c ity a nd se r v ed o n th e p ol ice

,

fo r ce for ne a r l y ei gh t yea r s D u r i n g th i s ti me h e w as
.

statio ned at th e ap p r oac h to th e E ad s B r i d ge a nd was

k now n by S i gh t to t h o usa nd s of st r a nge r s w h o v isited t he
to w n G r i ffi n s e r ved w ith th e L igh t B r i gad e d u r i n g th e
.

battl es of B alakl av a I nk e r m an S e basto pol an d L uck no w

, ,

A t th e t i me o f h is d eath h e w a s w ea r i ng m ed als r ece i ved

fo r b r a ve r y i n each o f t h ese b a t t l es .

FO U N D S A F E T Y I N A B A S E M E N T .

T h e Wetzel fam i l y e nj oyed t h e g r a nde u r of th e sto r m

u nt i l t h e w i nd o w s of th ei r h o me beg a n to gi ve w ay T he V .
 TH E GREAT CY C LON E . 389

sa w th e r st ch i m ney s of th e Un io n C l u b fal l a nd th e ,

r u n n i n g co m m e nt at o nce ceased E ach m e m be r of th e

.

h ou seh ol d r u s h ed to th e base m e nt an d n o soo ne r h ad ,

th ey con g r e gated th a n th e wal ls of t h e i r h o m e gave w ay .

Th e l oss of fu r n i tu r e w as co m pl ete and th e h o u se a

w r eck .

D r \Villi am A M c C a n dless w h o l i ved i n a h an d so m e

. .
,

w h ite sto ne r es i de nce of th r ee sto r i es adj o i ni n g th e VVe t

zel s l ook ed at th e w r eck of h i s h o m e a n d r em a r k ed : I
, ,

w il l gi v e al l th at is l eft to any bod y w h o w ill r e m o ve t he

w r eckage .

T h e M c C an dless h ou seh ol d w as sa v ed by tak i n g to th e

base m e nt fo r all th at r e m ai n s of t h ei r h o m e a r e th e
,

wall s .

H O \V T H E H O R SE S BE I I AV E D .

At 27 1 0
L afay ette i s th e r u i n of a m am m oth l i ve r y
stable o w ned by W alte r S G r ego r y T h e e nt i r e seco nd
,
. .

o o r i s go ne a n d 1 5 ca r r iages a r e d es t r oy ed When M r . .

G r ego r y told o f h is l oss yeste r d ay h is affecti o n fo r th e

h o r ses w h i c h h ad escaped u n hu r t w as cl ea r l y appa r e nt .

Th ey k ne w as w e ll as h u ma n b ei ngs coul d h a v e

k no w n sa i d h e th at d ea t h sta r ed th e m i n th e face
, ,
.

T h ey w e r e n ot u n r ul y T h ei r p iteou s n e i gh r e veal ed
.

th ei r fe a r an d th ey w e r e as d oci le as co we d sch ool ch ild

,

r e n w o u l d h a v e bee n .

I n th is r u i ned ba r n l ay th e r e mai ns of M r s F D . . .

Wood r u ff w i fe of a ba r be r at 27 4 3 A n n a ve n u e W h e n
,
.

th e sto r m st r uck h e r h o m e M rs Wood r u ff w as on th e s e c

.

on d oo r of t h e bu i l d i n g S h e h aste ned to th e r ea r of
.
3 90 TH E G RE \ I
'
C YC L O N E .

t he h o u se a nd c l utch i ng a cl o th e s l i ne fa te ned i t a r o u n d
, ,
s

h e r body B ut befo r e see co ul d th r o w h e r se l f f r o m th e

.

w i nd o w th e w al l s gav e way a nd s he w as h u r l ed to h e r
d eath .

D iag o nal l y ac r oss th e st r eet f r o m th e G r ego r y stables

FO U R T E E N T H AND P A P I N ST RE ET S .

a r e th e stabl es of th e C o m pto n A v e n ue L i v e r y C o m pany .

He r e b u t l ittl e d am age w as d o ne to p r ope r ty b u t i n a n ,

atte m pt to h ol d th e d oo r s agai nst th e sto r m Josep h \V a r ,

r e n th e fo r e man w as st r uck by a pi ece of y i n g gl as s

, ,
392 TH E G R E AT C YC L O N E .

r e ma r k ed M r s E ye r ma n n ne i t h e r t h e m o t h e r n o r t he
.
,

ch i l d w as i nj u r ed .

T h e i r n ext e nd ea vo r w as to ext r icate t h em sel ves .

A bo ve a nd a l l a r o u nd th e m th e fal l i n g b r i c ks h ad gath
e r ed bu t th ey foll o w ed th e a r ch way to th e m ai n baseme nt
,

a n d n al l y d u g away e n o u gh b r i ck s f r o m a r ou nd a w i n

d ow to ga i n t he i r f r eed o m .

D r E ye r man n w as o nl y a cou pl e of bl ock s f r o m h o m e

.

i n hi s bu gg y bu t w as se r i ousl y i nj u r ed
,
.

M rs E ye r man n s at o n a n i m p r o v i sed seat m ad e b v

.

r esti n g a boa r d o n th e b r ick s f r o m h e r h o me th e nex t d ay

a nd co m pl ace nt l y ate s u p pe r .

G AVE III S LI F E TO S A VE A H OR S E .

T h e r e we r e ma ny m a r ve l o u s escapes al on g t h at pa r t of
M i sso u r i ave n ue w h i c h faces t h e pa r k T h e h o me o f .

A l o is S ole re r i s a th r ee s t o r y b r i ck w i t h i m i t a t i o n s to n e
-
,

f r o nt at 1 4 01 M i sso u r i a ve n u e ( co r ne r of Pa r k ) T h e
,
.

r oof i s b l o w n a way a n d th e fam i l y w a s gath e r e d i n th e

,

base m en t w h i l e t h e b r ick an d m o r ta r fel l th i ck abo ut

,
.

th em I n th i s fam i l y g r ou p w as al so W ill iam Taylo r

.

t h e n eg r o c o ach m a n w h o h ad bee n w i t h th e fam i l y fo r

,

y ea r s Th e n eg r o w a s pas si o na t el y d e voted to B es s
.
,

t h e fam i ly h o r se and w h i le t h e sto r m was at its w o r st

,

h ea r d t h e a ni m al ne i gh .

It w a s th e sa m e p i te o u s n ei gh w h i c h h as al r ead y bee n
d esc r i bed by th e p r o p r i et o r s o f se v e r al s t abl es and Tayl o r
sta r ted fo r t h e s t ab l e T h e fam i l y plead ed w ith h i m i n
.

va i n Tay l o r r e a ch ed th e stab l e j ust i n ti m e to f r ee

.

Bess j u st bef o r e t h e w a l l s gave way A l th o ugh t h e .
 TH E GRE AT C Y C LONE . 3 93

h o r se escaped th e neg r o w as b u r i ed i n th e r u i ns an d w as ,

take n o u t d ead .

T h e r e w e r e so m e sto r ies of m i r acul o u s escapes to te l l at

eac h o f th e h o u ses fac i ng L afayette pa r k f r o m M i sso u r i
a ve n u e b u t th e ge ne r al te no r w as th e sa me T h e peo pl e
,
.

escape d by flee i n g t o th e basem e nts of th e i r h o u ses .

L ook i ng eas t f r o m Pa r k a ve nu e th e w r eckage see m ed

co m p l ete S av e t h e o ne r es id e nce bl ock w h ic h bo u n d ed
.

t h e p a r k o n th e east th e oth e r s w e r e co m m e r cial an d i n

du st r i al st r eets T h e s m al l s h o p k eepe r s al o n g Pa r k
.

a ve n u e east of t h e pa r k w e r e w ith th ei r fam ilies i n a sa d

, ,

m ixt u r e of ch i l d r e n m att r esses b r o ke n b u r eau s a n d bed

, ,

stea d s an d d is g ur e d h om es T h e m ost co lossal w r eck

.

o f t h e nei gh b o r h ood wa s th e bi g t w o sto r y b r ick ca r -

,

S h e d of th e Peopl e s r ai l w ay l i ne I t co ve r ed o ne ful l
.

ac r e O f g r ou nd an d th e w h ol e st r uctu r e fe l l m ash i n g t h e
, ,

ca r s a n d b ui ld i ng i nto a giga ntic h eap of b r ick a n d m o r

ta r I t was al m ost i m p os s ible fo r o ne to p ick h i s w aya l o n g
.

Pa r k a ve nu e a n d t h e m ass o f h u man i ty w h i c h s t r uggled

,

to co v e r t h e te r r ito r y th e r eabo ut i ncl ud e d e v e r y v a r i ety

of citize nsh i p w h ich a bi g ci ty h as to o ff e r .

S m al l boys r ang th e go ngs an d bel l s o n th e d espo iled

st r eet ca r s l i ne me n vai nl y a ttem pted to r esc u e s uch elec
,

t r i c w i r es as cou l d b e p r ese r ved .

S A V E D T H RO U G H G OD S M ER C Y .

N o o ne w i l l e ve r satisfacto r i l y ex pl ai n how th e fam i l ies

of E d w a r d a nd W il l i a m R ea l i v i ng ac r oss th e st r e et at
,

23 4 5 Pa r k ave n ue escap e d T h ei r fo r me r h o me w as a
,
.

h an d so me b r ick th r ee sto r ies h i gh

,
F o u r wo me n we r e .
394 TH E G R E \T

Yt L O Nl-l

( .

i n t h e pa r lo r w h e n th e w es t w a l l gav e w ay a n d l le d t h e
r oo m w i th b r i ck an d m o r ta r T o l ook at th e r oo m a n d
.

i mag i ne t h at a ny o ne of i ts occu pa nts co u ld h ave escape d

i s i m po s s i ble Wh e n asked how i t occu r r ed M rs E d
.

,
.

BR O W N T O B AC C O COM P A NY S
BU I L D I NG .

( FOU R P E RSO NS ' P R E KI L L ED I N T H E \V R E C K O N T H E R X

G H I
'

R ea s ai d We w e r e sa v ed th r ough th e m e r cy of G od
: .

M r s S C ol l i ns at 23 4 3 Pa r k a v enu e i s equ al l y at a
. .

l oss to acco u nt fo r th e escap e of h e r self an d fou r dau gh

te r s Befo r e a ny one of th e fam il y atte m pted to take
.
3 96 TH E (: m mr '
C YCLO N E .

h ea vy ma r bl e steps th at we r e i n f r on t of th e m ai n d oo r
of th e r es ide nce was pi cked u p a n d t he e n d d r i ve n i n to

th e g r ou nd t o a d epth of tw o feet T h e ste p i s n ot ch i p

.

ped or i n a n y w ay i nj u r ed .

Th e r e a r e tw o i r o n posts i n f r on t of th e Me r ch ants
Exch an ge b u i ld i n g O ne o f th e m was w r ench ed off by
.

th e sto r m Sixty feet away i s a wood e n p ost of th e s am e

.

si ze a n d h ei gh t of th e i r o n pi lla r an d i t w as i n n o w ay
,

d amaged .

C h u nk s of i ce p r esu mabl y f r om th e \Vai n w ri ght

,

B r e we r y w e r e fou n d i n t he wa te r i n T wel fth st r eet j u st

, ,

bel o w t he S hi c kle Ha r r i so n I r o n \Vorks

-
.

H O R S E U NI I AI I NE S S E I )
-
.

O n G r and ave n u e n ot fa r f r o m Sh enand oah a h o r se

, ,

was to r n f r o m i ts h a r ness a n d th r ow n u pside d o w n i n a n

, ,

excavati o n th at i s bei n g m ade fo r a se we r Th e oth e r .

h o r se i n th e tea m was tossed ac r o s s th e st r eet .

A bed w ith its m att r es s i n pl ace was t h row n f r o m a

h ou se on Mi ssou r i a v e nu e to th e ce n te r of Lafayette Pa r k .

Th e pil l o ws fel l n ot fa r f r o m i t b ut t h ey w e r e n ot th e
,

pill ow s bel o ngi n g to th i s pa r ticula r bed .

A ch il d s ch ai r w as take n f r o m on e of th e lam ps at th e

gate l ead i n g i nto Lafayette Pa r k on th e sou th sid e Pa r t .

of an a r c l am p was faste ned to i t .

A m i dd l e aged Ge r m an was w al k i n g al on g th e r ail r oad

-

t r ack s east of T wel fth st r eet j ust afte r th e sto r m be ,

m oa n i n g th e l oss of h i s l ittl e d au gh te r A n oth e r ch ild .

,

wh o w as w ith h i m fou n d a b o n net th at was r ecog ni zed as

,

bel on gi n g t o t h e m i ssi n g gi r l Th e fath e r th ou gh t th at

.
 TH E G L E AT CYCLON E . 3 97

i t w as co ncl u s i v e e vide nce th at h i s othe r you ngste r w as

l ost w h e n th e l ittl e o ne r an u p a nd sh outed th at sh e
wa nted to get i n th e h ou se because i t was getti n g too wet
,

fo r h e r .

Bales of h ay ou g h t to be good fo r d efense i n a cycl one .

I n m an y l i ve r y stables on th e So ut h Si de eve r yth i n g b u t

th e g reat stack s of hay i n t h e l ofts w as bl ow n a w ay In .

on e case ca r r iages we r e take n h al f a d oze n bl ock s an d set

dow n w i t h l ittle i nj u r y Th e h ay was n ot d istu r bed

. .

P ET CAT F OUND .

A p e t cat o w n ed by a fam ily on top of Co m pton H ill

, ,

w as fo u nd i n f r o nt of th e Lafayette A ve n u e M eth o dist

C h u r ch at 9 o cl ock F r id ay m o r n i ng I t was n ot i n .

j u r ed
.

I n a h o use on A r ka nsas ave n u e a gl ass stop pe r i n a

w h isk ey d eca nte r was b r oke n off at th e top of th e bottle ,

bu t th e vessel i tsel f w as n ot b r oken .

A you n g man n am ed Mu r ph y of Sou th Twenty th i r d -

st r eet s ays th at h e h ad tw o r in gs o n h i s l eft h and

,
He . .

l ost t h e m w ith a good d eal of th e ski n of tw o nge r s

, ,

w h ile t r y i n g to k eep h is h ol d on a tel eg r ap h pole Th e .

pole w as o ve r tu r ned a n d Mu r ph y n a r r o wl y escaped bei n g

c r ush ed u n de r i t .

Lette r s ad d r essed to m an y p r om i ne nt people w e r e

fou n d i n th e t r ees of Lafayette Pa r k O n e was th e p r op .

ert
y of M r s .C h a r l es Nagel .

Th e u ppe r pa r t of th e sto ne h ouse occu p ie d by A K . .

Ham mon d i n Wave r l y pl ace was to r n away A b r ick ,

h ouse i n th e sa me squ a r e was h a r d ly d amaged .

 o u r; v r m Ni c
' '

wtth TH E c Lo .

r l u c i rr lcm an

A ch i c ke n coo p w ith two l i v e a nd ve r y m u ch f r i gh te ned

c h i cke ns was fou nd oati n g i n a n ew fo r me d pool of -

wate r i n Lafayette Pa r k .

T w o you n g wom e n wh o we r e on a F ou r th s t r eet cabl e

T R l -A N GL E \VAR E H O U S E .

ca r at th e ti me of th e sto r m w e r e e n ti r ely d en u d ed .

Th ey l eft th e ca r sta r k naked and we r e ca r ed for i n a

h ouse nea r by .

Black m ud was fo u nd on th e walls of many h o uses

afte r th e s to r m I n on e r es ide nce o n A r k a nsas ave n u e
.
l oo '
1m a G R E A T C YCLO N E .

cala m ity wh ich ha s befal le n y ou r city a n d e xte nd s i ts ,

s i nce r e and wa r mest sy m pathy A c a bl e r ecei v ed by .

th e E B \Vhi te ( i ra i n Com p a n y f ro m Al exa n de r C o

. .
,
.
,

of L o nd o n E ngl and said :
,
O u r sy m path y ex te nd ed
,
.

A F LYIN G S TOO L AN D A DOLL H OU SE .

A t al l stool fel l f r o m th e t op of th e to we r o f th e
oi c e

M c L e a n b u i ld i n g I t h ad n o m a r k i nd icati n g w h e nce i t
.

h ad come .

Be n Sel k i r k s h ouse on th e n o r t h si de of Pa r k ave n u e
col lapsed W ith st r a n ge v aga r y th e w i nd bl e w p ieces
.
,

of b r ick l i m bs of t r e es an d pieces of slate th r ou gh th e

,

pa rl o r wi nd o ws i n f r o nt k n oc ki ng t he c h a nd el ie r i nto
,

s m i th e r ee ns a n d t r eati n g h and s om e va es a nd m antl e s

,

o r name nts i n th e sam e r ou gh way \ V i th s i n gula r f r eak .

i s hn es s i t m iss e d a ch a r m i ng l ittl e d ol l h ou se w h ich M r

, ,
.

Sel ki r k h ad m ad e wi th h i s o w n h and s fo r h i s ch i ld r e n .

Th i s d oll h ouse sto od a n d stand s n o w bet wee n th e t w o

, , .

f ro n t i n d ows o n a tabl e I t i s as g o od a s n e w and n ot

.
,

e ve n a d r op of wate r got on i t to m a r i ts wh ite ness .

TH R E E LITTL E ON E S DI E D .

A touch i n g i nci de n t occu r r ed a t th e Beth es da H om e

d u r i n g th e p r e v al en ce of th e to r nad o Th e h o m e i s at .

T wel fth a n d H ick o r y i n th e l i ne of th e s to r m but esca ped ,

u n i nj u r ed I t w a s r ock ed and bad ly sh ake n but n o ne of

.
,

th e i n mates w e r e i nj u red Sad to s ay h oweve r th r ee.

, ,

ch il d r e n d ied d u r i n g th e sto r m Som e t h i nk th e d eaths

.

w e r e caused b y f r igh t b u t oth e r s s ay th e ch ild r e n we e

,
r

d j i ng befo r e th e st o r m b r o ke T h e death sce nes we r e.

 TH E G R E AT CY CLON E . 4 01

i m p r ess i ve O utsid e th e th u nd e r r oa r ed th e li gh t n i n g
.
,

ash ed and c r as h afte r c r as h of th u n de r s h o o k th e

,

h om e Th e l ittle on es l ooked i nto th e faces of t h e

.

n u r ses appeared at fi r st sta r tl ed and th e n sm il i ng peace

,

ful l y th ey passed to th e oth e r w o r l d at t he sa m e m o me nt

oth e r s o u ls w e r e b ei n g h u r l ed i nto ete r n ity by th e erc e
ness of th e sto r m an d t he u n m e r cifu l st r en gt h of th e

B L O W N INTO TH E RI V E R .

J im M u r r ay em ployed o n th e A nch o r Li ne w h a r f
,

boat w as s i tt i n g on th e w ha rfb oat w h e n th e to r n ad o de

,

sce nd ed on th e Le v ee Fo r esee i n g th e d an ge r M u r r ay
.
,

made a r u n fo r th e sh elte r of th e el e v ate d r oad Th e .

w i nd g r ati ed h is d es i r e to s eek th is s h el te r b u t n ot b e ,

fo r e i t h ad s om e fu n wi th hi m M u r r ay was l ifted off

.

7
h is fee t a n d bl o w n ove r t he ap r o n of th e boat i nto th e
r i ve r l and i ng i n a d r y d ock m oo r ed cl ose b y u sed by
, ,

ca r pe nte r s to r e pai r th e h ul ls of vessels T h e n e xt i h .

stant th e d r y d ock w h ich is a h ol l o w a ffai r abo ut 1 0 feet

,

w i d e by 1 5 feet l o n g was bl ow n westwa r d ou t of th e

,
.

w ate r tea r i ng off a po r t io n of th e r ai li n g of th e ap r o n
,
.

I t was d r i ve n w i th g r eat v i ol e nce agai n st th e i r o n s u p

po r ts of th e ele vated r ai l way d u mpi n g M u r r ay ou t u n ce re
,

m on i ou sly u po n t h e g r ou n d T h e d r y d ock w as agai n

.

tak e n u p i n a r etu rn cu r r e nt of w i nd an d ca r r i ed ou t to

wa r d s th e r i ve r al m ost to th e wate r s ed ge wh e r e i t was ,

cau gh t by a r e ve r s e cu r r e nt w h i rl e d h i gh i nto th e ai r
,

a n d d ash ed to pieces agai nst th e r oadbed of th e elevated ,

scatte r i n g d eb r i s al l ov e r t h e w h a r f M u r r ay w as dazed
.

26
l
-
TH E G R E AT CYC L O N E .

a nd p rett y s o r ely b r u i s ed bu t n ot i nj u r ed oth e r wi se and

, ,

h e h el d on w it h a death g r i p to th e Te r mi nal elevated

su p po r t u nti l th e sto r m h ad spe nt i tsel f .

P A P E R I I ANC E R s E XP E RI E NC E .

Du r i ng th e h e i gh t of th e sto r m Wed nesd ay a pape r

VR
EC K E D AND BL I S TE R E D .

h ange r nam ed Ste w a r t was deco r ati ng th e w a lls of Ed

Mo r r issey s s al oon opposite th e Fou r C ou r ts W h e n t h e
, .

f r o nt wall s o f th e r estau r ant bl e w i n an d scatte r ed d eb r i s

th r ough th e h o use Ste wa r t ed to th e cella r Wh e n h is .

two assistants d ecid ed to fol l o w h i m a fe w m i nutes l ate r

th ey we r e co n v ul sed w i th l au gh te r at Obse r vi n g h i m
4 04 TH E ( : mc u

L \

CL O N E .

Lou is and t r ied to fi n d t h e M a r tel l H ous e bu t o nly s u c ,

c e e de d i n r each i n g th e s pot w h e r e it h ad o n ce stood .

I l o w sh e e ve r got t o St L ou is s h e d oes n ot k no w b u t
.
,

l a te i n th e e ve n i n g s he m ad e h e r way to th e Pl a nte r s
I l ot e l m o r e d ead th a n al i ve w h e r e h e r an x i ou s h u sband
, ,

fou nd h e r th e nex t m o r ni n g .

D I E D FR O M F RI G I I I
'
.

I n C li fto n He igh ts a n ol d lad y l i v i ng i n a h o us e i n th e

r ea r o f th e r eside nce of L H a lle r was k il l ed hy th e sh ock
.

ex pe r ie nced w h e n a n u p r ooted t r ee w as d r opped t h rough

th e r o o f S he was n ot st r uck or i nj u r ed i n a ny way by
.

fal l i ng d eb r is b ut h e r n e r v ous sy s te m h ad bee n s o sh at

,

t e re d by th e i nte ns ity of th e sto r m t h at th e ad d itio nal

st r ai n was too m uch fo r h e r .

IN A FIR E P R O O F VAI L T
'
-
.

Th e r e we r e l i vel y ti mes i n th e Ge ne r al A ud ito r s o fce
of t he M issou r i Pacifi c syste m o n South Se v e nth st reet .

O n th e seco n d oo r o f th e b ui l d i n g th e r e i s a ve r y l a r ge
re p r oof v ault
-
a nd w h e n th e w i nd s w e r e r agi n g th e
,

fie r cest fi ftee n o f th e cl e r ks s ou gh t r efu ge i n i t Th e

,
.

b u ild i n g h o we v e r bega n to sh ak e and qu i ve r a n d t he

, , ,

st r o n g v aul t bega n t o t o tte r i n sy m path y w i th th e m o v e

m e nt w h ich b r ou gh t f o r th a h o wl of angui sh f r o m th e
,

i m p r iso ned m e n I t was th e n too late to r u n fo r th ei r

.

l i v es a nd al l th ey coul d d o was to stay w i th th e safe

,
.

Luck il y th e bu ild i n g w as spa r ed a nd n o on e was h u r t

,
.

Th i s b u il d i n g i s p r obabl y pack ed a n d j am me d w ith cl e r

ical occu pa n ts m o r e th a n any oth e r b u i l di n g of th e same
 TH E G R E A T CYCLON E . 4 05

s ize i n th is city an d wh e n th e r oof was tak e n a w ay b y

,

th e sto r m th e pa ni c g r ew i nto th e p r opo r ti on s of a sm all

,

sized r i ot of f r an tic safety seek i n g pe opl e

,
-
.

T wo W OM E N S E S CA P E .

\Vh e n t h e stea me r Dol ph i n was tak e n i n h an d b y th e

wi nd a n d befo r e bei ng co ns igned to a wate r y r esti ng
,

pl ace i t was d ash e d agai nst o ne of th e pi e r s of th e Ead s

,

b r id ge wh e r e th e fo r ce of th e sto r m h el d it fo r a m o me nt
,
.

J W S choe ffe r of Ge ne r al Ma n age r Ramse ys oi ce of
. .
,

th e W abas h w a s on th e b r id ge at th e ti me an d saw t wo ,

wo me n c r aw l qu ickl y f r o m th e steam e r o nto a l e dge of

r ock s i n th e pi e r w h e r e th ey cl u n g a n d h uddl ed u nti l a
,

r ope was t h r ow n t o t h e m f r o m abo ve T h e boat a m o .

,

m e nt or t w o afte r th e wo me n h ad gotte n clea r of it was ,

agai n p ut i n act io n b y th e ele me nts tu r n ed u psi de d o w n

,

and capsized i n the m id dl e of t h e r i ve r .

SI R CH AR L E S G I B S ON S TR E E S .

O ne o f th e p r i d es of S i r C ha r les Gibs o n a g r eate r

p r ide th a n e ve n th e titl e h e possesses bu t n e ve r d is pl ay s
,

we r e th e t r ees th at su r r o u nd ed h i s beau ti ful h om e j u st

-

ac r oss f r o m th e s outh west co r ne r of Lafay ette Pa r k .

R each i n g La wye r Gi bso n s h ou se afte r a wal k u p La ,

fayette a ve n u e of 20 o r m o r e bl ocks th e beh ol de r was ,

al most accusto med to th e si gh t of fal le n h ou ses an d so ,

th e fact th at t h e g r an d old t r ees we r e to r n u p by th e r oots

seem ed m o r e i m p r ess i ve th an th e fact th at th e beauti fu l
h om e th ey sh ad ed w as a total w r eck and its us u al h appy ,

occu pants obl i ged to seek sh elte r elsewh e r e i n th e city .

4 06 TH E O R R AT c rc L O NE .

Th e r e we r e sto r ies told by th e col lecti o n of r u bb ish ,

piled l i k e th e d r ift t h at wa ves of t h e sea w as h as h o r e ,

t h at b o r de r ed Lafayette Pa r k p a r ti cu la r ly on th e s outh
,

e r n s id e B its o f dai nty m ill i ne r y ly i n g i n cl ose p r ox

.
,

i m i t y t o b r ok en h at b oxes tol d th e tal e of festi ve s p r i n g

,

ST . LO U IS W I RE M IL L S .

and s u m m e r ti m e h ead gea r th at m u st fo r e v e r m o r e r em ai n

n oth i n g b u t m em o r ies .

Ti ny c r i b m att r esses c au gh t i n a tan gle of sh atte r ed

,

pieces of w ood wo r k a nd fal le n l i mbs of t r ees h i nted so ,

p l ai nl
y at th e poss i bi l ity of a wee b i t of h u man ity bei n g
h u r l ed w i th ou t me r cy th r ough t h e ai r th at o ne h esitated ,
 1 : l" l l m e Lo NE .

on th e Se ve nth st r eet el ect ric ca r to tak e th e cabl eg r am up

to h is m oth e r i n l aw M r s Meye r th at sh e t oo m i gh t b e
- -
,
.
, , ,

app r ised of th e safe a r r i val of h e r d au gh te r am o n g h e r

h us band s peopl e He h ad bee n on t he ca r b ut a l i ttl e

.

wh il e w h e n th e sto r m b r o k e l oose M r \Vi nc kle r t h e . .

,

co nd ucto r tol d hi s r elati ves a fte r wa r d s was e xceed i n gl y ,

ne r v o u s a nd coul d h a r dl y be r est r ai ned f r o m j u m pi n g off

,

t he ca r. Fi nal ly h e m a naged t o s w i n g O ff th e co n d ucto r ,

st i ll u r gi n g h i m to r e m ai n i n s id e Ju st th e n a te r r i fic .

bl o w of t h e h u r r ica ne o ve r tu r ned th e ca r an d M r Wi n ck ,
.

l e r was b u r i ed u nde r i t \ V h e n th e d eb r i s was r e m o ved

.

h e was d ead .

A CT S OI H E R ( ) I S VI .

Many h e r o i c acts w e r e pe r fo r m ed i n th e sav i n g of l i ves

a s a r es ul t of th e sto r m .

W h en th e C i ty of M o n r oe w as tw i sted aw ay f r om th e
A nch o r Li ne w h a rf th e r e w e r e ab o ut 4 0 passe n ge r s on
,

boa r d a n d a ful l c r e w as t he boat was j u s t m ak i n g r eady

,

fo r th e t r i p to Ne w O r l eans \Vh e n th e m oo r i ngs fi nal ly

.

gave way th e b oat l u r ch e d o v e r o n i ts sta r b oa rd s ide and

n ea r l y capsi zed T h e m o ve me n t th r e w nea r ly al l th e
.

f r ei gh t to th e sta r b oa r d sid e a nd th i s s e r ved to h o l d th e

b o at i n t h i s pe r il o u s pos iti o n Captai n Vi e gle r mad e a
.

r eas s u r i ng s peech to th e p as s e n ge r s w h i c h sl igh tl y

qu i eted th e ext r e m e excite m e nt He said th ey we r e a ll .

safe Wh e n th e b oat s t r uck th e I l l i n oi s ban k th e captai n

.

was n ot to be fou nd .

At O cl o c k Wed nesd ay ni gh t at w h i c h t i me th e ,

l ast n ews f ro m th e boat was r ece i ved i n St Lo ui s h e had .

,
 TH E G R E AT CYCLON E . 4 09

n ot bee n fou nd and i t i s fea r ed h e was bl o w n o ve r b oa r d

,
.

F r ed W Wi ll iams a col o r ed r o ustab ou t o n th e boat sa v ed

.
, ,

fou r l i ves al l of ch ild r e n M r s Ma r y Man ul e of 1 1 1

,
. .
,

Co ll i n s v il le a v e n u e East S t Lou i s and h e r fou r ch ild r e n

,
.
,

h ad bee n pl aced on th e b oat at 3 o cl ock b y th ei r h u sband
an d fath e r Jose ph M an ul e Th ey w e r e goi n g to vi si t
,
.

r el ati ves at Cai r o Il l M r s Man ul e w ith h e r ch ild r e n

,
. .
,

h u d dl ed cl ose abou t h e r was o n th e l o we r d eck a wait

, ,

i n g as sh e s u pposed su r e d eath
,
Wh e n th e boat
,
.

g r ou nded \Vi lli a m s i n a ns we r to h e r appeal s g r abbed

, , ,

on e of t he ch i ld r e n an d pl u nged o ve r boa r d A fe w .

st r ok es b r o u gh t t he l ittl e one s afel y to land an d Wi l li am s ,

made th r ee oth e r t r i ps l and i n g t he oth e r ch il d r e n on th e

,

r i ve r ba nk He pe r fo r me d th is act of h e r oi s m i n th e
.

m id st of th e sto r m w h e n th e r e was th e l i k el i h ood th at

,

th e b oat w o ul d b e capsi zed ev e r y m oment W h e n th e .

wi nd h ad s pe n t i tsel f t h e oth e r p assenge r s we r e l a nded i n

,

safety M a n nle th e fath e r and h usba nd was s oo n on th e

.
, ,

sce ne an d W ill iam s was th e obj ect of ge ne r al w or sh i p at

,

th e M an n le h omestead th at n i gh t .

S AVE D H IS C A P TA IN S SON .

On th e Li b bi e C on ge r w h ich was g r ou nd to p ieces on

,

t h e I l l i n oi s S h o r e we r e Captai n Se am an h i s w i fe a n d h i s
, ,

ch i ld a l ittl e b oy wh o i s a gen e r al favo r ite on boa r d th e

,

b oat W h e n th e w o r st ap pea r ed t o be com i n g a n eg r o

.
, ,

w h ose n am e i s u nk n o w n took th e ch i l d i n h i s a r m s a nd
,

pl u n ged o ve r boa r d bea r i n g th e captai n s b oy safel y
th r ou gh t h e b oil i n g wate r s to th e I lli n oi s s h o r e Captai n .

Seaman r escu ed h is w i fe B u t for th e act of b r ave r y of .

4 10 TH E G R E AT CYCL O NE .

o n e of h i s r oustabo uts h i s boy woul d p r obably be am o n g

th e m issi ng .

W h e n Joh n M c D owe ll a r oustabo ut o n th e tu g Re li

,

a nce wh ic h pe r fo r m ed g r eat wo r k am o n g th e boats w h i c h

,

l i ned th e I ll i n oi s bank s for m i les d o wn th e r i ve r r etu r ned ,

CO M I NG H OM E A F TE R T H E S TO R M .

to th e c ity h e w as b u rde ned w i th m essages to l o ved on es

,

i n th is c ity f r o m fath e r s and b r oth e r s tel li n g of th ei r

safety He b r ou gh t h app ie r n ew s to m a ny h ou se h old s
.

tha n was e ve r b r ough t t o th e m befo r e .

He r epo r ted th at th e Madil l h ad b e e n bl ow n to pi eces

419 TH E G R E AT CYC L O N E .

safety o f th ei r fa m i l i es pai d as h igh as $ 1 0 fo r a r id e i n

a g r oce r y wago n P r i ces fo r cabs we r e co r r es po nd i ngl y
.

steep and cabs we r e h a r d to get at th at

, .

DYIN G IN A DRU G S TOR E .

A go nizi n g g r oan s ema nati n g f r o m Lel and M il le r s

d r ug sto re at abou t 9 o cl ock i n th e e ve n i n g att r acted th e
atte nti o n of pas s e r s b y w h o soo n l ea r ned of th e te r r i bl e
,

su ffe ri ng o f G C Pop pitz a n oth e r to r n ad o v icti m He

. .
, .

was w al k i ng ai ml essl y u p L ocust St r eet f r o m B r oad way

at about 8 o cl ock an d w h e n h e r each ed th e co r ne r on
,

Si xth i n f r o nt o f t he d r u g sto r e h e d r o pped to th e S i de

,

wal k u n co nsci ou s O n e of th e cl e r k s of th e sto re assisted

.

h i m i n s id e a n d r esto r ati ves we r e p r o m ptly ad m i n i s te r ed

,
.

T h e s uffe r i n g m an r e gai ne d co n s ci ou s n ess at ti mes ,

b ut talk ed i ncoh e r e ntly He sai d h e h ad w al ked f r om

.

East St Lou i s b u t d i d n ot r em e m be r h o w h e h ad c r ossed

.
,

th e r i v e r. Late r i n th e e ve n i ng h e said h e was st r u ck

i n th e s id e w h i l e r id i n g i n a ca r b u t h e co ul d n ot r ecal l
,

wh at h ad h i t h i m .

A n e xami nati o n of th e i nj u r ed m an s h owed t h at h e was

fatall y i nj u r ed h i s e n ti r e r igh t s id e and r i bs bei n g
,

c r us h ed i n a nd h i s l u n gs ap pa r e ntly c o m p r essed He .

ex pecto r ated bl o od c o n ti n u al ly T h e atte nd i ng ph ys i

.

c i a n p r o n ou nced h i s case h o pel e s s .

A ca r r iage was d i sp atch ed to h i s h om e at 25 01 So uth

B r oad way w ith a m essenge r to n oti fy th e pa r e n ts of th e

u n fo r tu nate y o u n g man b u t u p t o 1 0 o cl ock n oth i n g h ad
,

bee n h ea r d f r o m th e m or th e m esse n ge r .

Y ou n g Po ppitz i s a g r ad u ate of th e Coll ege of Ph a r

 TH E G R E AT CYCLON E . 4 13

m acy of th e class of 9 6 a nd appea r ed to be abo ut 2 1
, ,

yea r s of age Hi s fath e r i s i n th e fu r n itu r e b usi ness

.
,

bei ng a me m be r of th e r m of K l ue gel Poppi tz w h ose ,

sto r e i s at 25 01 Sou th B r oad way .

A P ANIC A V E RT E D .

Captai n Pat Ca r m odys p r es e nce of mi nd p r e v e nte d a
pan i c at th e Fai r G r ou nd s W h e n th e c r o wd stam peded
.

fo r p r otecti o n f r o m th e to r nad o Pat co r r al led th e f r i gh t

,

e n ed peo pl e u nd e r neat h th e stand a nd fo r ced th e m to re

m ai n th e r e He h ad a m ob of ab ou t 3 00 i n ch eck and
.
,

i t w as l u ck y fo r th e m th at h e d i d s o E ve r y bod y was .

t ry i n g to get ou t a n d wa nted to m ake a b r eak fo r th e

s out h s id e of t h e sta nd W h il e Ca r m o dy w as h ol d i n g
.

th em back th e r oof of t he stan d was blo w n off a nd th e

, ,

de b r i s fel l j u st wh e r e th e peo pl e wa n ted to go Ca r .

m odys good j ud gme nt sa ved m an y l i ves .

Da n H o ni g t h e w el l k n o w n h o r se man fa i nted away

,
-
,

d u r in g th e h ei gh t of th e s to r m Da n i s a r obust bu il t
.
-

m a n b ut h e i s s ubj ect to h ea r t fai lu r e and h is f r iend s

, ,

th ough t h e w as a dead o n e .

W h e n t h e stan d fel l R J Pea r s o n s h o r se a nd b u gg
. .

was cau gh t i n th e deb r is a nd co m pletel y b u r ied Th e .

bi g posts sav ed th e h o r se a nd h e was a ll r igh t w h e n d u g

O ut H i s escap e w as s i m pl y m i r acu l o u s
. .

D r s B e r nays Ne w ma n a nd Ne v ill e m ade a tou r of th e

.
,

t r ack afte r th e to r nad o a n d fou n d n o on e i nj u r ed .

Hu n d r ed s gath e r ed i n th e i nel d w h e n the sto r m bl e w

u p a n d we r e th o r ou gh l y d r en ch ed F r a nk James fou n d .

a h il l and l ocated cl os e to i t He o r de r ed th e peopl e to

.
4 14 TH E G R E \ T CYCLO NE .

lie d o w n o n th e g r ass an d e ve r y bod y took h i s ad v ice .

T h e r oof of th e stan d was bl ow n i n a ll d i r ecti o n s Pa r t .

of i t land ed on Natu r al B r id ge r oad a n d se ve r al s h a nti es

we r e bu r ied be neath th e deb r is Th e book m ake r s lef ;
. t

th e betti n g r i ng i n a r us h and th ei r cash i e r s e w w it h

S I NG U L A R F REA K OF TH E W I ND .

the m I n th e c r u s h a n u m be r l ost pa r t of th ei r bank r oll s

.

and th e to uts h ad a sc r am bl e fo r th e coi n .

M rs C h a r l es V an Du s e n w ife of th e w e ll k no w n j ock ey
.
,
-
,

was cau gh t i n th e s tam ped e a nd k n ock ed d ow n Sh e l ost .

h e r pock e t book co ntai n i n g $ 1 1 0 A n oth e r w om an f r o m

.
4 16 TH E G R E AT
'
1

abou t h al f way ac r oss O ve r h ead tel eg r aph p ol es w e r e

.

s napp i ng a n d tu mbl i ng i nt o th e r i ve r w h ile se v e r a l l a r ge

,

sto nes w e r e s h ake n l oose f r om t hei r f ou nd ati on s and cam e

toppl i n g d o w n i n to th e wate r Fea r i n g th at eve r y m o
.

m e nt h i s t r ai n woul d eith e r be bl o w n i nto th e w ate r or

else th e b r i d ge w oul d b e bl o w n away be n eath h i m S w on .

cutt w it h r a r e p r ese n ce of m i nd p ut on a ful l h ead of

, ,

stea m i n a n effo r t to m ak e th e Il l i n o is s h o r e .

T h e t r ai n h ad sca r cel y p r oceed ed 200 feet a nd w h e n C

,

w ith i n abo ut th e sam e d istance f r o m th e sh o r e a n e nti r e

u ppe r spa n of th e d r i ve way of th e b r id ge was bl o w n away .

To ns a nd to ns of h u ge g ra n ite bl ock s t u m bl ed t o th e
t r acks w h e r e th e t r ai n l oaded w i th passe n ge r s h ad bee n
,

b u t a m o me nt be fo r e A t abou t th e sam e i n stant t he

.

w i nd st r uck th e t r ai n ful l o n t he s id e u pse tti n g al l th e

ca rs l ike pl ayth i n gs L uck i l y n o on e w as k il led i n th e

.

w r eck b ut se ve r al we r e tak e n out se v e r el y i nj u r ed

,
.

Th e w r eck ed pa r t of th e b r i d ge i s j u s t east of th e bi g
towe r n ea r th e I l l i n ois sh o r e a n d e xte nds c a st fo r abo ut
, ,

3 00 feet . T h e e nti re u ppe r po r ti on t r ave r sed b y th e ca r s

,

and ca r r iages i s ca r r ied a way wh i l e th e t r acks be neat h

, ,

a r e b u r i ed i n d eb r i s i n so me pl aces ei gh t feet h i gh
,
.

FO U ND A D E A D B A B Y .

A n u nk n o w n m a n w h o cam e i nto t he Un i o n Stati o n at

7 o cl ock to m eet h is w ife wh o w as ex pected on a n e v e
,

n i ng t r ai n r e po r ted th at h e p icked u p a d ead baby i n th e

,

st r eet at T we n ty s eco n d a n d Ma r k et st r eets

-
He g av e i t .

to a w o man w h o sai d sh e th ou gh t i t was th e ch il d of a

,

wom an l i v i n g n ea r th at co r ne r .