Indiana State Sentinel, Volume 34, Number 3, Indianapolis, Marion County, 22 February 1888 — Page 1

it v '"Sil (T 4V Ay Ay V0L.!XXX1Y-N0. 3. INDIANAPOLIS. WEDNESDAY. FEBRUARY 22, 1888. WHOLE NO. V671

is

MT. VERNON DISASTER

i Tfcfl Devastttion Provts to hi Worts Thin T7u First Thaaght Possible. Pecuniary Thre-Oiurtri of a Mil lion -LUt or Kill and Fatally la. jared Vrjr Larje Stories oC Ctt WitutSMl. licrxT Virnon. III. Feb. 20 The

cyclone that visited this city yesterday afternoon at 5 o'clock destroyed nearly 300 residences, places of business and unhoused from 1.200 to 1.500 people. In the fall of the walla many persons were baried under the debris, and thirty fire were killed, while twice as maoy more were ' j jured, eight or ten sa seriously that their xecovery is despaired of. Preceding the destructive wind was a heavy fall of rain i for half an hoar which drova a!l the in habitants to shelter. Tbii was followed lyt alight hailstorm a;:onpao;el with lightning, and thea the farioa3 blow, Which formed into s faanelso.ipvJ cyc'.one, struck the southwestern portion o! ttie city, unroofing eTerything ia i:s path, taking a diagonal course through the bajinesipait of the city, uarooi'ng and dismantling the Supreme Court building, near the LouisTille and Nashville D.-pot, an i skipping along to tfe Methodist and Biptisl r" churches, cavirg them iato worthless massts. At one point the destructive e!eit eat jnmped upward and missel several tores and residences, but soon pouaced down again aid began a career of unparalelled feroc'ty and destruction, tearing down every briete bulldiog. wrenching an! ' twistin: frame structures oat of semblance and making a useless raa?s of solid binks. The mass've Court Hjnse that occupies the public square in the ceater of the city was literally torn to piecss, the wa'lj beiog twisted and crushed. Tae tower was lifted and dropped to the wsstwtrd and do nol ished the handaome pillars that saopcrted the entrance. Tau was the extreme point to the north that tae s'orm reached, although the buncesi blcik. in wiic'o is the Mt. Veraon National Bank aad other business houses, was som?wdat dis tantled by flying brick tnd timbers. Fifty yards sooth of the Cjurt Houie ths storm siie J to be at i's height Oa the corner of Washington street and the public square was Crews' block, a three story brick building, eighty feet front, occupied by Evans' baa Sc. a grocery and Eoloon This buildiDg was thoroughly demolished, and thea taking re all inflammable material w8 consumed The owner cf the building, R C. Mcrray, m was canght in the falling wall and was cremated. Ei HannaJ, wife and small toy, were in the basement, haviog taken retnge from the storm, and were burled by the walls, bnt the man burrowed h:s way out of the ruins, making a pasage for his wife and child, and then nude an effort to ' extiuguieh the flames. The fire was intensely hot and at noon to day thi bricks pave off the heatof a faraace. A:ross the street oa Washington street was aroof two-storv frame buildiDgs with n omeionai brick. The brick buildings were caved in and the frames were crubei oat cf shape against each oth?r. Near the

r.oVKf v tu. sou.n ware a Io- or p, -oggries f acd frame structures which sarvel as J warehouses and de!lings. Tae storm I, played havos here and thea turned the place over to ths blaz? which consumed the last plank. Thse fires aad ths crashed brick buildings leave a path which gave a good view of the destruction. S;oes, dwellings, mills aad store houses went down in the general mass and lef ; the streets obstructed. The Btorm was over in three minutes and the brave peop'.a rushed out of their safe retreats and unharmed homes to give assistance to the reedy. The tlaro.es shot up with devilish quickness and the lire company aided by ihe citizens, who had organized in squads, te?an the work of rescue, which ws carried out systematically. The Mayor filled his place admirably acd in short order had called for assistance from neighbor;? towns. Fire engines and rbvsic'ans wre wanted and Centralia, Ashley, Nashville, aad Evansille retponded generously and quickly. The citizens threw open their houses to the homeless, and their bed rooms brcame hospitals while the worthy matrons turned expert nurses, and what was left of the Supreme Court building was turned into a morgue. LIST OF THE DEAD. At coon today the following incomplete list of dead was fom:shed by the Ml Vernon Regisrer: Frank Cilnghtman, blacksmith, Albion, HI.; David Yearwod Midwife, Constable J. C. Murray, Mrs. Kumell Dewy and daughter, Mary Westr brook, Henry Waters, Mrs. J. T. Waters (and baby, Charles Cnmnrnzs, eagineer; Mrs. Calcooper, Mrs. William Jones, J-iuaeb Pierson, telegraph operator; George Pdireon and ton, (colored) j-initor of sjaool house, body still in the ruins; Joha Saew, Mrs. L E. L?eg. The citizens, ss S3on a? the iijareJ had teen relessed from their pen'ioiii po-iittoas and the wonnd-d turned ovtr t ta. care of physicians, had a meetiag and oria;z;d permanently. Ta- city cooicd acted promo'ly and appropr.a-ed $5f0 for immediate relief. Althoagh tnsre is no money in the city toads, the order was qnicily cashed by the banks: Tne f jllow1 leg committees were appointed: Finance Comm'tte G. W. Evans, chairman; Dr. W. Dair Green, J. F. Howard, Morris Enerso a, if M. Gxdale, N. H. Mose, secretary, with headqiarters in Pro oix block. Committee o- Information Morris E neron. John W. Grar, C H. Pattoa. Relief Committee. First Ward -J. "W.

Eaujrb. A. T. Tv!or, E. M. Walker, Mrs. CJ. H. Varnell, Mrs. Jou Guthrie, Mrs. Kim Collins. Second Wird J. W. Horton, Frank Harmon, W D Tabb. Mrs. Annie Pace, Mrs. vn Wilbsnks, Mr. T. B. Tanner, Mrs. William Hied. Third Ward A. M. 8 ration, J. M. Eatterfnl.1, M. Burgess, Miss My Blade. Mrs. T. P. Wataon, Mlaa Elvira McFarland The committee report to Norman H. Moss, Secretary of the Finance Committee. The secretary has been in communication all day with the large cities of the coat, try, and a formal and systematic appeal will be made to all persons to aasint the cemorahzsdcity in itaafntctioo, which is indeed beyond a parallel in this couatry in the devastation of cyclones, those of western Missouri, Jamestown and Washington Court-Honse, Onio, not ennalicg in to'al destruction the loss of this p!ac ). Tee mornirg trains brought a host of excarcionista who came to see, to render aid, and to comfort stricken friends. Nearly a tbocsand etrangers trod the streets amazed at hat they hear and see. The town is foil cf reporters, and the dreary tale is repeated time and time again. Artists are on the scene sketching the ruins, and the pencil in a hundred hands is jotting down Tars and stories from a thousand mouths. The telegraph operators have been indus trie us I y at work at the ticker all night And to-daj, their force at this place hayia

teen greatly reduced by the death of two cf their number in the destroyed city. Mt. Vernon is a beautiful city of four thousand inhabitants, the county seat of Jefferson county. It is considered one of the most thriving and beautiful of southern Illinois cities. Its streets are broad and well lined with shade trees, and the residences are trim and home like. It is situated on the Louisville and Nashville road, and ia about seventy-eight miles from st. Louis. The Burrcanding country is rolling. Cyclones or heavy storms have never before visited this region, and it was considered safe from any such destructive element, AN ArTEAL FOR AID. The folio wirg circular was issued this morning and is now being sent through the mails: Mt. Virsos, 111., Feb. 20. To the Mayor and Citizens; The city of ML Vernon, 111., was yisited by a terrible cyclone on yesterday afternoon, which carried death and destruction in its path. About thirty people were killed outright, and scores of men, women and children are maimed, wounded and bleeding, and about 1,000 people are made homeless by the disaster. Borne 300 houses are swept away from the face of the ea tb, among which are the county courthocte, public school buildings, Methodist end Eaptiat churches, Su'reme court-ho-se, round hon e of the Loiisville ani Nashville railroad and many of the leading business houses are also a total wreck, their contents being buried beneath the ruins. A raging tire which broke ont also destroyed much of the property which xaiht otherwise have been saved from the mice. We ere sjre'y in distress and are forced to call upon Ihe charitable people of the country for money and such other timely assistance as they may feel able to contribute. Money is needed more than provisions, as there are a few bnslnes? houses that may he able to supply to the demand. Send cash contributions if possible to George W. Kans, Cnairman 'i. nance Committee. Norman H. Moss, Secretary. SOME CF TEE LOSSES. The following list of losses has been compiled so far: Sapreme Court building, unroofed; county Court House, destroyed; Methodist Church, torn to fragments; Commercial Hotel, unroofed; Baptist Church, demolished; R. W. Vost, store blown in; Porter &. Bond, drug store, destroyed; Major James Hitchcock's residence and photograph establishment, destroyed; Jerry Taylor's residence, rained; Nieman's restaurant and bakwy, wiped out; Maxey, Wescott it Swift, general merchandise and machinery, blown away, $10.000 damages; W. E. Jackson, harness store, roof oil and mashed; Jordan Morgan, jeweler, building completely destroyed, come stock saved; Jacob Ojwald, buildlrg occupied by Polishers Furniture Company, entire loss, both building and etock; the Crews B'.cck, owned by E. C. Murray, occupied by Robert Ryan, dry goods, entire stock lost; A. D. Cox. groceries and dry goods, loa entire: G. W. Eyanf. bank, destroyed: Slratton it Johnson, three story building, wrecked, occupied by Johnston's drug store, also by Renchler, Waters Si Co., groceries and dry goods, total loss; also G. B. Goodridge, groceries, upper rooms occupied by theater and Masonic ball; Central Hotel and saloon connecting, both ends blown cut; Cook's frame drug store, total loss; two story brick occupied by Gothen it Eiiia'a saloon; Silas Downing'e two story brick residence, ruined; Warren's two atory frame store

rooms; xieisrnrn s cary ana confectionery, total loss; Tnomaa Walsh's residence, two story brick; G. F. M. ward'B residence, damaged badly; Mt. Verncn Milling Company, three story biick mill destroyed; loss, $30,000; woolen factoiy badly injured; Lewis Deal, firs: house struck, literally torn to pieces; Stratton hardware store demolished; loss, tl5,tCO; Howard Eros. fc Co., groceries, wholesale and retail, in Watson building; tuck lots, $ 3.0CO: building ruined; HudB. eth, dry goods, three s4ory building; total los?. i20 0OJ; David Wise, clothier, loss $15 CC0; Yost it Co., dry troods and greet ries, ttcck loss $13,00U; Crowder's barber shop, demolished; Ji, xn Gray's Silcon, tocs acd building inj t. red; William lie bero, dealer in tobacco tad ciears, partial loss; Mrs. Hedrin, milliner, stock and building destroyed. Mrs. Waters, milliner, stock and building destroyed; J. H. Ferguson, harness, stock and building, partial loss; Hill, Williams it Co., general dry goods, loss $000 All of Main street, from Howard corner east to Morris Emmerson's residence, each side of the street, eicept Mr. Sieiner and Colonel Casey's residence. The following were totally demolished: Three brick buildings belonging to Colonel Casey, T. E. Wescott's residence, Charles Hoyt's residence, rrofessor Earnhardt's residence, Mrs. Miller's resideLce, Mrs. Albright's re6ldenoe, O. T. Brooks' residence, Y. A. Cover's residence, Russell Dewey's residence, Lawler Lgg's residence, David Yearwood's residence, S. Pniman Maxey'a residence, Fletcher Johnson's residence, George Howard aad Lew Emmerson, A VIEW OF THE TOWS. Aligh'ing at the Loulmlleand Nashville railroad depot the storm seekers attention is lirst directed to the two stoy Sapreme Court building, a few yards from the depot, without dome or roof, but sheets of tin hanging from its side marking a pivot around which the storm seemed to swing. All else In this direction is untouched, A few steps eastward along the railroai discloses to the southwest an appalling sight of devastation. It is in this direction that tbe laboring classes have built their little one-etory cottsges, among the timber, and here it was that the cloud first dropped down and m whirling fury twisted immense oaks from the ground and mashed the homes fiat ; then gathering the cZinging pieces strewed them along a path, tearing down fences and wiping out land marks. Scarcely can the direction of the streets be traced , for in this poorer quarter grading had not been attempted. How many houses were here destroyed is not known, for nothing is left in many places to mark the eiot. Fifteen foundations still remain J Im a!w M I 11 1 Tl . r Aii o.a. oiiej, iuriunj wen omit up, liUl three booses are standing in the path of the storm, aad these are wrecked. On the right and left of the path the debris plunged like catapults into homes more fortunate. Looking northeastward a:roes the railroad the ruin appears more terrible, because the buikLings were larger, heavier and more rompaci, and the wave that swept for tm yards a clean swath, tearing down fences and trees, piled up the debris on either side, acd left naked fence posts and foundation walls to mark the spot of residen ces. There still remain cn either side of the path dismantled frame houses, half buried with other roofs. To the southeast stands the monumental ruins of the threestory brick Hour mill, the walls stripped down and the machinery exposed, and on the north partially surrounded by uninjured houses, the crushed Baptist church and the large brick Commercial Hotel, unroofed acd partially torn down. Six hundred yards farther on lathe course of the storm brings yoaUo tne postoflice corner and in front stands the shattered courthcuse, with dome thrown down oyer the etf rence, the walls cracked and partially tumbled down, and in the Sapreme Court yard lie the tin and timber and roofs of adjacent building!, Ia front olthe port-

office, across Bunton street, a brick buildiDg was razed to the ground, and nearly all to the south and east fared likewise, but Uncle Sam's quarters were scarcely touched. STREETS FILLED WITH PEERIS. The streets here are broad, but to-day are filled with the debris of the business houses of Bunton and Washington streets,, along the eastern side of which not one house remains standing, or either partially preserved. Unable to thoroughly tear asunder the frame work of the buildings, they .were mashed and twisted into useless muses, and the roofs carried away, and the fronts and rears knocked out Several brick blocks of three stories gave an air ' of substantiality to these streets. The cyclone ground tne walls to a level, and the furnaces set fire to the woodwork and destroyed the last plank. The Evans Bank, on the corner, exhibits a burning pile, the safe cracked with the heat. Under the ruii s, jet unearthed, lie the charred remaiLS of J. C. Murray, owner of the block. Locking to the south and the east from this corner the spectator will see a line of groceries, warehouses and a few disreputable places lying against each other, bnt still holding together. Wines an d liquors bad been swept ont. bnt the enterprising bommer had headquarters and signs were up loDg before the excursionist began to pour in or the ruirs were clear of their dead. The reputable portion of this block, a bakery, caught tire and was consumed. Other bakeries were wiped out of existence, and to-day not a loaf of bread was to be purchased in tbe town, nor wiliu:h a state of affairs soon be remedied. Ho way er, po one sutlers tor want of food, shelter or clothlrjg Along Washington street, just back of the Court House, it was hard to teil j ast Where cue building began and the other left off. Floors, roofs, sides of buildings and partitions were shuttled up in confusion and cruehed against the few brtck walls that still remained standing. Everything along here was a dead loss, not even the precaution of ie assurance being available. Canton Etret, east of Washington, was cempletely blocked by the walls of the Stratton & Johnson fallen block, from the rear of which the destruction of large warehouses and handsome residences is much like an abandoned lamber yard and rubbish lot There were buildings here, and the lumber shows it, but the chaos is complete. Where houses have been torn asunder and swept away and the timbers scattered hither and thither, there is not, to the eye, the desolation that is presented by a row of mansions with the Bides stripped off, the roofs carried away, and the upper floors let down upon the parlors below, yet supporting what shows plainly was a tidy chamber, but now strewn with rubbish, or in many places only a portico or steps and a foundation, wall and cellar, covered by a swaying floor, supporting all that is left of once luxurious furniture. This is all that is left of East Mount Verncn, the ruins of luxury. Then the cloud bounded away through the woodland and oyer the prairie to return no more. The sun came out at once, and since the destruction the fairest weather has brightened the gloom, the dead were laid away and the wounded were carefully cared for. The able corps of physicians that responded 'to the first call were quickly organized, and all day long have moved from place to place. The shock to many has been terrible, and outside of breaks and bruises the physicians still have been required. A complete list of dead and wounded has not yet been compiled. THE TEOrERTT LOSE. The property loss will aggregate nearly half a million dollars, and falls heavily upon a thriving community. The following is a partial list of the largest losers, though the heaviest losers are the hundreds of poor who lost their all. John Heiserman. bakery, loss on building $1,500, stock $1,CC0; Warren Block, buildiog $2,000; Palm Building, building $-3,000, stock $1 000; Cook drug store, building $1.000, stock $1000; Manion building $2 000, stock $1 50O: Perry Hotel, building $3,000, contents $2,000; Stratton fc Johnson Block, building $2 000, stock $10.000; Crew's Block, building, $15,000; Evans' Bank, contents saved: A. E. Cox, grocer, stock, $3,000; R. E. Ryan, dry goods, stock, ?15 000;;j. R.;PowlrSoa, furniture. Stock, $5.000; G. W. Morgnu-,

jeweler, stock, mu; w. e. Jackson, Saddler, stock, $5 000; Maxey, Westscott it Swift, dry goods, stock, $18.000; L. Linnan, stock, $:;0O: J. Hill Williams' building, $3. COO; stock. $15,000; J. E. Furgeson, building, $2 500, stock $4,000; Mrs. Henry Waters' millinery stock, $1,000. building $1,000; Mrs. Herrin, stock, $1,000, buildiDg $1,000; Louis Rober, tobacco manufacturer, building $3,000, stock $1,500; Jake Schmidt building $1,000, Btock $500; C. S. Sexton, building $500, stock $500; D. H. Wise, building $2,500, stock $10,000; Rudspeth & Co , building $5,000, stock $15,000; Howard Bros, it Co., building $2,500, stock $5,000; It L. Stratton it Co., building, $3,000, stock, $34,000; Mt. Vernon Milling Co., building, $10,000; county court house, records saved, $10,000; school building, $20,000; Methodist Church, $15,000, Baptist Church, $5,000; eleciric light plant, $2,500; People's Mill, $200; skating rink, owned by W. H. Green, $3,000; Pace block, $5,000; Commerial Hotel, $5,000; prominent residences destroyed valued at from $1,800 to $4,000; T. S. Casey, two brick houses; James Piper, one brick house; Wm. Hill, frame house; M. Balin, brick house; Kuasell Dewey, frame house; tenement row of six houses; 150 onestory frame residences In the northeast portion of the city, and as many more of the same character in the southwest, are total wrecks. Besides there are the following residences destroyed, the value of which probably average $1,200: W. C Earnhardt two residences; C. C. Hoint, Mrs. Miller. George Howard, Dan Maxey, S. W. Westbrook, J, R. Madder. The following residences are badly injured, some of these are the superior residences of the city: D. R. Duff, Green Stratton, A. S, Jobneon, Thomas Walsh, E r . M. Ward, H. W. Seymour, T. S. Casey, T. E. Westcott, J. T. Howard and M. M. Emerson. Summing up the county building, the churches, business houses and stocke of goods aggregate a loss of $410,000; fine residences totally destroyed, $38,000; fine residences injured, $10,000; cottages, warehouses, barns, etc., $11000; total, $573.000. Other incidentals will increase this. All day long the funeral tramp has been heard through the town, and every little while a body of men passed down the street, carrying the remains to the home of a friend to await burial. As yet no arrangement has been made for a general funeral. Some of the bodies have been taken toother towns and some into the conn try. Th e folio wing is a LIST OF THE DEAD AND INJURED. David Yearwood, Mrs. J. L. Waters and baby. J. C. Mnrrav, Mrs. Rüssel Dswey, Mary Westbrook, Henry Walters, James I'iedeon, Charles Commings, Mrs. C&lvin Cooper, George Parsons and son, (colored), Mrs. William Jones and child, Mrs. Elvina Martin, (colored), Johnnie Yearwood, 8am Yearwood and wife, Frank Clightman, Ada Carter, (colored), Miss Josie fiatton, John Dodson, Jr., Joseph fihew, Mrs. John Shelton, Mrs. Charles Hatehlnson, Miss Irwin, Kf ttie Ehields, Amanda Bierdon, an

unknown man, Mrs. L. E. Legce, George Jones' youngest child. The following were Injured: Lizzie Eonnell, arm broken and head crusned, will die; Charles Pool, squeezed nearly to death by house falling on him. but he is now out on the street; Lew Emmerson, hurt about the leg and knee; Henry Ellis, bruised, but not seriously; Joseph Howard, badly bruised; Walter Jones (colored); Edward Harper (olored), not serious; Ada Harper (colored), not expected to Jive; William Hogan, badiv jammed up; Hopan'a child, dying, both legs beiDg broken; Mr. Zach B razz a, badly shaken up; Mrs. Zach Brazza, badly' hurt; Mrs. Abe Hicks, very badly bruiaed; Dolph Isam's ten-year-old daughter burned and rery badly bruised ; Mrs. Henry Walters, cot expected to live; Mr. and Mrs. C. Galbreath, seriously injured; Charles Wreir, badly hurt; Steve Maxey, leg broken; Mrs. W. A. Henman, slightly; Amanda Bierden, badly injured ; J. C. Hambrink, arm broken and injured about the head; Corrine Hembrick, fatally injured; Mrs. Jacob Albright, not expected to live; Mrs. Isam, not seriously; Mrs. Hattie Snow, badly injured; Mrs. Emory Mallo, not expected to live; Jennie Lantb, badly bruised; Mr. Shelton and wife; Joe Bar ford, bruised but able to be about; Kirk? and family, unable to be up, but not seriously injured: Lew Lancy, injured, able to be out; William Brazzle, wife and child, badly injured; John Isam, (colored), arm broken; Mr. Hogan, bruised, wife and boy badly; Sam Pountney, arm broken; Mrs. Gabe Geries, not expected to live; John Dodson and wife, badly injured, not expected to recoverGeorge Jones, children (colored) TEE WORK 07 RELIEF, As Boon as the injured were removed from the ruins they were conveyed to the their homes or to the Sapreme Court room, which was quickly fitted up as a hospital. All the physicians of the town were soon in active service, and by 10 o'clock they were reinforced by many from neighboring towns, who have devoted themselves assiduously to the work before them. Dr. Wilson, of the local force, and Dr. Owen, of Evansville, Ind., acted as heads of the surgical department They learn from their efficient corps that the patients are generally doing very well, though there are eight or ten who can not recover. The cases of neglect through oversight are very rare, and all such are due to the carelessness of friends not calling for assistance at headquarters. Three of the Jones children (colored) were cared for as soon as taken from the ruins.

bat the physician in charge left them for a few minutes, and on returning found that they had been carried away. They were laid ont on the commons on mattresses and well covered with comforts, and this afternoon were discovered as they were left. They did not complain of exposure, and as the covering was warm and the day charming, no harm resulted. Examination of their wounds found them to be desperately injured, and on two of them amputation of a limb was found to be necessary. The other was hurt about the hip and had received internal in juries. As soon as the extent of the disaster was realized at distant points, floods of telegrams were received asking about friends. Among these messages also were offers of assistance, and before night donations, exceeding $1 200 in cash, had keen telegraphed, aid promises for much more. It is just being learned that none of the buildings hae insurance against storms, and the encfÄns loss Is total to the owners of the property. Adjutant-general Vance has telegraphed that be and Dr. Rauch, President of the State Board ot Health Commissioners, will be here to night. Gov. Oglesby can not come to-night. Steps are now being taken to give a public faneral to-morrow to all who have not yet been buried or taken away. The Governor today sent the follewing telegram : Hon. George Ü. Varnell, Mayor of Mt. Vernon, 111.; The great calamity of yesterday to the people and city of Mount Vernon, fill the public heart with Borrow. Is there anything the S ate can do to relieve present distress in the way of supplies, tents or other things to aid the suffering community ? Please telegraph me the condition of affairs. Dr. Raucfee, of the State Board of Health, and Adjutant-General Vance will leave on tirht train for Mt. Vernon. R. J. 0;le?ky. Governor Oglesbj" Appeal. SrniNGFiEi.D, Feb. 20. Governor Oglesby received notice to-day that a thousand persons are homeless at Mt. Vernoon, and this evenirg issued the following proclamation: State of Illinois, ) Executive Office, V Richard J. Oglesey, Governor. J To the people of the State of Illinois. A great calamity has fallen upon the city of Mount Vernon, Jefferson County, in our State. Oa yesterday afternoon a cyclone swept over that city, leaving death, devastationjand ruin in its track. Advices up to this time state that more than fifty persons were killed, one hundred severely and some fatally wounded, and one thousand of its citizens are left homeless and destitute. A calamity such as this falling suddenly on a peaceful people at this inclement season of the year, must of necessity inflict serious and distressing loss and misery. Such a misfortune can not but appeal to the deepest sympathy of a generous public, and to that public, in the name of the whole people of the 8 täte, I, without hesitation, appeal for Immediate aid and encouragement It is well known that the General Assembly places no approiriation at the disposal of the Execuiveto be used on occasions like this, I therefore request Mayors of cities and all religious and charitable associations, societies and organizations to lend a helping hand in this hour of sorrow and distress, by assisting in raising contributions for the relief of those people. All subscriptions in money or other supplies will be forwarded to G. W. Evans, Chairman of tbe Local Finance Committee, Mt. Vernon, Jefferson County, 111. Stories of Eyewltenssea. ST.Loris, Feb. 20. Mr. H. 8. Reardon, conductor of the Louisville and Nashville train which was caught in the cyclone at Mt. Vernon, 111., last evening, and who had a shoulder dislocated by having a big trunk burled against him by the wind, arrived here last night, and gives the following brief account of the scene: It was all over in a minute," said he. "The thing that most impressed me was the destruction of the County Court House, a magnificent three-story brick building. The Court House stood in a prominent place, and could easily be seen almost from the tower to the ground. It looked to me as though the huge pile of brick and mortar bad been struck by a gigantic batteringram, or, if you please, by a big club in tbe hands of a power strong enough to knock it down at a single blow. It seemed to collapse at once, spread out crash and bury tbe buildings surrounding it. Marcus Aarons, a drummer for a Philadelphia house, who was a passenger on the train, says: ''It was a terrible calamity. I never witnessed anything so frlghtfal in ,

my life. On reaching Mount Vernon station it began to thunder ard lightning. Presently it began to rain and hail, driving every one to shelter. Just about this time a portentious black cloud, funnel -eh aped, was seen over our heads. Some of the people knew in a moment what was coming and began to cry out words of warning. The cloud burst io a minute after forming. It came with a roar and crash of a mighty ball. Houses of all descriptions went down like wheat before the Mail. Men, women and children ran hither and thither, jcreamiDg and praying, in their peril and fright The county court-houe was utterly wrecked, and a three story mill was blown across the track, just behind us. Our train was lying in tbe track of the cyclone, and it was taken at a flying rate, down the track. The engineer could not control the train and, fortunately for us, the brakes were not on. Trees were uprooted and cars lifted cleanly off their wheels. The passage of the cyclone must have oocupied at least two minutes. I think that fully half the town was totally wrecked and, to add to the horror of the wind, many fires broke out among the ruins. From the train we could see the smoke and flames rising from a dozen different houses. Oar train did not wait long enough in the town for us to learn the accurate loss of life and property, but the devastation was terrible. A strange thing was that three minutes after tbe cyclone the sun was shining brightly and serenely on the scene of dessolation. J. W. Wallace, agent of the Southern Express at Bhelbyville, Tenn., also eaw the Btorm from a train window and described it thus: "I beheld a fearful black cloud coming from the northwest. It was in the shape of a large inverted cone, and it could be plainly seen to be revolving around an imaginary axis, and at the same time to be bouncing up and down through the air with wonderful and frightful speed. It grew denser, and the blackness assumed a fierceness that was appalling. The wind in our immediate vicinity was now blowing with an almost incredible velocity, and, as the cloud was approaching, caused the standing coaches to rock and sway on their trucks like a cradle. Men and women on the streets were blown to the ground. In a moment the whirling cloud arrived at the town, and it could be seen dipping down here and there and tearing off house roofs, end then, rising higher into tbe air egain like a swaying balloon, it would float along with lightning like rapidity, but soon swoop down again upon the defenseless little town in another spot, razing the houses and trees, licking the sides of buildings and tearing great holes in them and leaving devastation along every part of its course. As the cloud would dip down and rise again, it would carry trees upward into the air and throw them to the ground with mighty force a hundred yards away. Parts of house roofs, trees, boards, bricks, wi than kinds of debris, were flying through the air at a fearful rate, and lef t piled in incongruous heaps along the track of the cloud. The passengers on our train were frightened, and a veritable panic ensued. Women screamed from fright, and rushed into the arms ot their husbands and escorts for protection. The cloud dipped down on the north side of the train and demolished a bouse, bnt just before it arrived at our position it arose and passed over us with magical swiftness and dropped down on the earth to the south of the train, where it completely destroyed another building and patsed on through the town in its work of destruction. Thus, you can Bee that our train had a miraculous t?rcape."

BOUND BY ITS OWN RULES, The Senate finds Tnat It Cannot Make the Fisheries Treaty Public. Washikcton, Feb. 20. The Senate In secret session to day listened to the reading of the fishery treaty and then for an hour there ensued an earnest but unsuccessful struggle to make it public. The lead in this matter was taken by Senator Frye, who is as anxious that his constituents shall be informed authoratively as to what they have to hope for from the matter. The motion was gallantly supported, and would have been successful but for tbe discovery that the Berate is powerless, in the a:e of its own rules, to do what it desires. To publish the document now would require a change of rules, and to make a change or even to discues a proposal to make a ctiange requires a day's notice. Hence as the matter is expected to come from Ottawa within a day or two, the Senate contents itself with sending the treaty to the Public Printer ,lto be printed in confidence." The provisions of the documeBt are said to be very much as the papers have already stated them. That which seems to haye fastened itself most firmly upon the Senatorial memory as the hasty reading was progressing is the provision that the privilege of going into the Canadian ports to buy bait shall be withheld by Canada unless the United States Congress passes laws for the free admission of fieh and oil. The document is commented upon by one Bide as practically conceding that the Canadian contention has been correct as to the interpretation of the treaty of ISIS. Upon the other band, Senators friendly to the administration express the opinion that all has been accomplished by the Department that could be expected, and that a quarrel which has lasted over half a century has thus been brought to an end. Sir. W.W. (Corcoran Seriously III. Washington, Feb. 19. Mr. W. W. Corcoran, the aged millionaire of this city, is again seriously ill, and his relatives were telegra pbed for, and arrived here yesterday. His present illness ia not connected with the partial stroke of paralysis which he Buffered in July last, but is the result of a bronchial attack which haa confined him to his bed for the last five weeks, and baa refused to yield to treatment. Mr. Corcoran's physician states that during the past three days his condition has assumed a much graver aspect, and that he thinks there ia good ground for serious apprehension on the part of his friends and relatives. Mr. Corcoran's neice, Miss Eustis, says that he sleeps heavily and almost constantly, and that he seldom rouses sufficiently" to recognize those around him. Threaten to Go Out A train. Philadelphia, February 20, Master Workman Lewis, who Is in charge of the Reading miners' strike, and who ordered a resumption of work this morning, has today received telegrams from the Master Workman at Shenandoah and Middleport dec'aring that certain of the strikers are being discriminated against, and are not allowed to return. Mr. Lewis says he will investigate the matter, and if the facts are as stated, and he has no doubt they are, the strike will be resumed inside of three days, and will include not only every miner In the Schuylkill region, but engineers, firemen, pump-men and everybody else emnloyed about the mines, both above and below ground,

ENiriAND'S FARMER?.

Mit !i the Reply to the lidresi Frain ths t Throne Takts a Rural Tarn. Department or Agjricoltnre Needed Uill to Form One- to be Introduced Depression la the Farming Districts Aid Needed. London, Feb. 20. In the Commons this evening Sir James Ferguson, Parliamentary Secretary of the Foreign Office, declared that there was no truth whatever in the report that any military or naval action was being taken or contemplated against Venezuela. Negotiations have been carried on respecting doubtful territory between Spanish Guiana and Venezuela. The latter proposed that the matter be submitted to arbitration. The British Government was not averse to the principle of arbitration, bnt were unable to accept the basis Venezuela proposed. Negotiations were tempo: airy stopped in consequence of the suspension of diplomatic relations by the late President Blanco. Refering to the New Hebrides, he stated that the French troops would evacuate the Island within four months from November 10 last The date of agreement was signed. Robert Cunningham Graham, the member imprisoned for taking part in the Trafalgar Square disturbances some months ago and released Saturday, was given an ovation by the Parneliitea when he made his appearance in the House to-day. Mr. Chaplin. Minister of Agriculture, resumed the debate on the address in reply to the Queen's speech. He commented upon the prolonged depression of agriculture, eaid the subject was of greater importance than the Irish question, forming, perhaps, the greatest problem of the times. It was a question which the Government must inevitably deal with at no distant day. The loss by deficient agricultural valueB was estimated for the year 1SS5 at 43,SOO,000 pounds sterling. It would not now be less than 50.000,000 pounds sterling, an amount equal to a reduction of onefourth in the export trade of tbe country. Msny thousands of acres of land had gone out of cultivation. There had been a concurrent decrease in cattle and sheep. Another effect of the depression was the increase of the masses of unemployed. Reliable estimates showed 700,000 persons, idle, owing to the paralysis in agriculturewhile thosa. employed were forced to work at greatly reduced wages. What could the Government do to assist to a better state of affairs? He presumed it was not by a return to protection, dies of "hear!" "hear!" It was not for him to indicate remedies. His object was to obtain from tbe Government what the farmers had a right to expect from them. Lord John Manners admitted the terrible condition of agriculture and said the Government had no specific against its depression. He hoped tbe improvement in general trade symptoms which is now apparent would lead to improvement in the condition of the farming interests. Too little attention bad been hitherto given officially to agriculture. The Gctvrnment therefore decided to ask the two bouses to give assent to a bill creating the Department of Agriculture. Cheers CHICAGO'S BOODLERS. Tbe Appellate Conrt Confirms the Decisions as to all the Defendants. Chicago, February 10. The Appellate Conrt handed down its long-looked-for decisions in the boodle cases this morning. Both cases are affirmed. One was the case of Edward S. McDonald, formerly engineer cf the county hospital, who was indicted and tried jointly with William J. McGarigle. After the verdict McGarigle escaped to Canada, evidently fearing the three years' penitentiary punishment im posed by the jury. As he was never sentenced by the court, the appeal was only taken In McDonald's behalf. Judge Beckwith appeared as chief counsel for McDonald, although he did not participate in the trial. Mr. Alexander Sullivan was chief counsel for the defendants in the omnibus case in their appeal, and was the only one of the seven lawyers originally engaged for the defense who was retained in the appeal proceedings. louring the trial, George C. Klehm, ex President of the County Board, arose andpleidei guilty in presence of the jury, after having assumed to be defending in good faith with the other eleven. It subsequently became known that while Klehm was attending the consultations of his co-de tend ants, he was clandestinely meeting State's Attorney Grinnell every night and carrying to him the secrets of the defense. The other case is what is known as the omnibus case in which twelve defendants, eleven of whom were county or ex-county commissioners, were put on trial. The jr- convicted all eleven and fixed the pun. ment of four at a fine of $1,000 each, and for the remaining seven at two years' imprisonment in the penitentiary. The four who were fined promptly paid their tines, One of the seven, Captain R. S. McClaughrey, a man sixty-five years old, refused to appeal and went directly to the penitentiary. Attorney Sullivan later secured a stay of execution, until March Old, for all the defendants. STRIVING DEMOCRATS. A Hot Contest for the National Convention Going on In Washington. Washington, Feb. 20. The delegation frcm the western cities are as busy as bees to-night striving to secure tbe honor of entertaining the next Democratic convention. Three principal delegations, Chicago, St. Louis and San Francisco, are all confident of success. AH three unite In declaring the convention will go west and assert that the Cincinnati people realize that their fight ia almost a hopeless one. Of the three delegations, San Francisco is the most enthusiastic and it is admitted by tbe 6U Louis delegatien that to-night the talk runs toward the Pacific coast but tbey assert that this is due to the extravaeant promises that are being made. The Chicago delegates are the quietest bnt their plan of campaign is well defined, ani each committee does what is allotted to it and reports to headquarters without making much noise. Naturally tbe rival delegations are unwilling to say much, except in a general way about their expectations. When asked if tbey would have eighteen votes Mr, Tarpy, the San Francisoo representative said, "yes we will have more than that." The St Louis people say they expect to be well up in tbe procession and Chicago is evidently feared by the others. From the best acalysia possible it would seem

that San Francisco expects all the country west of the Rocky Mountainsand a number of votes in the South. It is conceded that Chicago wiEMhave thelvotea of New Eng. laid, with the exception of Prince, of Massachusetts, who is in favor of St Louis. This together with the Northwest and some sapport from the central section, will give the lake city a good showing to start oft with, and it expects to add enough votes to secure the convention after a ballot or t o cf "filial respect" is given by committemen to their respective cities. St Louis' strength will come from the Missouri Valley acd the SonlhernJStateVand Territories and it is said that some of the Southern States favor St Louis as a second choice after San Francisco. Ab, There, Gaxber. New Albany Ledger. 1 Mr. M. C. Garber, President of the Republican Editorial Association, ia his speech at Indianapolis said: "The republican party In the camra'n C l&sS presents as its first and paramount Issue the sanctity oi the ballot box. The Kepublicaa party is nowhere the defender or perpetrator of frauds upon the morale of the people. The Democratic everywhere Is. These continual outrages upon the ballot-box have grown into a national Issue." Mr. Garber is a representative Republican. He is well versed in Indiana politics. He isspecially well posted in regard to politics and elections in Msdison, where he resides andedits an able Republican pap?r. Is it possible that in making a speech, before :the assembled dignitaries cf his arty tbat be forgot the record made by a Republican trustee of Madison county, a few years ago? Surely he ought to have borne that in mind, and should also remember what party was benefitt 1 by and defended the fraud. Perhaps the Herald can enlighten Mr. Garber as to the details of the matter. Mr. Garber' also forgot to mention tbe fact that in 1C4 gangs of soldiers were tent out from Indianapolis over various railroads and voted at all the precincts that could be reached during the day. The spevker also forgot that for a quarter of a century ballot box stuffing, tally-sheet frauds and other ways and means were resorted to by Republican leaders to control tte vote of Indianapolis. Mr. Garber omitted the fact that a few years ago men were marched up to the polls in South Bend and voted by their Republican bosses, on the command to "vote that ticket or you are discharged." Fnsident Garber also failed to remind his hearers that but a few years aso the owners of more than one factory in Massachusetts voted their men the same as if they owned them, and the matter is of legal record. The same was true in other States, and yet nobody even heard of the Republican party making any strenuous exertions to put a stop to such frauds on the ballot. On tbe other hand, the party leaders sought to cover up the crime, apologize for and defend the criminals. Investigating the Sugar Trust. New Yokk, Feb. 20. The committee of the State Senate to investigate the various "trusts" began its work here to-day, opening with the sugar trust. Henry II a vein eye r, of Havemeyer fc Elder, testified that each stockholder surrendered the stock held in each company, and was given stock or certificates in the companies in return. There was no written agreement as to what should be done by the board of management of the new organization after the surrender of the etock. The Board has the right to place its1 officers in any of the refineries. Tne witness acknc wledged that one refinery in St. Louis, two in St Louisiana, one in Boston, two in Philadelphia and two in San Francisco, had been forced iato the pool. The production of sugar, since the 1st of December, 15S7. has decreased about one-quarter and the price has gone up. The North River Company has gone out of business entirely, but the board has taken its stock. The amount of stock of the combined companies for which certificates have been issued was $45,000,000. The board has decided to close their refineries. Tney will Btill get a share of the profits as if running. Mr. Havemeyer refused to produce a copy of the "Trust" agreement Mr. Parsons, countel for Mr. Havemeyer, and also a member of the board, alio declined to produce the paper, claiming a lawyer's privilege. The Crown Prince's liest Day. San Kemo, Feb. 20.-Midnight The Crown Prince passed the best day he has had since the operation. Tbe cough and expectoration has abated and tbe patient is in good spirits. The Prince of Wales arrived to-day and was met by the Grand Duke of Hesse, Prince Heory and Princess Irene. He immediately visited tbe Crown Prince and dined with him. He will remain until Wednesday. The meeting to-day between the Prince and his sister, the Duchess of Eaden, was extremely affecting. The Prince beiDg unable to speak resorted to pathetic signs. The Duchess broke down in a flood of tears. The weather is cold and unhealthy. It is expected that there will be a decisive turn for good or ill in the Prince's condition within ten days. Dr. Mackenzie in an interview confirms the report of dissension existing among the Prince's medical advisers. Dr. Mackenzie said that he remained at San Remo at tbe desire of the Prince, but left tbe treatment of the casa in the hands of Dr. Bergman. Dr. Krause sides with Dr. Mackenzie.

Explains Itself. Indianapolis Phö nix (Pro.)!. The following letter published in the Prohibition Advocate of February b, explains itself: The Indiana Christian Advocate, Ktv. T. A. Goodwin. A. M. D., Ei.itor. j Indianapolis. Ind., Jan. 13, 1ns. You are aware that tbe Republican Sate CentraJ Committee are anxious to set the Advocate before the people as the ben available antidote lor the third party crsze. 11 anybody takes interest enough to eet us a club of tire or more we will put it at tl 00. There ought to be some anti-third party Methodist who would do this 'or the party if not for his church Interest, and the Mf.tiiopjm in the paper will not siio tc any coon man. The prohibs are Hooding the State with their literatute while we are doinp tothing. We ought to be able to not only prevent any Increase in tneir vote, but to greatly reduce it T. A. Goodwin. An Epidemic or Measles. Paei?, III., Feb. 20.-Special.-The State Board of Health was notified to-day of the exietence of an epidemic of measles, of this city, and in the surrounding country. The disease was widespread, but of a mild character. About 35 percent, of tbe Paris public schools are ont on account of the disease, but no deaths have occurred, except in two or three cases, where the ailment was complicated on account of exposure. A Proposal from Kussia. Beelin, Feb. 20. Count Schouvaloff, Russian Ambassador, !n an interview with. Count Herbert Bismarck, haa suggested tbat the powers unite In advising the Porte as Suzerain of Balgaria, to declare Prince Ferdinand's exercise of power illegal. It is reported that Bismarck has advised Count Kalnoky to assent to the suggestion if RusBia pledgee tbat the declaration shall be accompanied by no cotraive measure.

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