USA > Missouri > Ray County > History of Ray county, Mo. > Part 45
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For several days previous the weather had been unusually warm and sultry; the air was heavy and oppressive, the mercury in the thermome- ter indicating a temperature ranging from eighty-five to ninety degrees, Fahrenheit.
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
The morning of June 1st was bright and tranquil, but later in the day clouds gathered, and early in the afternoon the wind, accompanied by a slight fall of hail, began gently blowing from the southwest. Immediately after the hail ceased falling, a wind from the northwest arose, and, con- tinuing probably ten minutes, was succeeded by a suffocating calm of about three to five minutes' duration. Within twenty or thirty minutes after the falling of the hail, the clouds in the southwest seemed to be fall- ing apart for a moment or two, presenting ragged edges; then, suddenly, streams began to shoot out from the margins of the clouds, and to mingle together by a twirling, intertwining motion.
The calm above alluded to was caused by the current from the north- west meeting a similar current moving in the opposite direction. After this momentary cessation of wind, a strong breeze from the southwest set in, followed by a violent rush of wind, the immediate precursor of the terribly devastating cyclone that was to follow almost instantaneously.
The wind began its destructive work about three miles southwest of town. Moving in a northeasterly direction, it struck the railroad at J. S. Hughes & Co.'s coal shaft; then turning northward, it struck six tenement houses, occupied by miners, and owned by J. S. Hughes. These houses were moved out of position and otherwise damaged, though not seriously. Leaving the tenement houses, the cyclone slightly injured six dwellings situated next to the railroad. The upper story, back wall, and porch of W. R. Jackson's house, in the extreme southeastern part of the city, were torn off. The next house in its northward course, was that of Dr. Noah Gaines, a one story frame, which was considerably wrecked but not torn down. Bounding across the street at this point, the storm unroofed the old homestead residence, a one story brick, of Jacob Whitmer. Mrs. Haynes was struck and damaged seriously.
In its onward passage north of Dr. Noah Gaines, it levelled to the ground a small frame building, occupied by a colored family ; next a large one story frame building, property of the late Major Sevier, but occupied at the time, by one Mr. Deer and family. The house was utterly demol- ished. Striking, next, the fine brick residence of J. S. Hughes, Esq., it blew down the ell and unroofed the main building.
Next in the storm's pathway stood the Bidwell property, occupied by a man named Berry, and his family. The building, a two story frame, was totally destroyed; and so, also, was the large two story frame residence of W. R. Holman. Veering to the west from the residence of J. A. Hughes, it struck and completely destroyed the residence of G. A. Hughes, as well as his very fine young apple orchard. The residence last named is on College street; west of it and on the same street, are the residences of Judge Charles J. Hughes and Messrs. B. J. Menefee and P. V. Ber- nard, all of which were injured. Of the three houses mentioned, Mr.
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
Bernard's is farthest; it is a one story brick, was unroofed, and a portion of its walls blown in. This building marked the western limit of the storm's fury, in the city.
The cyclone was somewhat narrowed in its destructive course through the city, after leaving South College street, which extends east and west; yet from this street in its northward passage, it extended over two entire blocks of buildings, as well as wrecking some, and wholly demolishing other of the buildings on the east side of the college grounds; and first of the latter was the one and a half story cottage residence of Mrs. Bassett, occupied by C. J. Hughes, Jr., which was totally destroyed. Dr. H. P. Jacobs owned and occupied a new and beautiful residence, which in its fury, the storm-god spared not; every vestige of the building was swept from its foundation. Neither did it respect the Presbyterian Church, a large, costly and substantial brick structure, but razed it to the ground. The next building to the northward, was the story and a half residence of Mr. E. Spear, which, though not blown down, was greatly damaged; then the one story brick of Philip J. Woodson, Esq., was unroofed. Next, to the northward stood the Baptist Church and residence of R. E. Brown, Esq., side by side, which were likewise swept away by the irresistible rotary current.
We have followed the storm in its desolating progress to Lexington street, and, going back again to south College street, and beginning with the block next east of the one last described, and separated therefrom by Thornton Avenue, we mention first the two story frame dwelling of Judge Joseph E. Black, which was entirely destroyed; then the residence of Captain G. N. McGee, a total loss; next the one story residence belong- ing to Mrs. Mary Brown, but occupied by a tenant, also completely de- molished, and the residence of Ephraim Holman, which shared a similar fate.
Passing east, in our description, to the residence of Doctor Frank Gaines, on Lexington street, we have to mention that building as also a total loss. The residence of Mrs. Amelia Jacobs, in this neighborhood, was also totally wrecked.
Again returning to South College street, we begin with the block east of the one last mentioned; and first, the dwelling house of Paul Wertz was literally blown away; and so, also, were the residences of N. P. War- riner, and of Mrs. Morrison, and Mrs. Carson.
Proceeding with his melancholy task, the writer has again arrived at Lexington street, at a point where the cyclone again narrowed its destruc- tive work, and thence northward, embraced only two blocks. First, on the west, starting northward, is the lumber yard of Brown & Limerick, which was completely wrecked; the calaboose, a stone building, was par- tially blown down, but the blacksmith-shop of Ball & Asbury was totally
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
destroyed. In the same block, but east of the buildings mentioned, stood the residences of the late Judge Burgess, Colonel Dodd, and Houston Jacobs, all of which were swept away.
East of this block, the residences of George Jacobs and Wyatt Baker were destroyed. The Shaw House (now, 1881, Wasson House), the next building north of Ball & Asbury's (now Asbury's) shop, suffered great injury. Its east wing was blown down entirely, and every portion of the building received considerable damage. Prior to the storm it was a three- story building, but has since been repaired, without replacing the third story. East of the Shaw House was the residence of James Harmony, and east of that the elegant two-story residence of John P. Leeper, occu- pied by Doctor G. W. Buchanan, both of which were entirely destroyed. Immediately east of the buildings last mentioned stood the wagon factory of Burgess Bros., the buggy factory of O. T. Dickenson, and the resi- dences of Isaac Burgess, Captain Ben. Wigginton, and R. F. Asbury, all of which were swept away.
Our description has brought us to South Main street. In the two blocks of buildings on this street, extending to the northern limits of the city, were about twenty-five houses, all of which were utterly demolished. among the number we may mention the residences of David Whitmer, Benjamin Jacobs, Fritz Lierman, William Marshall, Thomas Word, J. W. Garner, Samuel Nading, John G. Ballard, T. J. Casey, F. W. Joy, Thomas McGinnis, and George Warren.
The above were all one and two-story buildings, and were a total loss. In this were located the African M. E. Church, and the school-house of the colored people, both of which were torn to fragments.
On the street leading northward from the public square, and which is west of the buildings last mentioned, the residences of Mrs. Mary Brown, Thomas D. Woodson and W. A. Donaldson were greatly damaged; Mrs. Brown's residence being blown to the ground.
The following business houses on the east side of the public square suf- ferred material damage, viz: The three story brick dry goods store of S. R. Crispin & Co., at the southeast corner of the square. The Masonic hall was in the third story of this building, and was completely destroyed, as the third story was blown off, as well as part of the second story; the house occupied by C. Sayre; W. R. Jackson & Co.'s furniture store; Jackson & Asbury's saloon; boot and shoe house of William Mar- shall; drug store of Taylor & Smith (now Smith & Patton); and the store house of Monroe Bros. All of these, except the first mentioned, were two story brick buildings.
Just north, and across the street from the last mentioned, the lumber yard of Jackson & Patton, and the wagon manufactory of Powell & Son, were destroyed.
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
South of the public square the business houses of J. P. Quesenberry, Dr. M. C. Jacobs, and Kiger & Wertz were partly unroofed; and the same is true of Mosby & Son's drug store and the Ray county savings bank.
The post office was literally blown away. The court house was unroofed and otherwise damaged. The livery stable of C. W. Schweich & Co. was considerably injured.
Thus have we given a minute description of the entire devastated por- tion of the city, which included fully one-third of its area. The total loss of property was estimated at over $200,000.
This devastating wind current was a genuine cyclone, its motion being rotary and irresistible. It was funnel-shaped in appearance, resembling a water spout.
It is said that during its passage through the town, not a drop of water fell: There were ascending and descending currents, and flying frag- ments darkened the earth. After the cyclone had passed, its desolated pathway presented the appearance of having been deluged with muddy water. This was owing to the fact that a heavy rain preceded the cyclone a moment or two.
On leaving the town, the cyclone veered slightly to the east; thence north, striking Crooked river; thence west, demolishing the residence of Thomas J. Bohannon, and carrying down the iron bridge at that point; thence its course was northeast, to Hiram Settle's, seven miles from Rich- mond; there it rose from the earth, and moved directly east, passing over Morton, a small village in the eastern portion of the county. It again descended to the earth at Highsinger's, a point twelve miles from where it arose, at Settle's; thence taking a northeasterly direction, it lay waste everything in its course.
The storm is estimated to have been three minutes in passing through the city. It swept over that portion of the city in which were located most of the mechanical shops and factories.
The destruction of property was great, indeed, but that was not irre- parable. The energetic and enterprising citizens have so repaired and rebuilt the desolated district, that now (1881) scarcely a vestige of the great cyclone of 1878 remains. The buildings which were destroyed have been replaced with new, more costly and more substantial ones. The loss of human life makes the saddest recollection of this terribly destructive cyclone. The following persons were either killed outright, or died from injuries received:
Captain William M. Jacobs was caught in front of C. D. Sayre's, by the falling debris from the store and the Masonic hall, and completely buried, and was not found till eleven o'clock the following day (Sunday).
Squire Bellis was buried by the fallen debris of Jackson & Patton's lum- 25
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
ber yard. Mr. Bellis resided in the country, and was killed while seeking safety in the lumber yard.
John Campbell had started from M. C. Jacobs' drug store for his home in the eastern part of the town, and when having reached a point on Lex- ington street, just beyond Brown and Limerick's lumber yard, was killed by the passing missiles.
Mattie Holman, aged five years, a child of W. R. Holman, was killed.
Miss Martha A. Ross, who was living at Ephraim Holman's, was crushed by the falling building, and died in a few moments.
Mrs. Mary Joy was struck and killed by the falling house of F. W. Joy.
Mrs. Martha A. Casey was instantly killed.
James Duncan, at Powell & Son's shop, was caught up by the wind, carried one hundred yards, and mortally wounded. A missile was driven into his head, entering near the nose. He lived but a few moments.
Miss Josie Couch, at the residence of William Marshall, was disem- boweled, and died in a short time.
William A. Donaldson, Esq., was on his way from his law office to his. residence, when he was struck by flying debris, and died in an hour or two.
Mrs. Alvin Child was mortally wounded, and died in a short time.
Andrew Nading, son of Samuel Nading, was killed in the wreck of his father's house.
Miss Florence Word, whose thigh was broken, died on Tuesday even- ing, and was buried the next day.
Francis M. Ball, severely bruised about the head, legs and body, died on Monday.
An infant child of Charles Ottman's lived till Tuesday, when it died of injuries received in the storm. Mrs. Salina Bohannon died on Thursday morning.
Miss Sarah Burgess, Berry Fox, Thomas J. Bohannon, Laura Wash- ington (colored).
Following is a list of those who were seriously wounded: F. W. Joy, leg broken ; C. J. Hughes, Jr., leg broken; Willie Buchanan, Miss Emma Shackelford, Miss Pauline Shackelford, Mrs. Perry Jacobs, Robert Asbury, Charles and Lee Asbury, Dr. G. W. Buchanan, George War- ren, George Crispin, James Donaldson, Blanche Harmony, Mrs. Thomas McGinnis and four children, Thomas Bohannon and wife, V. P. Bernard, Miss Mollie Streets, Colonel T. J. Dodd, Mrs. Paul Wertz, Robert Offutt, Mrs. Belle Warriner, H. C. Burgess, Thomas Burgess, Isaac Burgess, Mrs. William Marshall, William Burgess, Miss Mary Hughes, Mrs. Car- son and two daughters, G. W. Schweich and infant child, Miss Laura Belle Hughes, Albert Flumen, Mary E. Sheets, Thomas Word, Mary E. Casey, David Whitmer, G. T. Limerick, Mrs. Julia Shweich.
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
A number of colored persons were also seriously injured. Many per- sons lost everything they had, and were left wounded and helpless. Those who escaped threw open their doors, taking in the wounded and homeless. Every one did all in his power to relieve the unfortunate sufferers. Peo- ple from all parts of the country gathered in Richmond, eager to lend a helping hand.
On Sunday, the day after the terrible storm, a mass meeting was held and the following resolutions adopted:
WHEREAS, An unprecedented storm has visited our city, leaving much loss of life, destruction of property and personal suffering in its pathway; therefore, be it
Resolved, That a committee of arrangements and relief be appointed to co-operate with the mayor and city authorities, consisting of ten per- sons, whose duty it shall be to receive any contributions that may be made for the relief of the poor and destitute, and to provide for and take care of the many who have been injured; and generally to make such arrangements as the circumstances may require, in aid of the suffering of our fellow citizens, occasioned by the recent storm, and for the burial of those who were killed.
Resolved, That all citizens who may feel disposed to render any assist- ance for the object contemplated by the foregoing resolution, will please to make application to some member of this committee, or to the mayor or members of the city council, who will see that all contributions are honestly and strictly applied for the relief of those needing it. That the thanks of this meeting are hereby tendered to our neighbors from the country, and citizens of other counties, for the interest and sympathy they have manifested and the aid so freely and cheerfully given, and to the medical fraternity for their prompt and skillful attention rendered to the suffering.
At a meeting of the relief committee the following resolution was adopted:
Resolved, That Berrien J. Menefee, be, and he is hereby appointed treas- urer of this committee to receive all contributions and donations made to the relief board in money or other things, and that he apply the same under the direction of Judge Chas. J. Hughes, chairman of this committee, or of George I. Wasson, mayor of the city, and that full reports be made from time to time to this committee of the amount and character of the contributions made and how distributed.
The following general committee was then appointed, viz: A. W. Doniphan, James Hughes, B. J. Menefee, C. T. Garner, Sr., Dr. W. W. Mosby, Captain J. L. Farris, Colonel J. W. Black, George N. McGee, Thomas D. Woodson and John C. Morris.
On motion, Judge Hughes was made chairman of the committee. On motion of J. T. Child, a committee composed of gentlemen from each township, to solicit aid, was appointed.
At a called meeting of the relief committee on Monday evening, the following action was had:
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY -
On motion of James W. Black, Major R. S. Williams was instructed to employ a sufficient number of hands to remove the debris from the streets. The daily wages for laborers was fixed at $1.25. The proposition of Major McKissack, to furnish ice and transportation free was accepted, and the magnaminous offer properly acknowledged.
The committee of relief met Tuesday morning. A number of telegrams were received, which the mayor was instructed to answer. Judge C. J. Hughes was directed to instruct the different towns, as to the condition of Richmond. C. T. Garner, W. P. Hubbell and W. I). Rice, were appoin- ted to ascertain the real condition of the sufferers, to take their names and ascertain their actual wants.
At the suggestion of many citizens from the country, a public meeting was held in the court house yard on Monday. This meeting was attended and participated in by a large number of citizens from different parts of the county. This meeting resolved that the judge of the county court be requested to make an appropriation, if in his judgment such an appropria- tion was needed, to the sufferers of Richmond.
Committees were also appointed in all of the townships to solicit aid from the citizens, and to receive and forward all contributions to the relief committee at Richmond.
Besides the human beings enumerated, about ninety head of stock- horses, cattle, etc., were killed. One team of horses was lifted up and blown over the brick lumber yard of Jackson & Patton, and, being dashed to the ground, in the back yard, were killed. Chickens and geese were literally stripped of their feathers, and trees which were not blown down or torn up by their roots, were barked from bottom to top.
On the west side of the cyclone, the debris moved south, on the east side it moved north, showing the rotation to have been from right to left.
The postoffice building was a light, two story frame, on the east corner of the north side of the public square. It was totally demolished, and the contents scattered along the pathway of the cyclone for many miles.
A registered package of stamped envelopes, intended for Millville, was found eight miles out of town.
One package of envelopes for registered letters, was found in Caldwell county, twenty miles north of Richmond, and returned.
One dead letter addressed, Michael Reeves, was found near James Hughes' home farm, eight miles northeast of Richmond.
One package of paper, weighing two pounds, was found on a straw pile, four miles from where the postoffice stood.
A registered letter was found thirteen miles north of town, lying against a house. The letter was picked up by a farmer, who, finding it contained two fifty dollar bills, returned it to the post master at Richmond.
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
A letter was found near Tinney's Grove, twenty miles to the northeast, in Grape Grove township.
A photograph of a Mrs. Engler, blown from one of the demolished residences of Richmond, was found near Tinney's Grove, twenty miles away.
Thousands of persons visited Richmond for several days succeeding the storm. Nearly all came, and did all in their power to relieve the immediate wants of the sufferers.
The destruction was complete over two entire blocks of buildings, from the southern to the northern limits of the city. Outside of those blocks, on either side the buildings and property, generally, were injured to a greater or less extent along its entire path.
We find in the first issue of the Ray Chronicle after the cyclone, the fol- lowing observations:
1. It was not over three hundred yards high.
2. The breadth of its forward motion was not more than eighty yards.
3. No rain fell during its passage.
4. The head, source, or place where the power was applied was after the cyclone was perfectly formed, a dark cloud, moving with the firmness of a mountain, and the rapidity of the swiftest horse.
5. The rotary motion gave it a lateral diameter of one hundred and fifty yards. The rotation was often so rapid as throw air waves to either side, with very destructive effects, and sometimes reaching a distance of three hundred yards beyond the main path.
6. There was no particular development of heat, as to scorch green substances or to burn persons. The ground was soaked with rain twenty minutes in advance of the cyclone, and the soil was worked into a thin mortar, and smeared overything; hence the appearance of a flood .*
Two members of the city council were killed, and the council adopted the following tribute of respect:
RICHMOND COUNCIL ROOM, Wednesday, June 5, 1878.
City council met, and was called to order by the mayor, George I. Wasson. The roll was called. Present, the mayor, and councilmen, J. W. Black, James W. Garner, George A. Hughes, and William Wilson.
The following resolutions were then presented by J. W. Black, and adopted by the council:
WHEREAS, Our city having been visited on last Saturday afternoon, by a most terrible cyclone, carrying death and destruction in its pathway, and many families were rendered houseless, and the home circle bereft of of its loved ones, stricken down in its devastating course, and among that number our esteemed fellow citizens and members of the city council, Wm. A. Donaldson and Francis M. Ball; therefore be it resolved by the council, of the city of Richmond,
That in the death of Wm. A. Donaldson and F. M. Ball, their families
*We are indebted to the Ray Chronicle, of June 7, 1878, and to Dr. G. W. Buchanan for the history of the Richmond cyclone.
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have sustained an irreparable loss, society has been deprived of two of its most worthy and useful citizens, and the city council of two of its most active, energetic and faithful members.
Resolved, That we tender to their bereaved families and relatives, our heartfelt sympathy and condolence, in this, the hour of their great affliction.
Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be communicated to the families of the deceased, by the city recorder, and that they be spread upon the records of the city council.
Resolved, That the Richmond Conservator and the Ray Chronicle be requested to publish these resolutions.
Resolved, That in respect to the memory of the lamented deceased, we adjourn until Wednesday, June 12th, 1878.
GEO. I. WASSON, Mayor.
W. C. PATTON, City Recorder.
It is not easy to imagine how greater destruction could be wrought in the same length of time than was caused by the Richmond cyclone of June 1, 1878. It was indeed a great calamity, and will long be remem- bered.
From personal experience, endured at another time, in another state, the writer is fully prepared to appreciate the suffering of those who were so unfortunate as to be in the pathway of the terribly devastating whirl- wind.
With a list of the members of the bar and medical profession, and the city charter and revised ordinances of the city of Richmond, we close its history.
The Richmond bar has long been noted for the ability, learning and eloquence of its members.
Lawyers who have distinguished themselves in various departments of life, have either lived or practiced law at Richmond. Among them we mention: Alexander W. Doniphan, Hamilton R. Gamble, Charles French, Robert W. Wells, Abiel Leonard, Amos Rees, Thomas C. Burch, Mor- decai Oliver, Austin A. King, Peter H. Burnett, and Aaron H. Conrow.
General Doniphan's fame as a soldier is world-wide. His heroic mil- itary exploits are read in the school room, and live in the hearts of his countrymen, yet he is not unknown as a brilliant and successful lawyer. He is now retired from practice, and is a resident of Richmond.
As to Aaron H. Conrow, see biographical sketch in part second.
The rest, including Hon. Geo. W. Dunn, are mentioned elsewhere in this work.
The Richmond bar has, at present, twenty members; several of them have practiced in Richmond for many years, and are well and widely known, as well for their professional ability as for their sterling worth as members of society. The majority, however, are energetic and talented
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