Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-04-07
WHIRLWIND IN OHIO.

The "Mad River Courant" of Saturday week
contains very particular account of the effects
of the whirlwind which passed through Urbanna.
in Ohio, on the ED inst. from which we make
the following extracts, showing that the first ac-
counts we had of it were far from being exagge-
rated:
From the best information that has been OBJ
tanned, the Tornado, that, on Monday last swept
through this beautiful and f1ourishing village,
with such desolating fury; commenced about SIX
miles in Southwesterly direction from this place.
1t would seem that two powerful currents OF air
from the Northwest and Southeast, encountered
each other, and after struggle for the maste-
ny, united their forces and shot off in North
casterly direction, with rapidity that nothing
coald outstrip, and a fury that nothing could
withstand. No serious Injury as far as we have
learned, marked its progress, until it reached
this town, as few farm houses lay in its course.
1t may be proper here to describe sthc gener-
al appearances and meteoric indications that
characterized the tornado, as it will enable our
readers to account for some remarkable incidents
that would otherwise appear almost ineXpicable.
The width OF the current was not more than one
hundred yards; It's course was somewhat irregu-
lar-now shooting to the right-then darling to
the left-now rising in the air, and again precip-
iating itself to the earth's surface, with incon-
ceivable velocity. Occasionally, 1t would SEEM
portions of the great moving body of warning
elements were detached and thrown out in lat
eral directions for many yards, where their for
ces were either spent or returned to reunite with
the main current. The whole had rotary mo
ton, such as is often witnessed. on diminish
ed scale, in whirlwinds. twas highly charged
~ih the electric f,id which formed very brilliant
appearances. 1t passed about half past one
o'clock p. NJ. and did not continue more than
one minute. The first building il struck, after
reaching the village, was brick tenement occu-
pied BY Mr.. Richard Baker, which was prostrat-
ed
Here follows a List of the several buildings
in the town which were destroyed or Injured.
"The whole number of houses inhabited that
were more or less affected by the gale, is thirty
one: and the entire number of buildings injured
and DESTROYED in the village is seventy.
s'From the houses that were overthrown nearly
every article of furniture and clothing was swept
away, and scattered along the path of desolation,
as far as it has been traced. Mr.. George Bells
large family Bible for instancel was found ff
teen miles Northeast from this place.
- 1t may well be supposed, that amidst this
narrow and hairbreadth escapes of property, life,
and limb. Such, indeed, is the fact, and would
to God there had been more. The dwellings OF
Mr.. Chaplin, Mr.. Jer. Matthias, and Mr.. James
Hunter, stood nearly unframed, though every
thing immediately around them was laid in ruins
sit has been mentioned that Mr.. r. Harvey's
house, in which also lived Mr.. ]. Ross, was to,
tally DESTROYED. Mrs. Harvey was severely
bruised. and one of her legs fractured-she is
however. in fair way of recovery. Mrs. Ross
her sister, standing in the porch on the south
side Of the house, with her infant in her arms
thew were both thrown D TO so feet north. over
the foundation of the house, into the street. ant
both escaped injury. Mr.. Charles Matthias wife
was sitting with her child in her arms, when thei
brick house fell; and it is truly extraordinary tina
amidst such a mass of brick and other matter
they should have received little or no harm.
:. 1t has been already stated, that the dwellin.
house of Mr.. George Bell. merchant, was anon.
those that were totally destroyed. Indeed 81
entire was the destruction. that part the son,
foundation was rent from its bed. 1t was her,
that the tempest exerted its most fatal energies
in the house there were at the time ten persons
Mrs. Mary Bell and her FIVE children. the edes
fine girl about Is years of age, the youngest al
infant of nine months; Mrs Nancy, wife of Robt
Bell, with her daughter Jane, aged near years
her little son William about 2 years; and also Ma
nv Smith, daughter of Mr.. VIM. Smith, whose
wife is sister of Mr.. r. Bell. Of these, Eliza
beth Smith, Thomas and Robert. children o
Mr.. George Bell, met with an immediate anC
fearful death. Elizabeth, the eldest, was dashet
against the farther fence of the burying ground
and was taken up lifeless, with her face mucl
dishgured, her body bruised. and her arm broken
Thomas. 4 years old in January last, was fount
tea or tacelUe rods from the house, with his heas
and face most shockingly bruised and mangled
Robert, an infant, was found near fourth Of .
mile from the hOuss, with the back of his heat
dashed to peices-they were all consigned to on,
grave on Tuesday.
ssJane was found eighteen or tcenty rods from
the house, with her skull badly fractured and sh,
otherwise injured-her spirit had not taken it
final departure: surgical aid was resorted to, bu
in vain; she expired yesterday morning, and thu
ground has Just closed over her mangled remains
g Both of the Mrs. Bells were very danger
eusly wounded; but Mrs. Mary B. is in situa
ton that almost forbids the hope of recovery