Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1848-05-04


TO friend under date of March %, gives an
account OF wonderful tornado that had just
visited one of their missionary stations. dcs-
troying property TO the amount of fabout $4,000,
and sparng number of lives only by a very
narrow and proyideniial deyerance.
Pine Ridge, the name of the station referred
to, is situated amid grove of large pines on
considerably elevated spot of land. The tor
nado was first observed by some persons from
a fort situated on height OF ground that over
looked the whole region.
Its appearance was that Of a large black
cloud, shaped like tunnel, with the pointing
resting upon the ground. II seemed TO rise at
the mouth of the keamish river, Sin miles from
Pine Ridge, and taking course northeasterly,
strewed the ground in lis march with branches
and fragments of trees, tearing up smaller trees
completely by the roots. When within half a
mile fthe station il shifted lis course, aud
seemed to aim directly for that. When arriy-
inc al the foot of the hill, upon which the sta
ton stood, il appeared 10 gather power and
energy for the work of devastation. From
this point it moved onward with a violence that
swept all before it. Trees Of century's
growth had their trunks wrenched from their
roots like so many twigs. When arriving at
the missionary buildings, the first in It's way,
which was dining room and kitchen built low
and of heavy logs, with large stone chimney
in the centre, il simply unroofcd, and prostrai-
ed the smoke and wash house IN the rear
The next building, situated about hundred
yards from the former, was large two story
house, nearly new, with piazza on two OF IT'S
sides Two of It's lower rooms were occupied
by two female teachers connected with the
'h.
per part was the sleeping apartment OF the
girls. This building was entirely swept oil,
save only the lower floor, and parts Oft were
carried TO the incredible distance of a mile from
the spot. The account which one of the above
named teachers gave to the writer OF The letter
was the following She observed The cloud
rising. and supposed it to be only the gather
ing of an ordinary thunder storm. She accord
ingly collected the children within and closed
the doors and windows preparatory to lis APP
preach. The only things which she could re-
member as occurring afterwards were the bnrst-
ing open the Apor and the flying Of the WIN
dow glass -
She called to the girls to come down stairs,
and then attempted to 90 through the PAS sage,
round the chimney. into Miss Bennett room.
This was the last of which she was conscious,
till she was taken up irom tie brick and mol-
tar of the chimney with which she was covered,
save cnly her head and one shouIdcr.-MiSs
Bennett SAYS that she was fastening To shut
the door, when the wind seized her, carried
her through the window and landed her down
the hill among the crashing timber She was,
bruised but little. The. Other teacher, besides
several bruises, none of which was serious,
mad only small bone broken IN her ankle, and
that, rs stated by the physician, not bad
iracturc.--Out Of the % girls IN the house,
seven or eight were considerably hurt. One
had RIB or two bruNen, another 1t is feared has
lost an eve, but what was not little surprls-
ing. no lie WAS lost among them all.
Another bnlldlngwas Mr.. kngsbury study
containing his library and papers. This was
demolished b. the falling ola large
pine tree, and what portion OF the library es-.
capped the crash was nearly finished by the
rain. MIR. Is. was absent on one OF ms preach.
ing tours. Ills study was his Chief place
when at home, and had he not been absent
there appears little probability of his having
escaped death or sirious injury. There was
one more important building which the Gle
mcnls had yet TO encounter. This was the
school house, new building, the best IN the
station. and having cost $1,000, Ii was la!d
an entire wreck.
Besides these, the barn, work shop and other
out buildings are all gone, Clothing, bedding,
furniture and books, to a considerable amoont,
are lost. Fragments OF the ruins are seen III
every direction. \ trunk was carried more
than a mile, and set down without injury. y /
bureau, as the teacher writes, was Knocked
into inch pieces. \ very trying circumstance
in this great catastroI I'VE seems To be the sore
of the worthy and long toilng
missionary to whom reference has been made.
lie has lab,rcl Is years IN The mission, and
was Just seeing some of his best hopes CON
sumna,cd in the completion Of the necessary
buildings, and especially of 4 convenient aud
suitable school house for the station. Well
does the writer inquire, what will he say when
he sees what a two minute tornado has done
with his Is years Of hard labor and economy.
HorFo~ Cota0M