The organ of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, O. [Ohio]) 1852-1853, 1852-05-14
From the Louisville Courier.
The Destructive Tornado az LsuVenWOrth-.
full Details Of the DishsteF'
LEAvrNwoRTH Nav 4 l859

FuilDetails Oflhe DisasteF'
LEAvENwoRTH, May 1, 1852.
Ma. W. N. HALDEMAN--Dear Sir. hasten
to give you few hastily collected particulars
of most destructive storm Of wind which Vis-
tied this place last evening, laying more than
half the village in complete ruins; killing one
child, and wounding more or less some ten or
fifteen other persons.
The storm came from TIE southwest, sweep
ing path across the bluff on the opposite side
Of the river, tearing up by the roofs, and twist
ing off the tops of trees, aud hurling them with
tremendous violence into the valley below.
Crossing the river, it sWeled the waves to an
almost incredible height, lifting skiffs entirely
out Of the river bank, and dashing them 10
pieces against the houses on the opposite side of
Front street, then swept over our town, spread
ing devastation and ruin on every hand. 1t
struck the town at about six o'clock and fif-
teen minutes, aud for the space Of from three to
five minutes, ragged with the most terrific vio-
lenCe; unroofing, prOstrating and removing
more than sixty buidiugs, among which were
some Of the most substantial houses in the place.
The village this morning. presents. most dis
tressing and ruinous speeiaele-the streets aud
commons are Literally filled and covered with
fragments Of buildings, timber, lumber, tree
tops, furniture, clothing, &C., rendering them,
in some places, almost impossible.
The following is believed to be a complete
list Of buildings and property destroyed and in
iured.
d. fuckers brick dwelling, gun shop, stable,
&c., was raked to the ground and all their
contents buried in the ruins. His family were
all in the house at the time, but, with the ex-
eeptiOn Of few bruises received by himself es-
capped without injury; but how it was possible,
under the circumstances, for whole family to
escape instant death, is matter Of the greatest
surprise and astonishment to all who have seen
the ruins under which they were buried; and
together with several other similar instances of
chair breadth scapes,' presents us with a re-
markable series of those almost miraculous pres
ervations, which seem to be directed by the
guiding hand of an oyerruliDg Providence.
G. N. Miller's house was swept completely
away, himself and child dangerously wounded
and wife badly bruised. The house Of G. Mil
Ter Frustrated. The honse occupied by Jas.
Gibbs was demolished and his children buried IN
the ruins one of which was instantly killed; two
Others badly wounded and others more or less
hurt.
The houses Of Joseph Gilber, Curtis Smith,
Andrew Caslin, aud Il. Hughes were prOstrated;
d. g. w. II. McIntosh's skiff shop blown en-
tirely away; the Episcopal church Prostrated;
two small brick houses belonging to q, Leaven-
worth rs DO; also several stables and other build
ings; C. w. Kendle's house is completely wreck
ed, and his stock of goods considerably damag-
ed; John Edwards large brick nearly demo-
lished; s. Leavenworth's block Of frame houses
unrooied 2. Leavenworth's block of warehouses
on bank Of river unroofed; the house Of d.
DOdson unroofed; house owned by Mr.. Wood
fort, occupied by J. G. JeIfries unrOofed and
badly injured; two houses belonging to w.
jackson do; VIM. Ellsworth do; VIM. Seotts
house and shop, do. The houses Of DR.. Brown,
DR.. KelsO, John Clark, ESQ.,, Edward Bears,
VIM. Mcintosh, David Dodds, John Crawford
G. DuHham, L. McNaghten, the house occupied
by Mrs. Nubill, and old school house, were I'M
rooted and injured.
A. Conn'sho unrsOfed and blown entirely
off from foundation and turned nearly roundi
William Adams also blown from the fouuda-
tion. Y. LeavenwOrth's barn is unrOofed; Mrs.
Dayidson's do. Stables belonging to John
Baker, J. Caldwell, G. W. Kendle. ]. Edwards,
J. LeaveHworth, and several others are unrOofed
and otherwise badly injured, besides large
number Of other buildings.
1t is difficult to conceive OF storm more
sudden in its attack, more violent in its move
ments, or more destructive in its effects, than
this one; and there is good reason to believe
that, had the town been more compactly built
the destruction of life and property must have
been immense,-fully equal to any that has
ever occurred in this part Of the country-that
Of Natchez in l940, not excepted.
Yours, &C.,
T. N