The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-02-08
The Great Tornado.

The Great Tornado.
The writer of the following visited Mt.
Vernon, O., and vicinity, on the Esd inst.
for the purpose of learning something about
the terrific hurricane reported by telegraph.
The telegraph. as will be seen, did no kind
of Justice to the ravages Of the tempest
1t was probably the fiercest tornado that
ever blasted over this continent.
The hurricane broke out not far from
P. NJ. on Friday the goth. We take this
as the average, from various accounts. II
was preceded by a light rain which had
fallen all day. accompanied by wind and
cold. For short space before the storm
made its appearance, the weather is said
to have grown rapidly warm. and the wind
TO have lulled.
The tornado first manilested itseH in the
western part of Miller township. about
light miles west oil south from Mt. Vernon.
I, seemed to spring into full life and pas
sion at. once. like Pallas, all armed. from
the brain of Jove. No. serious traces are
seen Of its work (as we learned,) until II
blew down the stable and unroofed the
house of John Robinson. residing in the
west end of Miller township. Mr.. RS
loss is not known. The course OF the
storm at this time was east 10y northeast
which course it preserved TO the close.
The tornado passed over field or two,
tearing up fences, hinging the rails like
straws for hundreds of yards. and dashed
against double log cabin, occupied by
Joha B. Turner. Mr.. Turner, hearing the
lnoise of the tornado, had just opened a
door to look out, whenthe full force OF the
blast came against his house. Mrs. Turn
er and two children, who were standing
near huge fire place, were literally swept
into it; but fortunately escaped with sligh,
burning. Their. preservation from death
by falling logs, which came rafting about
their heads. is almost miraculous. Just as
thaT were swept into the FIRE. an immense
Hog was blown out from above the door
which lodged one end against the mante
niece above the hearth, and the other rest
ed upon the middle Of the floor. All the
lous in the house were blown in at the very
next moment. accnmulating around ane
upon log No. /. Mrs. T. and children
were completely prisoned there: and were
afterwards taken out by Mr.. Turner. (whe
hardly knows how he escaped with th'
/. assistance of neighbors. Mrs. rs arm
r was found to be broken, and the children
ware slightly scratched and bruised
The storm next struck the house
o Wainwright Baxter. which it unroofed
!. An eve. witness says the roof went s,raigh
!, nm in the air, whirling about and about
till he lost sight Of it. No fragments Of
IT can be iound.
a The adjacen, house of Chester Colma
was next attacked. 1t was raised to tn
o ground. Mr.. Colman. Senior, was GU
: . Side the house at the time. He had ]u:
q presence of mind enough to catch hold {
= a clapboard, by inserting his fingers unde
. il. The storm lifted him up and dowr
and made him dance about nolens uoten
ID But he still hung to the clapboard. -tlll b
70 was torn from his hold. and nearly fun
III into the well near by. The storm lucki
d lust then spent its force, and he escape
without any serious injury.
: Dr. Wheaton's house was the next
course. 1t was one-and-a-half s,ol
v. building, in cottage style. 1t was levele
N with the dust. A large barn owned
r. Dr. Wheaton shared the same tate. u
ID Wheaton, hearing the approach OF Il
storm. rushed out Of the house and Il
n two of his horses, which were in the var
ed into the barn. He had hardly THEM
ar their stalls when he felt the sills OF I
harm moving, and was at the same tlr
~, knocked over the head by falling BOAR
%. He came to his senses after the storm n
blown over, and with difficulty crawl
- from the ruins OF the structure. One a.
.d nroves to be broken; otherwise he is Y
al. hurt. His horses. strange to say, whit
at wholly uninjured. The house was
M only blown to pieces, but almost enur'
nd blown away. Boards which are known
nv have belonged to it, were picke3 up
next day, four miles from the scene!
-, We should add that the storm entel
tor Rrandon. when it struck Chester Colna
,ad (house, as above stated. s =
for The next, victim to the tempest was
arc old brick Union Church, twas stretct
his along the ground.
ICE The school house near by was next
nv. tacked. Thirty.nine children we're i
NV. at the time, but by some strange good !,
a. re on,v. one was seriously injured.
onr eipht wears old, q son Of VIM. Patters
was struck on the forehead, and sonlew
IN, Ihnr, on his chest and sides. He will pr
= ah,v recoyer. Several other children v
mi. sl;ohtlv thumped and scratched. The
aste iiuries were caused by timbers falling =
= the roof. The entire building was J,
,use blown down. go -
ona The new Presbyterian church, in
a,;s came village Of Brandon, was unroo