The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-07-17
Terrible Tornado in Franklin
COunty-Between 500 and 400
Houses DAMAGED. ~

HOUSES DuUuakeOs tf
One Of the peeuliarilies Of the storms this
summer Is that they usuAlly end in a tofna-
do. We have had In uncommon number of
hurricanes, destroying large amount of pro-
perty. Next to the destructiveness to that
in Philadelphia last Msy, is 4 storm which
occurred on Monday of last week in Frank
lin county, New York, an account Of which
we take from the Republican:
Between the hours Of and 10 o'lock on
Monday morning last, tornado passed over
the towns of Constable Burke and Chateau.
gay, in this county, and extending into Ciin-
ton county, doing an incalculable amount Of
damage-sweeping down forests, scattering
fences, destroying all manner of buildings
and other property, and leaving nothing but
desolation in its track. A heavy and por-
tentous cloud was first observed rising in
the northwest, and soon another appeared in
the southwest, moving in the direction of
the former. These clouds met about two
miles north ofthis village.
A friend, who was watching their coming
together, said there was an instant crash of
falling trees. fences, houses &c. From this
point it swept on with fearful rapidity and
force, making a path through the forests
and over the fields in nearly direct course
to Burke and Chateaugay-leVeling trees Of
every size, and buildings as ii went. 1t
struck the north street of Burke, near the
Town House. The store of Keeler & Stew.
art was here unroofed, as were also several
dwelling houses and other buildings, and
passing a small hollow with little damage it
again struck with force about a half mile
further on, and from this point on to Cha.
teaugay, distance of six miles, hardly one
building escaped uniniured, and not a barn
was left standing. Jeremiah Thomas, in
the employ of Mr.. Mitchell, was killed.
I From the west line of Burke tn and inclu-
ding the hotel OF s. D. Roberts, at Chateau.
gay Corners, one hundred and eighty five
buildings, either unroofed, blown down, or
moved from their foundations, can be count
ed as you ride along the road. This does
not include those partially injured by the
loss of few shingles or the tearing off por-
tons Of covering but such as are nearly OF
quite destroyed. .t,.. s ' .''. IS
The village of Chateaugay is complete
desc lation. Not a building escaped injury,
and great number-we do not know how
many = are completely destroyed. The
scene is one that battles description. Stores
churches, dwellings, barns, sheds, out build
ings, all present a sad spectscle-they are
awfully shattered and broken to pieces.
Beyond Chatesugay we have heard Of from
sixty to seventy buildings which were NOR G
or less injured. The tornado extended fol
distance Of from thirty TO forty mi|es--per'
haps further--and 1t must have injured and
destroyed nearly 400 buildings; 100000
will not, probably, cover the damage.
/ ID. A. Taylor, Esq, Of this village, who
passed over the road on Tuesday, informs vi
that there are 364 buildings, Of all kinds
from the west line of Burke to and incu
ding the village of Chateougny, that were
injured, unrooled and destroyed-and more
than two thirds Of that number completely
ruined. Among the 364 are 1913 dwellings
4 stores, 2 churches, and 3 sehoolhouses.