American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1857-07-04
THE NEW YORK PHENOMENON.

al dcCount Vi al ehtTaoIulnary Pne-
nomenon" which appeared in the heav-
ems at Utica, New York, on Saturday,
and which descended to the earth at
some distance, near Deerfeld, dealing
destruction and death wherever it
touched. The writer was in a quanda-
ry as to the nature of the body, its un-
usual appearance not suggesting the
idea of whirlwind or tornado. He
was probably thinking of the comet
which had been announced to appear
on that day, but was afraid to avow it,
and therefore called it an atmospheric
body AT all events. his account of
it's devastations is confirmed in other
quarters. The same destructive body
or rather similar one, appeared at
Oswego on the same day, during a
heavy storm of rain, and. committed
immense havoc. We copy from the
Oswego Times of Monday, as follows ::
The tornado commenced at point
five miles southwest of this city, near
the residence of MIR. Peter Simmons.
During the storm two large clouds were
observed rushing together with i'm
mense force; the noise of their collision
was like the report Of a cannon, and
was heard at considerable distance.
The wind seems to have lcaped from
the clouds, and descending towards the
earth, the entire roof Of barn belong
ing to MIR. Simmons, was taken off, and
the fragments, boards, shingles, and
pieces of rafters, strewed along for the
distance of one and quarter miles.
The whirlwind passed on, and next
struck the dwelling. house of Mr.. James
Cole, tore out the gable end and took
up the building, actually tauning 1t half
round on its toundations! Incredible
as this appears it is strictly true, and
the front door of the house which for
merly opened towards the street,
now opens into a lot adjoining the yard.
Mr.. and Mrs. Cole were absent at the
time, leaving two children in the house.
1t may well be supposed that on their
return they were considerably aston.
lshed at the appearance of things, tho
.overjoyed to find their children unhar-
med except from fright. The wind
having spent its fury and malice at
this point, departed on its journey to
the eastward.
The orchard of Mr.. Oliver Foster,
was next in its course. This was com
pletely prostrated, some of the trees
taken up and tossed hither and thither
at the sport of the destroyer, and tops
OF the trees sent flying through the air
at a great distance.
The whirlwind having thus executed
Its purpose in destroying property, next
made an attempt upon life, with but
too fearful success. A German team
stcr, named Martin Schwader, in the
employ of MIR. Furniss, who owns a
saw mil IN that region, was loading
slaves IN wagon. Old Mr.. Furniss
was handing him the staves while the
teamster took them and slowed them
away In the wagon. The attention of
the two men was attracted by q singu>
lar noise, when, on looking upwards,
they saw a common barn shovel hyinp
through tho air over their heads, at a.
bout thirty feet from the ground, and
twirling around in the most singular
manner. Naturally enough, their eyes
were riveted upon this remarkable phc.
nomenon; the next instant small ma
pie tree, standing nearlyit length from
the wagon, was caught by the wind and
the top of it thrown directly across the
wagon, knocking the teamster down
upon the slaves and throwing Mr.. Fur
Mss to the ground. The latter was but
slightly injured, and in some ten min,
utes help was at hand. The top of the
tree was cut away and the unfortunate
German found lying on the slaves
which were covered by his blood from
the mouth and head, He was taken
up insensible and medical aid procured
from this city as soon as possible. At
the last accounts he was still insensble,
and it is thought he cannot survive.
After this bloody exploit, the torna-
do sped on to q wood lot of about ten
acres owned by Gilbert & PoDfold.---
Throughout the whole ten acres there
is not a tree left standing, while their
tops were broken off and carried thro'
the air to an incredible distance, Mr..
Gilbert, pereeiving the devastation,
and every movable thing flying tbro'
the air, rushed into the house, and call
ed upon the family to come out as soon
as possible, 'Jor the comet had struck,
and their time on earth wds 8hortp
lie is probably considerably astonshed
to find himself on this sublunary sphere
today, after having fully made up his
mind to leave it for---he knew not
where,
a. m 4 n