Bellevue gazette. [volume] (Bellevue City, N.T. [i.e. Neb.]) 1856-1858, 1857-07-09
A Terrible whirgwind.

IT0OdOe LOSS 81 Lye- DuHutHSS CHTocy-
ed-Trees Upturmed-Barn- Mouels and
Tree Tops flying through the Air-hm-
menSe Loss Of Property-M Comet
Supposed 10 haze Struck.
During the prodigious storm of rain
which deluged the earth on Saturday af-
ternoon, one of the most re narkable and
destructive whirlwinds which we have ev-
er heard of, visited the section of country
lying to the southwest of this city, in the
town of Oswego. From actual observa-
tons made yesterday, upon the spot, to-
gether with such information as we OBJ
tained from the most reliable authority,
we give q brief statement of the affair.
The tornado commenced at a point five
| miles southwest of the city, near the res
idence of Mr.. Peter Simmons. During
the storm two large clouds were observed
rushing toget ,er with immense force ; the
noise Of their collision resembled the re-
port of cannon, and was heard at q con-
siderable distance. The wind seems to
have leaped from the clou Is, and descend
ed towards the earth the entire roof of a
barn belonging to Mr.. Simmons, was TAX
en- off, and the fragments, boards, shin
giles, and pieces of r~afters, strewed along
for the distance of a mile and a quarter.
The whirlwind passed on, and next
struck the dwelling house of Mr.. James
Cole, tore out the gable end, and look up
the building, actually turned 1t half round
on its foundation! Incredible as this APP
pears, it is strictly true and the front
door of the house, which formerly opened
towards the street, now opens into a lot
adjoining the yard. Mr.. and Mrs. Cole
T were absent at the time, leaving two chill
y dren in the house. 1t may well be sup.
= posed that on their return, they were con-
5 siderably astonished at the appearance OF
things, though overjoyed to find their
children nnharmed, except from fright
y The wind having spent its fury ant
malice at this point, departed on It's Jour
ney to the eastward.
: The orchard of Mr.. Oliver Foster, wa
next in its course. This was completely
II Frustrated, some of the tree, taken up anC
tossed hIther and thiiher, at the sport o
d the destroyer. and the tops of the trees
sent flying through the air at a great dis
lance.
The whirlwind having thus executed it
purpose in destroying property, next made
If an attempt upon If, with but too fearful
success. A German teamsler, nance
Martin Schwader, in the employ of Mr.
FurniSs, who owns a saw mill IN that re
le gion, was loading slaves in a wagon
I'd Old MI. FurniSs was handing him the
slaves, while the teamste took them AM
IT slowed them away in the wagon. TIT
attention Of the two men was attracted b,
a singular noise, when, looking upwards
they saw a common barn-shovel flynn;
through the air over their heads, at abou
l. thirty feet from the ground, aud twirlini
'e around in the most singular manner.
Naturally enough their eyes were riv
IS eted upon this remarkable phenomenon
S, and the next instant a small maple tree
standing nearly its length from the wagon
was caught by the wind and the top of
" thrown directly across the wagon, knock
ar ing the teamster down upon the slaves
e and throwing Mr.. FurnisS to the ground
The latter was but slightly injured, and i
some ten minutes help was at hand. TIL
~ top Of the tree was cut away, and the un
X fortunate German found lying on the stave
which were covered by his blood from tn
IL mouth and head. He was taken up in
ut sensible, and medical aid procured fror
ed this city as soon as possible. AT the las
ne accounts he was still insensible, and it i
thought he cannot survive.
nd After this bloody exploit, the tornad
sped on 10 a wood lot of about ten acre,
ne owned by Gilbert & Penfeld. Through
W out the whole ten acres there is not tire