Bedford inquirer and chronicle. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1854-1857, 1857-06-26
DESTRUCTIVE TORNADO.

we learn from the utica, New York, pa
pers, of Tuesday, that about 4 O'Clock las
Saturday afternoon, the town of Schuyler,
few miles east Of Utica, was visited by
powerful atmospheric agency, which cause
one or more deaths and the destruction Q
considerable property. DIR. Day was in th
village of Schuyler Corners at the time Q
this calamitous visi: upon the town Him
self and others shortly before the heay,
showers in this city, saw large and witisE
cloud rising in the heavens, in southerlI
direction. As it reached a point about
mile northeast Of Schuyler Corners, por.
tion of the cloud extended downwards like
mo0strous arm or a mammoth trunk OF an
elephant, until j: seemed to establish con-
neotion with the eQth.
! The destructive influence of this plienom-
enon was first exerted upon barn, twenty
BY thirty feet in size, which was entirely un-
rooted, and burst asunder as if by an in
ternal explosion. A young man who was
making baskets at the barn was found out
| side some time after in convulsion, which
lasted for considerable space A woman
and girl In southeFly direction from the
barn saw this singular visitor approaching
and attempted TO fee TO house near by,
but did not escape from the track. They
were both taken off of their feet and thrown
across a fence Their dresses we're torn
and their persons slightly bruised. An ell
derly man, who was in a field beyond, also
saw the cloud coming towards him, and had
sufficient presence of mind to PROSTATE him.
self upon the ground. He was unharmed
although an annie tree within ten feet of the
1P'- "''ei : h1 Toy, was WTencned rrgm the
earth.
From this place the cloud passed on for
distance of half mile before doing any
farther damage of consequence. Here it
struck the Baptist parsonage house, occu-
pied BY laboring man named JOHN War
zen. Mr.. Warren was also warned of the
approach Of the calamity with which be was
visited. He heard the loud, buzziug noise
with which it was attended, and witnessed
Its desolating effect on the track it had pur
sued. He hastily gathered his wife and
SIX children and sattemrted to get them into
the cellar. When the house was attacked |
Mr. w. and five of the children had already |
gained this retreat, and Mrs. Warren and
the other child were preparing to follow. |
The frame work of the house was whirled /
from its stone foundation, aud removed n
distance of three rods, where ii struck right
side up
1t was again lifted, however, and return-
cd towards the foundation it had left. This
time it landed upon its side and was left a
wreck. Mrs. Warren and The boy who,
With her, was yet above the cellar wall.
Mrs. ". lived only about an hour after.
Df Day expressed the belief that she died
rom the electrical shock she lad received.
There were no severe injuries upon her per
'on, aud her death is not easily accounted
or IN any other way than that suggested by
he Doctor. The boy was alta ,ked by con-
Tulsions and il was thought at one time that
lie might not survive. We learn, no wever
hat he was in promising condition yester-
lay. One was nearly covered with portions
# the cellar wall, but was speedily rescued
rom bis unfortunate position.
five rods distant from the parsonage
louse was barn, which was totally demcl-
shed--chrushed down, as if tremendous
weight had settled upon it. Hens and pigs
ere-abouts we're found dead BY those who
listed the spot
The whirlwind proceeded on its course,
caring up trees and prostrating fences, un-
il it reached another barn, five rods distant.
Thich was twisted out of its place. 1t was
Fhirled almost squarely about, and when
eft by the power that assailed it, onlv one
orner stood upon the original foundation.
Pieces of it were blown twenty or thirty rod
nd some even sixty rods from the spot.
The next building attacked was barn
ltuated about ono hundred rods beyond. {
his building seemed lifted into the air
nd then blown to fragments, very few of :
'hich we're to be found. Where they went q
0 is mystery to those who have visited /
be locality. This was the last building a + $
lcked by the whirlwind, which, however, !
for some little distance beyond. $
is indicated by the prostration Of trees h
nd fences. One tree was blown distance O
one hundred rods from the spot where it ,
ad grown.
The great body of the cloud whic h passed a
Fer the track of destruction seemed to be /