The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1862-08-10
Irran nc caIqsso inns Aos. 81
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- 49, 49, ANAAAAAa
One Of the most terrific storms which
has ever visited this section Of county
swept over Chicago yesterday afternoon
and evening. The morning was intensely
snltry and hot, but there wore few signs
OF rain. About noon great masses Of
threatening clouds piled up in the most
fantastic shape, began 10 gather at al
most every point of the horizon, cumu-
lating in cones aud pyramids, in a few
minutes changing to spiral whorls, and
again massihg like yast army for final
desperate charge--all the time travelling
and approaching each other with incon-
ceivable rapidity.
About three o'clock, heavy black
bank Of clouds, ridged with jet-like rag
ged burrows, and enveloped as with a
veil In a thin fleecy scud, came racing
up from the west with velocity almost
like that Of flash of lightning. Almost
instantaneously in grew dark. The en-
tire heavens were clouded over. Blind
ing clouds Of dust filed the air; sticks,
stones, leaves and boughs of trees, iiew
in every direction. The advent Of the
gale announced itself by hollow moan.
ing, followed by full and unmistakable
development of its presence. IL bust
upon the city in che twinkling Of an
eye not with gradually increasing
wind, but with terrible rushing, over
towering volume. Huge trees were bent
to the ground; smaller trees, more espe-
cially cotlonwoods, were twisted off at
the base as one would twist straw. In
every part OF the city, branches were
snapped off like pipe stems. Chimneys,
steam pipes, signs and awnings few
about Unfortunately. Tin roofs were
rolled up like scrolls. Flags were torn
TO ribbons, and nag stats came tumbling
down into the streets TO the imminent
danger Of the few pedestrians unlucky
enough TO be exposed 70 the fury of the
gale. Dry goods boxes, barrels and bales
went insanely rushing through the streets
in the most reckless manner, as If play
ing John Gilpin. The wind was no re-
speetOr of persons even, and bare headed
men were as plenty as blackbeFries, and
unfortunate ladies were rendered en- DIS
habille in the most shocking manner.
For fully half an hour the gale pre-
vailed without abatement, accompanied
in the meantime with a drenehing show
or, with the surroundings Of heavy thun-
der and vivid lightning. The tempest
spent itself about halfpast four. The
wind died away. The lake which had
been lashed into fury subsidized to a calm.
From half-past four until half-past eight
the rain patteEed down gently as if ia
tigued, but really getting ready for an
other onset which commenced about
nine O'clock. sfE} 1EITVFf2 h.-r
The oldest settler cannot remember a
more terrific thunder storm than last
night TWAS not 80 much a storm ms q
whole congregation Of storms suddenly
let loose. They seemed 70 come from
every quarter of tho heavens. 1t was a
grand gathering of the storm clans, and
they charged with banners flying, rat
Ting with musketiy, booming and crash
ing with cannons, and lighting up the
whole sky with their fiery signals. The
rain poured in broad, drenching sheets.
For fully two hours the heavens were in
one continued blaze Of fire. long rib
bons and radiating forks Of fire flashed
at once from the zenith TO all points OF
the horizon, bathing everything in their
lurid reflections. Sharp Parrots, growl-
ing rifles and booming coumhiads peale d
crashed and rumbled necessarily in a
manner which might have driven Napo-
leon crazy with delight.
i