The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-10-26
The Great Tornado at Sc. LOlis-Fur
Ta Zrn4 Their ParticulaFss r

vAe 6fe0t TORNADO az So 1<OuIS-F urs
vJg. Z-N4 Their ParttculsrssE
! The telegraph has already given many
particulars Of the terrible tornado which
passed over St. Louis on Sunday afternoon
last. The following is from the St. Louis
Republican Of Monday a5 51.a
The morning was cloudy and wet, but
about l. O'Clock the rain ceased, the sky
cleared, and IL appeared as if the afternoon
was going to be fine and pleasant. AS the
day advanced, however, vast volumes OF
inky clouds gathered round the southern
horizon, thunder rolled in the distance,
and the rain fell in spirits. Notwithstand-
ing, however, these threatening indica-
tions, fow persons apprehended any seri-
Gus storm, nor, indeed, did the appearance
of things indicate the terrific outburst OF
elemental forces which took place.
! gAbont half-past 4 O'Clock q black shadow
fell swiftly over everything, o few short,
sharp peals Of thunder were heard, when
suddenly, with hardlya moments warning,
rushing storm of wind and rain dropped
over the city. A scene ensued that ex-
ceeds all description, and is eanalled only
by those equatorial tornadoes Of which we
so often read. Everything was developed
in gloom and confusion the black clouds
seemed to rest upon the house tops, the
rain, descending in sheets of falling water,
was blown Into spray, filling the air as if q
sea had broken over the city, and with the
rush and roar Of the whirlwind rendered. 10
impossible almost to see or hear. So sud-
denly and swiftly did the hurricane, tor
made, cyclone, or whsteyer it may best be
called strike the city, that it seemed to be-
wilder everybody, and there was NO time
to adopt any precautions to insure SAFETY.
The violence of the wind was absolutely
terrific, and as it swept through the streets
the effect was the most astonishing we have
ever witnessed; awnings, signs, chimneys,
and roofs were broken up and carried away.
The air was filed with timbers, bricks, and
every tconceivable material. , For few
minutes large hail1stones mingled with
the rushing storm; windows were blown
in. or fell with crash, on the street,; the
tearing of boards, the fall Ut debris of
every kind, the crash Of glass, and the
giving way of walls, was to be heard I'm
every direction. In fact, for about ten
minutes or 60 the storm so completely en-
veloped everything as to render 1t fmpossi-
BILE to ascertain what damage had actually
been done. The streets we're sttewn with
innumerable fragments; bricks, timbers,
and large masses of tin roofing were carried
through the air like things without weight,
or crashed against the walls of the houses,
or broke through windows and doors, to the
dismay and danger Of the inmates: KS
The storm appeared ~ rise from the
south or southwest, but on reaching the
streets of the city 1t wssimpossible 10 tell
from what direction 1t came; the whirling
currents Of air swept up one street and
down another, rushing mp various alleys
with irresistible violcncey upsetting carts,
carriages, and pnroofiDg houses and break
Ing up or displscing everything movable in
Tho way, and playing the most f.ntastic
tricks. and, IN many instances, doing the
most serious damage in the space of few
minutes. The whole duration OF this most
singular and unparalleled storm.burst was
not over ten minutes, yet In the enormous
amount Of damage done II would seem %
if some Acknowledgements had been at Work
unrestricted for days. iAbDut'asqnAftef 70
IS o'clock the whiriwind had psssed over
The city, and although the rain, still fell
comparative calm and quiet ensaed.