The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-09-12
Phenomenon -.- water
HhIFIwInd---PrOPerty

Remarkable Phenomenon --- water
Spout and HhIFIwInd---PrOPer
Destroyed.
From ne Wilmington (Ds!l Commercially ETf-
day.
Yesterday, about one O'Clock, the
people of our neighboring town OF New
Castle, Delaware. were thrown into Sc.
rIOus alarm by the advent OF must
extraordinary visitor, which came very
suddenly from the clouds. 1t was hFst
observed, as an intelligent eyewitness
InIoFms US, opposite the town, on me
New Jersey side OF the river. FROM the
surface OF the water there rose an ehoF-
nous cone OF cloud from forty 10 sixty
feet in diameter Mt the base, very dense,
yery dark. FROM an overhanging sur
charged thunder cloud in the sky there
depended II similar cone, and the apexes
of the two met The sky at the time
was not clear, the sun was obscured,
but there was no rain falling, nor any
general shower. The water in the two
cones was violently in motion, whiTllng
round and round with the greatest ra-
pidity. and making a loud noise. II
appeared to be caught up from the river
in great volume, and portions which
fell back in spray shone and sparkled
brightly, making the whole spectacle
most beautiful, though terrifying to the
beholder.
The spout moved rapidly across the
river, taking perhaps ten or nitee1
minutes to reach this side. ii entered
the town of New Castle on Inc upper
aide. and struck first frame dwelling
on the river bank, occupied by color
ed family, The force OF the shock was
treu endous, yet the column OF water
did not envelope the house, put rather
brushed against it, The weather board
ing was torn oh, every WINDOW Dunst-
a ~, aNnhhNnO
building, wTenched ont Of place. The
fence around was torn loose and car
ried away. Alter this exploit II passed
on across the lots toward the shop OF
Mr. John CbuTnside, tearing NJ fences
and every thing that came In Its way;
fortunately for Mr.. Churnside, IL pass
ed to the north of his shops, thereby
escaping very heavy lose Of property,
and perhaps life. The edge of the
maelstrom. however, reached some
wagons, drills, and moving machines
standing at the end OF the shop. A
two-horss express wagon WAS picked
up, carried several rods, and after being
tossed about in every conceivable man
ner was thrown out OF the rearing Yor-
tex and broken alnost 10 atoms.
Another dearborn was drawn in and
torn TO pieces. a large heavy grain
drill was gathered up and set down on
the opposite side OF the road. Near
here, q little child was picked up and
carried some distance-perhapsa hun
dred leftover the fence into a neigh
boring yard, where it was set down I'M
injured. As 1t crossed the road i'm
mense clouds OF dust aud other matter
were caught up and whirled around
with the water.
The hurricane-or whatever 1t might
now be called-proceeded on its way
up the meadow OF Mr.. JHnvler, taking
up everything that came i'll the way Of
5 progress; horses and cattle making
good time TO get out OF its way. The
Storm now appeared to be on the, de-
crease. The cylindric funnel bad al
most disappeared, and yet while we
stood aud watched its progress up the
meadow, a couple of trees which had
withstood the tempest of ages were
torn up by the roots and thrown aside.