New-York tribune., 1870-08-27
TERRIFIC STORM ALONG THE HUDSON.

CIRCUS TENT STRUCK AT KINGSTON - FIVE
PERSONS KILLED-GREAT DAMAGE TO PROP
ERTY.
The vicinity of Kingston, on the Hudson
River, visited Thursday evening by OF the
most terrific thunderstorms record. circus tent in
which about 800 persons, struck by lightning
and five were killed. Reports of fires caused by the
lightning were received from many points The play OF
the lightning and the roaring Of the thunder are des
scribng as dazzling and deaenng beyond all past
perences. The atmosphere during the day was oppress
lively sutry the mercury indicating 92o in the shade
The earth dry and parched, and the
air was filed with smoke, which settled
I'm the river so as TO hide the eastern bank
from view. The smoke from the burning woods
upon the mountains in the neighbOrhood and had thus
obscured the opposite shore for several days The
dons were altogether, such that the atmosphere was
remarked TO he becoming unusually heavily charged
with electricity At noOnion Thursday the smoke for the
first time in week began to lift and, later in the day,
there were observed gathering in the horizon at all
points dark murky clouds, huge eunuii, rolling to-
gether and seemingly concentrating their strength for
one grand display power. As night approached tul
flashes OF lightning shot across the sky, and deep NUT
terngs of thunder could be heard In the distance At
dark the electric display became igrand beyond deserp
tion.
For miles the stormclouds hung over the river, and
tbe lightning flashed ncessanty Despite the warnings
Of the approaching storm hundreds of men, women, and
children thronged Union-ave route to Geo. +. Bailey
g. Co a crcustent which had been pitched in desirable
spot on that avenue that by the time the performance
commenced there could not have been less than 500
nersons within the tent. This just before p. m,
and large drops Of rain had already commenced to pater
upon the canvass while the roaring thunder without al
most drowned the voice OF the ringmaster within. A
short dstance from the main tent was smaller tent
used as a fruit stand, and few feet from this stand
stood willow in the cerner OF the yard OF an adon
.l,o 4 fha eiraY-- pUnH
and near the tree grouped large number OF per
sons who had taken shelter there from the storm Under
te fruit tent also congregaed about 20 PERSONS
while htched to the tree spoken OF was horse attached
to a wagon coored man being seated in the latter ,
M MIn an a AZ times to passersby Save Yer money
9I b veT a show before morning." and then all would
liant and rapid became the fashes OF ngnthg, III
ene and neal of taunder followed instantaneously
which shook the earth while the air seemed mpregnated
ude tbe circus tent battles description. Pallid faces
were everywhere, and fearful panic was mnen, put
the great presence Of mind OF Mr. Baily the prope9
~ tie circ saved hundreds Of lives He shouted with
all his might and main to the audience, hesP ii gont
the same time he urged the performing horses ABOUT e
ring through little lakes OF water hoping hereoy 10 at
and consequent tramping TO death ana Wen ne sue,
ceeed The clown cracked hs JOKES hat % II ws uot S
patnal laugh and that he too was thoroughly alarmed
While al hoa s done il work outside The bolt appeared
to come from the west or south west cutting oie sDot
twelye through the Top INV
,en snace TO the willow tree spoken OF above,
1orty yards distant shatterng that tree killing the horse
hib Was tied To IL, and knocking seeifss the urvcr,
,he .oIes frorn his boots. and singeng his cloth
ing Passing thence. 1t descended 70 tne gs9np OF
oraa nersons near the tree Five were instantly kie
tr,t dawn with smiles and Jokes upon tncir ups Inc
Following is a list OF them-al colored people,
Eii1abeth Newkirk OF Hurley, agedio
Lane Montanye of Marbetown aBeu o.
Arthur Scott Kingston, aged 81 40
James Bush Marblctown, agea ."
W y Everson supposed 10 bel. ,,,o,. ,,a. ,a,,
All were talking togetner Jane Montayne was leah 10
~ ",inst the tree with her arms fold,d, htehihk 70
,he "tbers She fell with her arms folded, anu tnt)
could hardly prled apart Eaape.r ssr n whrn Se
,na ,sea ~ m Arthur Scott had one arm pa,,aiy
r.s.d aud after death was hard work 70 snais1eRi