St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1870-09-02
4 Terrible Thunder Storm.

A bolt of lightning struck circus
tent at Kingston, y. Y, on the evening
of Aug 26th. which is thus described
Despite the warnings of the approach
ing storm, hundreds upon hundreds of
men, women and children tIIrongcd the
union avenue at Kingston on Thurs lay
evening Ell route to Bailey u Cos cir
Gus tent, SO that by the time the per-
Torrance commenced there could not
have been less than fifteen hundred hu-
man beings under the canopy. Just be-
fore o'clock large drops of rain COM
menced to patter upon the canvass,
while the roaring thunder without al
most drowned the voice of the ring mas
ter within. On the corner OF the circus
ground under and near tree were
grouped pers us who had taken shelter
there from the storm. Under Il fruit
tent were also twenty five persons, while
hitched TO the tree was horse, attached
to Il wagon, Il colored woman being
seated in the latter. Mirth and jollity
prevailed about this group, one colored
man yelling at times to passers by,
''save yer money; FL Glib yer Il show
before morning; :" and then all would
laugh. Faster and more violent fell the
big drops of rain, and more brilliant and
more rapid became the flashes of light
ming, till suddenly one binding sheet #
flame lit up the entire scene, and peal
Of thunder followed Instantly, which
shook the earth to its foundation, while
the air seemed impregnated with sui
phurous odor. The scene which then
scriptiun. Rows of pallid faces were
everywhere, and fearful panic was i'm
minent, but the great presence OF mind OF
Mr.. Bailey, the proprietor Of the circus,
saved hundreds OF lives. lie shouted
with all his might and main to the au-
dicrce: keep your seats and called
loudly on the band to play, while at the
same time he urged the performing
horses about the ling, hoping thereby to
attract the attention of the audience So
as to prevent Il rush and "a consequent
trampling TO death. Vile all this was
going ON inside, The fatal shaft Of light
ming had done lis work outside. The
/ bolt Il, pcarel To come from the west or
southwest, eating a hole about II feet
square, through the top of the main can
vas, thence across an open space to the
willow tree, about 10 yards distant,
SCATTERING that tree, killing the nurse
which WAS tied to il, and knocking
>enscless the driver, tearing the solc>
from his hoo.s and >ingelng his clothing
Passing thence ii descended to the group
/ of culorcd persons near the tree, OF
whom five were instantly kiiled--truck
down instantly with smiles and jokc>
upon their lips. Jane Mcniaync was
/ leaning against tie tree. with her arms
folded. listening 10 the others: She fell
with her arms folded, and they could
hardly he pricl apart. Elizabeth New
ark was laughing, and there was a smile
upon her lips when She was pick cd up.
Arthur Scott mad one arm partially
raised. and after death il WA, hard work
to strai.hten it. and thus they died
For few moments after the awful VS.
,;ation, no one could STR ia the vicinity
all were struck dumb and unconscious.
and were pAra,yzed. Twenty five per
sons under The fruit tent were knocked
Gown and severely injured. IIundlcIS
under the main tent were parayz"d.-
When tie true state Il affairs out-ld,.
became huoHn under the main Canvas,
there was 10 lo!dirg the audience, and
the cmtcrtainmr. t,r I'll" evening ended
at once. ~ u ru-h WAS made Tor the
open air, it Ms a~y,riained that scores
OF PERSONS ceuli nj ,yIvc their seals.
Dozen wee almost uncon-ciouS They
sat like statues, and there was gaze Of
vacancy in their eyes that WAS tiighttui
10 lock upon.