Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1870-09-03
A Circus Thunderstruck.

past. a, Kingston, New York. the air
has been loaded with electricity anu last
NIGHT. during the performance OF Balley's
circua, IL eliminated IN graan anu 'efIl'
BILE thunderstorm. About O'Clock, al
the heiCh, Of the performance. while an
audience from five 10 seven thousand
persons were present, colt descended,
striking the south side Of the tent near the
top. making great rent, passing through
and across the tent, struck a tree few
feet on the outside with a terrific crash.
killing squad OF persons standing around
:pesch.vender' wagon, knocking the
horse and wagon 10 flinders, and severely
woUnding large number in vicinity.
The scence within the tent beggsred de-
scriplion. The performing horses stop
ped suddenly as if psralyzed. The band
as suddenly became mute, while the wild
beasts roarcd with pain and terror. Rows
of palhd faces were everywhere, and a
fearful panic was imminent; but The pre-
sence OF mind of Mr.. Bailey, the proprIe-
TOR Of the circus, saved hundreds Of lives.
lie shouted with all his might to The au-
dlence. keep your seats !" and called
loudly on The band to play, while at the
same time he urged the performing hors-
ca abou, the ring through liIle lakes OF
water. hoping thereby to attract the aien-
ZION of The people and save rush and
consequent lrsmpIing 10 death.
Meantime The lightning had done its
work outside The bolt seemed to come
from the west or southwest, cutting
hole abou, twelve feet square through the
top Of The main canvass, thence across an
open space 10 tho willow tree spoken OF
above, shalteIing that tree, killing The
horse which was tied TO II, and knocking
senseless the driver, tearing the soles
from his boots and slngeing his clothing.
Thence 1t descended To the group OF col
oreI persons near the tree, and i've we're
Instantly killed. All were talking togeth-
er Jane Monlsyne was leaning against
the tree with her arms folded listening 10
the Others She Tell with her arms fold
ed and they could hardly be pryed apart.
Elizabeth NeWk.rk was laughing, and
here was a smile on her lips when she
was picked up. Arthur Scott had one
arm partially raised, and after death II was
hard work TO srraghlen il snt thus they
died.
twenty-five persons under tie iroi'
tent were Knocked down and severely m
inred According TO the story OF by
ISLANDERS, It was indeed fearful specIa-
Gle. Hundreds under the main teri were
paralyzed, aud extraordinary incidents
were visible everywhere. W hen the
true stale of affairs outside became known
under The main canvass there was no
holding the people. and then the enter
tslnment for the evening ended.
Asarlsh wss made for the open afr
it Uas ascert,Ined that scores OF persons
could no, leave heis seals. All we're
more Or less injured One man had part
OF his coat torn away, another had 1851
The rim of his lat and dozens were al
mos, unconscious. They sat like statues
and there MAS gaze Of vacancy IN their
eyes that was frighnul TO look upon.
Friends shook them and urged them 20
90 but they moved not-appsrenhy dumb
Every one Of The comPosliors OF the us
ter Gszetle was present. and every one
vas so seriously Effected that the conduc-
tors Of ,ha, paper had 10 employ help
from other Offices. One OF the employ
ess sustained very severe shock. 10
dav he carries bis arm in sling.
Patrick Fitzpatrick was struck BY
souel, ing-he don't know what, IN The
knees and breast; he is in bed. Robert
Dickinson vas knocked down by the
shock, and lay apparently dead for hal
an hour. Edgw Carson had his leg
slnsed. and his boo: torn completely oil.
Geo. +. Townsend was standing on the
circus ground with his umbrella IN his
hard. lie was knocked down and hts
umbrella m 20 pieces.
One person, Andrew Sutton. was very
sinpular,y affected lie vas badly burn
ed m the hack. md cut was made IN
his coat exactly the shape at star, and
his hal, was tora IN shreds from his head.
Andrew De wiz. who was badly burned
IN TIE left breast, lay stunned Tor nearly
two hours. One old colOrei woman who
was standing oa,.ide tent, was sure
ihsl she was attacked with raFaIy TIC
stroke. She could move neither her arms
nor .eet for nearly a quarter OF an hour.
when she gradually revived, then hobbIed
OF the grounds. A Irde child named
Agnes Dessierole, seven years OF age was
hurled to the ground from top seat IN
SIDE the main canvass and had her iei'
arm broken. It's a noteworthy TACT thai
the bodies Of the dead bore no marks OF
violence Whatever not particle OF evl'
dence is Observable TO show that they
have died other than natural death.
The Aeshed ia nowhere burned, nor is the
hair scorched.
A TALK" BsIwIE, Two WIvEs.-
about week after Thanksgiving,
writes lady Who signs her name Emma
u. Ellerson. and dates her letter Bartlett
street, Brooklyn. L. d, "me and my
friend Mrs. 4. McDsren. nv nexl-door