The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1870-09-16
THE FATALTHUNDERBOLT AT KINGS
TON, NEW YORK.

Despite the warnings of the approach
ing storm, hundreds upon hundreds of
men, women and children thronged the
Union avenue at Kingston, on Thurs
day evening, en- route TO Bailey 81 Co.'S
circus tent, so that by the time the per-
Torrance commenced there could not
have been less than fifteen hundred hui
man beings under the canopy. just be-
fore s o'clock large drops of rain COM
menced to patter upon the canvas, while
the roaring thunder without almost
drowned the voice of the ring master
within. On the corner of the circus
ground, under and near q tree, were
grouped persons who had taken shelter
there from the storm. Under fruit
tent were also about twenty-five per-
sons, while hitched to tree was horse,
attached to wagon, colored woman
being seated in the latter. Mirth and
jolity prevailed about this group, one
colored man yelling at times to passers
by, 'Save yer money I'll glib yer show
before mornings" 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
lightning, till suddenly one binding
sheet of flame lit up the entire scene,
and peal of thunder followed Instant
", which shook the earth to its founda-
ton, while the air seemed impregnated
with sulphurous odor. The scene which
then occurred inside the tent battles de-
scription. Rows of paid faces were
everywhere, and a fearful panic was i'm
minent, but the great presence of mind
of Mr.. Bailey, the proprietor of the cir
Gus, saved hundreds of lives. He shout
ed with all his might and main to the
audience: keep your seats ~ rnd call
ed loudly on the band to play, while at
the same time he urged the performing
horses about the ring, hoping thereby to
attract the attention of the audience SO
as to prevent a rush and subsequent
trampling to death. While all this was
going on inside, the fatal shaft of light
ming had done its work outside. The
bolt appeared to come from the west or
southwest, cutting a hole about twelve
feet square, through the top of the main
canvas, thence across an open space to
the willow tree, about forty yards dis
tant, SCATTERING that tree, killing that
horse which was tied to it, and knock
ing senseless the driver, tearing the
soles from his boots and singeing his
clothing. Passing thence it descended
to the group of colored persons near
the tree, of whom five were instantly
killed-struck down instantly with
smiles and jokes upon their lips. Jane
Montayne was leaning against the tree,
with her arms folded, and they could
hardly be pried apart. Elizabeth New
kirk was laughing, and there was g
smile upon her lips when she was pick
ed up. Arthur Scott had one arm par
TALLY raised, and after death it was hard
work to straighten it; and thus they
died. For a few moments after the Wis
itation, no one could stir in the vicinity
all were struck dumb and unconscious,
and were paralyzed. Twenty-Five per-
sons under the fruit tent were knocked
down and severely insured. Hundreds
under the main tent were paralyzed.
When the true state of affairs outside
became known under the main canvas,
there was no holding the audience, and
the entertainment for the evening end
ed at once. AS rush was made for the
open air, it was ascertained that scores
of persons could not leave their seats.
Dozens were almost unconscious. They
sat like statues, land therewas a gaze DIVA
cancy in their eyes frightful tolook upon.
Friends shook them and urged them to
go, but they moved not, apparently
dumb, and it was sometime before they
recovered. Every one of the compost
tors of the Ulster Gazette were present,
and every one were so seriously affect
ed that the conductors of that paper had
to borrow help from other offices.