The New York herald., 1871-03-18
THE MISSOURI TORNADO.
Aerial Voyage Of an Engineer.


(From the st. Louis Republican, March l2.l
The visitors continue to pour into East ST. L0nis
TO view the ruins made by the tornado. The differ
ent railroad companies have had large parties OF
WOrkmen at work removing the mass OF deDrs and
clearing away the RUNS generally, but 80 great and
extraordinary was the devastation that IL vail he
weeks before the effects OF the storm are oDlite-
rated. A fresh illustration Of the terrible velocity
through space OF the storm stream Is found IN ,he
experience Of persons who, while occupying posi-
ti0ns east and west OF the tornado path were
observant Of the elemental commotion IN progress.
For many miles both sides nigh winds
prevailed but OF the time the dreadful air rush was
made through East ST. Louis the most abrupt and
singular changes occurred In the wind each side
OF les course. 1t is stated by different parties that
the wind. which had been blowing about southwest,
suddenly veered and blew furlously towards East
st. Louis, the change being occasioned Us 1t Is sup.
posed by the suction Of the tornados furious track.
neers have Interested themselves In making calcua.
tons as to the pressure Of the wind, aud they
clude that mad the same storm struck any OF our
public buildings squarey they would have been de-
stroyed. The destruction Of the masonry WORK in
East St. Louis that full Ill the path OF the
nado was astunIshingly complete. The two round
houses struck were not merely wrecked, but literally
blown to pieces and large portion OF the bricks
distributed over large space aud It was almost I'M
possible to realize that large buildings once
pied the sites pointed out.
AN AERIAL TRIP BY AN ENGINEER.
We alluded in our second report OF the tornado to
the story told by the Ohio and MISSISSIPPI Railroad
employees to the effect tnat an engineer OF that
had been blown through the window OF his engine.
MIR. Haynes, the engineer mentioned sends us the
following account or the NATTER
ONO AND MISSISSIPPI RArLnoApa
EAST ST Louis, March y, 1871. !
EDITOR OF MISSOURI REPUBLICAN,
have Just been shown statement OF what befe me
during the tornado OF Wednesday also that
would write particulars, the Information received
mCs Incredible Sir, had you been the
time have reason TO think would have given credenca
TO the story,
sitting upon my seat when the storm commenced
my engine was standing switch No ihe rain
ced TO blow into the to let the
tain. Just then the wind commenced blow Gercey,
stopped down to the bottom of the of the
for nail had dropped to nail the down
wind blew The fireman said he had some in his tender
when the wind caught him and blew him clean oil the
him fourteen feet from the ground, carry
ing him freight car and landing him upon
the roof of small shed north OF the passenger
coach shed OF the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad he
ing other injuries than severe bruises and small
cut upon the left arm. No did ! raise up wnen
found the glass fall out and then the wind caught aud
tearing entirely the cab and myself ohe
first time enjoyed ride without human aid mechan
ISM carried hundred and hity yards. On my
open. But those being open have
doubt would have killed me. was then carried into
yard where three hogs and fell clean hem
where laid several minutes until could recall
when arose up bleeding about the head received
scalp wounds and my left thigh, but able to
| work.
You now have of my flying trip through the
! DANIEL HAYNES.
Mr.. Haynes certainly appears to have had q mar.
velous experience, but his escape probably not
| more singular than that OF numerous other lndvi-
| duals In East st. Louis. In fact to the scene
OF the wreck it Is almost lncOmprehensbe that the
list OF Killed and injured was not far larger than 1t
| Was.