The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-07-14
The Tornado in MifIlin County.
Particulars Of the Damage Done.

visited that section of the State, on the 4th
inst, and to which we briefly referred last
week:
son Saturday afternoon of the 4th inst,
most terrific tornado swept over this
portion of the county, doing great damage
to property, and destroying several lives
A match game of ball between club from
Mifflintown and club here, had attracted
many persons to the vicinity of the rail-
road bridge, where the greatest loss of life
occurred. Just as the storm began four
young men from Mifflin and vicinity enter
ed the Juniata river bridge from this end,
and Mr.. John Swan and Conrad Ulrich, ST.,
of this place, with Louis Pheilsticker, a
former resident, entered it from the other
end. Joseph Crawford, railroad en-
ployee, residing near the junction, was also
on the bridge, having entered it either to
cross or to seek shelter. When the storm
reached its height the bridge began to
rock, and Mr.. Swan started for the gate
house, calling to his companions to follow.
He had scarcely taken step, however, be-
fore the telegraph wires came down, en-
tangling his feet and throwing him upon
the floor While endeavoring to release
himself the whole structure fell carrying
down all who were upon it. Mr.. Swan
sustained but slight injuries, and succeed
ed in climbing up from beneath the water
through the timbers to place of safety
and gained the shore unaided. He had a
cash in the back of the head, finger near
ly severed and his back somewhat injured.
"Father" Ulrich was very badly iniur-
ed, but was soon extricated and conveyed
to his home where he lies in very criti-
cal condition.
Lewis Pheilsticker was instantly killed,
and his body so wedged in among the
heavy beams that it required hours to re-
cover il. He was German, well on in
years, and worked in this place at shoe
making for some time. He leaves no
family.
Whilst these three were within one span
of this shore the five others mentioned
above were near the opposite side and
were also precipitated among the crashing
timbers.
By what seems miracle Clayton Weld
man, near Mifilin, escaped with only a
sprained ankle and swan ashore.
Harvey Sherk, Of Patterson, was very
badly injured and was removed to his
fathers home, where he now lies in very
critical condition.
Charles Goshen, of Mifllin, was horribly
crushed and mangled and lived but short
time after being taken out of the wrecked
mass.
William Barley, of Miffin, was also fa-
tally injured and died on Saturday evening"
as he was being put upon the train for con-
veyance to his home.
Joseph Crawford was very badly hurt and
is lying at his home on the opposite side of
the river. There is some hope of his re-
coyery.
1t is difficult to estimate the loss occa-
stoned by the destruction of the bridge, but
it will not fall short of $4,000.
The bridge was regarded as substantial
structure, having been used by the Pennsyl-
vania railroad company for the running of
their trains between Lewistown Junction
and Sunbury, as we'll as those Of the Mifliin
and Centre county branch. Its length was
629 feet and the height Of the floor above
low water mark about thirty-four feet. The
force of the storm was exhibited in the lift
ing up of this immense structure and its
being hurled bodily from its piers. The
timbers of which it was composed were
stretched from shore to shore in mass of in
describable confusion, but so firmly packed
by the fall that they could be safely travers-
ed the whole distance.
A full force was put to work, soon after
the storm had subsidized, to clear away the
debris, and temporary bridge is now in
progress of erection, which will probably
be finished by the end of the week. In
the meantime passengers are transported
by means of a ferry, established by the rail
road company.
At the furnace the work Of destruction
and death was complete. One of the large
chimney stacks, over 100 feet high, gave
way before the tornado and fell directly
across the works, demolishing the boiler
house. Tho walls Of the casting house also
collapsed and buried in their ruins. three
boys who had been engaged at play within.
Two of the bodies were gotten out from be.
meath the heavy mass of stones and mortar
in the course Of an hour or two The body
Of Henry Bloomeastein was not recovered