The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1878-08-15
TERRIFIC STORM.
GREAT DESTRUCTION IN
t NEW ENGLAND.

GREAT DESTRUCTION IN
NEW ENGLAND.
Over Forty Houses Blown Down
and Twenty or Thirty Per-
sons Killed at Walling-
ford, Conn.
WALLINGFoRD, Conn, Aug. GA
terrible tornado passed over Walling-
ford about 6 this evening ana blew
over houses, uprooted trees, and caus-.
ed the creates devastation. It is es-
timated that the killed will number at
present at least twenty, while the
wounded will reach twice that mum.
Der. Telegraph wires and poles were
blown down, making 1t impossible to
communicate directly with New Ha.
ven on the south, or Meriden or Hart
ford to the north. Word was finally
sent by the o'clock train to the two
latter places, and on the next dowD
express, which leaves Meriden ct 30,
came physicians and help.
The greatest excitement prevails,
and the widest rum0rs are afl0at as to
the loss of life. The tornado was con.
fined to belt of territory about half
q mile wide, and the whole loss Of life
took place on the sand plains about q
quarter of mile north of the railroad
station, near the line of the New York,
New Hayen & Hartford Railroad.
At 6 o'clock, while the men were
leaving the factories, gentle rain be.
gan to fall aud soon increased to per-
feet deluge, while almost continuous
and VIVID lightning illuminated the
darkened sky "a bright as day, and the
thunder rolled with uncessing and
deafening roar. Without warning q
tornado with hail and rain swept
across the northern part Of the town
from west to east, and everything
movable In its track was carried away.
1t seemed to last but . moment, but
its results were frightful. Afterward
light rain fell and this soon ceased,
and at 8 o'clock the moon shone bright.
ly down upon . scene of des0lation.
BY actual count forty dwelling houses
were demolished, and at least fifty
barnes. The following are among the
killed, nearly all by houses falling !:
children's desks. lay the bodies of
Mrs. Margaret Mooney, John Moon.
ey and wife, and Matthew Mooney,
Cornelius Cheld, Tracy and wife, and
Mrs. Joseph Huldy and infant child,
Frederick Littlewood, Mrs. John
Boyle, Mrs. John Lynch, making
twelve in all +: besides, John Cashin,
aged sixteen, q young daughter of
Robert Jaunders, and Thomas Daily's
child, Mrs. E. Dawnes, Katie Caugh.
lin, aged fifteen, Patrick O'NeiPs
child, John Eaydew, aged sixteen, are
all certainly among the killed, and it
is possible one or two more are
among the ruins. In addition Pat
trick O'Neil had his head and shoul-
der badly cut; Mary Healy, aged six-
teen, is dying; John Clyne, aged for
| ty, had his arm broken John Cashin,
aged sixteen. skull fractured John
Paden aud wife, badly wounded ;
Henry Saunders, leg broken; Mary
Ann Rourk, aged fifteen, dying; Mrs.
Co0ghlin, badly injured; Mary Ira
cy, wounded; John, son of Frederick
Littlewood, dying; four OF Thomas
Matthew's family wounded; two
women in John Munsan's family in.
jured; Charles Parmelee, leg hurt !;
Michael Kelley, wounded internally ;
Henry James, hurt about the head !;
Patrick O'Neil aud child and Patrick
Coughlin, injuries unknown; Law
renee DOwnes, Injured badly and
daughter dying. There are many
others whose names could not be as
certained. The scene was q memoir
able one. The wooden houses were
clear of their foundations from few
feet to an eighth of q mile. In the
line of the tornado nothing was left
standing, and each side of its track
lesser damage was done, ch1mneys cs
pecially suffering. The Catholic church
and the new High school building
were totally demolished. The top Of
the brick factory of the Wallingford
Community was carried away. Fires
communicated to the ruins in many
cases by lamps aud stoves, and but for
| the rain the horror of the affair would
have been greatly increased. The
youth Matthew Mooney was standing
at the railroad track when struck by
the tornado. He was picked up fifty
feet away almost beheaded. Mrs.
Haldy had her child in her arms
| when picked up. Both were dead
and almost scalped. Fred. Littlewood
was picked up dead on the timber.
He was coming home from work.
Four female relatives of John Mum
san were buried in the cellar of their
house when blown down, and it took
long while to get them out. Two
were injured slightly, tho other two
unhurt. Michael Kelly, while driv-
ing In . buggy in the eastern part OF
town, was blown over q precipice
some thirty feet. He and his horse
were slightly injured. One man had
three email dwelling houses swept out
of existence. Barns were lifted clear
of the hay contained therein and the
latter left standing, and roofs of innu.
merable houses were taken of. The
railroad tracks were not disturbed
and trains are running as usual. nit-
tie John Hoey, aged twelve, fearing
the trains would DO delayed. rode on
horseback SIX miles to Meriden to gel
medical help. At late hour the Sc.
lectmen telegraphed Governor Hub.
bard, asking that the local militia com.
pany be called out to give aid,
| At OTHER POINTS.
BosroN. Aug. 9.-Reports from var
i0us points in this State and New
Hampshire, particularly along the
coast, Indicate that the thunderstorm
to-day was the severest of the season,
causing great damage. At Glouces.
ter schooner was struck by lightn-
ing and three of the crew prOstrated,
At Haverhill fences, trees and Chin
neys were blown down. At New
burg two men were struck aud seri-
ously injured. WOburn Josiah Lea,
the station master, was instantly kill.
ed. Mrs. Patrick Clark and Mrs,
Michael King were also struck ana Sc
vereiy burned. Several buildings are
more Or less damaged. At Fitchburg
thirteen houses and barns were struck
by lightning, aud s0me animals killed.
At Lawrence, Andover, and Lowell
many building were damaged by
lightning. Washouts are reported on