The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-07-22
DESTRUCTIVE STORMS.
Dreadful Effects of Tornado at
North Albany.
POOR PEOPLE RENDERED HOMELESS.
Immense Destruction Of Property in
Various Localities.
ALBANY, N. Y, July 21. 1878.


Albany, N. Y, July 81. 1878
About one O'Clock this Afternoon North Albany was
visited By one oil the terrific ktormsthat was
Witnessed this portion OF the country, leaving In
lis track scsne OF desolalion aud RUN No lives,
however, were lost. There scarcely warning OF
lis coming ana there but little wiad a
moment before, but in more than ten seconds OF
time the hurricane struck, uuroofed ami destroyed
sixteen buildings, including the large brick retort
house OF the Peoples Gasnght Company and the
Wateret Horse Railroad Company's barn, and thence
passed on It's destructive course 10 the lumber dis
trict where very heavy damage was inflicted by the
upse,ting OF many piles OF lumber, which were pro-
miscuousy scattered in all directions. Fortunately
tho calamity occurred Sunday, for had it happened
during business hours on week Gay serious loss of
life must havs inevitably resulted from the dying
timbers.
MEETING sroRas.
From accounts Of various observers At different
points II appears that there two storms moving
in nearly opposite directions. Ono seen approacL-
ing from the northeast, accompanied by u rapidly
moving, heavy, black cloud, and another camo from
point little south OF Tho two currents met
the vicinity OF West Albany, forming
cyclone OF terrific force. Its general d.
rection when it struck tho city from
cst-southwest to east-north boast, ana in width
II extended from thu vicinity OF the shaker road
Erie street, short distance north of the horse rail-
road ccmpany's stables, distance OF about three
eignths OF u mile ln an instant tho air was filed
with dense CLOUDS OF dust, branches OF trecs flying
timbers roofs OF buildings and other debris 10 such
an extent that people were unable to see
distance OF more than ten feet Trees split as II
struck by lightning and twisted IN every conceivable
shape and somc Of from two three eet In diameter
we're lifted from the ground by the roofs Heavy tin
and aht mol rAOfa riad thrnO NH he mir
One was carried distance OF $50 feet and landed in
the middle OF Genesee street. Another was carried
from Broadway to the river. The Inhabitants were
terribly alarmed, and many thought The world was
coming 10 an end. Almost every one had some per-
sonal experience to relate OF hairbrcadth escapes
some OF which seemed truly miraculous. At West
Albany two frame dwellings and three barns were
tire y destroyed
The fences sheds at cattle yards were badly
damaged. This morning 303 carloads OF cattle werc
placed in tho pens and the cattle became mixed, TO
tho great discomfort of the ownors
Owing to the accident TO TITO Peoples Gas Works the
whole northern part of the city In total darkness
Tonight
The horse railroad company had four horses killed
and twenty others more or less injured.
THE LOSSES ESTIMATED
II Is impossible at present TO give accurate state
Of the losses but IL Is believed that they will
approach 100000 and may exceed that sum. The
loss 10 the Gaslight Company is very heavy and the
railroad company as well several lumber dealers
suffer severely but tho saddest calamity
Is loss 70 the poor people OF North Albany in tho
destruction Of their houses and personal property,
upon which. OF course, there 10 NO insurance from
damage by the tornado
LARGE DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY BY THE
| WIND.
MIDDLKrowS, N. Y, July 81 1878.
| Between half past twelve and one O'Clock to-day
this village visited by tho severest and wind
I storm ever known here In tho midst Of the slo M
the spire Of ". Pauis Methodist Episcopal Church,
the ,aliest the place. blown fell
tho roof OF The house opposite crushing through TO
The first floor. No person was hurt One bosrder, In
room on Tho second door, saved by a partition,
and the occupants OF first floor thrown
BY the shock Tho damage to tho church Is g. COO,
| aud TO toe mouse, wacn - owned by Mrs. Pruaence
KYyxcrs OF THE WIND.
Two brick houses we're unroofed by tho wind hun
dreas Of shade and Iruis were blown down;
chimneys toppled over; the tin roofing stripped
| from the school bud.ng and rolling mill; coal
shed torn down, and tho chimney Of tho cradle lac
tory was blown down, crushing Tho building
Tho wind blow first from tho southwest, vccred 10
southeast and scanned to whiri round and round The
| the village. Rain foil 10 u solid body Tor fifteen
minutes Lightning struck naystack Just outside
The stespe Of the church referred to above blew
just alter the services, while many OF the congresa.
ton waiting inside for tho rain stop Not
person was injured by the storm.
TRAINS INSTRUCTED ON THE HUDSON RIVER
ROAD.
PouonKEEPsIE, N. Y, July 81, 1878.
There was heavy storm Of wind and RAIN al Dobbs
Ferry. to-day Trees uprooted fences destroyed
and telegraph wires torn down The Hudson RIVER
Railroad track was obstructed tor three hours.
TERRIFIC THUNDER STORM TIE LIGHfNiNGs
SiEoKE.
WHITEHALL, n. y, july II, 1876.
A terrific thunderstorm prevailed hero Tor over
hour TINS morning AT Piattsburg. ". Y, was the
most violent known for years. Several houses were
struck by light among tDem the residence oil Mr.
s. Bowen, doing, however. slight damage.