The Portland daily press., 1878-08-10
A FEARFUL TEMPEST.
Great Damage Throughout New
England.
Twenty Persons Killed at wal
Iingi0rd, Conn.
Wind, Hail, Lightning and Rain.


O'Clock this evening and blew over houses, up
rooted trees and caused the greatest devasta-
ton. 1t is estimated that the killed will num-
Der at present at least 20, while the wounded
will reach twice that number. The telegraph
wires and poles were blown down SO that it
was impossible to communicate directly with
New Haven on the south, or Meridian or Hart
ford to the north. Word was finally sent BIZ
the up 7 O. clock train to the two latter cities,
and on the next down express which leaves
Meridian at 7.30 came physicians and help.
Arriving at the scene the town was found to
be in an uproar. The greatest excitement pre-
vailed and the widest rum0rs were ahoat as to
the loss of life. On the Meridian train came
seven physicians, the telegraph manager to re-
pair the wires and the Associated Press agent.
Systematic measures were at once taken to
gather aud identify the dead and care for the
wounded. 1t was found that the tornado had
been confined to belt of territory about half q
mile wide and the whole damage and loss Of
life occurred on the sand plains about a Qua.
ter of a mile north of the railroad station near
the line of the New York, New Haven & Hart
ford Railroad.
At o'clock, while the men were leaving the
several factories, it began to rain gently. In a
very few minutes the rain increased to per-
feet deluge while the lightning illuminated the
darkened sky as brightsas day and the thunder
rolled with continuous roar. Without Sec
ond's warning tornado Of wind, mingled with
hail and rain, swept across the northern part of
the town from west to east, and everything
movable IN its track was swept away. 1t seen
ed to last but moment but its results were
frghtful Afterwards light rain fell whic
soon passed Oft and at O'Clock, when the train
arrived from Meridian, the heavens were clear
and the moon shone brightly. BY actual count
forty dwelling houses were demolished and at
least fifty barns. The s,ene was a memorable
one. The wooden houses were carried clear off
their foundations from few feet to an eighth
of mile. In the line of the tornado nothing
was left standing and on each side of its track
lesser damage was done, chimneys especially
suffering. The Catholic church, (wooden) and
the new brick high school house, were totally
demolished. The top of the brick factory of
the Wallingford community was carried away
Fires were communicated to the ruins in many
cases by lamps and stoves, and but for the rain
the horrors of the affair would have been great
ly increased.
Mathew Moody was standing on the railroad
track when he was struck by the full force of
the tornado. He was picked up fifty feet
away and almost beheaded.
Mrs. Huxley had her child in her arms when
picked up both were dead and almost scalped
Fred littlewood was picked up dead by the
side OF The road, where he was killed by FLYING
timber as he was coming home from work
Barns were lifted clear off the hay contained
therein and the latter outstanding Roofs of IT,
Vulnerable houses were taken off. The railroad
tracks were not disturbed and trains were run
ming as usual. Alta late hour the selectmen
telegraphed to Gov. Hubbard, asking that thu
militia be called out to render aid.
BOSTON,. August 9.-Reports from various
points 10 this state and New Hampshire, par,
ticuiarly along the coast, indicate that the
thunder storm today was the severest of the
season, causing great damage.
AT gloucester the schooner Maud Muller
was struck by lightning, her mainmast shat
tered ana three OF her crew FRUSTRATED one of
them not recovering for some hours.
AT HaVerhill fences. GTeaa and chi m n yo mora
blown down and much damage is reported,
The pumping station of the Silver Hill Aooe
duct 20. was completely demolished
Try large shade trees
men wtre struck and seriously Injured
AT Fitchburg thirteen houses and barns were
struck and some animals killed. No persons
were seriously hurt.
At Lawrence, Andover and Lowell many
buildings were struck and much damage done
Washouts are reported on many railroads and
all trains east are more or less DELAYED.
At Manchester, N. H., several houses were
struck and one or two persons injured.
Az portsmouth schooner was struck by
lightning off Boon Island and split from stem
to stern and sunk. Two men on board were
rescued by passing vessels. Near Wentworth
Hotel four cattle were instantly killed in a
pasture. The shock was severely felt at the
seriously.
AZ Exeter several houses anG barns were
struck and damaged
At Milford, N. H., much damage was done
to trees. crops, fences, etc. The barn of Ar
, snar I 1T! was struck and consumed, together
win tne stock and farming Implements
In Keene and sevtral other points in the state
more or less damage is reported
Al MAIDEN hail stones as large as walnuts
Tell and great damage is done to the crops.
hail stones. y
At Nahant and Lynn several houses were
struck oy Lightning and number of persons
Frustrated.
WATERFOWL, N. Y, Aug. 9-The effects of
Iast nights disastrous thunder, lightning and
ram storm are not yet overcome. No trains
pave pi reached here over the Utica & Black
hlVer railroad and none is expected before
tomorrow night. The main line of the Rome.
w atertown and Ogdensburg road is open south,
put no trains have passed over it north Of here
t ana none are promised till tomorrow afternoon.
Ine nrst lraln from Cape Vincent arrived at 6 |
p. M and that road is now open. Telepranh |
connection has been generally restored, hut
progress Is Slow, owing to the abandonment of |
trains. The turnpkes are impossible for want |
OF bridges Property in number of places
was SCI on hre by the lightning and consumed |
Will be seriously felt. Who'e fields of grain.
corn and other products are wholly ruined |
Grain which had been harvested and stacked |
was swept away by the flood.
:, OAo "ah VI tnis City was awakened in bed |
by feeling wet, and opened his eyes to find the |
'front.' door of the house open and water two feet |
aeep on the floor, and cradle containing a |
paDy asleep floating around. In some places
I'VE stock have been swept away and lost
Along the st. Lawrence river the storm was
terr'hc and badly damaged many camping par
WATERFOWL, N. Y, Aug. 9 "A terrible rain
STORM occurred in northern New York last
hlght. All trains on the Rome Watertown
ana Ogdensburg road uorth have been aban-
loneo, ana no trains are running today, CuI-
Verts are e,s washed out aud bridges aIs swept
way Inc ne damage throughout the county is
tween and o'clock this morning. and RlscL
river has risen five feet since last night. PbiIeA
mon Creek, at Brownvile, is fearful torrant
and femlies living on its banks are leayin%,
heir houses o"'ins
mn EH1VHAV |