New-York tribune., 1878-07-22

several people, and at MiddIetown, New
York, a tornado did great deal of
injury to property. The weather is
also cooler in the West. In New York
City fall Of temperature Of twelve degrees
has taken place within two days. affording
great relief. During the heated term 139
cases of sunstroke were reported in New
York, Brooklyn and Jersey City; twenty-nine
were fatal. The number of cases in St. Louis
was twice as large.
A SUDDEN CHANGE IN THE EAST.
VIOLENT STORMS AND A COOLER AIR-Two CITIES
VISITED BY ToRNADoEs--sEvERAL DEATHS FROM
LIGHTNING.
MIDDLETowN, N. Y, July 21.-Between 1890
and O'Clock to-day this village was visited by the
severest rain and wind storm ever known here. In
the midst of the storm the spire of the st. Pauls
~ Z. Church, the taest in this place. was blown
over and fell across the roof of the house opposite,
crushing through to the first floor. One boarder in
q room the second floor was saved by partition,
and the occupants of the first floor were thrown
down by the shock but one was hurt. The dam
age to the church amounts TO $1,000, and to the
house, which is owned by Mrs. Prudence Horton,
$500.
Two brick houses were unroofed by the wind.
Hundreds of shade and fruit trees were blown
down. Chmneys were tOppled over. The tin roof
ing stripped from the school building and roll
ing mill. coal shed torn down. and the chinl-
ney of the cradle factory was blown over crushing
the building.
The wind blew first from the southwest 1t then
veered to southeast and seemed to whirl round and
round. The track of the whirlwind was confined to
the centre of the village. Ram fell in almost
solid body of water for fifteen minutes. The light
ming struck hay-stack just outside the village.
There was no wind outside the town.
The steeplo of the church referred to above blew
over just after the services, and while many of the
congregation were waiting inside for the rain to
stop. Not one person was injured by the storm.
TERRIFIC TORNADO AT ALBANY.
ALBANY, July 21.--AbOut o'clock this afternoon,
North Albany was visited by one of the most terri
fc storms that was ever witnessed in this portion
Of the country leaving in its track scene Of desc
lation and ruin. No lives, however, were lost.
There was scarcely any warning of its coming.
The hurricane unrOOfed and destroyed sixteen build
ings including the large brick retOrt house of the
Peoples Gas Light Company, and the Watervliet
horse railroad cOmpanys barn. and thence passed
on its destructive course to the lumber district,
where very heavy damage was inflicted by the
upsetting of many piles of lumber, which were pro-
mscuously scattered in all directions Fortunately
the calamity occurred on Sunday, for had it hap
pened during business hours on week day, serious
loss OF life must have inevitably resulted from the
flying timbers.
From accounts Of various observers at different
points it appears that there were two storms NOV
ing in nearly opposite directions. One ap-
preaching from the northeast, accompanied by a
rapidly moving, heavy black cloud: and
another came from point little south of west.
The two currents met in the vicinity Of
West Albany, forming o cyclone of terrific force.
It's general direction when it struck the city was
from westsOuthwest to east-nOrtheast and in
width 1T extended from the vicinity of tho
Shaker Road to Ere-st., a short distance
north of the horse railroad company's stables,
distance of about three-eighths of mile.
In an instant the air was filled with dense clouds
of dust branches of trees, flying timbers, roofs Of
buildings and other debris to such an extent that
people were unable TO distance of more than
ten feet Trees were split if struck by lightning
aud twisted in every conceivable shape, and some
of from two to three feet in diameter
were lifted from the ground by the roots. Heavy
tin and shingle roofs were carried through the air.
One was carried distance of $50 feet and landed
in the middle of Genesee-st; another was carried
from Broadway to the river.
The inhabitants were terribly alarmed. Al
most every one had some personal experience to re-
late of hliTbreadth escapes, some of which seemed
truly miraculous. At West Albany two frame
dwellings and three barns entirely destroyed.
The fences and sheds at the cattle yards badly
damaged. This morning 303 car loads of cattle
were placed in the pens, and the cattle became
mixed, TO the great discomfort of the owners.
Owing to the accident to the Peoples Gss-works
the whole northern part OF the city is in total dark-
ness tonight.
The horse railroad company had four horses killed
and twenty others more or less injured.
=. Ia Of N fn rfU m rQfn
statement of the losses but il is believed that they
will approach 100000, and may exceed that sum.
heavy and the Railroad Company as we'll as
several lumber dealers will suffer severely. The
saddlst feature of the calamity Is the loss TO the
poor people of North Albany IN the destruction OF
their houses and personal property, upon which, of
course there is no insurance from damage 10y the
tornado.
ELSEWHERE IN THE EAST.
PHILADELPHIA, July 21.-The weather to-day
was hot, but not so much on Thursday and
Friday. At 3p. m. the thermometer was 96o; at
p. M was 04O, and at z p. m. was 900.
This evening q cool breeze prevailed and
the temperature is quite pleasant. Very
But few persons were overcome by the heat, owing
to the fact that there was less exposure to the
sum- There were three cases reported, none OF
which, however, were of fatal character Thomas
Hancock died at the Episcopal Hospital to-day from
the effects of sunstroke received on Saturday.
BUFFALO n. Y, July 21.-This section was visited
| by heavy rain storm early this morning, after
which the day was delightfully."- cool. the thermom-
eter ranging from 73o to 7so generally For short
time during the middle of the day il rose to so.
Tonight it marks 100 with q stiff breeze blowing
and clouds threatening rain. A yOung man named
c. f. Ernst died to-day from the effects of the heat
yesterday.
WHITEHALL, N. Y, July 21.-A terrific thunder
storm prevailed here for over hour this morning,