The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-07-22
DESTRUCTIVE STORMS. !
Dreadful Effects of a Tornado at
North Albany.
POOR PEOPLE RENDERED HOMELESS
Immense Destruction Of Property in
Various Localities.
ALBANY. N. Y. July q 1873

ALBANY, N. Y, July 81. 1875
About one O'Clock this afternoon North Albany was
visited By one 1.-THE terrific ltormshat was ever
witnessed this port ion Of the country, leaving in
It's track scene OF desolalion aud ruin. No lives,
however, were lost. There was scarcely warning OF
It's coming, ana there but little wiod
moment before but in not more than ten seconds OF
timo the hurricane struck, unroofed and destroyed
sixteen buildings, including the large brick retort
house OF the Peoples Gasight Company and the
Waterlet Horse Railroad ompanys barn, and thence
passed ON It's obstructive course to the lumber dis
trici, where very heavy damage Inflicted by the
upse,tng OF many piles OF lumber, which were pro-
miscuously scattered in all directions Fortunately
tho calamity occurred Sunday, for had il happened
during business hours week Gay serious loss Of
life must havs Inevitably resulted from the flying
timbers
MEETING TWO sroRas.
From accounts Of various observers at different
points II appears that there were two storms moving
IN nearly opposite directions. Ono was approacL-
ing from the northeast, accompanied by u rapidly
moving, heavy, black cloud, and another came from
u point little south OF west Tho two currents met
in the vicinity OF West Albany, forming
cyclone OF terrific force. Its general d-
recton when 1t struck the city was from
west southwest to east-nort boast, ana In width
1t extended from tina vicinity OF the shaker road
Erie street, short distance north of the horse ran.
road cempapy's stables, distance Of about three
eignths OF mile. In an instant tho mir filed
with dense CLOUDS OF dust branches OF trees, ayIng
timbers, roofs OF buildings and other debris 10 such
extent that people unable to a
distance OF more than feet Trees split If
struck by lightning and twisted IN every conceivable
shape, and somo Of from three ieet In
were lifted from the ground by the roots Heavy tin
and shinge roofs carried through the air.
One carried distance OF $50 feet and landed In
tho middle OF Genesee street. Another was carried
from Broadway TO the river. The Inhabitants
terribly alarmed, and many thought the world was
coming TO IN end. Almost every had some per-
sonal experience to relate OF harbrcadth escapes,
some OF which seemed truly miraculous. AT West
Albany two frame dwellings and three barns
tire y destroyed .B
Tho ienccs ana sheds cattle yards were badly
damaged. This morning 1903 carloads of cattle wero
placed in tho pens. and the cattle became mixed,
the great discomfort Of the owners.
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 less injured.
rnE LOSSES ESTIMATED
Impossible at present to give state
ment Of the losses but Il Is believed that they will
loss 10 the Gasght Company is very heavy, and the
railroad company as well as several lumber dealers
suffer severely but tho saddest feature the calamity
Is loss 70 the poor people OF North Albany
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
MIDDLErowS, N. Y, July q, 1875
Between half past twelve and one o'clock to-day
this village visited by tho severost rain and wind
storm ever known here In tho midst OF the s,oi M
the spre oil ~. Pauis Methodist Episcopal Church,
the ,aest In the place. blown fell across
tho roof The house opposite, crushing through 10
The first floor. No person was hurt One b0srder, In
a room Tho second floor, saved by partition,
and the occupants OF tho Ars floor were thrown down
BY the shock. The damage TO tho church is g. COO.
aud TO toe mouse. which 10 owned by Mrs. Prudence
Horton, $500.
EYYgcrs OF THE WIND.
Two brick houses we're unrooed by the wind; hun
dreas vi shade and irut were blown down;
chimneys toppled over; the tin roofing stripped
from the school Duild.ng and rolling mill; coal
shed torn down, aud tho chimney Of the cradle
tory was blown down, crushing Inc building
Tho wind blew hrst from tho southwest, vcered 10
rack OF tho wh,riwod WAS connusd 10 the centre Of
the village. Rain fell In q solid body Tor fifteen
minutes Lightning struck naystack just outside
the village. There was wind outside tho town.
The steepe OF the church referred 10 above blew
Just aitor the sorvces wnilo many Of the congroea
ton were waiting for tho rain to stop. Not
person injured by the storm.
TRAINS INSTRUCTED ON THE HUDSON RIVER
ROAD.
PouonKEIrsIE, N. Y, July 81, 1878.
There was heavy storm Of wind and rain Dobb's
Ferry to-day Trees uprooted, fences destroyed
and telegraph wires torn down. The Hudson RIVER
Railroad track obstrueted Tor three hours.
TERRIFIC THUNDER STORM THE LIGHrSiNG's
sIIoKE.
WHITEHALL N. Y, july II, 1875
A terrific thunderstorm prevailed hero Tor over
hour TINS morning At Piattsburg. N r., 1t was tho
most vio lent known for years. several houses were