The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1878-08-15
TERRIBLE DISASTER AT MAILING.
FORD, CONN.

TERRIBLE DISASTER AT WALKING
FORD, Conn.
We extract the following graphic
sketch Of the tornado at Wallingford,
Conn, last Friday. in which 80 persons
were killed and so moreor less wound
ed, from the N. Y Sunday Times
Friday afternoon was one Of the love
liest of the season Light clouds sail
ed across the sky until or o'clock 10
the afternoon, occasionally obscuring
the sun. Then few black clouds,
portending disaster, appeared over
Mount Lamentation, a high hill lying
TO the westward of the village. Under
the foot Of this hill spreads Lake Win
dermere, an artificial pond, created by
the Community people by damming
The Quinnipiac River. Wallingford
lies between this hill and another not
so high that runs parallel to the noun.
tain east OF the town. Hills surround
the pretty village aud ran through il,
though its general situation is that OF a
town in valley encircled by hills.
The clouds grew darker toward 5
O'Clock, when workmen about the viii
lage left factories and mills and started
for their homes. Wives set about pre-
pariug supper for returning husbands.
aud only passing glance was cast
toward the murky clouds that rolled
over the western hills. By $3.50 o'clock
they had become intensely black. Chill
dren covered from the inky shadows,
and sought protection in their houses.
Still, there was no great sense Of inn
pending danger. No one was Tighten
ed The utter stiffness that precedes
many thander storms settled down in
the valley just before 6 o'clock. All the
wind seemed to have died away, but
aloit the clouds went tearing wildly
along at such pace that many observ'
ers took alarm. and FASTENED through
the streets TO seek shelter. Lightning
began to play necessarily across the
low hanging clouds.
With horrible suddenness q change
took place in the aspect Of the heavens
Under the threatening clouds that had
spread over the village like black cur
tain other and blacker clouds were
driven. They came up from the west
almost with the swiltness OF thought
Before dense black mass that rolled
over the Wallingiord community, Z
/ deecy, misty curtain advanced, hiding
the orchards and vineyards as it moved
forward The lightning flashed il
binding forks from this cloud, that wal
more like smoke than vapor in its light
ness necessarily the flashes lightec
up the surrounding country with ;
lurid, purple light, while the thunde
ratified aud doomed with interminabl'
aud deafening loudness. 1t was abou
6:l5 that second mass OF clouds wal
noticed approaching on different cur
rent OF wind from the northward, anC
some say there was also a counter cur
rent setting in IRON the southwark
bringing heavy black clouds that seem
ed TO couch the tops OF the trees.
few drops Of rain Tell gently. Me-
aud women hurried to the windows 4
eloee them, aud home-going laborer
began 10 run.
Before cry corld be raised, o
preparation made TO escape, death
dealing blast fell upon the homes Of th
poor The heavy clouds over Winder
mere Lake seemed suddenly to descen
10 drop upon the lake. and the water
we're churned into foam. With grea
whirling aud whistling. the winds frou
opposite quarters seemed to meet.
great volume Of water was lifted trol
the lake, aud went swirliug up aud d
into the air. Lightning Is not qaicke
than was The advance from west to cas-
Of this column Of water aud tue cloud
tbat seemed 10 mingle with il. 10
second il started on forward course
Before il lay the Sand Plains. on whieI
about SO pour families. mostly Irish
have bought lots and established thei
dwellings Many OF the building
were old. bat few were new, aud thei
owners we're proud Of having bail
them lor wife and children The plain
are nearly Gal ior distance west Il
east Of ab0a, third 81 mile Thel
the land rises rapidly 70 The ridge o.
which MAia street il laid oct. Cor
and tobacco grow on this hillside, aB'
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