Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1878-08-14
A TORNADO HORROR.

Railroad smash ups are not oil the
disasters that the human family cn-
counters. Tho 9Ih inst. was an awful
day for Il portion OF New England. A
terrible tornado passed. oyo- Wal!ins
f,ivli a,a,ai G n'cinck that. pveuing. aud
blew over i isea, upfooted tfoes anu
caused the greatest devastation. IL Is
estimated that the killed will number
at least twenty, while tho wounded
reach twice that number The tcle-
graph wires and poles were blown
down, 80 that il was impossible TO
communicate directly with New Haven
or outside points.
After tho tornado passed II was
found that 1t had been confined to n
belt Of territory about half mile
wide, and the whole damage and loss
OF life had occurred OH tho saaay
plains, about quarter OF mule north
OF the railroad station, near the line OF
the New York, New Haven and Hart
ford Railroad At 6 o'clock, when the
men were testing the several factories
in the vicinity, 1t began TO rain gently
In few minutes the rain increased to
q perfect deluge, while the lightning
illumined the darkoned sky as bright
as day, and the thunder rolled u con-
tinuous and deafening roar.
Without seconds warning, tor
nado of wind mingled with rain and
hail swept across the northern part of
town, from west TO east, and every.
thing movable IN its track was swept
away. 1t seemed 10 last but moment,
but It's rcsalts were iiightful. Alter
wards light rains fell, which soon
passed Oft, and at 8 o'clock when the
train arrived with aid, the heavens
were clear and the moon shone brightly
BY actual count forty dwelling houses
were demolished, and at least fifty
barns. The following are among the
killed, nearly all by houses falling on
them. In the Plains school house on
the childrens desks, lay the dead
bodies OF twelve persons--iour men
six women and two children. Besides,
these one man, three women and three
children, and probably one or two
moro are believed to be killed and
among the ruins.
The list Of wounded, many OF whom
are dying, reaches at present above
forty, and will be increased as the re.
ports come in. The victims are OF
both sexes, their ages range from two
years upwards, and in some cases four
or five in one family are killed or badly
wounded.
The scene was a heartrending one.
The wooden houses were carried clear
off their foundations from foot to an
eighth Of mile. In the line of the
tornado nothing was left standing, and
oh each side Of its track lesser damage
was done, chimneys especially suffer
ing.
There were many incidents. a
youth who was standing on a railroad
tract when struck by the iull force ol
the tornado, was picked up fifty feet
away almost beheaded. Mrs. Huldy
had her child in her arms when picked
up both were dead and almost scalpcd
Fred. Littlcwood was killed by flying
timber as he was coming home from
work. Four female relatives Of John
Munson were buried in the cellar oi
the house when blown down, and il
took long while to get them out. II
was reported they were killed, but
when found two were injured slightly
the other two escaping. Dwelling
houses were swept away out of exist
ence, and barns lifted clear OF the hay
contained therein, the latter being LETT
standing and the roofs of innumerabl,
houses were taken of. The railroad
tracks were not disturbed and trains
are runningas usual. Physicians have
arrived, and the selectmen have tele.
graphed to Governor Hubbard, asking
that the militia company be called oui
TO render aid.
If the wounded die, at most th,
death list will not exceed thirty. The
loss to property is about 100000.
BosroS, Mass, Aug 9.--Thc storm
did immense damage to crops, houses
barns, stripping fences, etc, throughout
Massachusetts and New Hampshire
Lightning struck in many places
burning barns. killing cattle. etc.