The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1879-08-07
THE SCIENCE OF STORMS.
Results of the Investigation of Signal-Ser-
ice Officers.

Results of the Investigation Of Signal-Serv-
ice Officers.
Especial to Chicago Tribune.]
ST. LOUIS, July 3.-The terrible
storms known as the Irving, the Stock
dale, the Wakefield, the first Delphos,
the Lincoln County, and the Waterville,
all of which occurred in the State of
Kansas in the month of May last, to-
gether with the Lee Summit, the Bar
nard, the Gentry County, and the Hack
berry Ridge, in Missouri, left such signs
of destruction in their path that the at
tention of the United States Government
was called to the fact, and an exploring
officer in the person of Sergeant G. P.
Finney of the Washington Civil-Service
Corps, was dispatched to the scene of
disaster, with orders to thoroughly in
vestigate the course, probable cause
and extent of the storms, and report the
same to the Chief of the Signal-Service
Department at Washington. In obe-
dience to this order, the Sergeant left
the latter city on the 7th of June last,
going straight to Lee Summit, Mo.
THESE STORMS
occurred on the goth and 3Oth of May,
fully ten days before the officer reached
the scene. This point was a very dis
advantageous one to the explorer, for
the reason that the country had recu-
perated from the effect of the storms,
the crops in some places showing no
signs of the tornadoes which but few
days before had leveled them to the
ground. The gentleman also labored
under a disadvantage during his stay
from the result of rainy weather, which
not only rendered travel very laborious,
but obliterated all evidence of the
storms trail. Notwithstanding all
these drawbacks, the officer continued
his labors, visiting over thirty-five
cities and villages, and covering over
500 miles with horse and buggy last
week. After concluding that he had
made all necessary observations, the
gentleman started for home, reaching
St. Louis yesterday morning, stopping
here through the day, and continuing
his journey via the Wabash Road last
night. While in the city he gave
THE FOLLOWING ACCOUNT
of his trip, which will prove of consid-
cradle interest to those persons who
have happened to witness real lorna.
do. Said Mr.. Finney: "This investi-
cation has led to finding out one most
important fact, and that is, that the ma
jority of the houses destroyed were To-
Gated in depressions, creek bottoms, etc.
Those houses built on high ground were
capsized or thrown to the earth, while
those in the lower location were torn
into shreds. This point was not only
observed by myself, but by others whose
attention was called to the fact. I also
found that stone houses were much
more dangerous to hnman life than
frame or wooden, for the reason that,
when tornado was seen approaching,
the occupants generally took possession
of the cellar for safety. If the building
was frame structure and the storm
struck it, it would be swept clean away,
leaving the occupants of the cellar un.
hurt.
ON THE OTHER HAND,
if the building was of stone, it would be
RACED to the ground, and the occupants
OF the cellar either killed or bruised with
the falling debris. The people in the
country which was laid waste by the
many storms have gone to ork with q
will rebuilding their houses, etc., while
the crops have sprung right up again,
so that, just before leaving there, it was
impossible to tell that storm had ever
struck them. found that q great many
persons lost their lives by running right
into Or away from the tornado, instead
of running to one side. An instance OF
this kind was that of the Harris family,
consisting of father, mother, and two
children, who lost their lives during the
progress of the Lees Summit storm by
running along directly in front of
THE PATH OF THE TORNADO,
when, if they had run to the west OF
northwest of it, they would have escaped
its fury. l started out making observa.
tions by first finding the center of the
track of the storm, and then making
corresponding observations on both
sides, to ascertain the effect of the wind
on each. 1 found, after great deal OF
questioning, that these tornadoes were
always heralded by the appearance Of
hail-storms and rain which only ended
when the funnel disappeared. This fun.
mel, which resembles waterspout, was
generally seen approaching from the
northwest and southwest, and was the
embodiment of air currents coming
from both these directions. The north.
west clouds always resembled heavy
rain clouds, while those in the southwest
were of light feecy color, indicating
wind. After the appearance of these
the inhabitants would notice between
the two, near the apex, a terrible com
motion, and in few moments this
would be followed by the funnel extend.
ing gradua' ly from the clouds.
IT WAS THIS FUNNEL CLOUD
that always did the damage. The ma
jority of these storms travel about 80
miles an hour, and, while they are on
the ground, their force is great enough
to destroy every thing within reach. In
the late tornadoes occurring in the sec.
ton which l have explored, there is a
marked popularity, consisting in their
unusual number, shortness of path, and
parallel directions. Heretofore one
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