Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-04-29

CENTRE COUNTY PEOPLE IN THE WEs-
TERN CYcLosE.-The news Of the appalI-
ing disaster which brought death and dis
tress, weeping and mourning into every
home in the beautiful and thriving little
town of Marshfeld, Webster county, Mo,
was startling and terrible wherever IL was
heard, but 10 many, even In our own
county, IL was sad in the extreme, because
OF parents or sisters or brothers who had
emigrated to that western town and we're
victims Of the universal destruction.
Through the courtesy Of friend residing
In the vicinity Of Marsh6eld, we have re-
ceived copy Of the Webster County Ne,os,
one of the two newspapers published in
that ill.fated town-the one before us being
last Thursday's issue-which gives full and
reliable particulars of the disastrous event.
The town contained population OF
eight hundred. Eighty were killed out
right, and two hundred were wounded, OF
whom many are expected to die. A para
graph from an eye witness regarding the
storm will prove interesting: sabbath
day was cloudy, with cool wind from the
west and southwest, with appearance OF
showers. About 8 +. ". heavy bank Of
black clouds gathered in the south west and
as they concentrated 1t was evident that a
storm was imminent, but none supposed
that results 20 horrible were in store for
US. Within few minutes Of G p. NJ. many
were startled by loud roar in the south.
west, and upon looking cloud was seen,
funnel shaped, revolving from east 10 west
with terrible velocity. The base Of the
cloud was black us night, the centre being
lit up as by electricity, causing many, at
first sight, TO think il a burning building.
This awful bosom of destruction came on
with great rapidity, struck the town OF
Mar,hheid at the southwest corner, widon.
ing and branching in its course, and
within thirty seconds where stood our
beautiful town there was nothing but a
mass of ruins filled with the dead and
dying, and resounding with the cries OF
the manned and wounded and the lamen.
tations Of the survivors who were left desc.
late. The cyclone proper was preceded q
few moments by a trembling sensatiou
that likened to mild shocks Of earthquake
which was quite apparent 20 those who
observed the phenomena closely. The
few moments that preceded the coming ot
the storm, after its character was apparent
to those who noticed it, gave an opportu.
nifty to many TO seek places Of a. grear
safety rs possible, but the great majority
were unaware Of the proximity Of dsnge,
until i was upon them, or we're 20 stricken
with terror As to be utterly helpless
Mr.. and Mrs. Daniel Wright are ,h,
fret names Of Centre county people whom
We notice as victims Of the storm. Thei,
frame house and barn was swep, away Ant
they were killed outright Mr.. Henr,
Bollinger, who We believe was once n resi
dent of this town, was killed, and Mrs
Mary Bollingcr is reported as bruised Ant
cut.
There were several persons from Bedford
county, this State, who were either killeC
or injured. Among them were. Mrs
Rush, wife Of Major j. L. Rush, who has
limb broken and was otherwise seriousl,
injured, while their family Of six children
who we're in the house, were all moro q,
less injured and Charlie Chrisman. VII,
bad both arms broken.