The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1881-07-21


storms, especially at the WesI, and almost
every paper contains accounts OF one or
more which have been destructive TO prop
erty and often OF life as well. We give
below an account OF two which occurred
in the same State the same week. Reports
show that the storm which recently devas.
tated Fairfield was the most destructive
ever known in Minnesota. II swept a strip
Of country mile wide and 40 miles long
The horses of one Barnes and his farm
machinery were stfewn in all directions
aud the stock killed by Wholesale. Fifteen
persons we're killed aud wounded; the
bodies OF some we're not recovered until
the following morning. having been drop
ped half mile away. The people are left
in the most pitiable plight. without shell
ter or clothing
On Friday cyclone destroyed the town
OF New Ulm, Mimi Over 100 buildings
were dmolished and upwards OF 80 persons
were killed and wounded. Though other
towns it the vicinity felt the shock, the full
force OF the cyclone vented itself here.
Two tornadoes met directly over this place
and the work OF destruction was accom-
pised IN less than fifteen minutes. The
course Of the cyclone could be distinctly
discerned, and it seemed to be moving in
separate volumes from the north and south.
The clouds gathered with great rapidity.
The thunder IA lightning was terrific.
There was perfect blaze of fire balls. 1t
would have been almost as dark us mid.
night il it had not been for the continual
flashes of lightning Thwin d blew q
hurricane, while the rain descended in
binding sheets. There was a moments
lull and then the cyclone struck the town,
almost destroying it in moment. At the
end of that time it disappeared as sudden
ly as it came Its effects are almost indie
scribable. Some houses were struck by
lightning others we're lifted up bodily by
the violence OF the wind and still others
were demolished by the flying debris from
other buildings. Scores OF dwellings and
stores were entirely destroyed. Very few
escaped uninjured, but many had the roofs
blown off or were so badly unjointed that
they will have to be pulled down and re-
built The storm was the most destruc-
tive in the north of the city, where whole
blocks Of frame buildings were swept away.
Hardly barn nr stable escaped, and it is
estimated that over 100 horses and cattle
were killed. The roof of the hotel was
carried for blocks through the air and
hurled against Jacob Millers house, which
it completely demolished, but fortunately
tho Miller family escaped before the crash
came. The mayor estimates the loss at
$500, 600; the lowest estimate is 1850, 900.
None Of the property is insured, and many
have lost their all The citizens however,
met the disaster bravely and are taking
prompt steps to repair damages. The
streets are filed with debris, and on every
hand evidences OF the wreck are visible.
The large brick meat market, the Metho-
dist and Lutheran churches were swept
away and the steeples of the three Catholic
churches were blown off and the buildings
Quilted. he leading hotel was partially
destroyed, the roof of the court house was
carried off and many business places and
two public schools were destroyed.
Lightning struck the depot three times.
Every livery stable is in ruins and the new
brewery. costing $4,000. was destroyed.
Lightning struck the towering mill and
shattered the building letting ont 20, 600
bushels Of wheat ALumber of buildings
struck by lightning caught fire and the
town would have been destroyed in this
way but for the rain whole lumber
yard was carried of The scene during
the storm was fearful to contemplate Peo-
pie on the street were literally blown away
and numbers were wounded by the flying
debris. A large quantity Of grain was de-
stroyed in the valley. Subscriptions are
already coming in. The storm was about
mile wide.