Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1881-07-14
Another Terrific Storm
Panic at the Circus!
Canvas Blown Down in the Midst
of the Exhibitioni
= a Wild SceneI
Shrieking Men and Women Vieing
with other HoWiing AnimaIsi
Damage to crops and Trees /
THE SCENE AT THE CIRCUS.

TIE SCENE AT THE CIRCUS.
THE hot weather of the past wee
eliminated Tuesday in storm of un
usual severity. There were muttering
of thunder and occasional flying cloud
throughout the day. and in the morning
slight fall of rain. About o'clock
fine breeze prevailed for time, but gen
orally the day was a very hot one
Toward dark the heat had moderated
very greatly, and hundreds of peopll
who had been kept away from the circu.
by the intense heat of the afternoon, ar
rayed in light clothing and provided
with fans. went to the exhibition. Fol
one hour after the circus band haG
played at the corner leading to the show
grounds, people swarmed past-men, wO
men, and children-filling the spacious
tent and the cash box of the company
Meantime the exhibition begun, and
few people under the pavilion, engross-
ed by the music and the pageantry and
the fun of the circus, suspected that a
tempest was then gathering which
would speedily twist and blow the great
tent from its m0orings. The clouds con-
tinued to thicken, but in the brilliantly
lighted circus tent this was generally
unnotieed, and the muttering thunder
was lost in the music of the band and in
the noise and laughter of the audience.
A few persons noticed the gathering
storm. however, and got out. Suddenly
one of the clowns lowered the large
chandelier which surrounded the center
pole. This was sign2lthat many of
the audience understood, and at once
there was a movement toward the door
which soon became a jam. In an in
slant the tempest struc' the canvass,
and then the scene wa one which beg
gars description, and which was calcu-
lated to appall the stoutest hearts. The
tent was lifted from its moorings on the
west side I'd fattered, carrying down
with it the seats and poles, and covering
all who had not escaped. The shrieking
of the men and women and children un-.
der the canvas, the hoarse howls of
the animals, and tie fercer bowling of
the tempest, almost unnerved those who
got out before the canvas fell.
Throughout this wild scene the circus
people behaved with splendid courage
and presence of mind. Before the canvas
fell many stalwart men, actors and la
borers, gathered around the guys of the
center pole, and in other ways did all in
their power to prevent any one from
being injured. In the panic that follow
ed the fall, when others, struggling un-
der the wet canvas seemed to have lost
their wits, Il cir CHEEKY voices were
heard encouraging the people, and their
stalwart arms were busy helping people
who seemed not to have much more
of mind than the wild animals
confined in the cages. Women and chill
1ren were helped out by them, and in
some instances carried up town in their
strong arms.
Fortunately no one was seriously hurt
A number of p srso-is received severe
bruises. Outside the tent the confusion
md distress was almost as great as un-
ler it. Tie dust was binding before
he rain fell, and the air was almost |
,ull of flying debris. Then, in an in
'tant, almost, came torrent of water |
Add to AL these the anxiety and terror
)f those who had escaped, on account of
wives or children who had been separa-
ted from them in the confusion and jam
If the moment, and who knew not what
ate had befallen them, and faint idea |
nay be formed of the scene. 1t was one |
he like of which was never before wit
lessed in this town.
THE TREES AND CROPS.
A number of shade and fruit trees
n town were blown down, and in the |
7icinity of town the corn was fiattened |
n many places. Most of the corn will |
ecover its position under the RAYS of |
he sun, but some of it is irreparably |
damaged. A few handsome NAPLES on |
he streets were twisted off by the |
empest. The trees are the beauty and |
,lory of our streets. and 10 is hoped those
which have been destroyed will be re-
placed, and others beside planted.
The storm extended west as far as
1endrysburgh, but was felt very little
ither north or south of the National
Road. 1t is thought about one-third of
he corn which was Frustrated is broken
IF.