The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1883-05-24

Illinois. Missouri and other western states
A large amount Of property was destroyed
snd many lives lost. The worst storm wa,
ct and near Racine, Wis, where eight per
sons were killed and many more injured
No other large town was visited but many
small places were literally demolished
We quote from the papers some Of the
wild freaks OF tho wind, which seem
almost past belief, but are well authenti
Gated:
"At Kelloggs Corners. Kenosha county,
later visited Racine with such disastrous
results, swept mill pond dry, carrying
the water in binding sheet to the barn
OF Charles Herrick, which was literally
deluged, and q COW stabbed therein was
drowned. A new brick school house at
Aztalan, Jefferson county, Wis, was de-
stroyed by hail. The stones were as large
Is eggs. and came down in such numbers
and with such velocity as TO make the
building look as though it had been de-
stroyed by cannonade. Mrs. Northrop
and her son, who live on Q farm in Racine
county, near Union Grove, were standing
at window watching the cyclone, when
they noticed that the funnel was coming
towards them with terrific momentum.
They jumped into the cellar, and had no
sooner landed on their feet than their
house, substantial frame, was picked up
like balloon and carried over their heads
a long distance down Re road. A few
miles north OF Virginia, ILL.,, hedge fence
was raised root and branch, and carried
away. A big pile of railroad ties lying
near the truck was scattered far and wide.
On Springfield Round prairie horse was
found with piece OF rail through his
body, At the residence OF Major Hess, one
aud half miles east OF Springfield. chin
neys we're tumbled and the windows
wooden bowl. This was split midway,
one half being left in its original position
aud the other half carried of by the cy
clone. At one place flock of geese were
found naked in the morning, their feathers
having been stripped from their backs and
hung upon hedge. At Grafton, sixteen
miles southwest OF Jerseyville, ILL.,, large
stones were lifted of the bluffs and hurled
with tremendous force into the Mississippi
river and upon the town below. causing
the utmost CONSERVATION and fear among
the inhabitants. The Wabash track was
covered for several miles with stones
thrown by the force OF the wind from the
bluffs A car OF stone weighing 1900
was lifted from the track, and the stone
scattered in all directions. Michael Larned
was taken up bodily and carried away
Search was made and his body was found
in a culvert Of the Wabash railway, q dis.
tance Of 100 yards from where the storm
struck him, His head aud face were split
in two. and his body badly bruised. Large
picsets wire carried long distances and
driven into trunks Of trees. Que Of the
most miraculous escapes recorded was
that Of the fanny Of Peter Schatfer, living
a few miles south Of Mount Pulaski, III.
The hons. WAS torn from its foundation,
and in All instant the air was filled with
flying tinlbers aud human bodies. Mr..
Schatfer Was thrown into the branches OF
\ large cottonwood tree that had been
FRUSTRATED by the storm. He found his
wife lying at the base Of the tree in an un.
condition Farther on, under
pile OF rails, he found bis little girl also |
and. as was afterwards dis
covered. 80 badly injured that she will
probably die. The baby did not receive
even n scratch, and was found compla |
emily viewing the spot where its home
Is.i stood bnt few moments before Not
. vrstage OF the house remained. Every
hing had been swept away.