The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1885-05-29
A TIMELY TEXAS TOPIC.
PROTECTION FROM ToRNADoEs
How to Run from Funnel-Shaped Clouds
Construct Dug-Outs - Watch tho
Northeast-The Most Fated
Point of the Compass.

BILE either north or south.
the cloud is three or four miles off when
discovered it is generally practicable To
get beyond the path Of it before il
reaches the place where the observer
stood. Under no circumstances should
one move to the east, northeast or
southwest. Many foolhardy acts have
been committed (perhaps through fear
and excitement or positive ignorance)
by persons which have resulted III death
or terrible injuries, because they have
tried to run in front of the torn ado
cloud, thinking they could outstrip it in
such race. Others have attempted to
cross tho path just ahead Of the edvsnc-
ing cloud, feeling that they could reach
a safe distance on the opposite side be.
fore the fuunel-shaped monster passed.
In one of our late storms a person es
saved this trip with two horses aud a
lumber wagon, confident that he could,
at least, rush his horses across the ap-
parently narrow path of storm, which
seemed TO progress within such circum-
scribed limits. He was instantly killed
one of his horses dresdtully mangled,
the other seriously injured and the
wagon total,wreck.
Since we cannot resist the power Of
the tornado, the question now suggests
itself, what precautionary measures
can be taken? That which remains to
be done can be accomplished in an UNI
ostentstious and quiet, but secure, man
ner. Every man can and should con-
struot a "dug. out' at some suitable
point, within a convenient distance of
his house. If a person is situated
within town or city, let him select
some portion Of his yard for the pur-
pose, but If residing in the country he
will not be confined to narrow limits in
the selection of a desirable location.
Where q person living in village has
no yard, he must, if no has cellar, con-
struct cellar-cave, as means Of pro-
lection, to be described further on.
With respect to the "dug-out," in no
event should the roof be other than
level with the surface of the earth; in
fact, it is highly desirable that tho re-
treat should be so constructed that the
ordinary surface of the earth would
form tho roof or covering, and that all
preparation OF the dOmlcile proceed by
way of excavation and supports from
beneath. AS to location, there is not
much to be said, the most important
points being convenient dis
lance, a. high, dry place,
and possible Opportunities to ex-
cavate into the northern or eastern
slope OF a knoll or hill. In tho latter
instance the entrance way should suffer
less from the violence of the storm, pro.
viding, perhaps, that it did not entirely
envelop your retreat, for, in that
event in the whirl of the flying debris,
all sides alike would be at the mercy OF
the winds. Having decided upon the
location, as regards your house or other
buildings, prepare TO sink shaft, say
four TO six feet square, the entire depth
of your "dug-out." From either the
northern or eastern DIETER the former)
wall of this shaft cut out q stairway
leading upward to the surface of tho
earth Tor the purpose OF ingress and
egress. On the size of the shaft oppO-
site the stairway, commence the excava-
ton Tor the enclosed retreat. The size of
the room will, OF course, depend upon
how much you may at any time wish TO
secure from injury. Better TO have the
excavation too large than not large
enough. The slight difference In the
expense of timo and labor may, per.
haps, be the means of saving you q
great deal when you least expect
1t. The entire room should be below
the surface of the ground distance oil
at least three feet, and the overhanging
roof of earth should be supported rom
beneath 10y heavy timbers, to provide
against any emergency like tho dashing
of heavy debris or the tramping OF
horses or cattle upon IL,
In the event OF a tornado, your retreat
(dug. OUT may be entirely buried be
nnath hnnn ntlnQ az Hahriu NhnRaH,ea
everything must he made ~ secure as
possible. The entrance door should be-
made OF the heaviest timbers and sup
ported between casing of similar
strength of constr action. Arrangement,
should be made to secure the door 10y
heavy fas.eniugs. In order that ven
tilation may be provided for, two box
spOuts, squaring eight inches, SHOULD
be- lot through the roof. The top o
these spouts must be level with TIA,
surface OF the ground and protected bN
iron gratings. Ventilation may also bv
provided Tor by openings through thl
upper portion OF the door, and thos
also should DO protected by iroI
gratings. The "dug OUT SHOULD
| be large ensugh TO contain your family
ard such personal effects as are con
sl0erad most valuable. There are man,
instances where persons have loat yer,
valuable articles, even large sums 0
money, from supposiug that II sue
things were placed In securely boun,
trunks or boxes they would he perfect.
spfe, There are cases where iron bOunl
franks and even iron chests (nOt Tn
regular merchants sRe) especial.
made to secure valuable articles, hav
been crushed or torn 10 pieces, and tn
| q A NA IN NWasN
heavy safe might resist the force OF tn
wind to the extent that II would not b
broken open, but 1t may cost you sew
eral hundred dollars, and even then yo'
must prepare "dug-oup for your fam
lily.
There Is still another kind of under
ground protection which can be pre-
pared TO advantage, II you are provides
with cellar, either under your hous
or store, Having the cellar, cut a
opening (sav six feet high and four fec
wide) into the west wall. Carry the OK
Cavation 10 such an extent undergrou
as - provide sufficient room for YOU
family and valuable personal effects
The roof OF this cellar-oave should b
composed of at least three feet (li
depth) Of the undisturbed sp,fac
earth, and supported from beneath b
heavy tlmbers. In every way IL shoul
be made as secure as the dug-out.
The provisions for ventilation NAV b
made through thereof or entrance oool
but In either case well protected by iro
gratings,
In case you are possessed Of a bald
ing that has no dug.out or cellar.cavt
your best plan IL TO move from YOU
house, or from the location where yo
are, as directed In the previous section,
If not able to benefit by these directions
retreat instantly 10 your cellar an
place yourself face forward against IN
west wall. This Ia the best position /
any cellar, If for any reason you ca
not get 10 the west wall, take your pC
sition (the next BEST face forwar
against the south wall, but as near On
southwest corner as possible. In cas-
the building In removed from the fouu
dalton II will always be carried abov
and over you, or II torn TO pieces the d,
brls will be instantly removed 20 ID
eastward. Under no circumstances
whether in building or
cellar, take q position In northeas