The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-07-27
FREAKS OF 4 TORNADO.
A Graphic Description by an Eyewitness or
the Recent storm Near ~. Paul.


the Recent storm Near ~. Paul.
Mr.. Alexander Cristadoro OF this city has re-
oeived from his brother residing in st. Paul,
Mimi. the following account of the recent tor
nado near that city:
Sunday. four miles out from 81. Paul, We
had q tornado. visited the ground yesterday
afternoon. 1t would be impossible for me to
describe the result Of the winds force. 1t ac-
tually blew the bark of OF the trees. uprooting
large trees. twisting great trunks OF trees as
you would wiring towel, hauling great trees
M by the roots with tons OF earth clinRlnR
TO them. and depostinR them many feet
away. One OF the wealthy st. Paul families oc-
cupied cottage on Lake Jervais tjust outside
OF the city, They were all ut home at the time
In the cottage. The tornado scattered things
like charge Of dynamite. Not timber OF the
house was left stsndinG above the foundation.
The occupants we're either killed or injured.
Three bodies blown no one knows where-two
found dead on the bank OF the lake, and three
more picked UP here and there, suffering from
painful wounds. The site OF the cottage makes
me think Of a grove OF trees that happened to DO
in the line OF an alday's fusilnde Of shot, shell.
and rife. The trees are white, and are twisted
and torn as YOU would imagine the bursting OF
hundreds Of shells would tear them.
The ground would afford abundant study
for week. On the outer circumference OF the
path Of the tornado the earth IL stuck full OF
sticks. from the size OF shinEle TO rafter all
standing upright, but firmly fixed in the
ground. 1tlooks looks like great bean patch
filled with more or less gigantic poles Wire
fences we're twisted out oil all shape. here and
there you see a tangle that nothing but a tor
nado could make bed ticking, grass shinge
or two, all ineXtricably snarled. rolled. and
twisted up with yards OF euce wire.
The air was filed with sand. You can ex:
anime the broken trees and find the surface OF
the wood rough. sand having been blown right
Into its surface. 1t is thus sand that let the
wind get grip on the bark OF the trees. No;
tce how the leaves OF tho willows were ground
away. samples sent you wrapue! IN ycster.
days paper. All around The ground are bits Of
every possible dome tic utensIl: feather III
lows scattered about, beLticks snarled up with
wire metal lamps twisted 10 IA shapeess mass,
The lake is. fun of wreckaGe of every do
scripton big corn field was lust torn to
down almost as clean as q scythe would do it,
Sod was rolled ur from the ground and blown
nd be- od oaed in eSey
crerice. Ono of the most curious sights;
great tree had been wrung and twisted about
mnde by tho tension We're blown two chickens.
One was held by it's foot. anot Der by its neck.
them right into T The c rev Of tho wood
suppose. lust rs tho tree was struggling with
III fury Of the storm. On one OF the spliuters
sticking from this tree hung an old kitchen
chair, one leg having been lost: Up in the
trees are 10 be seen bed quits. sheets &c A |
more wretched aud desolate sight you could
lot imagine.
The watches of two Of the inmates were
found q considerable distance away. and the |
household lareS nnd penateS were scattered !
everyM here. No one seems 10 know where the
bodies, are; They have dragged tho lake-but !
a small affair-with no success 80 far. Some
think they may have been carried mile or
two away and lost among the uprooted timber. !
Going to and rom the lake the road re- I
sembles the road to Epson on Derry day. ,
Eve ythinS that will run on wheels or be drawn l.
by u fonr-looted beast ia going to and fro be- I
tween the lake anu city. over 10000 people .
them bringing back samples in The shape OF
limbs OF trees. pieces Of window shutters
shingles tattered umbrellas, &c.
During the storm was at River Falls Wis,
trout fishing. We werea at supper in the hotel
when the rain came. Then the wind started
up and the hail began to drop A. COW was
Ing her on the back drove her nearly crazy
The water came down in sheets. | 2 to mid
night the sky had very peculiar look-l sup
3 s Sc SHOULD say the air as you coadnt see see
color Of brass-a yellow. sulphurOus look-tbe
lightning now and then lighting 1t up, the
stranGest spectacle YOU ever saw. These
brassr clouds are always warnings to staud
>. Out in Dakota every we'll regulated farm
has storm cellar apart from but attached to
.hs roof OF earth is well stayed. is all safe
enough; the cellar OF a house is generally no
protection whatever. In one case IN this late
storm family got into the cellar They Jared
naturally kicked. The m,her OF the family
wac hurt by the Kicking, while as far rs the
ler, alth ugh 1t scattered the house to tine four
Winds If his stprm had gone through st. Paul
here would have been circus"