St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-07-20

proach, one can form a fairly intelligent
idea of when there is danger of a tor
nado. The approach OF the cirrus cloud
from the southwest is very significant.
for it is the first evidence of the gradual
but certain advance of the upper south
west current. which eventually plays SO
important a part in the develop
ment of the tornado cloud. Al
most Immediately there is an appear
ance of ominous clouds either in
the northwest or northeast, In almost
all cases these ~premonitOry clouds are
unlike any ordinary and usual forma-
ton. If they are light their appearance
resembles smoke issuing from a burn
ing building or straw stack, rolling up
ward in fantastic shapes to great
heights. Sometimes they resemble fine
mist or fog, and at times apparently
iridescent or glowing, as if from their
irregular surface a whitisb light were
cast. Then, when the opposing forces
are broken asunder, begins the upward
rush of huge volumes of air, and the in
dication of this event is shown in the
whirling, dashing clouds over the
broken surface of the heavy bank of
condensed vapOr forming the back
ground. Then follows a scene not cas-
lily depicted, but never to be effaced
from the memory of n who has wit
messed it. There is an awful terror in
the majesty here represented, and the
observer must be impressed with it.
The next stage in the development of
the tornado is the descentof the funnel
shaped cloud, when the tornado is
equipped for its campaign OF death and
tremble with the terrible violence of it's
power. The variations of light and
shadow reflected from the tornado cloud
are an interesting study. At times the
dark mass presents a deep greenish hue,
which fOrebodeS terrible disaster.
Again, the clouds appear a jet black
from center to circumference. Again
the cloud looks like the intensely black
smoke from a locomotive burning soft
coal. Sometimes it has a blush or
purpliSh tinge. and is often possessed of
a strange lividneSs.
Usually, for some hours previous to
the formation of the tornado cloud, a
sultry, oppressive condition of the at
mOsphere prevails. One is apt to eXpe-
rience a sickly sensation under the suns
rays. There is usually a peculiar ex-
haustion experienced from physical eX-
ertion. Remarkably sudden changes in
the temperature are sometimes noted,
chilly in the forenoon and sweltering
heat in the afternoon. These indica-
tons are within the comprehension of
any ordinary observer, so thatitiS really
a very easy matter to tell when a tor
nado threatens, if we would only give
attention to it. The movement and dis
position of the clouds in a thunder
storm or hail storm are regular, nor do
they Inspire the observer with any pc
culiar fear. But on the occasion of a
tornado the formation and movements
of the clouds strike most persons almost
dumb with fear. When you see the
clouds approaching from opposite di-
rections and suddenly thrown into the
greatest confusion, breaking up into
small portions, dashing pell NELL over
each other, and rolling over each other
in a we'll developed whirl, you may soon
expect to see the funnel-shaped tornado
cloud appear against the western sky,
moving boldly to the front from without
this confused mass of flying clouds. And
as the tornado cloud moves off these
scuds continue to play about its top and
sides. constituting a characteristic feat
ure of the scene.
Now for a few observations as to the
best means of protection when a tornado
approaches. If you understand the
points of the compass you will readily
know whether or not you are liable to
be i'll It's track, for the tornado has an
invariable course from the southwest to
the northeast. The only absolutely
sure protection is a 'dug-out," Or cy-
clone cellar, which is far enough under
ground and sufficiently walled to resist
the pressure of falling buildings Oh piles
of debris that may be thrown upon it.
If you have no "dug-out," the safest
place of retreat is the cellar under your
house; and place yourself, face forward,
against the west wall, and as zeal the
southwest corner as possible. In these
positions the building, il removed,
will be carried above and over
you, or if torn to pieces, the
debris will be carried away from
you. Under no circumstances ever take
a position in all east or northeast room,
or against an east or northeast wall of a
cellar, for remember that the tornado
cloud moves in a northeasterIy direc-
ton. If you should be caught out with
out the opportunity to get under cover
before the storm reaches you, it is bet
ter to lie fiat to the ground than to at
tempt to stand up and defy the strength
of the storm. 1t is not safe to get be-
hind a tree; but if there is a large rock
or a stump within reach lie down on the
north side of the object with your head
to it.
With these general observations, we
take it that the GLOBE readers will be
able to look out for themselves in case
this section should ever again be visited
by d tornado-an event which we hope
in the providence of God may never oc-
cur.
POLITICAL PICTURING.
The camera is coming to be an Incl