The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-05-29
HOW THE STORM CAME ON
Formation of the Cyclone at ST. Louis [
scribed Most ThriIIIn~Ix

HOW THE STORM CAME ON
Formation OF the Cyclone at ST. Louis De.
seribed Most ThriilIngIy.
st. Louis, May &.-Beginning at noon
yesterday the barometer began 10 fall
with steady persistency that was alarrn-
ing to those who observed it, The sun,
now and then yelled behind eviI-looking
clouds, scorched and burned. Fitful
winds came from every direction. but
there was no GOODNESS in them. I'D in
the tower of the federal building. where
Weather Observer FrankenfieId and his
assistants make their headquarters all
the instruments We're carefully watched.
but nothing like the disturbance that
came was anticipated.
Shortly after O'Clock peculiar looking
clouds began to float lazly across the
sky. The wind AaS from the northwest
but it did not seem to govern the fieecy
precursors OF the storm. They fitted to
every point of the compass, and the sky
in the north and west began to assume
a sickly green color, the color that makes
the dw7eller on the prairies run TO his
storm cellar and furnishes the back
cloud. But to the south of the city the
clouds were few and warmly tinted with
the rudy glow Of the sun.
1t was not until 40 that the condition
of the sky gave any indication OF a SER
ious outcome. The banks of green clouds
to the north and the west took on a
brighter hue, and hung closer TO the
earth. From out Of the east drifted big,
black, heavy shapes of vapor, laden with
lightning, that flashed in sheets and forks
A cool breeze sprung UP, breeze that
seemed TO have in il an odor of burnt
leather. Down in the streets the wind
seemed to come from the north. From
the tops OF buildings, where the smoke
stacks of the city could be seen, ii seem
ed to come from the east. Further up in
the air, from the direction taken by the
clouds, it seemed to come in some places
from the southeast and in others from
the northeast.
A few minutes before O'Clock the forces
OF the air began to marshal for the attack
on the city. Long lines of clouds in array
like trained soldiers suddenly ceased Shift
ing from place to place and took up
steady, swift procession for the west. Out
or the southeast they came close TO the
earth, heavy and ominous looking. breath
ing lightning. Lighter, more fiurried, but
none the less dangerous In appearance,
they slid In bong lines from the northeast,
swiftly circling on the edges on their
way to meet the forces from the other
side. Fortunately these clouds were at
a greater altitude than the others. Had
the two masses met at an equal height
the consequences, judging from what they
were under more favorable circums tances,
would have been most horrible.
All the time the clouds were gathering
In the west the wind was rising and from
q
view of the most brilliant electrical dis
play ever seen In St. Louis. Against a
background or various unts Of green,
forks and sheets and luminous balls OF
fire, colored purple and red and blue shot
out, accompanied by roars of thunder.
Al the while to the south the sky re-
manned bright and nearly clear, bathing
the tall towers OF the city in golden
glow.
At sos the advancing masses of clouds
came together over the western part of
the city. At the first contact the air
grew darker and across the green sky
there seemed TO be torn a rent OF white
light twisting and turning from north TO
south that was visible nearly ten seconds.
It was binding. but in the momentary
glimpse that could be had of the attack
ing elemants by its assistance II was seen
that a long cloud shaped more Ike
big sausage than anything else was rap
idly forming and that one end OF 1t was
descending toward the earth. All was
confusion in the skies. Stray masses "
cloud, floating away OF from the centeE
of disturbance seemed to take life sud-
ieu'y and fairly sail across the horizon
to join the destructive mass in process
of formation.
At $40. while darkness was swiftly set
Ting down over the roofs of the city. a
slight rain was seen coming from the
south. The wind seemed to shift 10 the
east and the great army OF the elements
suddenly took up the march away toward
the west. The rain from the south came
slowly, but the register IN the ONCE
showed the wind had increased in velocity
70 81 miles an hour Away below in the
streets people could be seen scurrying TO
places OF safety and the street cars were
compelled 20 walt long on the corners for
the crowds desiring TO get aboard Slgss
began to cresk and swing wildly az
stran &c blue balls began 10 fash along the
and trolley wires.
Mr.. Frankenfield and a reporter stood
49, - IL a a
az the rapidly retreatiHE army 20 the
west. The rear guard shifted and twist
ed here and there as IL waving a s.gnAl
OF retreat. the sky was green again aad
out OF the gloom came darts % orange
IRIS bad thunderstorm" szia ~.
FrankenAeld. as he started toward his
desk
my God" yelled one OF his assistants.
who was out OF the roof Look out there
In the weSTv'
The army OF TIE elements was coming /
back. The retreat was = strzf ght move
over the horizon just south o. west came !
q horrible front OF suEgiuE. hsshinx zzxTy /
clouds out1eers q Mshtnirg IeI TIE !
way and galCping balls % FIRE ran u 1
ard out Of The r1aia ranks. The eionEzt- /
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