The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-11-06
HAVOC AT ARCHIBALD
BY A FIERCE GALE
II Unrooied Buildings and Blew Down q
Church SteepIe.
CARRIED AWAY A FOOT BRIDGE
Trees aud Fences Laid LOw..An.
thony Murphy's Exciting Expert.
ence..Was Passing by the German
Lutheran Church When the Spire
Topped Over..TOp Blown Out OF
His Hat and Rim Left in His Hands.

Archibald was visited by destructive
cyclone at Z O'Clock last evening and
although II lasted only a few seconds,
it wrought great havoc in the town.
The gale was preceded by thunder and
lightning and heavy rain which last
ed about fifteen minutes. Suddenly a
fierce gale from the southwest. with all
the force and appearance of cyclone.
swept through the town in path about
one hundred yards wide.
The spire OF the German Lutheran
church was blown down and the church
itself was stripped of its slate roofing.
AS the spire fell, the brick and timber
Of which il was composed was blown in
every direction. The bell was also
broken and the interior of the building
suffered great damage.
The tin roof of Justus Bishops hard
ware store. about one hundred and fifty
yards above the church, was also car
ried away and part of 1t fell in front of
Foote'S drug store, one hundred feet
distant. The bridge over the Lacka-
wanna in front of Foote'S drug store
was also blown away and carried down
the river.
The wagon house of NJ. J. McHale was
blown in and fell on three of his wagons.
They were all damaged beyond repair.
FLAG sHANTY CARRIED AWAY.
A flag shanty at the Wayne street
bridge was blown off its foundation and
carried about fifty feet along the on
tario railroad, where the shanty was
overturned. 1t caught fire and was de-
stroycl. The flames were prevented
from spreading to carload OF oil by
the prompt conduct of the hose COM
pany.
1t is hard to tell at this writing the
full extent of the damage. All over the
centre Of the town trees and outhouses
have been blown down and buildings
have been damaged. Lally's hotel, on
the public square has suffered severely
and nearly every pane of glass in the
place has been broken.
In falling. the spire of the German
church struck J. j. Scanlon's hotel and
damaged ii somewhat. Near the Cath
olic church on the east side OF the river
many trees and fences We're blown
down. Continuing on its tour of de-
struction the cyclone ran into the
White oak culm heaD and sent clouds
of coal dust high in the air.
Anthony Murphy. of the Ridge road.
had very exciting experience while
the storm was at its worst.
He was passing in front Of the Luth-
eran church when the gale struck it
and he had Il narrow escape from
death The brick and slate, he says.
We're falling on every side OF him and
. he was in terrible peril.
MR.. MURPHY'S 9NPERIENCE.
Mr.. Murphy was on his way home
from the store with new hat when he
came In contact with the wind He
held the hat tightly In his hand while
the gale was iiercest and when it passed
over there was nothing left of the hat
hut the ribbon and brim. The rest of
1t was blown away.
An umbrella which he carried was
torn in pieces.
The gale was undoubtedly the most
furious and destructive that has vis-
tied this place within the memory of
anyone.
It's duration was certainly not more
than ten seconds and it was succeeded
as well as preceded by calm spell.
Persons who happened to be in q po-
sitiOn to observe say that the wind
was accompanied by hail of fire which
played in the space near the Wayne
street bridge. There was great excite
ment in the town after the storm had
subsded. Fortunately no one was in
jured.