Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1899-11-16
A TORNADO HOUSE.
The Novel Invention Of an East.
ern Genius
4 Uais-s Structure That was Fash.
isneA 70 Automatically Pre-.
tect Itself IN 8 g g
0tOPn. a-N

A New York gentleman invented, In
1890. q tornado-proof house, which was
to act automatically in self-defease,
and which might be utilized either g
residence or as . place Of refuge dur.
ing storm. The structure was built
with wedge-shaped points at either
end like the bow Of . ship, and was
mounted on wheels which moved ON
q circular track. A large, strong wing
or vane projected from one end Of the
house and WIS intended to act, under
the influence Of . high wind, ~ kind
of weathef-cock and wheel tho build
ing around on pivot 30 40 to present
its sharpened edge to the blast. An sp-
propriate apparatus underneath the
house provided for holding IL stifay In
position except under the action Of .
tornado, but the originator Of this
brilliant contrivance apparently a.
sumed that Q tornado blows steadily
from ono direction, and left out Of his
calculations its twisting qualities. The
inmates Of this place Of refuge. whom
swept by the revolving hurricane, might
be considerably astonished by lite ra-
pidity Of circumlocution. However, the
hopeful inventor adds to his descrip-
ton Of the structure q suggestion that
1t might be peculiarly adapted for use
a. q hospital, since II could DO turned
on its wheels by mechanical force -
as to present the sick ward to the sun.
shine throughout tho length Of the
day, OF to the ventilsting effect Of the
breeze from whatever quarter Il might
be blowing. A private residence which
could DO turned 20 % to follow Che sun
and cause it, purifying rays to shine
into every apartment successfully 10 3
magnificent luxury which oommsnAs
itself to every health-lovins Million
ARE, but % only the minority possesses
. million, tho patent will, no doubt, ex-
pire unused. Adm to this laudabls IN.
vention IL another which proposes 70
put springs under house 70 prevent
its being shaken down by . possible
earthquake. Ono Of tho most remark.
able freaks in architecture since the
kops. butt l Il she f .ht.;p.F = d s. Il.
phant. which was patented. Is 1851, ~
gentleman Of Philadelphia, In d.
pcrahing his conception. this gentle
man stAtsd that the form Of any ani.
NAL might 10 smplov.A go
~, ~ mis- princl-
go. vuJect was to elevate tho building
considerably shove the ground in or
dor to permit good circulation Of cir
below the apartments and to insure
well-lighted roomA Tho legs Of the
animal, being hollow, were to contain
Aishts Of stairs leading TO the rooms
above. while the elephants trunk might
DO effectively utilised O. chute Tor
conveying slops and ashes to the sewer,
the opening to which might, for pictur-
csqus purposes, be shaped 90 80 to pre-
sent the appearance Of trough out
Of which the animal might be sup
posed to be feeding. Ono Of the eis-
plant houses was actually erected on
Coney Island. and proved quite prof
table speculation till It was destroyed
by fire. The queer structure was still
standing in 1893. and. on account Of it,
size. could be seen at considerable dis
tance.-J. r. Nichols, in Ainslee's
Magazine.