The Red Cloud chief., 1899-10-27
1T is TORNADO-PROOF
A MOST REMARKABLE FREAK
OF ARCHITECTURE.
Tornado-proof House That Acts like
u Weather yane - Another House
pnilt In h shape of mn Elephant
Other Curiositios. v

A New York gentleman invented In
1890 a tornado-proof house, which was
to act automatically In self-defsnsc,
and which might be utilized either rs
a residence or as a place OF refuge
during a storm. The structure was
built with wedgc-shaped points Mt
either end like the bow of a ship. and
was mounted ON wheels which moved
on n circular track. A large, strong
wing or vane projected from one end
OF the house and was intended to act,
under the influence Of a high wind, as
a kind of ~weathcrcock and wheel the
building around On n pivot, so as to
present It's sharpened edge to the blast.
An appropriate apparatus underneath
the house provided for holding II
stihly In position except under the ac-
tion OF a tornado: but the originator
OF this brilliant continuance apparently
assumed that a tornado blows steadily
from one direction, and left out of his
calculations Its twisting qualities. The
inmates of this place of refuge, when
swept by the revolving hurricane.
might be considerably astonished by Its
rapidlty of circumlocution. However,
the hopeful inventor adds to his de-
scription Of the structure a suggestion
that II might be peculiarly adapted for
use as a hospital, since 1t could be
turned on its wheels by mechanical
forces so as to present the sick ward
to the sunshine throughout the length
OF the day, or to the ventilating effect
OF the breeze from whatever quarter 1t
might be blowing. A private residence
which could be turned so as to follow
the sun and u It's purifying rays
to shine into every apartment success
lively is a magnificent luxury which
commends itself to every health-loving
millionaire, but as only re minority
possesses n million, the patent will, nc
doubt, expire unused. Akin to the
laudable invention Is another which
proposes to put springs under a house
to prevent its being shaken down by @
possible earthquake. Ono OF the most
remarkable freaks in architecture since
the prehistoric wooden horse Of Troy
Ia a hOuot bullt III ~ ohap' VI w
elephant. which was patented In 1887
by a gentleman OF Philadelphia. In de-
scribing his conception this gentleman
stated that the form Of any animal
might be employed, as his principal
object was to elevate the building con
siderably above the ground. in order
to permit a good circulation Of air
below the apartments and to insure
we~ll-lighted rooms. The legs OF the
animal, being hollow, were to contain
flights of stairs leading to the rooms
above, while the elephants trunk
might be effectively utilized as a chute
for conveying slops and ashes to the
sewer, the opening to which might. for
picturesque purposes, be shaped 80 as
to present the appearance OF a trough
out of which the animal might be sup
posed to be feeding. One of these ele-
plant houses was actually erected on
Coney island. and proved quite a profit
able speculation till 1t was destroyed
by fire. The queer structure was still
standing In 1893, and, On accoun Of
its size, could be seen Mt a considerable
distance.-Ainslee's Magazine.