New-York tribune., 1901-07-03
TORNADO HITS OsSINING.
PRISON ADMINISTRATION BUILDING UN-
ROOFED AND PRISONERS
PANIC STRICKEN.

a tornado struck the shores OF the Hudson
river near Ossining, yesterday afternoon cut
uns path two miles more long and several
hundred feet wide. II struck the village Of Os-
slnlng. and all along its course trees were up
rooted, buildings unroofed and windows blown
in No houses were blown down so far
ported neither there any fatalities. so far
as can be learned.
The storm first seen UP the river near
Haverstraw, at 445. It was then simply black
cloud in the distance At Ossining the
shining. and it was oppressively hot. There was
hardly breath of air stirring. Within five min
utes it could be seen that the black cloud was
travelling directly toward Ossining. 1t was
sweeping the river at height of from
fifty to hundred and fifty feet rising and
falling. Sometimes it high into the air and
again swooped down to almost the waters sur
face. In the flight of eight miles down the river
the cloud rose and fell at least four times
AS 1t approached the village and the light
changed the color changed from black to yell
low. Those who saw the cloud say it had mo-
tion like wheel, the interior motion apparently
being opposite reverse, to the advance. THE
roll of thunder could be heard when the cloud
still couple of miles away.
The cloud hit the surface of the river within
a short distance Of the village and then rushed
through 1t, causing rain of mud. The wind
blew a gale for few minutes yellow sub
stance like mud which formed the cloud was
driven into houses through the windows. and
lodged in streaks about the village. The rain
with which the mud mixed was dense Con-
servative estimates are that for a brief space
the wind blowing seventy-fve TO eighty
miles hour, IL not more. The tornado itselr
lasted only a minute. but was followed by
heavy downpour of rain. with thunder and
lightning. Mingled with the mud were large
haistones.
The tornado embraced practically the whole
village. and the Sing Sing prison down by the
river in the very centre of the storms path.
There was great excitement and considerable
damage
Almost every window the water side of the
prison blown in, and the rain, laden with
the yellow mud driven through the prison
in every direction. The prisoners had just been
locked in their cells for the night and when
the blast hit the place they set up terrific
bowling and screaming. Their terror was inten-
sified when, a moment after the windows were
blown in. there a ripping and roaring sound.
This noise caused by the wind ripping off
the roof of the administration building. The
roof OF the bakeshop was also torn away.
Warden Johnson sent the keepers through the
prison to calm the men, who begged to be re-
leased from their cells The thunder which
peals for time, and the were kept in
terror. Some trembled and remained standing
clasping the bars OF the cell doors. Others
threw themselves upon their beds and moaned.
Others prayed. while some. seemingly driven
daft by the uproar. the cause of which was shut
from their sight. cursed and yelled
Calm eventually restored. Some of the
be ards from the Administration Buildings roof
found half a mile away. and pieces OF
tarpaper were scattered far the storm
hugged the earth.
Through the village trees and wires suffered
most The trees were torn up by the roots
Some Of these eighteen inches In diameter
Some were hurled against houses and crushed
in the sides. carried away porches and caves
Not half dozen wires remain the poles
They were either blown down carried away
by falling trees. The streets impossible
because Of the trees. The trolley ceased 70
run Those out on the road were unable to get
back TO the carhouse. owing to the blocking OF
the streets. The village in darkness be-
cause the wires down.
One OF the big dials the clock on the tower
OF the Presbyterian Church blown in.
Down on the waterfront score OF small
boats were sunk Peter Smiths boathouse was
torn TO pieces The veranda OF the Ossining
Yacht Club was torn from the building and
Miller & Holden's coal sheds torn to pieces
Persons caught out in the first blow received
a mud bath. James Shea badly shocked by
clutching a live wire, and William Marshall
driver Of a coal wagon had his spine broken by
tree which fell across the wagon seat These
were the only casualties reported