Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-08-06

Springfield, Mass, Aug. "a freak
ish tornado sweeping through the
Merck section of West Springfield
at 2.3O this afternoon damaged so
houses and one large industrial
plant, injured nine persons, two of
whom may die, and left a total
property loss of more than 100000.
Starting as strong gust of wind
north of the Merrick section, the
tornado swiftly took shape as a
whirling mass of debris and sand,
cutting path $50 feet wide and a
mile and half long through the
West Springfield homes before it
spent itself in the Connecticut
l1ver.
With the roar Of a tremendous eX
plosion the tornado met a strong
wind coming from the opposite di
rection in the center of the Merrick
section. Immediately the tornado
continued on its path, totally wreck
ing three homes of the so encoun-
tered. lifting the smokestack off the
Wych Electric Company out of the
new plant setting it down in one Of
the wrecked houses.
Mrs. Louis Terra and the infant
son Of Mr.. and Mrs. Ernest Esta-
brook were in the Terra home when
the tornado struck and completely
wrecked it, burying the woman and
child. The woman was found TO
have a broken back and probably
will die. The child was found in
the debris later. when II rescuer was
called by the barking of a dog The
child's skull was fractured. and there
is little hope for his recovery. Ma
poleon Bouley. employed as a hos
tier in livery stable that was
wrecked, suffered minor injuries
Three horses were killed when the
sudden wind took them off their
feet, carried them along several
yards and dropped them. a mass OF
twisted and broken bones. A score
of hens in a poultry yard near the
livery stable had their heads severed
by the tornado.
When the two powerful winds met
with the resulting explosion, spec
tators for miles around saw a coll
umn OF dust. sand and debris shoot
far up into the sky. The column of
i-hiiiiie>. DllIOWIHS SdnU
and dust seemed TO connect the
earth with tie heavy clouds far
above and stayed in that whrling
position for more than ten minutes.
Though the intense heat has in the
past caused minor tornadoes in tobac-
co fields in western sachusetts.
none in recent years has caused any
appreciable damage.
~ l1o,
nado started a mile north of tho Mer-
rick section. A vacuum. probably Gre
atcd by the rapid rise of excessively
heated air. gave room for q rush of
air from all sides. Pushed along by a
breeze. tho whirlinc tornado sped youth
through Morrick with such force that
score or moro Of automobiles were
stopped in their tracks. and several
narrowly escaped being overturned.
Scores of Merrick residents saw the
approaching lorna do and started a des-
perate rush for safety. All but seven
escaped the ziG-ZaG course of the de-
Structive wind. which hoped from one
street to another. ripping off ono roof
and leaving untouched another right
next TO il. Of three houses side by
side. the middle one was half destroy
ed and the two others were scarcely
touched. A woman in one Of these
fortunate two reported that the tornado
had simply lifted from the dining ia
Bile the tablecloth. dinner and all.
The TORNADO virtually cncircled the
railroads Y. NJ. c. A. but didn't dam
age it. II crossed and recrossed
streets. ripping off veranda roofs
crushing in the concrete walls Of gar
ages ard tearing the sides off small
shops. Other buildings. apparently di-
rectly in its path, were scarcely
touched.
Scores Of big elm trees were up
rooted and flung across streets. block
ing traffic cfcctuallv. Great branches
were hurled Yards away. miraculously
avoiding people who were running in
all directions for shelter srd safety.