Rensselaer Union, Volume 10, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 August 1878 — The Tornado at Wallingford, Conn. [ARTICLE]

The Tornado at Wallingford, Conn.

WallinOfobd, Conn., Aug. 9. A TERRIBLE tornado passed over Wallingford about six this Afternoon, and blew over houses, uprooted trees, and caused the greatest devastation. It is estimated that the killed will number at present at least twenty (since stated at thirty), while the wounded wilt reach twice that number. Telegraph wires and poles were blown down, making it impossible to communicate with New Haven on the south or Meriden or Hartford to the north. Without warning, the tornado, with hail and rain, swept across the northern part of the town, from west to east, and everything movable in its course was carried away. It seemed to last but a moment, but its results were frightful. Afterward a light rain fell, and this soon ceased, and at eight o’clock the moon shone brightly down upon a scene of desolation. By actual count, forty dwelling-houses were demolished, and at least fifty barns. The scene was a memorable one. The wooden houses were carried clear off their foundations from a few' feet to the eighth of a mile. In the line & the tornado nothing was left standing, and on each side of its track lessei damage was done, chimneys especial’y suffering. The Catholic Church, wooden, and the new brick high school were totally demolished. The top of the brick factory of the Wallingford Community was carried away. Fires were communicated to the ruins in many cases by lamps and stoves, and but for the rain the horror of the affair would have brefi greatly increased. A youtn named Matthew Mooney was standing on the railroad track by the tornado. He was picked up fifty feet away almost beheaded. Mrs. Huldy had her child in her arms. When pioked up both were dead and almost scalped. Fred Littlewood was picked up dead on the side of the road where he was killed by flying timbers. He was coming home from work. Four female relatives of John Munson, tip town, were buried in the cellar of the house when blown down, and it took a long while to get them out. Two were injured slightly; the other two were unhurt. Michael Kelly, while driving in a buggy in the eastern part of town, was blown over a precipice some twenty feet. He and his horse were slightly injured. One man had three small dwellinghouses swept out of existence. Barns were lifted clear of the hay contained therein, and the latter left standing. The roofs of innumerable houses were taken off. Little John Hoey, aged twelve, fearing trains would be delayed, rode on horseback six miles to Meriden to get medical aid.