Carlinville, Illinois Tornado
April 17, 1860
The Hurricane at Carlinville-Great
Destruction of Property.
[Correspondence of the St. Louis Republican.]
Carlinville, Ill., April 17, 1860--This
city and section of country was visited on
yesterday evening, about six o’clock, by one of
the most terrific storms that was ever
experienced in this country. There seemed to be
two distinct currents of air, both of which came
in contact when about over this village,
creating a most terrific and appalling scene. A
number of houses were blown down and roofs by
the quantity were torn from dwellings,
storehouses and barns, and carried to an
incredible distance.
The roof of the Protestant Lutheran Church was
blown some distance, and the walls somewhat
injured. A dwelling house in the west part of
town was demolished by a roof from a large store
house, the roof having been carried about fifty
yards, striking the top of the dwelling,
crushing it nearly level with the earth. The
family narrowly escaped with their lives--one
child was badly hurt in making its escape from
the building. A roof from a dwelling was seen
flying through the air, at an angle of 200 feet,
supposed to have been carried about a mile and a
half. One large two story frame house was
twisted around, making it almost a total wreck.
Stock was killed in every direction.
Consternation was seated upon every countenance
of the inhabitants. Trees, fences, brick
chimneys, etc., could have been seen flying in
every direction. A small child was carried at
two different times quite a distance in the air,
but was not seriously injured. It was blown from
off a porch where it was standing. Small
outhouses went tumbling about as if their weight
did not exceed that of a feather. A man by the
name of Love,
while plowing, was instantly killed by
lightning. We heard of another that was plowing,
and had both of his cattle killed, one by the
lightning, and the other by the falling of a
tree; the driver was uninjured.
It is almost impossible to give you a correct
idea of the terror of the tornado, and the
damage done. The extent of property destroyed
will amount to thousands. Our village presents
this morning a most “woe-begone” appearance, One
or two families have been turned out of doors,
and left destitute except of what they wore upon
their backs. The roads leading through the
timber were this morning impassable, the falling
timber obstructing them. The wind at intervals
formed whirlwinds, and wherever they struck
destruction was the result.
The hardest of the storm passed southwardly, and
as yet we have no tidings of the extent of the
damage, but it must have been greater than just
in this neighborhood..
The tornado lasted about thirty minutes. Very
little rain accompanied the wind. The lightning
was intense, and the thunder constantly rumbled
in the heavens. Our oldest inhabitants do no
recollect of a more terrific scene since their
settlement upon these broad prairies.
We hear of no one killed by the hurricane, but a
number injured, and hundreds narrowly escaping
with their lives.
Chicago Press and Tribune, 23 Apr 1860
Transcribed by Audrey. Thank you,
Audrey!
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