. cqS PS 1292 ^ . C48 \ Copy 1 M>5 P SECOND SERIES. liilllllllllllllilllilllliliillllllliilik-* THE VOICE OF THE -.CYCLONE.- -01^^^=^ SEA AND LAND. ROBF.RT CHAWNIvR. ITbushkr. 323 4K St. N. W., \V A S H I N C. T ON, D . C . 'TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTF; Third Series, "The Crow's Parliament." H H H H H H H H H •^iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiik: (o) (5) (o) HE VOICE @ «) OF THE ^KfcsN^jS'^^ Cl X,^ -^^>-'^--\->^s\,^' H ROBKRT CHAWNKR, Publisher, 323 4 r-^ vSt. N. \V., Washington, D. C. ."^TTTTTlTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT^t Bntered according to act of Congress in the year 1893 by Robert Chawner. All rights reserved. PREFACE. It is the opinion of the writer, tliat cyelones and their destrnctive effects, occnring witli such regularity every year, should receive more attention from all thought- ful people than is usually accorded to them in the daily press. The tornadoes of the present month alone [March 1893] have destroyed more than two millions of property, besides a great number of persons who were either killed or maimed for life. The States which suf- fered most were Louisiana, AIississi])pi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas, Alabama, j\[issouri, Indiana and other places. If one may judge ])y the conduct of most of our peo- ple, it would seem that tornadoes, floods, earthquakes, volcanos, and other manifestation of omnipotence, aie such very trifles in themselves, in comparison with the great catch-penny interests of the day, that they only excite a momentary curiosity, and leave no permanent impression, save when their own pecuniary interests are concerned. By reference to the appendix, the reader may easily perceive that all the incidents recorded in the follow- ing rhymes did not all take place at the same time or locality, but occured at various points in the States in the past year. And although the hundredth part has not been written, yet enough has been set forth to enforce the great truths the author means to convey. EASTER MONDAY, 1893. To the Rev. Joseph Reynolds, Jr., Rector of St. Mary's Church, Mott Haven, New York City. The author's works are respectfully dedicated. "Come behold the works of the L,ord what desolations he hath made in the earth." Psalm 46:8. "Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish with an east wind. Psalm 48: J. THE VOICE OF THE CYCLONE Sea and Land, When the wild geese-- north are going, farmers then are busy sowing Golden grain from Ceres storehouse, as their fathers did before. Then the mallard and the widgeon, snipe, and teal and the wood pigeon Fly in thousands o'er the prarie to the far Canadian shore, There secure from gun and bludgeon, rear their young forevermore. How high the cranes and wild geese soar. *Last winter W. D. Little, one of the adobe farmers on the west of the town, shot into a band of geese. A white gander was struck and one wing broken. Mr. Little took the goose home and gave him to his boys, who doctored his wing, and he soon became so tame as to follow the boys wherever they went, eat from their hands and even poke his head into their pockets for corn and wheat. A few days ago a band of wild geese, flying over the premises and making their usual clatter, attracted the attention of the domesticated gander, which gave an outlanisli display of quacking and shrill yells in goose language that had a most start- ling effect with the band flying past. A fine white goose was seen to leave the band and shoot down until it landed in the yard at the side of the pet, and the meeting was demonstrative to an exciting degree. Their gabbling, quacking and amusing antics afforded as much fun for the boys, who witnessed the meeting, as they could have found at a circus. The new arrival, which is probably a mate of the now tame goose, refuses to leave, but will fly over the fence when the two are approached by the boys, and then fly back to the mate when the boys step aside. — Biggs i^Buiie County) Argus. 6 THR VOICE OF THE CYCLONE. Wounded cranes will fight like lancers; with their beaks they're splendid fencers ; Sportsmen wise will not molest them, lest they fall into a snare. When they make their sudden dashes, on your cheeks they'll plant some gashes ; Chase you over fields and ditches as a dog pursues a hare ; Send you home without a breeches, while the neighbors at you stare ; Wherefore sirs I say beware. Some are bound (we tell no stories) for the Artie circle glories; There the heavens with their beauty, lure the artist more and more. Orange into yellow shading, violet into lilac fading, Twilight splendours sunsets, glory on the far Alaskian shore ; Purple, yellow, crimson fusing round the polar door, Russia's flag waves there no more. From the south the wind is blowing; feathered hosts are northward going ; Bluebirds, finches, larks and thrushes, doves and wrens and chicadees ; Friend art thou of birds a lover, mark the reed birds, rail and plover; See those kites how high they hover o'er the titmouse and pewee. How the buntings fly to cover, while the warblers from them flee. Safe in the shelter of a tree. THE VOICE OF THE CYCLONE. 7 See the clouds with sunshine beaming, on the hill tops glory streaming ; Every insect now is humming, every dew drop flushing light; Now the rainbow spans the valley. Out O friends and with me sally, While the radance seems to dally o'er the meadows green and bright ; Hear the joyful thrill of gladness from each bush and tree and height ; What a banquet of delight. Now the stillness is unbroken, and the prophets give no token That a frightful change is coming, darkening all the earth and skies. Thunder, lightning is the token. Majesty itself has spoken ; When the hurricane and tempest, and the fierce tornado flies; Sudden ! yes, and unexpected takes good people by sur- prise ; When the wind at night doth rise. Woods and forests once in beauty, now no longer do their duty, Holding back the rain and moisture, dying verdure to restore; Shall we say in this connection forests were our grand protection. Since the forests they are stripping, floods come down with thundering roar; Even saplings they're clipping, babies from their mother's tore, Wounding nature to the core. 8 THK VOICK or THK CYCIvONK. Planted without hands or labor, growing each beside his neighbor, On the mountain slope or valley, where the water courses flow ; Planted without hands or labor, like the cedars on Mount Tabor ; Shelter, shade and food refreshing, from the sun and wind and snow ; Signs and monuments of ages, teaching all the wise to know, Man's a pilgrim here below. Some for centuries were growing, twenty hundreds plainly showing, "^^ Grand, majestic, graceful, towering, who their age doth celebrate ; Ere the Saxon or Roman faced the Britons and their bowmen, Saplings were these giant gum trees, who their height can calculate ; Higher than the great sequoias, found in California State. Feet four hundred seventy eight. *The Bo-Tree of Ceylon is, in all probability, llic oldest liisiori- ral tree in the world. It was planted 2S8 years before Christ. Com- pared with it, the Oak of Kllerslie is but a sapling, and the Con- queror's Oak in Windsor Forest barely numbers half its years. The Yew-trees of Fountaine Abbey are believed to have flourished there twelve hundred years ago; the Olives in the Garden of Gethsemane were full-grown when the Saracens were expelled from Jerusalem; and the Cypress of Soma, in Lombardy, is said to have been a tree in the time of Julius C;tsar; yet the Bo-Tree is older than the oldest of these, by a century, and would almost seem to verify the prophecy pronounced when it was planted, that it would ''flourish and be green forever." THE VOICE OF THE CYCLONE. 9 Soon shall we dry up the rivers, stop the mills with looms and weavers. Shall we let the christian savage hew down all the forest trees, Change the climate, cheat the reaper, just for pnlp to make brown paper ? Where is now the joyful reaper with his bosom full of sheaves? On the banks of Don and Dneiper — how each patriot heat it grieves, When no harvest there he sees. Ah ! distinctly I remember oft in June or mild Septem- ber, Herds of antelope and bison browsing on the praries wide. Slaughtered were they without number, (like the trees, only for lumber), Ky those streams that once grew timber, for the price of paltry hide ; There the sage cocks brood could slumber, and the ruffled grouse could hide, 'Neath the willows by their side. Our poor Indian though a savage, never yet did nature ravage. Awe and wonder venerating natures great mysterious power ; Reverence deep doth he inherit for the great eternal Spirit, When the thunder and the lightning flash destruction to our door ; When the spring the earth's renewing, views with love each bud and flower. Grateful for her plenteous store. 10 THE VOICE OE THE CYCLONE. Science (though her wares she's crying) never yet could find him buying ; "Trash'' saith he, "its next to lying, it can never make us blest." Science is the devils cooing, while he has some trouble brewing ; White squaw listened to his wooing, gave her know- ledge — not the best ; What is he to this day doing? robbing life of all its zeast. "White squaw never is at rest." Trusting- to the all-wise Father, much he never cared to gather Piles of gold and brick and lumber — food sufficient for the hour ; Gather much we fools discover, dying have we nothing over. Like the manna in the omer, what was over soon got sour ; Who for wealth will be a rover, find, shall he when life is over. Wealth a shadow, nothing more. Think O man how great the pleasure, joy was theirs that know no measure. When the angels (God inviting) saw the worlds in space flash by ; Ages worked he at his leisure, making earth his choicest treasure ; Think O man how great their pleasure, shouted they for joy ; Think O man how great the treasure he hath given thee to enjoy, Wherefore wilt thou it destroy. THE VOICE OF THE CYCLONE. 1 1 Now have we deranged the weather, pay men well to tell us whither Cyclones come, their course, suspecting their duration and their power ; Aiding farmers in selecting, (after study and reflecting) Cyclones that injure less or more those from mountain or from shore, Pardon beg we if reflecting on the famous signal corps At Washington or Baltimore. Men have we who mend the weather,* making rain as men make leather ; When the soil is dry and parching, sending rain in plenteous store. Ye great men who mend the weather, tell us truly, truly whether Sunshine too for wintry weather why not send to each man's door. Twins are they that none can sever, sunshine, rain, forever more ; Send us both we now implore. *Department of" Agriculture, Oefice of the Secretary, ll'ashitigfon, D. C, June jo, iSgr. Sir : Your appointment as special agent of this Department is hereby extended and continued for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1882. Y'our duties, as heretofore, will be making of "experimenst in the production of rainfall," in pursuance of the provision for the same in the appropriations of this Department for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1892. You are hereby authorized to take full charge of said experiments and incur any expenses therefor that in your judgment are necessary, not exceeding the sum of I7.000. You are authorized to engage any experts, to purchase and have transported any material, and make said experiments in any place you choose, and the traveling expenses of yourself and employes, vour own compensation, and all expenses, will be paid out of said fund. You are authorized to do things you may deem necessary in the premises for a complete trial of your experiment ; and all expenses herein authorized are to be properly presented, on vouchers, to this Department on or before the expiration of this commission. Respectfully, J. M. Rusk, Secretary. Mr. Robert G. Dyreneorth, Washington, D. C. 12 THE VOICE OF THE CYCLONE. With baloons both light and airy, mounting np like any fairy, Near the clouds where eagles wary, watch your move- ments every hour ; Pierce the clouds with clubs and wattles, cork the sun- beams up in bottles ; Hogsheads, demijohns and barrels, kegs and puncheons by the score ; Coming down ye need not hurry, Mess your bags be rent or tore, Gods )e'll be that all adore. Clouds across the sky were flitting, while I by the fire was sitting. Pondering over ancient pages and the worthies of the days of yore, When the mastiff crouched for petting, while the angry clouds were getting — Blacker— then he courted petting which, he never did before ; Strange lights played on the ceiling, next danced upon the floor. Ere the rain began to pour. Brutes, they say have double vision, or some sort of intuition ; When a spirits' on a mission, oft to shield, defend or slay, Others say its superstition ; never have they such com- mission. Yet an angel had permission, (so they said in Balaam's day) When a brute came in collison, with an angel in the way, When for greed he far did stray. The VOICE OF THE CYCLONE. I 3 Some the price of hogs were quoting, others busy were in noting, Who should fill the highest station, when the voting day be o'er; Women busy were in baking, others fancy dresses mak- ing; Some were hats and ribbons matching, newly pur- chased at the store ; Dresses silken some were patching 'mong the prattlers on the floor. Dresses that they'll want no more. While of politics discoursing, others were engaged in forcing Prices up of lands and houses, farms and homesteads by the score ; Wliile a cyclone young lay. nursing, when he's grown he'll end discoursing Politics in many places; what cares he for rich or poor, On his way he'll soon be coursing, many States he'll travel o'er. From Wellington to Baltimore. Some poor wretches he'll find napping; comes he with no gentle tapping, Like some friend that's gently rapping, rapping at a neighbour's door. But with violence astounding man, and all his works confounding ; On his way he'll soon bounding, bursting in the iron door Like a ship that's doomed and grounding where all cere- mony is o'er, When she sinks to rise no more. 14 THE VOICE OF THE CYCLONE. Presently the air grew colder, while the storm without grew bolder, Then I summon every shoulder, knee and muscle to the door. Ah ! it was a dreadful tussle, straining every nerve and muscle, While the frightened children nestle in a corner on the floor; While the babies cries were louder, louder than I ever heard before, Till the dreadful storm was o'er. All the air is in commotion, grand, sublime, as when the ocean Booms its billows and its breakers on the wild Atlan- tic shore. Petreel and albatross crossiug ships that by the waves are tossing ; Waves in tumult madly tossing barks so frail with all their power ; Fleets and sailors madly tossing, all the sail to ribbons tore : Till the hurricane is o'er. Whirlwinds of dust and cinders now the range of vision hinders. Clashing clouds next madly flyiug, now exchange elec- tric fire. Hear the doors and windows creaking, while the staunchest house is leaking ; Where no man could find a crevice with a needle or a wire. Water with such fury driven lanes and streets are now a mire. What is worse than water — fire. THE VOICE OF THE CYCLONE. I 5 Seethe wretches helther-skelther, flying anywhere for shelter From the dreadfnl flashing lightning, to some open friendly door. Flight gives them the deadly pallor, seeking any cave or cellar Till the lightning, dreadfnl lightning and the hnrricane be o'er ; 'Tis the prehide to the cyclone with its deadly work in store ; 'Tis the prelude, nothing more. Mights and powers are now contending, on the earth their fury spending, Like the passions and the furies raging in the breast within ; Darkness there its aid is lending to the fate for us im- pending, Like the darkness of Mount Sinai showing Israel their sin. Mercy too from heaven was bending hearts to soften and to win, In that wilderness of Zin. Now a new horror is impending, from the mountain top descending. Comes an avalanche with fury, down the mountains steepest side ; For a mountain now is flowing, every thing before it going ; Every thing before it sweeping, earth and rocks and forests wide, Piles of hemlock, spruce and maple, floating in the surging tide. Carried down by the landslide. l6 THE VOICR OF THE CYCLONE. Now the ocean's bed is quaking and the solid earth is shaking, While volcanoes are in action, half a dozen if not more, And the waters through are leaking, while the crust is quickly breaking. Who the fires within are raking, while its furuaces doth roar; For its slimy bed is shaking while the waters through doth pour. Frightful is volcanic power. Ah ! it was a sight appalliug, chimneys, gables 'round us falling ; Hear the windows, how they rattle, casements forced in by the score ; See the frightened, flying cattle, fl\ing from great natures battle. Through the woods the storm now dashes with terriffic crush and roar, Houses by the score it crashes, bursting iu at every door. Prelude to the cyclone, nothing more. Rivers from the clouds are falling, men to cattle loud are bawling. Sheets of fire and sheets of water; fields are lakes, and lakes are seas ; Meteors everywhere are glaring, stoutest hearts there' badly scaring ; Men who swore there was no deluge, now are wading to their knees. Shall there be a future hell-age? Aye, doubt it reader as you please. Men grow hardened by degress. The voice oe the cyci^one. 17 Scenes are here that far surpass bog or fen or wild morass, Quagmire, sleugh or dismal swamp without rushes or the reeds ; Hogs and chicken coops are floating ; some poor wretches take to boating, While from the house-tops some are noting many great heroic deeds ; Wliile the water madly surging over everythitig it rides. Who can stop the flowing tide? Never yet hath Gaul or Norsemen, with their swords and spears and horsemen. Beat with such terriffic fury, as the hail beat on our door. Even churches they were crumbled, while toombstones they were jumbled All together, like the British and the Sepoys at Cawn- pore, Where the savages were humbled as they never were before. Where Britian rules forevermore. Some there be that heed no teachers till there come those mighty preachers, Earthquakes, floods, cyclones, volcanos, nature then asserts her power, WHiile the devil is deceiving all the foolish unbe- lieving. "Earthquakes, famines, pestilences, we have often seen before," How can such things be a prelude to the dreadful judgment hour, "When we saw them oft before?" 1 8 THE VOICE OF THE CVCLONK. Shall the sun and the clouds with moisture shed o'er earth both life and verdure, Or with energy destructive, desolate our earth once more ? Foolish man knows not his master, who can check or send disaster ; Tho' our folly brought it faster, faster to our nations door; Trees no more retain their moisture, for the forests are no more ; What folly could have done more ; Why should sun and stars for ages work for us with- out their wages, Fruitful seasons to us sending corn and wine a plenteous store ? Why should moon and tides attending thankless creatures us befriending, From diseases us defending, sweeping filth from each man's door, When our ways we are not mending, when there's strife now every hour? Deadly strife 'tween rich and poor. Now who caretli for his neighbor, what's this capital and labor. Brawling, murmuring, striking, fighting, discontented every hour? Soon will need the knife and sabre, kill each man his next door neighbor. What's the cause of this behavior, heartless rich and thankless poor? Who will be his country's saviour, pierce the evil to the core ? Thanks he'll have forevermore. THK VOICE OF THE CYCLONE. I9 Man so wretched and so feeble, does he need from powers of evil, Power and grace protecting till his pilgrimage is o'er ; Travelling, working, waking, sleeping, not one step without God's keeping. Would the ancient sages wander in the foolish days of yore ? Men of science read and ponder — what great truths have you in store That shall live when time is o'er? Men of science (who revile us) what think ye of Paul and Silas, Praises singing in the prison, when an earthquake shakes the floor? Was the earthquake slave or master, did it speed them on the faster? What said Paul to the shipmaster when all hope of life was o'er ? Storms and waves bring no disaster when the Lord I serve is near ; Wherefore sir, be of good cheer. Read we in the old evangel, men devout prayed for an angel Night and day with tears entreating, heaven to guard their house and store. Now who sues to heaven for blessing, all is business, ease and dressing, Ploly thoughts with men are fleeting as the clouds of morning o'er ; Angels, blessed angels, greeting, guard the sons of toil no more, L/ike the saintly days of yore. 20 THE VOICE OF THE CYCLONE. When the cyclone strnck Towanda, like the storm that struck the Armada, Ships full many with their cannon to bombard old England's shore ; Sails were into ribbons tattered, ships were into splinters shattered ; Frigates, galleys full of sailors ; Phillip sent full many a score. By the tempest they were battered, scattered on the Spanish shore. Who ever did the loss deplore ? Born of sunshine, cloud and vapor, sun the sower and the reaper; On the mountain or the ocean, where the eagle oft doth soar. There the thunder and lightning, oft the Indian sad is frightening ; On the earth its power its spending to destroy or to re- store ; Bread for man and beast God sendeth day by day to each man's door ; Thankless creatuies evermore. Shapen like a fiery column, grand the sight, sublime and solemn. Like the fiery cloudy pillar that appeared on Egypt's shore ; Comes it with revolving motion, over land and lake and ocean. How the very earth is quaking, shaking mountains to the core ; Such a quaking and a shaking in the centuries before, On the trao^ic Red Sea shore. THE VOICE OE THE CYCLONE. 21 Some from India's West come hailing, catching small craft slowly sailing From St. Thomas, or Barbadoes, while their way they calmly beat. Happy he who warns the sailor, be it brig, or bark, or whaler, " Heralds " the approach of danger by his cable or his sheet, He to fame shall be no stranger where the learned oft doth meet ; Him the mariner shall greet. Rising oft, and oft-times stooping like an eagle, conies it swooping Down on mansions, honses, stables, while the hail and rain doth pour. Swiftly as an eagle, snatching roofs of houses up, its catching, Lifting up and then down, dashing houses, both of rich and poor ; O ! the dreadful, dreadful smashing, great is its electric power ; O ! the terrors of that hour. Here it comes with power majestic, black without, with- in electric. Bounding, leaping, seething, hissing with its dreadful crash and roar. See it dancing on the river, how the oaks and beeches quiver ; God, O God ! our souls deliver, speed them to some friendly open door. Now it is across the river, no time mercy to implore, When aestructiou's at our door. 22 THE VOICK OF THE CYCLONE. Short ten minutes, all is over, sally forth till we dis- cover What appalling sights and visions cyclones leave for ns in store. Fences, barns, and endless lumber, every path and road encumber ; Tho' the deluge and the tempest and the thunderbolts are o'er. Many killed how great their number, hasten now till we explore ; How shall we the sights endure. Little Willie's picking cherries, where's the child, the tree, the berries ? While the mights and powers thus wrestle, and the de- luge down doth pour, Fiercely was the tree uprooted, though an instant it disputed With the fury of the tempest, Willie poor Willie, is no more. Mother's to her Willie" flying, crying that he is no more ; Only one of many score. Foolish Joe a nest was stealing, while the thunder loud was pealing; Where is Joe, and where's the sparrows, now the hurri- cane is o'er? How the fathers heart it harrows, finds he Joe and his young sparrows ; To his home his Joe he carries, stained all over in his gore; Who can tell the days he marries what the griefs for him in store. Till his pilgrimage is o'er. THE VOICE OE THE CYCLONE. 23 One poor father, the bread winner, sitting down to un- touched dinner. Killed beside his wife and daughter, who were hurled to the floor. Who will be the next poor sinner sitting down to un- touched dinner? Many cyclones every summer shall be, till eighteen ninety-four; Many houses crushed each summer by the awful cy- clones power, When the angry clouds doth lower. Haste ye neighbours verifying, by your witness certify- ing Where the churches and the houses stood, now the hurricane is o'er ; Hasten to the children crying ; hasten to the widows sighing. Here the cyclones desolation leaves the impress of its power ; Need have they of consolation in this sad and dread- ful hour. Homeless are they now, and poor. Clear of wires electric stepping, over cattle dead, now leaping Over oaks and elms and beaches, and the shady syca- more ; Waters over bridges leaping; where's the towers that watch were keeping? Giant trees lie cleft asunder by the lightnings vivid power ; Fields of grain, how great their number, ruined in one fifth an hour. Orchards too have felt its power. 24 THE VOICE OE THE CYCLONE. See those gaunt unsightly gables, what remains of man- sions stables. What lies here ? — the printing presses, with their type strewn in the mire ; Whence came all our modern babies, but from printing lies and fables? Here too lie the broken tables ; where men wrote strange things for hire. What becomes of lies and fables, reader, friend, doest thou enquire ? Fuel for devouring fire. Here they kept the toys called engines, ah, the cyclone had his vengence ; Swifter than theMocomotive, stronger thousand times or more. Here in splinters lie the coaches, ground to fragments, like the roaches Under giant footsteps trodden, hideous mass upon the floor. Here the firemen all lie sodden, breathing steam, they'll breathe no more. What is man's inventive power? Now these banks are full and brimming, Ah ! there was some dreadful swimminof • When the mines, the waters filling, then for life they seek the shore. Like the snow from mountain alpine, so the waters filled the coal mine ; Here the miners_^had such swimming as they never had before. When the cloudburst, rivers filling, every creek twelve feet or more. Fifty drowned at least or more. THE VOICE OF THE CYCLONE. 2$ Men who live by money loaning, their sad fate are now- bemoaning; Bonds and mortgages are floating like a boat npon the seas. Lawyers too are londly groaning, not for sins that need atoning, Bnt for parchments, deeds and titles, what they call securities. How secure are all your titles? tell us truly if you please, When the future no man sees. Here we go — there's no evading, waters deep we now are wading ; Waters rushing, surging, foaming, where the cloud- burst spent its store. Yonder see the fires are raging, all the firemen's time engaging, While they extricate the wounded, bruised and injured many score ; Homeless people by the hundred, homes have they on earth no more ; May they gain the heavenly shore. Ah ! there was some dreadful wailing from some boats for pleasure sailing, Filled with merry-making people, on the lake too far from shore. Struck by tempest and by lightning, bride and bride- groom sadly frightening; Suddenly the boat upsetting, scalding some and drown- ing more ; Choice of death by fire or water wdien too far from shore, Bride and bridegroom meet no more. 26 THK VOICE OF THE CYCLONE. Yonder hall had many dancers, tripping lightly to the lancers ; Yonth and beanty there were dancing, dancing on the varnished floor. Merrily they danced together, quite regardless of the weather ; Partners meeting and advancing, future happiness in store. What cared they for wind and weather, such things they had seen before. Thoughtless people, nothing more. Some for charity go dancing, while the fiddlers bow goes glancing Up and down so gaily prancing, to the music's varied score. Others take delight in drilling, though no thought have they of spilling Blood, with broomstick, or with musket on the churches basement floor; Brooms were never made for killing save in the mali- cious hour When we're in a woman's power. Others too have gone romancing when it suits their fancy, glancing At the self-denying duties that attest religious power; Though to heaven their eyes go glancing, on the road they're not advancing ; Though they give of their abundance a pittance to the poor, By no sentimental glancing shall we gain the heavenly door. Saith the word that's ever sure. THE VOICE OF THE CYCLONE. 2/ Not to fill the cliiirclies treasure, gay and young they danced for pleasure ; Raffling none where dames of leisure, raffle for the churches poor ; Danced they to the tuneful measure, like as Madame Pompadour ; Danced for Louis regius, pleasure prancing on the palace floor ; Danced that he might die at leisure and on earth be seen no more, Careless of his life-long score. Where's the hall and where's the dancers, that so lately tripped the lancers? Suddenly without monition, lightning strikes them to the floor ; Without warning or monition, without prayer or its contrition, Frightful was the walls collision, windows broken by the score. Here we lay them in submission to the power we all adore, Watching for our dying hour. Here they lie, the bruised and strangled, O ! 'tis shock- ing how they're mangled ; Caught 'tween girders and the rafters, and the joists be- neath the floor, How their bloody clothes are tangled, here in ghastly rows they're mangled, Caught and held while flying to the ready open door. From such sudden death and dying. Lord deliver us forevermore. Meekly now we here implore. 28 THE VOICE OE THE CYCLONE. Now physicians, surgeons, nurses, and good souls with open purses, Prompted by each generous feeling, all the sick and dying cheer. Crowds rush in, the rubbish clearing, smoky ruins little fearing. Food and clothing, tents and blankets now are sent from far and near ; Every man is a physician, every man's a volunteer. On some cheeks there's many a tear. Where in bible or in shaster, shall we find such dire disaster ? Coming fast, and coming faster on this nation every hour. Laws from heaven we're ignoring, therefore wrath is on us pouring ; Gods of gold are we adoring, can they save us by their power ? Oaths and cursing, lies and swearing, many crimes lie at our door ; Open still is mercy's door. Ere these bodies here we bury, summon now the judge and jury. Gentlemen there is no hurry, what's your verdict in the case ; Business men, ye wise or witty, say you will, great is the pity ; You who are so full of pity, from our doubts and fears release. Who sends evil on a city? who sent evil to to this place ? Now with death we're face to face. The voice oe the cyclone. 29 Give an answer with precision, fools may have ns in derision. "Winds came madly in collision, spent their fnry in this place"; "Who gave the winds this high permission, have they no order or commission?" "That's the whole of onr admission, that's our verdict in the case ;" All the rest is superstition, priestcraft here we have to face. There's no providence or grace. Stormy winds (though sometimes killing) Gods behests are yet fulfilling; Fire and snow and hail and vapor, working each as they are sent; Were they sinners more than others? nay my friends, my sisters, brothers. Save ns Lord from second killing, now we would be- lieve, repent, In the diy of power be willing in thy service to be spent; , For our lives are to us lent. One short month that some call lunar with some longer, others sooner ; All's forgotten of the cyclone and its dread mysterious power. Up the buildiugs soon are hurried, who for losses need be worried? Back to dancing, feasting, revelling and the drama's witching power. Let the past be ever buried, trouble now is past and o'er. Thoughtless people evermore. 30 THE VOICE OF THE CYCLONE. Forecasts both of hell and heaven are to us by iiatuire given ; iSIajesty benign and loving, gentle as an infant's breath. Foretastes both of hell and heaven, nnto man by God are given ; Majesty sublime and awful, foretaste of eternal death, Power almighty just and fateful, signal of the final wrath. This is what the cyclone saitli. THE VOICE OF THE CYCLONE. 3 1 The Foi^lowing is A List op the Most Destructive Tornadoes Since 1S72. From the Report of the Chiee vSignae Officer at Washington, D. C. (i) November 22, 1S74, Tuscumbia, Colbert County Ala. Struck the town at 6 p. m. Nearly half the town of 1,400 inhabitants destroyed. 10 persons killed and 3c wounded. 100 buildings damaged or destroyed. Loss $roo,ooo estimated. (2) May 6, 1S76, Chicago, Cook County, 111. Moved from SW. to NE. accompanied by rain, thunder and lightning. Bound- ing like a ball it apparently reached the ground but two or three times. Loss 1250,000. (3) June 4. 1877, Mount Carmel, Wabash County, 111. 200 to 400 feet wide. Great destruction of property. i6killed, loowouuded. Loss $4oc,oco. (4) July 7, 1877, Pensaukee, Oconto County, Wis. Moved from NVV. to SE. lasting about two minutes. 8 killed, many wounded. Loss 1300,000. (5) June I, 187S, Richmond, Ray County, Mo. Entered the town at 4:05 p. m. from the south sweeping everything clean. Heavy sills 18 inches square and 16 feet long were swept away. Path through the city 750 feet wide and i mile long in which space not a single house was left. 13 killed, 70 wounded, 100 buildings destroyed. Loss |;ioo,oco estimated. (6) August 9, 1878, Wallingford, New Haven County, Conn. At 5:45 a dark cloud approached from the west. "Electricity of the most ttrriffic kind filled the air.'' "vStraight rods of ■fire came down from the sides of the cloud to the earth." The debris of houses were scattered along in parallel lines as though a mighty river had passed. The greatest destruction occurred in a path 400 feet wide and y, a mile long. 34 killed, 70 wounded, 40 dwellings, 50 barns, i church and i schoolhouse were destroyed or badly damaged. Loss f2c:o,ooo. (7) April 14, 1879, Colliusville, Madison County, 111. Struck town at 2:45 p. ni. Nearly every grave-stone in cemetery was leveled. i killed, several wounded, 60 buildings destroyed. Loss 150,000. (8) April 16, 1879, Walterboro, Colleton County, S. C. Rain- fall after tornado, which struck at 3:45 p. m., was unprece- dented. Wind on north side had a downward crushing tendency, 32 The voice of the cyclone. ou the south side an upward liftiug action. 4 people saw balls of lightning running along the ground. 16 killed, 50 buildings de- stroyed. Loss $200,000. (9) March 4, 1880, Indianapolis, Marion County, Ind. Moved from vSW. to NE. with a zigzag course through the city. Loss $roo,ooo. (10) April 18, :88o, Fayetteville, Washington County, Ark. Struck town at 8:30 p. m. Not a building escaped in its path, 90 feet wide, through the town. 2 killed, 20 to 30 injured, 100 buildings destroyed. Loss |ioo,ooc. (11) April 18, ]8So, Marshfield, Webster County, Mo. Struck at 5 p. ni., near town, trees 3 feet in diameter, for a space several hundred yards wide, were lifted entirely out of the ground. E;very house in the town of 2,000 people was destroyed or badly damaged. 65 killed, 200 wounded. Loss $110,000. (r2) April 18, 1880, Licking, Texas County, Mo. Struck at 8:15 p. m. Entire town of 388 people destroyed, except 3 houses; i killed, 17 wounded, 65 houses destroyed. Loss 150,000. (13) April 18, 1880, Beloit, Rock County, Wis. Struck at 5 p. m. Moved from SW. to NE. Several killed, many injured, many houses destroyed. Loss 175.000. (14) April 24, 1880, Taylorville, Christian County, 111. vStruck at 7 p. m. 6 killed, 25 houses destroyed. Loss $60,000. (15) April 25, ]88o, Macon. Noxubee County, Miss. vStruck at 8:30 p. m. 22 killed, 72 injured, 55 buildings destroyed. Loss f 100,000. (16) May 10, 1880, Arrowsmith, McLean County, 111. Loss|iioo,- 000. (17) May 28, 1880, vSavoy, Fannin Counly. Tex. Time 10 p. m. Town almost destroyed. 15 killed, 60 wounded, 48 buildings razed. Loss 1^50,000. (18) June 14, 1880, Glendale, Hamilton Count}-, Ohio. Time 8 p. m. Loss 180,000. (19) April 12, 18S1, Hernando, De Soto County, Miss. In some spots hailstones as large as iieus' eggs fell. Electricity and thunder not seen nor heard. 10 killed, 25 buildings demol- ished. Loss $50,000 estimated. (20) June 12, iSSi, Jackson, Andrew County, Mo. A great deal of destruction occured at King City. DeKalb County. In county and vicinity 5 killed, 80 buildings razed. Loss $250,000. (21) July 15, 1881, New Elm, Brown County, Minn. 6 killed, 53 wounded, nearly 300 buildings destroyed or seriously damaged. Loss in town $174,677. (22) September 24, 1S81, Quincy, Adams County, 111. Time 5 p. m. Storm accompanied by terrific lightning and thunder. 9 killed, 21 buildings razed. Loss $100,000. THE VOICE OF THE CYCLONE. 33 (23) April iS, 1882, Brownsville, vSaline County, Mb. Time 4:20 p. m. 1 1 killed, 10 brick houses, 40 others and i school razed. Loss 1150,000. (24) May 8, 1882, McKinney, Cleveland County, Ark. 50 build- ings destroyed. Loss 130,000. (25) May 8, 1882, Mount Ida, Montgomery County, Ark. Time 5:30 p. m. 2 killed, 100 buildings demolished. Loss 150,000. (26) June 17, 1882, Grinnell, Poweshiek County, lOvva. Time 8:45 a. m. 60 killed, 150 injured, 140 houses reduced to ruins in 5 minutes. Loss f6oo,coo. (27) April 22, 1S83. lieauregard, Copiah County, Miss. Time 3 p. m. livery house and store destroyed in the town of 600 people. Solid iron screw of a cottonpress weighing 675 pounds was carried 900 feet. 29 killed, 40 wounded. Loss f 450.000. (28) April 22, 1883, Wesson, Copiah County, Miss. 13 killed, 60 injured, 27 houses destroyed. Loss |2o,ooo. (29) May 13, 1883, Kansas City, Jackson County, Mo. Time 8:30 p, m. 200 houses destroyed. Loss in town and vicinity, $300,000. (30) May 13. 1883, Macon City, Macon County, Mo. Time 8:30 p. m. 5 killed, 107 buildings razed. Loss 1150,000. This de- struction and loss may include the whole county. (31) May 13, 1883, Oronogo, Jasper County, Mo. 6 killed, t,t, injured, nearly all houses destroyed. Loss 175,000. (32) May 18, 1883, Racine, Racine County, Wis. Time 7 p. m. 16 killed, 100 injured. Loss 5)^75,000. (33) June 2, 1883, Greenville, Hunt County, Tex. Time 7:15 p. m. I killed, several wounded, 40 houses razed. Loss 170,000. (34) June II, 1883, Brush Creek. Fayette County, Iowa. Town one third destroyed. Loss |4o,ooo. (35) August 21, 1883, Rochester, Olmsted County, Minn. Time 6:36 p. m. Large part of town destroyed. 26 killed, 135 houses destroyed. Loss in county .1^200,000. (36) February 19, 1884, Leeds, Jefferson County, Ala; Time 1:20 p. m Hail of unusual size. 11 killed, 31 wounded, 27 houses and many barns destroyed. Loss $80,000, estimated. (37) April 27, 1SS4, Jamestown, Green County, Ohio. Time 5 p. m. 6 killed, two-thirds of buildings destroyed. T^oss $200,000. (38) July 21, 1SS4, Dell Rapids, Minnehaha County, Dak. Time 3:05 p. m. 7 killed, many buildings destroyed. Loss $ioo,(XX). (39) September 9, 1884, Clear Lake, Polk County, Wis. Time 5 p. m. Greater part of town in ruins. 3 killed, 40 buildings de- stroyed. Loss $150,000. (40) August 3, 1885, Camden, Camden County, N. J. Time 3:20 p. m. Path from one to two squares wide. 6 killed, 100 injured. 500 houses razed or unroofed. Loss $500,000. 34 THE VOICE OF THE CYCLONE. (41) September 8, 1S85, "Washington Court House, Eayette County, Ohio. Time 7:30 p. m. Width of path 250 feet. Town almost destroyed. 6 killed, 100 injured, 40 business houses and 20 residences razed. Loss ^500,000. (42) April 14, 1886, Coon Rapids, Carroll County, Iowa. Time 5:05 p. m. I killed, 32 buildings razed. Loss 155,000. (43) April 14, 1886, vSt. Cloud, Sterns County, and Sauk Rapids, Benton County, Minn. 74 killed, 136 wounded. 138 buildings destroyed. Loss 1:400,000. (44) May II, 1S86, Kansas City, Jackson County, Mo. 33 killed. Loss |ioo,ooo, estimated. (45) May 12, 1886, Attica. Fountain County, Ind. Time about 6 p.m. In vicinity 9 killed, 200 houses razed. Loss |:2oo,ooo. (46) April 15, 1887, St. Clairsville and Martin's Ferry, Belmont County, Ohio. Time 3:20 p, m. None killed. About 200 build- ings of all kinds demolished. Loss 1250,000. (47) April 21, 18S7, Prescott, Linn County, Kans. Time 5:30 p. m. 20 killed, 237 wounded, 330 buildings razed in the vicinity. Loss 1150,000. (48) April 22, 1887, Mount Carmel (near), Wabash County, 111. Time 6 p. m, 2 killed, several wounded, everything in path de- stroyed. Loss I50.000. (49) April 22, 1887, Clarksville (near), Johnson County, Ark. Time 6:30 a. m. 20 killed, 75 to 100 injured in vicinity. Loss 1150,000. (50) June 16, 1887, Grand Forks, Grand Forks County, Dak. Time 3:22 p. m. 4 killed, 50 or more houses, besides hundreds of barns, etc., razed. Loss, |i5o,ooo. (51) February 19, 1SS8, Mount Vernon, Jefferson County, 111. 18 killed, 54 wounded, 100 buildings razed. Loss 5400,000. (52) May 27, 1888, Hillsboro, Hill County, Tex. Many build- ings destroyed Loss |ioo,ooo. (53) August 21, 1888. Wilmington, New Castle County, Del. 1 killed, 20 wounded. Loss $100,000 to |2oo,ooo. (54) January 9, 1889, Brooklyn, Kings Count}-, N. Y. Time, 7:40 p. m. (Eastern). Width 500 to 600 feet; length 2 miles; whirl from right to left. Roar heard 10 or 15 minutes before. Loss 1300,000. (55) January 9, 1889, Reading, Berks Count}-, Pa. Time 5:40 p. m. Swept from west to east in a path 60 to 100 feet wide. Wind often seemed to crush from above; 40 killed. Loss $200,- 000, estimated. (56) January 12, 1S90, St. Louis, vSt. Louis County, Mo. Time, 4 p. m. Moved to northeast in a path 500 to 2,000 feet wide. THE VOICE OF THE CYCLONE. 35 Heavy rain for three niiuutes. Greatest damage where path was narrowest. 3 killed, 100 houses razed. Loss 1250,00c-. (57) March 27, jSgo, Metropolis, Massac County, 111. i killed, 50 injured. Loss $150,000. (5^) March 27. 1S90, Louisville, Jefferson County, Ky. Time 7:30 p. "1. Path at beginning 600 feet, as it left the city, 1.500 feet. Cloud did not quite reach the earth. Great damage to property 76 killed, 200 injured. Loss, #2,250.000. This list comprises all the most destructive storms that have been reported as far as a definate locality was mentioned. It has been found exceedingly difficult to determine the loss in many cases, because an estimate has evidently been made of the loss to crops, orchards, etc., from the rain, hail, and floods that accom- panied the tornado, and not the wind itself. Again, the loss re- ported evidently referred to a large region in the country and not to any specific town. Some of these may be enumerated as follows; Loss. June 12, 1.SS1, DeKalb and other counties in Mo $200,000 November 5, 1883, Greene and other counties in Mo 150.000 November 21, 1883, Izard County, Ark 3cx),ooo April 14, 1S86, Cass County, Iowa i6o,coo May II, 1886, Pettis and other counties in Mo 500,000 May 12, 1886, Greene and other counties in Ohio 1,000,000 May 14, 1886, Hardin and other counties in Ohio 720,000 May 14, 1886, Huron County, Ohio 500,000 May 14, 1886, Seneca County. Ohio ^00,000 May 14, 1886, Mercer County, Ohio 250,000 It is highly probable that in some of these cases the losses from one county have been estimated in another, though this has been avoided as much as possible. It is very much to be hoped that more definite estimates will be made in the future. The loss to structures by the wind should be carefully distinguished from the loss of every other kind, by hail or flood and to crops, stock or orchards. H. A. Hazhn, Assisianf /'/o/t-ssor, Si^-^/a/ Office. Destructive Tornados oe 1892. March 31, Townada, Kansas; May 27. Wellington, Kansas; June 30, Gloucester, New Jersey; July 3, Kaston, Pa.; Julv 6, New Orleans and Baton Rouge, La.; July 13, Peoria. 111.; July 13, Springfield. 111.; July 13. Philadelphia, Pa.; November 18, Red Bud. 111.; November 28, San Francisco, Cal,; November 28, Mary- land and Virginia; March 5, 1893, Mississippi and Georgia. LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 0016 211 638 1 ^