Because a circus was in town, the population had swelled as people came in from outlying areas for the festivities. Shortly after the circus performance had ended, the tornado passed through the very center of town, leveling a strip of land 1,000 feet wide and 3,000 feet long. More than 300 buildings were destroyed and multiple deaths were reported in at least 26 families: six families had four or more deaths.
The following year, Mrs. A.G. Boehm published this book about the tornado which includes dozens of first-hand accounts from New Richmond residents. Among its remarkable anecdotes are those concerning animals, many of which appeared to sense the tornado coming long before it arrived.
"There was something very remarkable in the actions of animals previous to the storm," Mrs. Boehm wrote. "They seemed without exception as far as I could learn to be unrestful, nervous, and incapable of being quieted though cared for and petted more than usual. There was a Jersey-Holstein cow, the property of Mr. Jas. Link. This fine animal kept up a continual mowing for days previous to the cyclone. The writer, who lived near, spoke of the unrest of the animals, particularly of the cattle, and the frequent neighing and whinnying of the horses, as unusually unpleasant. And there the matters rested as not worth a thought...
"One very large St. Bernard dog. also the property of Mr. Link, exhibited more than ordinary uneasiness. The faithful animal showed more affection than usual, particularly towards his mistress. The animal left home a few hours before the cyclone struck and returned safely the day after. The poor faithful 'Judge' returned to find his master's home in ruins, and to seek in vain for his dead mistress."
She goes on to say that "I learned that over thirty dogs left their homes like Judge a few hours before the storm and took refuge under an embankment out of the path of the tornado. Next day the poor dogs were seen returning, a few at a time, with heads low on the ground. Likely they were forced by hunger to leave their retreat. Those that did seemed to be seeking their lost owners."
Of course, most animals did not escape. "Whole flocks of chickens could be seen alive, denuded of feathers... Again, one would see hens deprived of their feathers only in part. One old hen was going around quite lively with one side completely denuded the other side covered as usual." Large mammals were not as lucky: 360 horses died, and the number of cows put out of their misery was too large to be tallied accurately.
You can see a list of Wisconsin's major tornadoes in our online Dictionary of Wisconsin History, and learn more about them by following the links there. A selection of historic photos showing tornado damage is also available at Wisconsin Historical Images.
For more information about tornadoes and how to protect yourself, visit this page provided by the LaCrosse office of the National Weather Service. Listen for the warning test scheduled for Thursday, April 12, and plan your safe refuge now, before the sirens go off for real.
:: Posted in Animals on April 10, 2007
