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Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XIV, Issue 73, 8 December 1855, Page 3

Terrific Hurricane m the United States. — The New York Weekly Times gives the following account of a hurricane which took place m the town of Jefferson. Cook county. On the afternoon of the 22nd June, a revolving funnelkhaped (loud passed swiftly along near the ground about 16 miles north of here, carrying up large sticks of wood, stones, &c. It described a seini(circle towards the south-east, twisting off large trees, and whisking them out of sight instanter. The whirlwind then broke m two and disappeared, but almost immediately formed again and passed directly back north and west with redoubled violence. It struck a heavy frame house, one mile from Illinois and Wisconsin railroad, tearing the roof instantly off, and Blmost immediately afterwards taking the house up the spout with all its contents. Nine persons m the house were drawn up and hurled down m different places. Four of them were instantly killed, and others mutilated heyond any prospect of recovery. The whirlwind then possed over a post-and-rail fence, leaving not the slightest vestige of it. It next broke up a barn and threw it upon the' horses and cattle it contained, crushing them at once. The timbers of the house and barn were hurled down to the ground with such violence as to bury them almost out of sight. The house belonged to Mr. Page, whose wiff, sod, and two grandchildren were then killed. Additional intelligence received from the above locali;y more than confirms the above. Accounts are given of persons being carried up 100 feet io the air, and then hurled down with great violence. A number of eye-witnesses have testified to the ravages of the tempest, und describe it as most terrific. The same afternoon a severe hailstorm occurred m tbia city, after which the sky presented a very singular appearance to the northward, and the weather changed from the most oppressive heat to the most chilly atmosphere.