TORNADOES. 165 



of this formidable adversary. The question now suggests itself, what can be 

 done ? That which remains to be done can be accomplished in an unostenta- 

 tious and quiet, but secure manner. Every man can and should construct a ' ' dug- 

 out " at some suitable point, within a convenient distance of his house. If a 

 person is situated within a town or city let him select some portion of his yard 

 for the purpose, but if residing in the country he will not be confined to narrow 

 limits in the selection of a desirable location. Where a person living in the vil- 

 lage has no yard, he must, if he has a cellar, construct a cellar-cave, to be describ- 

 ed further on. With respect to the ' ' dug-out," in no event should the roof be other 

 than level with the surface of the earth, in fact it is highly desirable that the re- 

 treat should be so constructed that the ordinary surface of the earth would form 

 the roof or covering and that all preparation of the domicile proceed by way of 

 excavations and supports from beneath. As to location there is not much to be 

 said, the most important points being convenient distance, a high, dry place, and 

 possible opportunities to excavate into the northern or eastern slope of a knoll or 

 hill. In the latter instance the entrance way would suffer less from the violence 

 of the storm providing, perhaps, that it did not entirely envelop your retreat, 

 for in that event, in the whirl of the flying debris, all sides aUke would be at the 

 mercy of the winds. Having decided upon the location, as regards your house or 

 other buildings, prepare to sink a shaft, say four to six feet square, the entire 

 depth of your " dug-out." From either the northern or eastern (better the former) 

 wall of this shaft cut out a stairway leading upward to the surface of the earth, for 

 purposes of ingress and egress. On the side of the shaft opposite the stairway 

 commence the excavation for the enclosed retreat. The size of the room will 

 of course depend upon how much you may at any time wish to secure from in- 

 jury. Better have the excavation too large than not large enough. The slight 

 difference in the expense of time and labor may, perhaps, be the means of saving 

 you a great deal when you least expect it. The entire room should be below the 

 surface of the ground, a distance of at least three feet and the overhanging roof of 

 earth should be supported from beneath by heavy timbers, to provide against any 

 emergency like the dashing of heavy debris upon it or the tramping of horses and 

 cattle. 



In the event of a tornado your retreat (-'dug-out") may be entirely buried be- 

 neath huge piles of debris. Everything must be made as secure as possible. The 

 entrance door should be made of the heaviest timbers and supported between cas- 

 ings of similar strength of construction. Arrangements should be made to secure 

 the door by heavy fastenings. In order that ventilation may be provided for, a 

 box spout, squaring eight inches, should be let through the roof. The top of this 

 spout must be level with the surface of the ground and protected by iron gratings. 

 Ventilation may be provided for by openings through the upper portion of the 

 door, but these also should be protected by iron gratings* 



The "dug-out" should be large enough to contain your family and remove there- 

 to, such of your personal effects as are considered most valuable, viz : important 

 papers, trunks of clothing, books, dishes, silverware, costly pieces of furniture, 



