| Sources |
- [S67] ROWLAND.GED (Reliability: 0).
- [S67] ROWLAND.GED (Reliability: 1).
Vermont Vital Records.
- [S15] The Brattleboro Reformer (Reliability: 3).
July 23, 1926
After bringing to Brattleboro the second hottest day in the 17 years during which weather records have been kept, the wave of scorching heat which enveloped this locality for the past three days came to an abrupt end at 4:30 yesterday afternoon when a tornado sweeping out of the west descended on the town with a force the like of which has never been known in local history.
The windstorm, which immediately preceded an electrical storm, spread over a wide area in town. Reports indicate that its inception occurred this side of South Newfane, and after passing over Brattleboro it jumped across the Connecticut river into New Hampshire and swept into Keene, where it ran riot with similar violence.
One man, James H. Thayer, was killed in Guilford Center when a silo blew over and crushed him to earth. A local man, Perley O. Potter, was badly injured when the branch of a tree fell on his automobile, causing it to veer into a telephone pole. Scores of people had narrow escapes from falling limbs. About 150 trees, according to an approximate estimate, were either uprooted or blown down. Electric light power and telephone service was rendered nil. Two circuits on the fire alarm system were thrown out of commission. Several houses in various parts of the town were damaged by falling trees.
For the first time in history the storm left Brattleboro completely cut off from telephone service with the outside world. The electric power lines coming into Brattleboro went out and every one of the nine light circuits was thrown out of commission. Both the telephone and electric light companies had every available man working on the lines within a few minutes after the storm, and help was sought from surrounding cities and towns. It will be many days before normal conditions everywhere are restored.
James H. Thayer, 43, was a lifelong resident of Guilford Center. He had just unhitched his pair of horses from a hayrick when a 25-foot silo, 12 feet in diameter, was blown from its foundations and toppled over upon him. He was extricated from the debris by members of his family and taken into the house, where he was made as comfortable as possible. As the telephone line was out of commission an automobile was sent to Brattleboro for a physician. Dr. C. S. Leach responded, but Mr. Thayer had died by the time medical assistance arrived. Death was due to a fracture at the base of the skull.
Mr. Thayer and his son, Merrill, 14, while at work on the farm, noted the approaching storm and as there was considerable hay in the fields they made an attempt to get some of it under cover. They had partially loaded the hayrick when the storm was about to break, and, giving up their attempt, they drove toward the barn. While going through the field a sudden gust of wind lifted the hay from the wagon and carried it some distance away. Arriving at the barn Mr. Thayer unhitched his horses, and just as he was about to drive them into the barn Merrill yelled to his father that the silo was falling. Mr. Thayer was unable to get out of its path. The silo crushed him to the earth and broke into a maze of staves and bent iron. The top of the silo missed Merrill by a few inches.
Summoning aid from the house, Merrill managed to raise part of the debris with the aid of his sister, Mrs. Roy Thurber, and Mr. Thayer was pulled out and carried into the house. He was made comfortable and when offered a drink of water said "Don't." He then lapsed into unconsciousness and died within 20 minutes.
One of the horses was caught under the debris and it was pulled out later by means of a rope. An examination showed that the animal's back was broken, and it was shot last night to end its misery.
Mr. Thayer was born in Guilford March 3, 1883. He was one of three children of John and Hannah (Putnam) Thayer. On June 21, 1905, he married Miss Eloise Goodnow of Guilford. He had always been a farmer. Besides his wife he leaves three sons and a daughter, Merrill 14, Richard about 11, Leon 7, and Ruby, wife of Roy Thurber. He also leaves a brother, Leon J. Thayer of Brocton, Mass.
The funeral will be held at the home tomorrow at 1.30 p. m. Rev. E. P. Wood, pastor of All Souls church will officiate. Burial will be in Christ church cemetery.
- [S6] Tombstones, Christ Church, . (Reliability: 3).
John G. Thayer
May 7, 1838 - Jan 19, 1920
Hannah A. Putnam His Wife
Apr. 10, 1842 - Jan 29, 1917
James H. Thayer
Mar 2, 1883 - July 22, 1926
Eloise A. Goodnow his wife
Apr 29, 1885 - Mar 7, 1960
THAYER
- [S15] The Brattleboro Reformer (Reliability: 2).
July 23, 1926
- [S11] Guilford History, . (Reliability: 0).
Page 507
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1883 - 1926 (43 years)
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