The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1859-06-02
Terrible StOcss,-DcstrrCs OF
life and Property.

There occurred on Thursday afternoon
about o'clock, one of the most terrible and
destructive whirlwinds that was ever visited
upon any people. The path ocits destruction
commenced so far as we can learn, about one
or two miles from Iowa City. When first
discovered it was about west from the resi-
dencc of Geo. Powell Soon after it was
first noticed, it moved in south-easterly
direction to the residence Of Gen. Norris
Its force was very considerable there, I'M
roofing barns, sheds, upsett:ng buggics, &c.
1t then swept along in nearly an eastern di-
rection gathering in intensity and destruc-
tive force. Reaching the residence of Mr..
Morgan, it shiverei it to atoms, not leaving
two pieces oftimber or sticks togathcr, kill
ing Mr.. Morgan, and son and grandson
The bodies of the son and grandson We're
found from 200 to 500 yards from the house,
this was about miles from Iowa City. Mrs
Morgan has her thigh broken and otherwise
badly injured.
A man by the name Of Wolfe, residing be-
yond Mr.. Morgan's house, is reported to be
badly injured, also his wife and child. Still
further or miles from Iowa City, Jesse
Berry and his son aged about 16, were on
their farm when the tornado swept by. Mr..
Berry, an old and highly esteemed citizen of
this city, was instantly killed. His body
was brought to the city about o'clock this
morning. His son has four of his ribs bro
ken and otherwise seriously injured, aud it
is thought by his attending physicians that
he cannot possibly live We also learn that
tenant of Jesse Berry had one arm broken
his .wife's head severely cut-and an infant
child in the arms of its mother was also
bruised.
Further on, near the mile house, new
bT1ck oe'ding was totally destroyed, in the
wreck at TINS Place, six were injurcd-Eour
very badly-some II is feared MORALLY.
We hear, also, that man who Yesterday
accompanied Mr.. Berry to his farm for the
purpose of buying it, was badly hurt Also
laborer named Mccoy, on the farm of Mr.
Berry, had his shoulder b,oken. Also, an.
other man in the barn where Mr.. Berry was
saved his life by crawling under the manager
in the basement-he is considerably hurt
1t is impossible to learn all the particular:
of this calamity. We have gathered then
hurriedly; yet we believe all the essential
facts stated will DC found entirely correct
It is believed by those who have visited the
scene of the ruin, that the tornado's force
became expended at or in the vicinity of the
mile house-stll we may hear of serious
disasters beyond.
1t is stated by those of our citizens who
have visited the wrecks of this destructive
whrlwind, that one can form no adequate
idea Of its power and devastation without a
personal observation. The earth itself is
torn upi places, houses, barns, sheds and
! fences are scattered as chat, and lie about
| the road and fields in wild and awful ruin.
The suffers are receiving every attention
at the hands of our citizens which a pitving
and tender humanity can bestow BY this
calamity, which came with the sudleness OF
a whrlwirnd, wives have been made widows;
and the children orphans. City Re-
publican.