The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1860-06-14

Mohaay MornlH2, June A. looU-
1t becomes our paiafuI duty to record
the most distressing oalauity tha, it has
ever fallen on Us to yitness-the effects
Of the tornado, and the consequent loss
of life and property
Last evening, about 9 clock, man
came from Camanche, about nine miles
below this city, on the Mississippi, With
the heartrendiug intelligence that the
town had been visited by tornado, and
that many of its citizens were hurled in
its ruins. The alarm spread from house
to house. and in a very short time hun
dreds of our citizens were on their way
to the scene of the disaster, both by land
and on the steamer Queen City, which
Capt. Bristol Immediately put in sailing
order.
We were among the first to arrive
at the scene of the disaster, and our pen
fails entirely to depict the sight that met
our view. We found the town, as the
messenger had reported, literally blown
to pieces, sad destruction and death scat
tered everywhere within the sweep Of de-
vastation The first pile that net our
eye was the ruins of the Millard House,
occupied By H. G. Sessions. formerly of
Erie, Pa. This was three story brick
hotel, and it could not have been more
effectaally destroyed had barrel of gun
powder been exploded within its walls
The INN ates were all more or less hurt.
Mrs Davis and her child, little boy four
or five years old, we're taken out of the
ruins dead. Mr.. Sessions and bis son,
Anson, are both very badly hurt inward
ly. A younger sou has hts left arm bro
ken, and several severe cuts about the
head and neck. A daughter of Mr. s.,
was the only one that escaped without Sc
rious injuries. One man was taken out
With both legs broken, and otherwise
hurt. From this we proceeded to look
about the town, and we found that hard
ly house was LETT uninjured, and many
oftbem swept entirely away. Every bus
iness building in the place is destroyed. +.
including the large brick block recently
erected About sixty feet of this, inolu-
ding the cupoln, is demolished, and the
remainder is nearly all unroofed. Front
street presents scene OF ruin seldom wit
messed; every building on it is either IN
rooted or entirely destroyed. The dwell
ling and store Of Mr. Waldorf, 8 three
story brick, is entirely demolished, and
the family buried in the ruins. 9rs.
Waldorf and one child were taken out
dead, and too children rescued alive, and.
straGge to say, unhurt. Mr. Waldorf
had not been found when We left, at
o'clock a. m
Soon after arriving at smaDcbe, We
learned that the town of Albany, OF the
oppo,ite SIDE of the river, and about one
mile above Camanche, bad been visited
By the tornado, and was about as badly
riddled as Camanche. Upon the arrival
of the Queen City at Camancbe, she im-
mediately Pot back to Albany, to learn
the truth of the ruDor, and found that
scarcely building in that town was left
uniulured; but from what We could learn,
the loss of life was not so great as at the
former pace Those who returned re-
ported twelve killed. Two churches we're
blown down entirely We did not visit
Albany, and consequently can speak only
from report with reference to it. Amid
the great confusion that prevailed. it vas
almost impossible to obtsian any correct
informs alton. We could not learn the
names Of those who were killed, but shall
gather the full particulars for our regular
issue this week. The house of 0. Nc
Mahon, banker, Of this city. was entirely
demolished, but the family escaped with
out injury.
The gale commenced about o'clock
! n. u. It's course was FROM the south
west to the northeast, and we may hear
/ of further ragages in Illinois. 1t Is ru-
mored at Cananche that the farmers had
suffered severely, southwest from there,
by having their buildings and fences de-
stroyed, and stock killed. 1t was also
stated that large raft was passing Ca
% anche at the time, and that all the me n,
numbering apparently about twenty, were
swept into the river.
The condition of the survivors of these
/ two towns is such as demands the warm
es. sympathy and aid of every Que ln this
community, as we'll as elsewhere. Many
| of them are left witbout house above
them, and scarcely a garment to wear
Their dead are to be buried, aud their
wounded cared for, aud 1t is the duty Of
every one, so far as is in his poser to
TO minister to their relief, for who can tell
how soon We usy need like service We
hope that ell who possibly can will go
there to-day, and assist in attending their
wants. Every nan who will eau fud
work there to do. in helping to restore
order and to erect temporary buildings
for the hundreds that are destitute OF
place Wherein to lay their heads. Cloth
ing of all kinds will undoubtedly be re-
auired, aud many other nscessaries, for
the benefit of those who are badly Soun'
ded.
| We are glad to see the physicians OF
LYONS and Clinton all there, aud working
with a right good will, as well as other
citizens OF the two places. We hope that
oround ahant M that have es-