The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1860-06-14
Fry, and her child also killed. At John

child were dying when we left Mr.. and
Mrs. Gregorie, living upon the same farm,
were killed. Three Germans and two Irish,
names unknown, were also killed The vii
lage proper ofDe Witt, escaped. Tn Orange
township, west of De Witt, Isaac Smith was
killed.
But the most terrible effects of the lorna
does were felt at.
CAMANCHE.
The,day had been very hot and s,lTtry, but
about seven o'clock the sky was clear and
gave evidence of beautiful sunset. At sew
en- O'clock, the tornadoes were seen coming
with the rapid,ty oflightning. The sky as
sumed a yelloNish, brassy aspect and the air
seemed dead. The tornadoes themselves re-
sembled huge balloons, at first about the
size Of a barrel, but gradually increasing and
swelling. At one tine they rose and again
fell to the earth, their black folds undulating
and whirling with swapping, cracking re-
ports like volley of musketry, distinctly
audible at great distance. The interior of
the airy tunnels was filled with heteroge-
neous nass Of leaves, branches of trees,
timbars and stones, which seemed to impart
a yellowish tinge inside the black outer fold.
There was but little time for gazing, however.
for in an instant, and with force inconceiva-
BILE. the doomed town was struck full in the
centre, and the air choked with fragments of
tim5ers, bricks, stones, furniture and in
many places, with human beings, who were
hurled about lige straws. The affrighted
horses and cattle filed the air with their
terrible and shrill screams; but above all
was heard the swapping and cracking of
these fearful besoms Of destruction.
The scene well nigh beggars description,
and one, after gazing upon it, only wonders
how single person was left to tell the tale.
There are but one or two buildings in this
town of 1000 souls which were untouched
all the others are shapefess mass of ruin.
In many places, for several acres, every rem
nant ola house is gone and only few
scattered slivers mark the spot where they
stood A singular feature of the scene is
the fact that from one end of the town to the
other not a vistige of the furniture can be
found. Here and there a few shreds of
clothing or a mattrass torn into ribbons, tell
that the town was once inhabited.
The principal buildings in Camanche were
the Willard House. a fine brick structure.
The Waldorf Block, a four story brick, val
ued at $4,000 Evern & Cos. dry goods
store; Aathony's steam saw mill and two
churches, all Of which are in ruins.
DESTRUCTION OF ALBANY.
After destroying Camanche, the formally
crossed the river, forming an immense water
spout. In this connection we should have
mentioned before, that every time it crossed
the river it drew up an immense quantity Of
water, which was dashed with fearful vio-
lence wherever it struck In crossing the
river, it struck raft containing twenty-six
persons and dashed it to pieces in an instant.
Only two Of the entire number escaped, they
being blown ashore through the water.
On reaching the opposite bank, the whirl-
wind took northerly direction and dashed
upon Albany, destroying almost ev .ry house
in the town, populated by 500 inhabitants
Scarcely house was left standing in the
town. 1t was an exact counterpart of the
destruction of Camanche, except that the
loss Of life was much smaller At the time
of our leaving only five were known to be
killed
Both the towns IF Camanche and Alba ny
are entirely ruined, and it is doubtful prob
lem whether they will ever be rebuilt Most
OF the houses were owned in part by the ten
ants, who have payments to make upon them
These men are poor and entirely ruined. and
will be unable to meet their payments soon
coming due. Everything is wrapped in utter
desolation, and strong men seem to be pal
sled as they look upon the future. They
have lost houses, furniture, stock and cloth
ing, and are thrust out into the world, ruined
in an instant
After leaving Albany. the tornado passed
into this State where the record of its rava-
ges has heen already published.
As the distance traversed by the tornado
was about $50 miles, allowing for its devia-
tons, ard the time Of its passage from Cedar
Rapids, Iowa, to Sterling, was less than two
hours, one may form an idea of the terrible
velocity with which it swept along in its
course Of destruction.
! THE BURIAL SERVICES.
The burial services of the dead took place
yesterday morning. A temporary stand was
erected in the principal street and clergymen
from various parts Of the country officiated.
About 5000 people were present and an al
most endless procession of wagons from the
country. The collins, consisting of pine
boxes hastily but neatly constructed by car
penters from Clinton, were ranged in front
of the stand and amid the most profound and
solemn silence, the obseques were performed.
The funeral train then took its departure to
the little Cemetery where were laid away the
remains of townsmen only a few hours before
in the full glow of life twenty-nine bode !,
a number exceeding those who had gone
before them to their last resting place on nat
pleasant hill side.
1t appears that the hurricane, after cross
ing Lake Michigan, swept with fearful havoc
through Ottawa county, Mich. It's path was