The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1860-06-13
From the Anamosa Eureka Extra.
Terrible Tornado i'm Linn County.

Terrible Tornado in Linn County.
We have just received the following letter
from A. j. Marvin, Esq, resident of this
county, who is at present attending school at
Mt. Vernon
Mr. VERNON, Linn Co., Iowa, June 3, 60.
EDIToRs EUREKA
Gentlemen This afternoon about o'clock
terrible Tornado swept over the prairie south of
TINS place, destroying several lives and a large
amount of property. NV attention was called
to it by my brother, who said he thought there
was water spout forming. immediately the
alarm was sounded, and many rushed into the
streets, wondering where they could screen
themselves from the storm which seemed to
threaten the destruction of the town. In Il few
moments, however the danger was over, os the
storm passed below the town.
Our fears in regard to ourselves Were hardly
allayed, when man came running into town
inquiring for physicians, and confirming our
fears that destruction and death were the re
suits of the storm. The alarm went forth that
several We're buried in the ruins of their houses
AT once We started for the scene of disaster
and shortly arrived at ST. Mary's (better known
here as Gilletts Corner) when sight too horri
bic for description met our gaze. The town
was in ruins, the schoolhouse was not to be
found, the blacksmith shop was in the same
condition, Mr.. Cunnngham's house was un-
rooted taken from its foundation, whrled sew
eral times around, and set down on the other
side of the road some distance from its former
position. Mr.. James Burgess house was scat
tered in every direction, hardly two sticks of
timber remaining fastened together There were
several persons assembled at his house At the
approach of tue storm they rushed out, some in
one direction, some in another. all intent on
saving their lives, but we are sorry TO say that
all were not fortunate enough to escape Wm.
Vain was caught up, and, after being carried
some distance, was hurled against pile of rub
bish, dashlng out his brains. A hired man Of
Mr.. Burgess, named Chris Lum, was also kill
ed His home is in Buchanan County where
he has an aged mother, whom he was support
ing by his labor Mr. Cunningham's littl girl
has a leg and arm broken The eldest son of
Mr. Burge will probably die, as his back is
broken. He was rescued from the top of a tree
some time after the storm had PASSED. Mr.
Burgess two little girls were badly Injured, we
believe he also lost fifteen hundred dollars in
bills.
Every building in the town was DESTROYED
excepting Mr.. Glllett's house and store, where
the dead and dying were borne, and everything
tried to save those In whom there still remained
spark of life.
We have just learned that Mr.. Stephen
Smith was badly I'M ured, and is not expected
TO live. Various other persons were injured
some badly-whose names We could not get
' cry few women We're hurt.
Leaving this awful scene, We followed along
the track of the tornado. Numbers OF horses,
cattle, and hogs were scattered in its path, dead
or dying, and frightfully mangled. After driv-
ing a mule, We came to the farm Of Mr. Yankee
Smith His house, made OF logs was strewn
over the adjacent fields. His barn was half
torn down. The old gentleman, his wife, and
two children, We're badly injured
Passing on We came to Mr.. Thompsons farm
Nothing was left to mark the place of their for
mcr home, excepting the cellar The timbers
and furniture of the house were scattered over
large area, entirely ruined. Mr.. Thompson
was killed, being mutilated in n horrible man.
ner. At the approach of the storm Mrs. Thomp-
son carried the children down cellar where
they remained uninjured but Mr.. A. attempt.
cd 10 escape by flight and was caught up by
the storm and carried some distance lie was
"A man universally esteemed
We noticed the blade of a shovel plow, which
had been torn from the plow and driven bv the
wind into white oak post So firmly that We
could not pull it out. In passing through a
grove we noticed q large number Of cattle killed
10y the failing Of the trees
We learned of no more lives being lost near
here, and SO we retraced our steps. and reviewed
the waste The wheat was cut off close to the
ground, as If with seythe We saw chickens
with their heads wrung off and every feather
pluekcd from their bodies by the force of the
wind. \ tree, ~, feet in diameter was twisted
out by the roots and carried some distance
Farming utensils Were caught up by the wind
aud twisted into spluters
he main current swept over a space about
thirty rods in width. though the effects of it
might be seen full fifty rods each side Of the
ceutre.
We have just heard that the tornado passed
through one end Of Lisbon, removing one house
from lts foundation, destroying the depot, and
hurhng several ears some distance ont on tho
prairie. No one killed here as heard from.
STILL MORE NEWS.
MoNpAY MoESIxG--A messenger has Just ar
rived from Onion Grove. lie states thaL lar,e
number were killed and wounded there. ami a
large amount of property destroyed--a store
belonging 10 Mr.. Fish was eutlryl Destroyed
Meehaniesville, he says is in ruins.
TWO MORE DEATHS.
Mr.. John Lynch, injured at s.. Mary's. ana II
night.
TUE VARY LATEST.
We have just learned that Mr.. Andre and his
wife. who lived near Lisbon. are missing and
caunot be found. Their house is entirely de
stroyed.
Mr.. Allen, District Attorney, has just come
into town. Tie SAYS several persons were killed
10y whiFlwind near Marion--probably an off
shoot from the main one which passed near
here.
\ man has just arrived from Onion Grove.
who says he saw the clouds divide between
here and Lisbon, aud that be knows Of eight
persons who are already dead, and knows of
several mere who cannot live.
List of Killed aud Wounded.