The weekly Oskaloosa herald. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Iowa) 1855-1885, 1873-04-10
THE BURLINGTON HORROR.

the following of the terrible catastro
phe at that place last Saturda,
afternoon
CAT a quarter after four, the mos
terrible hail, wind and rain storm il
all the history of our town, burs
upon us. 1t came with fearful velo
city, from the southwest, and swep
the business part of town, WORKING
great damage to houses, and feeding
itself on human life.
The storm first became visible a
the West Hill School House. Thu
roof of this house, one of the fines
in the city, was lifted from its posi-
ton, and carried fully three hundred
yards. 1t was torn into kindlins
wood. 1t passed several residences
which were saved from the fury OF
its flight by the merest accident.
| The direction of the storm was
thence toward the river, in north
easterly direction, through the hear
of the city. Roofs were blown away
chimneys were destroyed and many
a building was seriously damaged
Nc Cash's planning mill, a new brick
building, was lifted from it's fouEda
ton, and carried fully two feet from
its position. The livery stable OF
| Macarthur & Eels, on the corner OF
Third and Valley streets, was badly
damaged-the front of the roof being
blown into shreds. At the corner OF
Fourth and Jefferson streets, the tenn.
pest gathered new strength, and
destroyed the west side of the root
of Hedges Block. The heavy tim,
bers of the roofing were torn up like
grass, and lay curled up on the east,
ern part of the roof.
Two chimneys were blown from
the Barrett House and three from the
Grimes Block. The residences OF
II. w. Starr and T. L. Parsons,
were slightly damaged.
But the horror of this horrible ten
minutes was the destruction of Pond s
Butter and Egg Warehouse, on Jet
ferson street, near Eighth, and the
fearful loss of life which it entailed.
Out of about thirty-five persons,
strong, healthy and hopeful, the
messenger of death carried away
seven. The building was a three
story brick, which had been erected
last summer. 1t was built by Mr..
Pond, who occupied it as store
house and business Office for his large
trade. The tempest struck it at the
southwest corner, with force which
threw the whole house into mass
of ruin. The walls sank into the
cellar, burying beneath them the
men who were at work in the build
ing,-numberlng about twenty-five.
The employees of Rand's Lumber
Yard, directly across the street, saw
the fall, and went to the rescue.
They commenced digging to save
the inmates of the house, if possible.
They soon succeeded in rescuing a
Swede woman, who had gone into
the house just before the storm, to
buy eggs. She told them that two
men were near her, and asked them
to paw no attention to her but save
the men. In few minutes, tie body
of Mr.. Pond was recovered, dead.
He had been in the counting room
at the time of the storm, and had
evidently attempted to leave the
house, when a sudden and horrible
death overlook him.
Mr.. Pond was one of the most
promising and popular of the young
business men of this section. He
was thirty-three years of age-full Of
vitality and business energy. He
controlled the trade of southern Iowa,
in his line; and was making himself
an important operator. He was born
in Albany, New York I; but had lived
in Detroit, Michigan, until he came
to Iowa, few years since, establish
ing his home in Keokuk. His bust
ness increased to such an extent that
he erected, last fall, the building
where, yesterday, he closed his eyes
on the things of this world, to open
them on the glories of the world to
come. He was a prominent member
of the Baptist Church in Keokuk.
True to his religious profession, and
Jealous in good works, he wrought
while it was day, aud earned the re-
ward of faithful disciple. He was
relative of Mira. Van Meter, and
Mrs. Frrnk Parsons, of this town.
Mr.. Van Meter and Mr.. Parsons &C.
companied his remains to Keokuk,
where his wife and child, ignorant OF
flight to another world, awaited his
return.
The other victims who were
brought from the ruins dead and
mutilated, were three in number.
They were Mr.. Trainor, Mr.. Pende-
grast and Mr.. Neff, all employees of
the house. Trainor was found crush
ed between two boards,-hls back
broken, and his face terribly bruised.
He leaves wife and four children,
in destitute circumstances. Fender
grast was a very intelligent young
man, lately married. His wife is
living in Keokuk. His head was
terribly mashed, and it is probable
tn at he died instantly. Mr.. Neff the
third victim, was well known in
town, having worked at his trade, as
timer, for about seven years, in
the establishment of Parsons, Berry
q Warren. He was thirty years
old. He leaves wife and five chill.
Dire, without any means of support.
The house directly east of the
Pond warehouse was a small frame
dwelling, occupied by Mr.. Steiger, a
German, who kept select school in
the house. At the time of the acct
dent, he was down town; and his
wife and twin children, about six
months old, were in the house alone.
They were taken from it dead. One
of the little ones was badly bruised
and mutilated.
Nineteen of the employers of the
house were rescued alive but all of
them were more or less injured.
Frank Miller, was badly hurt in