The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-05-26

Terrible Destruction Of Life and Property
Sheep and Horses Blown Into the
Air-Houses Blown Down-Lom
Estimated at 100000.

CHICAGO, H.. May rs, 1878.
Dispatches from Iowa give full details OF the ter
rible cyclone OF Thursday. Scarcely dwelling or
barn IL left In It's track. Tie town Of Lancaster Is
entirely demolished The cyclone started near
that city and advanced enthusiastically, passing
north OF Tallyrand through the German settlement
OF Bader. It approached the line Of Washington
county, where 1t jumped distance OF about eight
miles and swept along the ground for six or eight
miles and then disappeared In the middle Of the
township as suddenly as 1t had appeared The
fright OF the people renders them unable to give
satisfactory account Of the tornado. Those who
witnessed 1t saw timber, cattle, sheep, mud and
TREES wHIRLED INTO THE AIR
with terrific force. Many saved their lives by going
into cellars Some who considered themselves
safe in their dwellings found themselves sprawling
on the ground in an instant, the houses being
thrown over by the tornado. Boards and heavy
timbers were driven into the ground so tightly as
to be imm0vable. Dead horses, cattle and hogs are
visible on all Sides and chickens were found with
out feathers. On the farm OF John Cunningham
three hundred head Of
STOCK WERE KILLED OUTRIGHT.
His family went into the cellar at the approach OF
the storm but were lifted out and thrown on the
ground by the wind. Mr.. Davids, OF the next farm
east OF Cunningham's, was killed. Mr. Hansell,
who was with him ut the time, received injuries
from which he died Friday. All OF his clothing was
torn from his person. The stumps OF trees ever
which the cyclone passed have the appearance OF
beng sawed or clean ana smosthly. A scnool
house, containing the teacher and twenty pupils,
was torn to pieces. The daughter OF Henry Rath-
mail was carried quarter OF mile, where her
mangled body was found, almost nude. Miss
Smith and Six scholars were badly injured Mud
was blown with such force In their faces as to
leave the appearance OF tattOOing with India ink,
and 1t cannot be washed out.
Mrs. Walters was instantly killed near the school
house. She had twin babies In her arms when
found one OF which died from injuries received on
Thursday, while the other escaped unhurt Two
other OF Mrs. Walters children, who were
In the school house at the time, were
fatally injured. Orchards were completely
destroyed. A man named Baker, who was
driving a team of mules, saw the storm
approaching and took refuge under hedge, from
whence man. wagon and team were taken up and
carried quarter of mile into the fields Baker
escaped uninjured. Pieces or hail found weighed
seven ounces and were nine inches IN circumfer-
enee. and some still larger are reported having
been found. flock OF $50 sheep, huddled together,
were taken up by the Storm carried hall mile,
and when they struck the earth all bat forty were
actually torn to fragments and scattered along the
route OF the cyclone. Very little definite inOrma-
ton has been received from Keokuk county; but 1t
is known that Mrs. Campbell, Mrs Endeberg and
three children were killed. The loss Of property Is
estimated at 500, 900.