The Oskaloosa herald., 1908-06-11
ONE MAN KILLED
IN CHARLES CITY
CHIMNEY FALLS UPON HIM DUR
ING STORM SUNDAY.
EIGHTEEN HOUSES DESTROYED
Water From Cedar River Picked Up
and Carried Into Fields-Much
Live Stock Killed BY
Wind.

SHdrleS Slty, Id, JUNE O. Ine HrSL
reports of the storm which struck this
city about o'clock Sunday afternoon
were exaggerated. At noon today it
was established beyond doubt that
only one person was killed and no
others seriously injured. Only eight
cen houses in place of 200 were de-
stroyed. Most of these were small
structures valued at perhaps 1000
each. One fine residence worth $751;
900 was destroyed. Barns, light build
ings, chimneys and trees were wreck
ed and the path of the storm presents
a desolate appearance.
The one man killed was Adolph
Boeck, So years old. He had just
stepped out of his home to take look
at the clouds, when the big chimney
on his home collapsed, and the mass
of brick and mortar fell upon him.
He was badly crushed, dying almost
Immediately.
Water Lifted From River.
Barns were picked up and carried
several blocks and trees were torn
from, their roots and in some in
stances crushed through buildings and
the water was lifted from the chan
lel of the river which flows through
the town. The storm killed many
head of cattle. 1t struck the city in
the southwestern part, blowing path
to point in the northeast section. 1t
crossed the river at point quarter
of mile east of the bridge across the
river on the main street and swept the
channel clean, 1t passed in a north
easterly direction, just missing the
Charles City college buildings and
spent itself a few miles east of the
city,
The tornado started three miles
southeast of the town, tearing down
arm houses and barns and killing
many head of stock. 1t struck the
southwest part of Charles City, plow-
'ng path through to the northeast
side and spent itself a few miles from
town. ,.- r.'s
Many had warnings Of the approach
ing tornado and about 5000 persons
sought safety in cyclone cellars No
business buildings were destroyed.
though the tornado just missed the
Ibuildings'aof' Charles City college.
Many barns were tipped over while
stock was inside Cattle and horses
were killed in some and in others
passed through without damage.
Big trees were torn from their roots
and scattered over the city.
The scene in the path of the storm
is a desolate one, with debris scat
tered in all directions; household
goods are scattered all over town.
&C.. Damage to Crops.
The storm did much damage to
crops. At the present time it is i'm
possible to estimate the loss on city
homes, but it is thought it will easily
reach 100000. ~- ....
On the outskirts of the city num-
Der of farmhouses were wrecked and
the water lifted from the Cedar river
was precipitated upon the fields, in
some cases completely washing away
the newly planted corn.
When the storm broke, hundreds of
people were sitting at table enjoying
their evening meal, They had no
warning of the storm, but for the OPP
pressive heat and the calm which pre-
ceded the tornado, Suddenly it grew
so dark that lamps had to be lighted
S,,N,,, tal
to their cyclone cellars prepared for
the worst. They had not long to
wait as the storm broke with great
fury a few moments later.
In the southwest a long, greenish
hued revolving cloud swept along over
the ground gaining momentum with
every second Before it's onrush the
sturdiest trees and dwellings failed to
hold their own. Soon the air was
filled with flying missiles. The awful
roaring struck panic to the hearts of
all.
In one instance a piano was
carried great distance and dropped
in "a pond. Fragments of steel from
the bridge were sent crashing through
buildings in the wake of the tornado.
Live stock imprisoned in the wrecked
barns was SO badly hurt that 1t had to
be shot.
Reports from the outlying districts
are that the storm was the worst in
the history of this section.
Storm Hits Mount Vernon.
Mt. Vernon, Ia, June S.-A tornado
passed about mile south of Mount
Vernon at 1880 o'clock Sunday after
noon. The electric light and power
house and city pumping station were
completely demolished. A number of
barns we're destroyed and several
houses partially wrecked The storm
passed on to the northeast. So far
as has been learned no persons were
injured
The loss is estimated at $4,000.
Tornado Hits Lisbon.
Cedar Rapids, Ia, June S.-Lisbon
suffered heavily from tornado which
struck the town at LAS Sunday after
noon. Houses were damaged, trees
barns and outhouses blown
down. Ihe most serious damage was
to the electric light plant. which was
also the water plant. This building