Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-06-09
TWO HUNDRED HOMES WRECKED
AND BARNS WITH LIVE STOCK
CARRIED FOR BLocKs-FWE
KNOWN TO BE DEAD.
PROPERTY LOSS is
PLACED AT 100000
ToRNADo's PATH GRAzED BUsI-
NESS SECTION, BUT DID LITTLE
HARM THERE-MT. VERNON
AND LISBON HIT BY STORM.

CndTieS City, a., June "a TORNADO
struck Charles City at 5 O'clock yes.
terday afternoon, killed one man, q.
r. Beck, and four children, injured
scores, wrecked 200 dwellings and
barns, demolished a bridge across the
river, and left path of desolation.
1t is impossible to tell how many
may be dead in the ruins. Search Is
made very difficult. 81
The path of the storm was about ten
rods wide and ten miles long.
The tornado started three miles
southwest of the town, tearing down
farm houses and barns and killing
many head of stock. It struck the
southwest part of Charles City, plow-
ing path through to the northeast
side and spent itself few miles from
town.
Many had warning 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
buildings of the Charles City college.
Barns were picked up and carried
sewaral blocks and trees we're torn
frczn their ROOFS andSin some instances
crushed through buildings and all the
WdICIs W Wdo alISu IlkO Cllf14l161 Va
the river which flows. through the
town. The storm killed many head OF
cattle. 1t struck the city in the south
western part, plowing path to 9
point in the northeast section It
crossed the river at a point quarter
of mile eastsof the bridge across the
the channel clean 1t passed In q
i,,ef rfypo
II the Charles City college buildings and
spent itself few miles east of the
city.
stock was inside. Cattle and horses
passed through without damage.
Big trees were torn from their roots
and scattered over the city.
While the storm was at it wors
there was loud roaring noise. Man!
had warning of the approaching storm
and fully 5000 people sought shelte
In cellars. The path Of the cyclone
included no business buildings or in
stroyed were on and two story dwell
lings A better path could not hav'
been selected so far as loss of prop
The scene in the path OF the storr
is desolate one. Handsome home
are mass Of ruins and debris, seal
tered in all directions household good
arc scattered all over town.
All telephone wires are down an
details are meager from the country.
Damage to Crops.
The storm did much damage t
crops. At the present time it is In
possible to estimate the loss on cit
homes, but it is thought it will easil
reach 100000
on the outskirts of the city nun
Der of farmhouses were wrecked an
the water lifted from the Cedar rive
was precipitated upon the fields.
some cases completely washing ava
the newly planted corn.
When the storm broke, hundreds {
people were sitting at the table enjo,
ing their evening meal They had Il
pressive heat and the calm which pr
ceded the tornado. Suddenly 1t gre
so dark that lamps had to be nghte
and timfd persons Immediately wei
to their cyclone cellars prepared Il
LIE WOISl udi uOl lOilS " w q
as the storm broke with great fury
few moments later
In the southwest long, GREEN'S
hued revolving cloud swept along ov'
the ground gaining momentum wi
every second. Before it's onrush tt
sturdiest trees and dwellings failed
hold their own. Soon the air WI
filed with flying missiles. The awf
roaring struck panic to the hearts
ALL
In some streets scarcely house !
mains In one instance piano w
carried great distance and dropp,
in a pond Fragments of steel fro
the bridge were sent crashing throu,
buildings in the wake of the tornad
Liver stock improvisoned in t
wrecked barns was so badly hurt th
1t had to be shot.
No business building of importan
was wrecked.
Reports from the outlying distrie
are that the storm was the worst
the history of this section. numb
of deaths are reported but It is j
possible to confirm them at present