The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1911-11-29
'CAMANCHE.
SWEPT IN, 1860
Old Clinton County Newspapers Tc'l-
ing Of Terrible Cyclone at Ca
manche on June 8, 1860.
TwEhTy-EIGAT PEOPLE KILLED
Mrs. Belle Pritchard, Review Sub
scr.ber at WoodA.ne, Sends a
CIin-on County Paper of 1860.

The Review is in receipt of copy
of the Dewitt Weekly Clintonian, dat
led September 9, 1853, a copy of the
Camanche Chief, dated July 3, 1856,
and an account of the terrible cyclone
that swept over Camanche on June
3, 1860. These copies were sent us
by Mrs. Belle Pritchard, Review sub
scriber at Woodbine, and the papers
are certainly interesting, not only be-
cause of the nature: of the news as
published at that time, but typograph-
ically. The display type as well as
the body type, of course, is Of the old
style and in thesq days. curiosity.
The Dewitt Clintonian was published
at that time as seven column, four
page paper and the editorial depart
ment contained four columns OF polit
ical matter. The Republican state
ticket was headed by William Vande
yer for congress, Elijah Miller for sec.
rotary of state. For district judge
Asahel II. Bennett, of Scott county,
was the nominee, according to the
lClintonian, but there seemed bitter op.
position in the person of one Mr.. Dill
Ion. AS there are many Crawford
county people who were formerly resi-
dents of Camanche and vicinity, were
reproduce an. account of the terrible
Icyclone that swept Comanche in 1860.
The account is taken from the Gin
ton Herald OF June 8, 1860.
J. "Ihe storm was over ct Clinton
There had not been much wind, and
the torrents of rain which had deluged
our streets, converting them into
canals, had ceased falling. The air
was soft and balmy; few stars were
lglimmering through the tieeting clouds
and occasionally the full radiance OF
1.-The: moon would illuminate river and
gliding behind cloud, leave all again
10 the mOurnfulness Of doubtful star
Light. Far away in Illinois the storm
(still ragged, the violently flashing
lightning adding weird beauty To the
scene. We sat, looking from an open
window, and listening to the mourn
full call of a whip-poor-will, upon the
island, when man on horseback
came dashing furiously up the street.
land, scarcely drawing bride, cried out
in an excited voice, 'Camanche is de-
stroyed by tornado, and lalf the In
habitants are buried in the ruins!
Send down all your doctors and ma
terials to dress the woundeG! Without
waiting to be questioned he dashed
on, repeating his request wherever he
saw a group Of people. In an instant
our town was all excitement. The
lcOurier's manner was evidence OF his
sincerity. All were eager to render
|any assistance in their power. Super
|intendent Milo Smith was at once sent
for and immediately. jAispat all the
hand cars at hand, and gave orders
for train to at once be prepared to
|carry to the spot all who desired to
lgo. The steamboat Queen City at
Lyons was at once placed at the dis
|posal of our charitable neighbors.
Meanwhile every vehicle was put In
service and soon hundred willing
hearts and hands were speeding along
as an advance force. By this time the
storm had fully passed away, the moon
shone bright and unclouded, and, az
: (COutinued on Page rren,)