Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-05-20
TYPICAL FUNNEL-SHAPElD CLOUD
OBSERVED IN SOUTH MR.
SHALL PAssIN NC EASTWARD.
DOES SOME DAMAGE IN SPOTS
NEAR LURAY AND vANcLEvE
Tears Down Windmill and Trees-
Doubtless Was Same Tornado Which
Struck Eastern Iowa Sunday After.
noon, Resulting in Two Deaths Near
Davenport.

Observers of the storm cloud which
passed across the southern part Of the
county describe it as a typical tornado.
altho small one, the path where the
tornado came to earth being only a
few yards wide. So far as known the
tornado was first observed at the
Harry Monroe farm home, two miles
south and a half mile east Of the
county farm.
The tornado seemed to be forming
high in the air just before passing a
small distance south Of the Monroe
residence. It was first observed as a
swirling mass. and when almost direct
ly in the zenith had the appearance OF
an immense whirlpool. Passing direct
ly to the east from the west, the fun
mel shape typical OF tornado clouds be-
came more apparent. and gave the
appearance Of huge top spinning
rapidly. The roar Of the storm could be
heard at times, but the cloud was high
in the air when It passed to the south
Of the Monroe farm.
Tears Down Windmill and Trees.
LdLcE lAc lOTLt10O oO-SdtlSu toi'
seemed to change shape ana took the
appearance Of an immense white ribbon
reaching towards the earth, wrecking
windmill adjacent to the Great Western
tracks mile southeast Of the Monroe
farm, and still farther eastward
damaging the barn on the Will Pothast
farm and twisting and breaking large
willow trees and almost blocking the
east and west highway.
At the William Pothast farm the barn
was moved five inches on its founda-
ton, a machine shed was demolished
anu several chickens were killed.. One
sitting hen was decapitated In her nest.
Southeast Of Luray the path Of the
twister was plainly seen thru some OF
the muddy fields, and at one point
cornstalks which had been cut by
diskin1 were banked high against
fence and packed 80 soNdly that they
would bear the weight Of man. After
travelling several miles the cloud ap-
peared to rise again, the tail" assun-
ing fantastic shapes and disappearing
in the distance.
The Great Western agent at Luray,
who has passed thru two tornadoes,
including the one at Valeria many
years ago, was driving in the country
four miles southeast Of Luray. and Sc
cured a close view Of the cloud as 1t
crossed muddy field. He describes it
as a typical tornado and giving Off the
appearance Of an Immense cloud OF
coal dust arising from the earth.
This local storm crossed the county
at the time Of heaheavy rain and hail
storm In this city Sunday afternoon
One Of the strange features attending
its movements was the absence Of rain
or hall directly "A It's path and the
ouietness Of the air close to the earth
on either side OF this path. 1t Is prob
able this was the same tornado which
passed thru eastern Iowa Sunday after
noon and killed two persons In the
country five miles north OF Davenport.
Other Towns Do Not Suffer.
Other towns in the county which
probably were in the path Of the storm
report that 1t was unobserved, and
that there was nothing to indicate its
presence.
At Gilman there was no rain nor
wind in the afternoon. altho in the
morning there was some rain and hall.
Haverhill reports that there was no
storm noticed during the afternoon,
and but very little rain. The same con-
dition prevailed at Laurel.