TERRIFIC TORNADO IN NORTHERN IOWA.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 677, 21 August 1876, Page 3

TERRIFIC TORNADO IN NORTHERN IOWA.

APPALLING LOSS OF LIFE AND DESTRUCTION OF PROPEUIY.—TOWNS SWEPT AWAY;

Chicago, July 6

Further particulars have been received of the storm near Dubuque, lowa, on the night of the 4tb. The little hamlet of Rockdale, ihreo miles south-west of that city, was swept away aa with the besom of destruction. Every building in the town, save tea*; of the Cattish Mill, was washed from its foundations, and torn into a wreck that quite denies description. The dozen buildings that were located on the bottom lands at Catfish Creek, were carried down the storming and boiliag current, crushing them into fragments. All are undis tiDguishable ruins, and scattered for miles along the borders of the stream. Stores, shops, dwellings, barns, everything; fell before the terrific tornado that came rolling

in great surges dowa the ten miles of valley through which the Catfish River runs. What eighteen hours ago was a quiet, unsuspecting, and happy little rural village, is now only a waßte of waters, timber from the wreck of buildings, and of household merchandise, and of uprooted trees, is for full a mile down the stream visible. There fragments are strewn along the banks, or piled in gorges from a few feet to twenty feet high. Thirty-nine human beiogs were hurriedly swept from life into the great maelstrom of death—men, women, and children to that number were drowned—and the stiff bodies of the thirty that had been recovered up to this hour were arranged together along the side of the mill, awaiting the last sad funeral rites Some of the bodies were found in the debris of the crushed buildings near the scene ot their death, while others, and the greater part tf them, were found along the banks, from a few rods to a mile down the stream. Some were almost entirely hidden from view by the mud that has been swept along by the mad waters, with perhaps only a hand exposed to sight, or a foot, or a portion of the face, or perhaps only a small portion of the clothes. A large number of children, boys and girls, ranging from three to twelve years of age, comprise the dead, and altogether the scene is a most sickening one. Throughout the day the people of the village had joined more or less in the festivities of the Centennial Fourth. Iu the evening the rain began to fall, and all took shelter in their homes, or at stores or saloons. About half an hour after midnight the Catfish had become so swollen that the streets were overflowing, and escape to the surrounding high lands cut off. Higher and higher rose the rushing water, while the storm kept pitilessly on, with surging water in great waves, several feet high, and soon the smaller buildings were swept away. At about one o'clock a portion of the dam gave way, and this was followed by the crash of the railway bridge, the fragments of which went tearing down. Now the stream had grown to 2000 ft in width, and was fully 20ft deep. As the buildings were swept into the creek, the inmates were hurried into the surging current, their voices crying out for help, amidst the roar of the thunder and crash of the storm, while the lurid lightning flashed every minute, lighting up the dreadful scene for one instant, and then leaving it blacker than before. John Klossen's cooper shop first gave way ; then came the hotel barn ; then Peter B. Becker's house ; then Martin Carr's saloon ; then T. Blenk's saloon ; Coat's blacksmith shop ; Becker's meat market ; Klassin's house ; Beskey's saloon, and Home's store and house. Mr Home and family luckily were saved, the house had lodged against a Btrong tree ; the water had risen and driven all the family into the upper story, where they clung to the rafters and other projections, when they were able to keep their heads only above water. The dead are Joseph Bicker, Ellen, his wife, and two children ; James Pearce, Elma, his wife, and two children ; Peter Becker and five children, also his housekeeper and her two children ; Mrs Cony and two children ; John Kiassiu, wife, and five children ; Peter Knapp, wife, and four children ; Mrs Kingsley, Thomas Blenks, Oliver Blenks, William Bradbury, and Richard Buike—-thirty-nine altogether. The soenc was one to touch a heart of stoue. Thousands of people have visited the scene during the day. and people are coming and going constantly. The neighbors, with kindly alacrity, opened their doors to ouch of the afflicted as remained, and afforded every comfort in their power. The bodies of the dead were washed by kind hands, and many of them were taken into dwellings near by. The members of the Board of Supervisors were early on the ground, working like Trojans to recover the dead. Thirty one bodies of the drowned hav« been recovered. The search will be continued until all are found.

The journals of Des Moines, lowa, in a special, says that the latest reports show that the storm of Tuesday night extended throughout most of Central lowa, and waa terrific in effect. In Madison and Warner counties fifteen persons were killed, and considerable damage done to live stock and crops.

The damage in the city of Dubuque will not be repaired in many months. It is im possible to estimate the loss. CHICAGO, July 7.—A Des Moines (Iowa) Bpecial despatch gives further details of the terrible tornado in Central lowa on Tuesday night. It appears that the actual facts are much worse that at first reported. Mrs J. P. Morton and child were both killed. Charles Flager badly injured. E. S. Bramble, Mr and Mrs Graves, and Mrs Delay are all badly injured. Mrs Elderly killed. Mrs Snowmosly seriously injured. Many families are lefb without clothing, and the scene is heart rending. Reports from other parts of Warren county show that the fitorm waa general and disastrous. About fifty houses were blown away, and their inmates killed or badly hurt. From Madison county reports are equally disastrous. Reports from Norwalk state that the house of Mr Gideon was swept away, and his wife and three sons drowned. Between Winterset and Norwalk eleven persons were killed, seven drowned, and four struck by lightning. The devastation is terrible, and cannot be known until communication is established.