Democratic Sentinel, Volume 4, Number 19, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 June 1880 — DESTRUCTIVE CYCLONE. [ARTICLE]

DESTRUCTIVE CYCLONE.

Twenty People Killed by a Tornado in Pottawattamie County, lowa* A wind-storm of unusual violence passed over a section of Pottawattamie county, lowa, about thirty miles east of Council Bluffs, on the evening of June 10. We glean the following particulars from the telegraphic reports of the calamity : Persons living in tho vicinity where the storm raged say it was first observed to assume an ugly and threatening form by citizens in the town of Macedonia, a small village in Macedonia township. The funnel, which is ample warning of coming danger, was seen to form about two miles to the west of Macedonia. Angry clouds rolled and tumbled, and passed in and out of each other, as if engaged in deadly combat. It is said that every person who beheld the final mobilization of the fierce and angry elements felt a keen realization of the near approach of eternity, but moments for reflection were very brief. In the twinkle of an eye, almost, tho storm was upon them, and those that had not taken shelter in cellars and “ dug-outs ” stood in the broad road to death, and those who were saved feel that it was by special act of Providence. Buildings were either blown down or unroofed, while outhouses and small buildings were lifted bodily from their foundations and carried away entirely from tho premises. A large number of small shanties, used for boarding and sleeping men who worked upon a railroad being built, were blown into splinters, not enough being left out of them to make respectable kindling-wood. Storehouses were leveled to the ground and their contents scattered to the winds of heaven. A number of two-wheeled scrapers used upon the railroad, weighing hundreds of pounds, were taken up as if but feath--era and wafted away on ungentle zephyrs. Tires to wheels from three to four inches wide were twisted and rolled into knots as one would bend straw around his finger. Horses and cattle were taken up and carried away and dropped to the ground dead. One horse was carried forty rods, and when found its body was a perfectjelly. But little personal injury was done at this place, as people saw the storm coming and protected themselves by retreating to cellars and other underground places of safety. Land here is high prairie ground, and the people could see the storm from afar and use precaution for personal safety. But the storm continued to sweep forward in a northeasterly direction, r nil from Macedonia forward it was most destructive in its course ; dead bodies and demolished dwellings plainly marking its line of travel. Fann houses were in most cases totally destroyed, and farm machinery of all kinds broken into small fragments. About seven miles from Macedonia, on what is known as the “Osler settlement,” great damage to human life was done. Tlie house of Alex Osler was first reached by twisting wind clouds, and it fell before them and in the midst of them an easy, if not willing, prey. In this house were Mr. Osler, his wife and three children, and niece 2 two farm hands and a servant girl. They all died together. The storm swept them away in an instant. They probably perished amid the ruins of the wrecked dwelling, which was a large two-story frame. Not one was left to tell the story of their hasty destruction. One child, however, has not been found, and it either lies buried beneath the ruins or was borne away on the swift wings of the fatal cloud. Jesse Osler, brother to Alex, and who resides near by, suffered instant death, as did also bis wife and two small children. William Osler, brother to the other two, escaped death but his wife and child were blown into the air fully 150 feet. The child is probably fatally injured. Other cases of death are reported, but details arc not given. Twenty persons are known to have been killed in the Osler neighborhood, which is in Grove township, ana six or eight persons are missing, and it is supposed their bodies will be found somewhere in the vicinity where they were last seen.

“My boys,” said a strict churchwoman to her children at the beginning of the Lenten season, “I should like very much to have you deny yourselves something during the solemn weeks of Lent. Will you do it?” “I will, mamma,” said Johnny, a sedate child, who was fond of griddle cakes; “ I’ll do without my cakes in the morning.” “That’s a good boy. And what will you give up, Harry ? ” she asked of his little brother, a bundle of the purest mischief that ever lived, who was fond of play, but had no love for books. “Oh ! I’ll give up going to school, mamma, for my part,” was his ready answer. “ Talking about angels, did you ever read Byron’s ‘Loves of the An gels?’ ” was the question we heard a lady propound to a gentleman, as we passed them byon the street last night. “Never.” “ What, never?” “ Well—not that I remember.” And turning aroimd we we were quite sure that we had not only heard these words before, but that we knew the opera from which they were taken. Why suffer sleepless nights when your baby is not well ? You can buy Dr. Bull’s Baby Syrup at all drug stores for a quarter of a dollar, r