Tornado April 1878

Sioux City, Iowa; April 22.--A terrible cyclone swept over this county, east
and west of this place, at half past three on Sunday afternoon, entering the
State above Missouri Valley Junction, and passing northeasterly across to Storm
Lake, Pomeroy and Fonda, in Monona County.  Trees were torn up by their roots
along the rivers.  The house of J.R. THURSTON was wrecked completely. The
wing of the house of MRS. REILLY was struck and torn to pieces, and F. REILLY,
standing in the wing, was picked up and carried over the main building and some
trees nearby and set down uninjured.  J.J. HUGHES' house, in the same
neighborhood was entirely destroyed.  The family were away from home.  The force of
the storm was terrific, destroying fences, uprooting trees, overturning corn
cribs, etc.  Horses and cattle were picked up and carried a considerable
distance.  Near Onawa, the house of MR. WHITE was destroyed with its contents and
scattered for miles.  Hardly anything in the house was unbroken.  The family
fortunately were away.  The track of the storm was a half mile to a mile and a half
wide.  The storm was accompanied by very heavy hail, a number of the stones
were fastened together, one mass measuring fourteen inches in circumference. 
Near Onawa, a man was driving a double team; the horses, wagon, harness and
driver were taken up bodily, carried several yards and set down uninjured.  On
the Illinois Central Railroad, east of here, the damage was more serious, being
accompanied by loss of life.  The whirlwind or tornado passed over Storm Lake
from the southwest. Three quarters of a mile east of town the residence of
ALFRED KING was struck, lifted from its foundation and dashed into thousands of
pieces.  MR. KING's mother was instantly killed and found some distance from
where the house had stood.  Other members of the household escaped unhurt.  The
lighter timbers of the house were pounded into kindling wood.  Trees in
orchards were torn up and carried away.  The house of MR. DEGRAFF, half a mile from
KING's was unroofed, some hogs and cattle killed, and a farm wagon and buggy
broken up.  His loss will be about $1,000.  The buggy was carried a quarter of
a mile through the air.  The water in the lake rose to the height of many
feet, one witness says millions of barrels were lifted up.  The stable of MR.
WATSON was destroyed.  After the storm the town of Storm Lake was crowded with men
after surgeons to attend sufferers.   It is believed the damage south of
there was very great. Reports say that four persons were killed and forty
wounded.  In GRIFFITH's neighborhood, south of Pomeroy, a man, unknown, had the top of
his head cut off by a sharp board being driven into it.  An elderly lady was
badly hurt by falling timbers in a house at Fonda.  The towns of Newell and
Sulphur Spring escaped injury.  At Pomeroy the house of G.C. LOWRY was blown
down, killing CHARLES PEARCE, an estimable young man.  The houses of GEORGE
WALLACE and S. GILL were blown down, and MRS. WALLACE and family injured and not
expected to live.  A.O. HARGIS' house was blown down, injuring several inmates
severely. All the houses were very strong and substantial.  This is considered
the worst storm ever known there.

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