1874.] The Iowa and Illinois Tornado. 341 
was stationed about 25 yards south of the storm-centre 
when nearest to it. The fences were generally thrown 
toward the centre on either side, but where the dark cloud 
touched they were carried away for a space 60 yards wide. 
We have here the first evidence of the dark cloud touching 
the earth in perfect funnel-form ; but its touch is yet only 
temporary: it proceeds with a wavy, zigzag, circular- 
pendulum motion. By-and-bye its tread will make the earth 
tremble. 
The storm traversed Jones’s farm, throwing down fences, 
until it struck the Wolfden school-house, which lay near 
its centre. The school was in session when the tornado 
struck it. 
Richard Weller, teacher, testified that this occurred at 
2.15 P.M. precisely. This time is valuable, and I have 
adopted it as one of the data for calculating the velocity of 
the storm. The school-house was moved, with the children 
and teacher in it, to the east, the north end 30 feet, the 
south end 20 feet. It was not overturned. The windows, 
roof, &c., were much damaged, but there were no evidences 
of explosive forces. The weight of the building was given 
by Mr. Williams as probably 30,000 lbs. The surface ex- 
posed was 360 square feet, besides the slanting roof. The 
slant of the roof was about 45°. The foundation was stone. 
It became very dark as the tornado struck. After leaving 
the school-house, which is situated in a slight ravine-like 
depression, the fury of the tornado abated somewhat : hence, 
although it was nearly central over the hamlet of Hayes- 
ville, the frail houses were scarcely touched. 
The storm up to this point had been travelling E.N.E. 
Since leaving South Skunk river it had been traversing a 
rolling prairie, with numerous sloughs, as they are called, 
but nothing like a water-course. It struck Troublesome 
Creek, the banks of which are well wooded. No sooner did 
it do so than it increased greatly in power, changed its path 
temporarily to due east, and developed the phenomena of 
two or more funnels or branches of a funnel. Down in the 
hollow, among the trees, stood the house of widow Jacobs. 
It was completely demolished, but without signs of explo- 
sion. The storm-traces are already in great part obliterated, 
and a new house rebuilt. The path of destruction was 
200 yards wide at this point, and the general aspect of the 
fallen trees within this limit presented all the appearances 
of a complete cyclone revolving contrary to the hands of a 
watch, although nothing particularly worthy of notice pre- 
sented itself. About a quarter of a mile from the main 
VOL. IV. (N.S.) 2x 
