1874.) The Iowa and Illinois Tornado. 375 
After leaving Swan Creek the storm travelled E.S.E. The 
first house which came in its way was that of Absolom 
Vandevere, Swan Township, Section 15. He testified as 
follows :—I have reliable information that two or three miles 
to the north the clouds were seen rushing south. The 
clouds came also from the south toward the tornado. 
Streaks of unusually strong wind seemed to come now and 
again from the south side and run into the main whirl. 
The wind on the north side was not nearly so strong as on 
the south side. Twice as much fence was blown down on 
the south as on the north side. Its noise resembled that of 
machinery, only very loud. The dimensions of my house 
were 36 x 42 x 18 feet. 
Samuel Larkins, Swan Township, Section 15 :—Was at 
Mr. Vandevere’s house when the tornado struck it. Heard 
roaring about 15 minutes before it came. When I first saw 
the funnel it did not touch the ground. Saw it whirling 
contrary to the hands of a watch, and the clouds were 
drawn in toward it on all sides. It did not lighten before 
the storm. It lightened a great deal immediately after it in 
the west. It did not hail nor rain. Did not see clouds in 
north or south. There appeared to be only a narrow strip 
of clouds. A McCormick reaper, weighing probably 1000 
lbs., was carried ten rods from the south. ‘Two horses were 
blown, the one 50, the other 40 yards. An axle-tree, torn 
from a waggon, was carried a mile and a quarter to the 
south-east. A shingle was driven through a half-inch ash 
board. It is in the possession of a Mr. Thomas. A rafter 
8 feet x (2x4) inches, was driven through three hogs and 
thrust into the ground a foot and a half. All three were on 
it when it was found. A picture-frame was picked up with 
the glass unbroken. The wind blew very strongly for about 
two minutes. 
Mr. Vandevere’s house, 36x42x18 feet to the eaves, 
stood north and south lengthwise. It was moved due north 
half the length of the house, tumbled over and blown to 
pieces. It stood with its north end exactly in the centre of 
the vortex. There were nine persons in the cellar and two 
in the house. One of those in the cellar was killed by a 
log. The trees around the house and within the narrow 
path of the greatest violence, all pointed to the E.S.E., the 
direction in which the storm was travelling. 
W. J. Jones, Swan Township, witness: Vandevere’s house 
is forty rods to the north. Myself and wife were in my 
house when it was blown away. It grew dark as midnight 
just then. There was a little hail before. Did not notice 
any rain. ‘The house did not go very fast. 
