The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-06-02
Disastrous Effects Of the storm Of Thur
day Night.

The storm Of Thursday night the 2Gth
list. was one OF the most severe we have had
in this region for q long while. 1t was a
cold rain storm from the North East, &C.
companied at night with terrific gale,
which seems to have been felt at st. Paul
much less severely than in Lakes Peppin
and St. Croix, where it caused an immense
destruction to RATS and other property.
The Prescott Transcript gives the follow
ing account Of its eHec's in Lake st. Croix.
Loss OF THE STEAMBOAT EouAroR-The
steamboat Equator is about total wreck.
She started from here at three clock 10 the
afternoon with some thirty passengers for
saltwater, who went intending TO hear Bay.
ard Taylor's lecture in the evening at that
place. When about two miles above Alton
the wind increased to a terrible gale. The
boat, in spite of the best efforts Of the pilot
to keep her faced to the wind, sbeered into
the trough, and rolling and plunging fear.
fully, threatening to 90 TO the bottom at ev.
cry lunge, beat across the lake and struck
the beach on the Wisconsin side. about five
miles below Hudson. The passengers were
all safely landed, though thoroughly drenched
with rain which was falling in copious tor.
rents. Among the passengers were five la.
dies, who after being helped on shore were
obliged To walk nearly two miles to q farm
house where they found comfortable enter.
tairment for the night. The gentlemen
passengers scattered to the different houses
in the vicinity, and it was our good luck
with several others, to find the best OF hos
pitality at the home Of Mr.. Virgins about
mile below the wreck.
The CONSERVATION OF the passengers when
the boat first careened into the wind, was
truly fearful, but as we neared the shore,
more than mile distant at first, the danger
OF going to the bottom lessened and fear
subsidized.
After reaching the shore, lines were run
out and the boat securely fastened. The
gale continued to increase in fury, and not
long after the people left, the cabin unship.
ped at the stern, and blew overheard, and
the hull filed with water. We went to the
wreck in the morning and found it in shall
low water, but in such shape that there is
little hope of saving anything but the furni-
ture and machinery.
Those aboard ut the time will bear US
out in saying that the captain, pilot and en-
gineer, when the chances for going to the
bottom and going ashore we're about equal.
stood to their posts with cOmmendable
GOODNESS.
The boat was owned by Hersey, Staples
& Co., of Saltwater. Capt. Green, and
Beardsley & Lyford of this place. The loss
will fall heavily on Capt. Green, as by it he
has lost nearly all of his possessions.
DESTRUCTION OF RATS.
Mr.. Virgins, the proprietor of the steam
mill at Troy, had raft of half a million feet
OF choice lumber, just ready for start for
ST. Louis, completely stove into fragments,
! not crib or even bundle Of lath remain
ing whole His loss will be several thou
sand dollars Several other RATS have been
broken up in the Lake, and if there were
any in Lake Pepin it is likely that they have
gone the same way.
The Wabashaw County HeraM gives the
/ following account OF the
DISASTERS On LAKE PEPIS.
The vicinity was visited on Thursday
/ night last with storm, the parallel of
which is beyond the recollection OF the ora
Gle in such matters--the oldest inhabtant."
The principal damage done, however, was
the breaking up and destruction of five RATS,
four OF logs and one OF lumber, owned by
parties in and around Saltwater, in this
State. They were under the charge of
Joseph Paron--commonly known a. Big
Joe, an experienced pilot, who owned
logs IN the RATS 10 the amount OF il5OO0
feet. We learn tina; they had been towed
through the Lake on the morning OF Thurs.
day, and moored at Rascotts about halt a
mile above the mouth Of the Lake, on ac-
count Of the severe rain storm which was
then falling, the wind blowing from the
southwest, leaving them protected by the
bluffs. About shutdown, however the wind
changed and blew perfect hurricane all
night from the northeast, leaving them ey-
posed to the fury OF the gale and about Tour
O'Clock IN the morning during the hardest
Of the blow. all went 10 pieces, and a more
perfect wreck cannot be imagined. Scarce
~ two logs or boards remained together,
aad daylight presented sight ,ba, PANIED
every tNt. Dt utiih VI Lic EENtI "a ItI W.
low as could be seen, was lined with logs
lumber, hath and shingles, aud so severe had
been the storm that nearly all the lumber
was split or broken, and much OF il bad the
appearance OF being literally twisted in two.
We were panied TO witness the avidity with
which persons living along the banks of the
river seized upon aud appropriated TO them
selves the property OF the unfortunate lum-
bermen, particularly that which had lodged
in secure places and could b. reclaimed by
the owners. They reminded US of the
wreckers Of the sea coast, who heed and fat.
ten on the destruction OF the lives and pro-
pcriy OF the poor mariners. /, would have
been much more manly and generous to
have aided in securing II and placing ii in
safety, that the loss might be as hight as
possible upon those who have been tne first
TO develop the resources OF the Northwest.
We understand the lumber belonged TO
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