, 1875-09-12
RACINE.
TIE STORM OF SUNDAY.

RACINE.
THE STORM OF SUNDAY.
5pecia. Correspondence Of The Chicago Tribune.
RACINE, Wis.,, Sept 11.-With last Sundays
TRIBUNE came the worst wind-storm We have
experienced for long time. Just AZ day was
breaking strong, steady wind was blowing
from the southwest, and as the sun rose above
the horizon, the clouds, which had until thsu
presented dark, stormy look, assumed Pc
culiar yellowish tint, stseaked with green. About
o'clock the wind died away for quite all interval,
until tho silence was almost painful. Away of
to the westward could be heard sound like tho
roar Of a heavy rain on dry autunnal leaves,
while the atmosphere was dark aB the clouds.
About haIf-past the hurricane struck the city
with terrific violence; the mad wind was laden
with branches boards, and all manner Of debris.
Chimneys were carried away from many houses;
shingles, bricks and stones were rafting
against the buildings rendering it un-
safe to venture out. Our industrious TEn-
uxE vender had the temerity to try it.
but just got as faras - C-n-u-n-c-A-R-a- Tn1-,"
when boy and voice we're lost in the howl OF the
elements. After the storm was over the young
Arab was found among the lumber-pilos near the
lake-shore. bemoaning his ill-luck in not having
Times, which would have deded the efforts OF
the wind to carry away. The hot Wind, a. if from
q furnace, blew in squally gusts for abont an
hour, then moved slowly eastward over the lake
like dark cloud. With the exception OF the
wreck OF dozen or go Of chimneys, the 1ittering
oi sidewalks and lawns with rubbish. the DAM
age WAS tri1ing, compared to what might natu-
rally have been expected. The day developed
into one of the warmest of the season, but to-
wards night the atmosphere cooled, the clouds
all passed away, and the stars gemmed the sky
glorioasly.
MORE OF IT.
but it seemed as if the storm OF the Sabbath
morning vas but the premonition OF a terrible
week. At intervals great dark banks Of clouds
wouid cover the sky almost instantly. heavy
showers Of rain fell, accompanied by terrific
thunder and wind. On Wednesday, the convul-
sions OF the week seemed TO cuninate in
grand combat OF tha elements through all the
stretch OF country between the Mississippi und
the lake. The morning Of that terrible night
davned inauspiclous!Y, heavy showars kept con-
stantly falling, the wind blew great guns, and
the thunder, away of to the westward, indicated
that 3 great storm was raging in rhat direction.
When darkness gathered, tho sky was so overcast
with thick clouds that the moon impaired no
light whatever. About half-past the rain came
down in pailaiul, deluging the streeta until each
one presented the appearance Of q miniature
river. The lightning was 80 intense and tre-
quept that minute objects were constantly dis
ccrnible, and the crash aud deep roll Of the
thunder w8s grand in the extreme.
RAILROAD LOSSES.
The telegraph advised the Western Union Rail
road officials located here that great damage had
been done to life and property on the line, near
Bsloit. Fortunately the Western Union escaped
with only the loss of property, but the Chicago
Northwestern were more unfortunate, aud
vague messages we're being constantly received,
estimating the loss OF lite all the nay from five
to twenty. The particulars Of the wreck of
Western Union freight tram No. 5. from Racine
to Savanna at Turtle Creek bridge between
Darien and Aliens Grove, we're sensational in
the extreme. The tremendous rush OF the
freshet had carried away the trestle-wo1k OF the
bridge, leaving the road-bed apparently aound.
until the heavy train plunged headiong into the
rushing torrent. Englne and cara were piled in
4 promlscuous heap, until the strength Of the
waters carried the creator part Of the train down
with tue stream. The fireman. heroic fellow,
as will presently appear-gave q graphic de-
scription Of the terrible scene. The train
was running schedule time, 3 shnrp watch being
kept BY both engineer and fireman for danger
ahead, but the Intense darkness Of the night
prevented object being distinguished with GER
taintE beyond the contracted glare of the head
light The rain came down III perfect torrents,
the crash Of the thunder Was something awful.
and the inceesant hashes Of the lightning only
left the darkness mora denne than before. The
first intlmation the poor fellows had OF the
catastrophe was their plunge into the seethpg
waters, their faint cry for help being instantly
terrible position, and miracle indeed that they
escaped With their lives. the engineer Was bad
~ crushed with the falling tlnlbers, and was in
stantly swept down the stream along with the
loaded and empty care, which foated aud plunged
about like toys. He managed, howayer. TO se1ze
some branches, where be hung, family calling
for help from about o'clock q. N. until q. M,
the size and current Of the river rendering rcs-
cue sooner impossible. The fireman clung
to = bridge. spur and aoatsd until he
faught co. oa5s efGss~'so ,ro On two .rees where
until the waters aubsidod, but, fearing that
other trains might snffer if not advised in time,
he managed to f1ee himself, and foated about
two miles farther, until be could effect landing,
xhen he ran and warned the agent at Allenss
was difficult matter to get correct news Of the
sctual damage. Mr. D. A. Olin. General SUPER
intendent left on special filed With anxiety
for the safety OF his poor rnen who had passed
sach night: But for the thorough system and
great care OF the management, much more DAM
age might have resulted.
The aocial event Of the week VAS the
GOLDEN WEDDING
Of Mr- and HRS. f. 8. Wells, OF this city. at
their residence last Monday EVENING. The
worthy couple have long lived here Winning
hosts Of friends, who wish them many more
years Of matrimonial felicity az loving and ten
der ss The past hare boen: The following frienda
Of the bride and groom, from home and abroad,
q: Warner. Mr. and Mrs. John Warner, and
Miss Webster, Connecticnt; Mr. and Mrs. o.
B: johnson and family, and n1r. md
Mrs. G. E.. Wells. Michigan (drs. john
1t.n and Mr. G. r. Wa1la ara ID .h+nr .,,1 -. -