The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1881-07-21
News by Telegraph.
THE ANGRY WINDS.
TERRIBLE CYCLONE IN MINNESOTA
WHICH DESTROYED WHOLE TOWN
And Leaves Desolation and Death.
FULL PARTICULARS OF THE GREAT
STORM.
WHICH DfsTaOYtDA WHOLE TOWN
And Leaves Desolation and Death,
MISCELLANEOUS NEWS ITEMS.


New Ulm, Minnesota, situated on
the Minnesota river, sixty-five miles
from st. Paul, containing about $500
persons, was wrecked by a cyclone
yesterday afternoon. The telegraph
wires swept down the river, and only
meagre details can be given. Stone
and brick buildings were RACED TO
their foundations, and the air was
full OF debris. The town aud its
suburbs are now a mass of ruins.
CHICAGO, July ia dispatch
from Minneapolis, Minnesota, says
the following telegraphic account
of the disaster at New Ulm, Mime
sofa, has been received: Shortly
before $ O'Clock Friday evening, a
cyclone of most terrific violence
struck this town, demolishing over
100 buildings and killing and
wounding upwards of thirty per-
sons. Though other towns in the
vicinity were visited by the storm to
a greater or less degree of fury, the
full force of the cyclone vented it.
self here. According 10 evidence OF
eye-Witnesses, two tornadoes met
right over this place and the work
of destruction was accomplished in
less than fifteen minutes. The course
of the cyclone could be distinctly
discerned, and it seemed to be NOV
ing i'll separate ways from north 10
south. AT 4:30 O'Clock black clouds
gathered with great rapidity,
thunder and lightning were terrific,
and the wind blew a hurricane,
while the rain descended in blind
ing sheets, then a few moments lull
and then the cyclone struck the
town, almost destroying it, and then
disappeared as suddenly as it came.
Its effects are almost understandable.
Some houses were struck by light
ming, others were lifted up by the
violence of the wind and others
were demolished by flying debris
from other buildings. Scores OF
| dwellings and stores were entirely
destroyed. Very few escaped unin-
jnred, but. many. had roofs blown of
or were so badly unjointed by wind
that they have to be torn down
and rebuilt. The storm was most
destructive. in the northern part
of the city, and whole blocks OF
frame buildings were swept away
Hardly a barn or stable escaped, and
it is estimated that over 100 horses
and cattle have been destroyed. The
roof of the Merchants Hotel was
carried blocks through the air and
hurled against Jacob Miller's house,
which it completely demolished, but
fortunately the Miller family escaped
| before the crash came up. j. p.
Randolph, mayor of the city, esti-
mates the total loss at $500, 900, and
| the lowest estimate is $350,000.
Aside from the loss of life, the worst
| feature of the calamity is that none
of the property destroyed is insured
against accidents of this kind.
Many have lost their all. The citi-
zens have, however, without excep-
ton, met the disaster brayely, and
are even cheerfully taking prompt
and decisive steps to repair the
damage, though all agree that next
to the Indian massacre, it was the
most disastrous blow New Ulm has
ever received. The streets are filled
with debris of the buildings, and on
every side evidences of the wreck
are visible A large two-story
building, the market of Mepple, was
entirely demolished, and D.Wescha-
ker's two-story brick drug store and
residence were leveled TO the
ground the Methodist and Luth-
eran churches, both substantial brick
edifices, have been swept away, and
the steeples ofthree Roman Catholic
churches blown of, and the buildings
Quilted. One side of the brick dry
goods store of Randman a. Schro-
man has been blown down and the
stock is destroyed. The Dakota
House, the leading hotel, was par
tally destroyed. The roof of the
courthouse was lifted bodily into
the air and has not been since seen.
The handsome residence of Mr.. w.
M. Rofolder, ex-state treasurer,
which stands on bluff somewhat in
the rear of the city, was completely
Quilted, though all the inmates es-
capped unhurt. l.. Braenger's furni-
tnre store, McVille's hardware, Poe
ser's establishment and f. Browns
machine shop, all destroyed, besides
numbers of others; sugar factory
and two public schools partly de-
molished. Lightning struck the rail-
road depot but made no impression
on it every livery stable i'll town
has been destroyed. The heaviest
individual lossfalls on j. Toninstein,
who had just completed his brick
brewery at a cost of $4,000; the
building was entirely destroyed no
insurance. Lightning struck the
boiler room of the Empire -four
mill and shattered the building let
ting out 10000 bushels of wheat
which is ruined. The Eagle
FIGURING mill which had just been
completed, was also badly damaged
by the tornado. Van Duscn & Go.
escaped injury; it stands near
the Empire mill. A number of
buildings struck by lightning caught
fire and the town would have been
destroyed in this way but for the
rain which descended in torrents.
The only lumber yard, owned by
Miller & Shorer, struck by lightning
and, tornado, has not been seen since :;
eye witnesses state that the scene
during and Immediately after the
storm was fearful to contemplate
and beyond descriptive powers of
the most graphic pen. People who
were on the streets at the time
were literally blown away and
number were wounded by the flying
debris. Whole sections of tan roofing
were set sailing through the streets
by the fury of the storm and crum-
pied up like paper. AS the victims
of the sad catastrophe are scattered
over comparatively large area il is |
impossible to get the exact list of
thekilled and wounded, and espc-
cially as the cycloue. also visited |
west Newton and caused several
deaths. Fourteen. are known 10
have been killed and ,thirty-fye
besides those that are
doubtless among others who have
been, overlooked in the general Il
confusion. In addition toithe damage +
lone in this place, large quanti-
" of grain, has been destroyed in
he neighborhood, AS soon as the
irst shock was over, the citizens
allied grandly and We'd with each
,ther in attending the wounded.
sisters of CHARITY especially doing
work which Will be remembered by
III with gratitude. Subscriptions
ave already commenced to pour in.
NASHVILLE, Tenn, July l8.-0ne
# the most important trades in
outhern property, in years was con- II
luded here Saturday evening. The |
OF the Tennessee coal and I
abroad corn ranu and tho Couanoa I