The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1881-07-22
Terrible Tornado in Minnesota.

Minneapolis, Mimi, July IL. The
following Geographic account of the
disaster at New Ulm, MIMI, has been
received:
Shortly before 5 O'Clock Friday after
noon, cyclone of most terrific violence
struck this town, demolishing over one
hundred buildings and killing ahd
wounding upward of thirty persons.
Through other towns in the vicinity felt
the shock to greater or less degree,
the full force of the cyclone was felt
here. According to the evidence of eve
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 moving in separate vol
umcs from the north and south. At
4:30 O'Clock black clouds gathered with
great rapidly. The thunder and light
ming was terrific and the wind blew a
hurricane, while the rain descended in
binding sheets. There was lull, and
then the cyclone struck the town, al
most destroying it in a minute. AT the
end of that time it disappeared as sud.
denly as it came.
some houses were struck by lightning:
others were lifted mp bodily by the VIC,
lence OF the wind and others demolish-
ed by flying debris. Score of dwellings
and stores were entirely DESTROYED.
Very few escaped uninjured, but MANY
had roofs blown off or were SO badly
uujointed that they will have to be mil.
d Gown. The storm was most destruc-
tive IN the north end of the CITY, where
whole blocks of frame buildings were
swept away. Hardly barn or stable
escaped and over hundred horses and
cattle were killed. The roof of Mer-
chants Hotel was carried for blocks
through the air and hurled against ia.
cob Miller's house, which it completely
demolished, but fortunately the Miller
family escaped before the crash came.
Mayor Rudolph estimates the total
loss at 5000, 900, and the lowest estimate
is S350,O None of the property de.
stroyed is insured against accidents of
this kind, and many have lost their ali.
Citizens, however, have without excen.
ton met the disaster bravely, and even
cheerfully, and are taking prompt 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 the debris
of the shattered buildings, and on every
hand evidences of the wreck are visible.
The large brick meat market of M. En-
pie was entirely demolished; d. Wes-
cheke's two story brick drug store and
residence was leveled; the Methodist
and Lutheran churches, both substan-
tial brick edifices, were swept away.
while the steeples of three Roman Cath
Ole churches were blown of and the
buildings Quilted. One side of the brick
dry goods store of Redman 81 Scbram
was blown down and their stock de-
stroyed. Dakota House, the leading
hotel, was partially DESTROYED, The
roof of the Court House was lifted
bodily into the air and has not been
seen since; the handsome residence of
VIM. Rofender, ex-state treasurer.
which stands on bluff somewhat in the
rear of the city, was completely Quilted.
though the inmates escaped unhurt,
l.. Bevenger's furniture store, M, Null
ler's hardware store, Poeser's establish |
ment and II. Blacks machine shop were
all destroyed. The sugar factory and
two public school buildings are DESTROY
ed, and the remaining school house
partly demolished. Lightning struck
the depot three times, but made no i'm
preston. Every livery stable is in |
ruins.
The heaviest individual loss falls ON |
]. Honenstem, who had just completed |
brick brewery at a cost of $4,000. |
The building was entirely DESTROYED.
Lightning struck the boiler room of the |
Empire FIGURING Mill and shattered the |
building, letting out 10000 bushels of
wheat, which is irreparably damaged. |
The Eagle FIGURING Mill, which has
ust been completed, was also badly |
damaged by the tornado. Many bnild-
ngs struck by lightning caught fire,
md the town would have been DESTROY
I'd by fire but for the rain, which de-
ended in torrents. The only lumber
,ard in town, owned by Miller 81
,cherer, was struck simultaneously by
lightning and the tornado, and nothing
las been seen of it since.
Eye witnesses state that the scene dur
ng and Immediately after the storm
vas fearful to contemplate and beyond /,
he descriptive powers of the most
,raphic pen. People who were out on
he street at the time were literally
'lown away and numbers were wound
d by flying debris. Whole sections of
in roofing were sent selling through
he cir by the fury of the storm and
visited like paper. /