New Ulm weekly review., 1883-07-25
Houses, Churches &
Other Buildings
Demolished.
Railroad Train Blown From
the Track lnjurlng Pas
sengers and Trainmen.
Elqin, in Wabashaw
County, in Ruins.
NAVY PEOPLE KILLED
And WOUNDED.
WINDOW GLASS 1T a PRE-
MUM.
AT NEW ULM.

AT NEW ULM.
Last Friday was hot and sultry
day, and when evening came many re-
tired for the night expectant upon be-
ing awakened by the cyclones wrath,
before the rising Of the sun on the
morrow. Not so, but when the peo.
pie awoke on Saturday morning dark
and heavy clouds hung over the city,
and it remained 50 dark during the
fore part Of the day that in many plac-
es artificial light had to be brought
into requisition in order to permit of
the transaction of business. A gentle
breeze was blowing from the south,
but about 0:30 q. m. the wind sudden
ly veered to the north and the omin.
ons looking clouds began TO twist and
twirl, and in another moment most
furious wind, hail, and rain storm
broke over the city, the air at the
same time becoming densely charged
with electricity. The rain came down
in torrents and was driven through
the air by the fierce wind in regular
sheets. Occasionally the darkness was
relieved by lurid CLEANS of lightning.
invariably followed by deafening peals
of thunder. At times huge hail.stones
pelted against the roofs and sides of
the buildings, and not unfrequently
found their way through sky-lights
and windows. The storm continued
about an hour with incessant fury,
during which time about eight inches
of water fell. The damages in the
city were comparatively small and
may be summed up as follows:
Heavy washouts on both sides of
Centre street from Minnesota to Ger
man streets. Here the cutters lately
constructed were completely washed
away, and had tile storm continued an
hour longer Hsinebach's house and
Hummel's stable would have fallen
prey to the rushing waters. The
Brown County Bank and Behnke' s
building on the opposite side of the
street, wonld also have sustained Sc
we're damages.
Mueller & Scherer's lumber yard and
the Empire Mill engine room were
flooded; also slight damage by water
on the other side of the street.
Peter Scherer's residence struck by
lightning but the injury slight. The
electric current struck the roof, tore
up few shingles and then divided
and followed down the sides of the
house on three different metal pipes.
Fire was communicated to the east
side Of the house, but was quickly ex.
tinguished by the driving rain.
The Centre street arch, erected in
honor of Camp Hubbard, blown down.
This arch was erected ut an expense of
over one hundred dollars, and was ex.
pected to do duty for the turnfest and
St. Joseph's festival.
Numerous gardens, cellars and wells
flooded, trees broken down and win
dow glass broken; the whole loss in
the latter respect, however, not ex.
ceeding 800. The culverts on First
and Second North streets were made
quate to carry eff the water and at one
time the water stood two feet deep on
Broadway.
Many people sought safety in their
cellars expecting the destruction of
the town by another cyclone.
AT SLEEPY EYE.
Our neighboring village of Sleepy
Eye was evidently in the main track
of the storm, and from reports re-
ceived it appears that the damage to
property is much more severe than at
New Ulm.
From r. III. Bingham and others we
learn that not q pane Of glass remained
unbroken on the north side of the
buildings. Single and double strength
glass, 8 K 10 and large store fronts. all
succumbed alike to the huge hail.
stones, which in many instances are
described as being rs large as hens
eggs. From one of our citizens who
entered the town soon after the storm
had passed we learn that the town had
much Of the appearance of New Uln
two years ago, so far as concerned the
store fronts.
The tin roof Of the new mill was
blown of, which caused much damage
to the mill machinery by water, al.
though nothing serious. With the ex.
ception of broken windows none Of
the other buildings in the village were
visibly injured.
From the same source we learn that
Mr.. and Mrs. E. A. Sommerville, Of
Albin township, were overtaken by
the storm few miles from Sleepy
Eye. They took refuge in a rayine,
but the team soon became frightened
at the pelting hail-stones and ran
away leaving Mr.. and Mrs. Sommer-
vile Frustrated on the ground. Both
were seriously injured by tho runaway
and the hail.
THE CO1.NTRy
The total destruction Of the crops ID
tho saddest feature Of the storm. New.
or before had the crops looked 50
promising and never before has the
destruction been SO complete. In the
main track Of the storm, commencing
on the east boundary Of Sigel and Cot.
II = $500 ANVs Z