The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1885-07-16
MINNETONKA DISASTER.
The Steamer Goes to the Bottom
With all on Board, Ten
Persons in All,
Inclu ling Ex-Mayor Rand of Minneapolis,
His Wife and Six Other Members of
the Family.

Inclu ling Ex-Mayor Rand of Minneapolis,
His Wife and Six Other Members of
the Family.
A sudden and severe storm, which struck
Lake Minnetonka, Minnesota, between and
5 O. clock last Sunday afternoon, 18th inst.
added to the long list ofloss OF life by disaster
on the water ten names, including ex-may-
OF Rand and wife OF Minneapolis, and al
most all OF their immediate family, and
contri buted to the annals OF the lake the
most terrible casualty in the history OF
There was succession of brilliant electric
displays, followed by sharp peals OF thun-
der. This was followed, as observed from
the east shore OF the lake, first by torrent
of rain, falling in clearly defined sheets, and
followed by a wind blowing a gale, from Ex
celsior towards Wayzata, and sweeping the
lake at it's broadcast point unbroken for
the entire sweep. The storm lasted less than
had no more than cleared away before it
revealed disaster more horrible than the
most vivid Imagination had painted.
Among the boats caught in the storm
was the small steam launch or yacht known
as the Minnie Cook, and belonging to E. D.
Newell of Excelsior. She is one OF fifteen or
more small steam pleasure boats doing
service on the lake, and had been chartered
for the afternoon by. John r. Coykendall.
There was on the boat when 1t took it's
leave Mr.. and Mrs. A. G. Rand, Mr.. and
Mrs. John r. Coykendall and their
daughter Katie Coykendall, between
four and five years old; NEss Nary
Rand r; aged sixteen, Harvey Rard: ed =
Rand; Frank Rand, the son Of Mrs. A. b.
Rand; Robert Hussey, son Of N. B. Hussey
OF Minneapolis, a friend of Frank Rand, and
George Mcdonald, pilot and engineer of the
boat-ten persons in all. From what is
known OF the intention Of the party, and
what followed, it is evident that the storm
cloud was accepted as warning and that
the steamer was put about and started
to return to the point OF starting.
People observed the boat before the storm,
but the rain and hail fell in such torrents
as to completely obscure the vision, and all
that is known OF the manner OF the lisas-
was probably the last to see the steamer
from his cottage at Point Lookout. The
rain had already begun to fall, and the
boat was then just off Spirit Island, at the
entrance OF Wayzata bay. When the storm
lifted he looked again and the steamer was
nowhere to be seen, but on the troubled
waters there toatcd a pail and some. arti-
cles of clothing that told a tale too horri-
Bile for ready realization,
The steamer had sunk with all on board.
Mr.. Hardenbcrg as soon as prudence would
permit, pulled away in skiff to the point
where the steamer was last seen, and the
what proved to be the body OF Mrs. Rand,
floating on the water with her face down
ward. Beyond this sad evidence and the
floating clothing etc., there was nothing to
tell the story OF the calamity.
There is nothing to indicate carelessness
or ignorance on the part OF the engineer.
The steamer was chiefly used by the owner
for carrying on q supply business to the
cottages, and was valued at about 81 900.
In common with most OF the smaller boats,
she was withouta supply OF life preservers,
though it is not clear that these W ould have
been OF service at the critical moment,
whether the boat capsized or was simply
swamped and went to the bottom with its
imprisoned occupants.
AS above stated, ten lives were lost, as
follows:
Ex-mayor Alonzo G. Rand.
Mrs. A. C. Rand.
Mr. and Mrs John R. Coykendall.
Miss Katie Coykcndall aged five.
Miss Mary Rand, daughter Of A. C. Rand,
aged sixteen.
Harvey Rand, son Of A. C: Rand, aged
fourteen.
Frank Rand, son Of Mrs: 4: 3: Rand:
Robert Hussey, son OF n: 3. Hussey:
m 90 11e ,+o oo1,
and son OF Capt. Low Mcdonald, Of the
City OF St. Louis.
The bodies OF Mrs. Rand and George Nc.
Donald were soon found, and. the others
next morning. The news was transmitted
to Minneapolis and created a tremendous
sensation. A special train was Immediate
ly sent from the city. Among the friends
OF the family who went out from Minneap-
oils on this special were: r. B. L:ingdon,
G. f. Hatch and Mrs. Hatch, w. +. Bur
WE'LL C. NJ. Loring, p. NJ. Babcock, Judge
+ouig Wats9h, Rr: T4ttttle' 9: A. Pray:
inent citizens Of Minneapolis. He loca ted
here early in the history OF the city, and
actively identified himself with the business
interests and the growth and development
established, together With #: W. Bfo11fh t
the Minneapolis Gas Light company, the
first organization which furnished illum-
ination for the city. FORTUNE favored his
efforts, and he succeeded in amassi4g q
large fortune: Mr.. Rand was a Republican,
and although be was never particularly ac:
tiyein political circles, he aceepted the nom:
iaation OF the party for mayor in lS72 a3a
was very much liked by all CLASSES: '' =
John II. Coykendall was aged 45 years and
the senior member OF the firm Of Coykenaall
Bros. & Co.. composed OF j. R. Coykendall
and Charles T.. Hamblen. Mr.. Coykendall
was a pioneer merchantin Minneapolis.
Frank Rand was nephew OF Mr. A. C.
Rand, being the son of Mr.. A. B. Rand. lie
was well known in Minneapolis havinglived
with his uncle for several years. He was
about 20 years old and was a yonng man Of
ability.
Mary Rand was only 1G years old, but
was particular favorite among all her ac-
guaintances, as well as in society, which she
recently entered: She was bornln New York
city.
Harry Rand was born in Aurora, Ill.,, in
1872, and was consequently Ii years 81
age. lie had spent all of his life in Mime
apolis.
The engineer, George Mcdonald, had bis
home with his father in Otsego and has been
engaged for some years steamhoating. He
was about twenty -tiye years old and had no
family:
Robert Hussey was son DIN: B: Hussey,
the plumber, Of Minneapolis. He was 9
bright lad about IL years old:
The Patpiarchal Odd Fellows At st: Paul:
The various Temples delegates and
friends of the Patriarchal Circle OF Odd
Fellows gathered in large numbers at St.
Paul, on the 9Th inst, and were Hospitality
entertained. Delegations were PRESENT. from
most Of the Western States, and some from
as fur east as Massachusetts. Most OF the
who arrived were accompanied
by ladies, and it is estimated that at least
5000 strangers came in on the various
trains in connection with the grand excur-
sion.
The proceedings OF the first day
were opened by a reception at Market
Hall, where addresses ofwelcome were made
by Governor Hubbard, Mayor Rice and
Postmaster Pay; t9 Which soita2blle respo !,
Riggle of Chicago, Peter Van Vefch9h OF