The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1885-07-24
MINNETONKA DISASTER.
The Steamer Goes to the Bottom
With oil OH Board, Ten
Persons I'm All,

Wltn 0li OH bO0r0, Ten
Persons I'm AL,
<nclntiing Ex-AIsyor Rand Of Minneapolis,
His Wifc and Six Other Members Of
the Family.
A sudden and severe storm, which struck
Lake Minnctonka, Minnesota, between 4 and
ao'clock last Sunday afternoon, (12th inst
added to long list oiloss Of life by disaster
on the water ten names, including ex-may.
or Rand and wife OF Minneapolis, and al
most all OF their immediate family, and
contributed to the annals Of the lake the
most terrible casualty in the history ol
Minnctonkn.
Thercwas succession OF brilliant electric
displays, followed by sharp peals OF thun
der. This WIS followed, -as observed from
the east shore Of the lake, first by a torrent
"f rain, falling in clearly defined sheets, and
followed hya wind blowing gale, from Elk
cnlsior towards Wayznta, md sweeping the
lake ut it's brondcst point unbroken fol
thccntircswccp. The storm lasted less than
hall an hour was followed by sunshine, and
had no more than cleared away before IL
revealed q disaster more horrible than the
most vivid imagination had painted.
Among the boats caught in the storm
wns the small steam launch or yacht known
as the Minnie Cook, aud belonging to e. ID
Newell "f Excelsior. She is one OF fifteen or
more small steam pleasure boats doinl
service on the lake, and had been chartered
Tor the afternoon by John II. Coykendall
Il D.alt tc.ls "a "A
leave, Mr.. and Mrs. A. G. Rand, Mr.. nnd
Mrs. John X. Coyken,lall and thcil
daughter Katie Coyken,lall, between
four and five years old; Miss Mary
Rand, aged sixteen, Harvey Rand, aged
tllirtecnA children of Mr.. nnd Mrs. A, C.
Rand; Frank Rand, tho son Of Mrs. A. b
Rand; Robert Iussey, son of N. b. Husscy
Of Minneapolis, IL friend OF Frank Rand, and
George Mcdonald, pilot and engineer Of tn.
boat-tcn persons. in all. From what il
known Of the intention Of tho purity, 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 torrcnts
;,s to completely obscure the vision, and oil
that il known Of the manner of the iisas
ter il conjecture. Mr.. G. NJ. Hardenburs
was probably the last to see the steamer
from his cottage at Point Lookout. The
rain had already begun to fall, and the
bont wus then just off Spirit Island, ut the
entrance of Wayzatabay. When the storm
lifted he looked again and the steamer was
nowhere to he seen, but ON tho troubled
waters there floated pail and some arti.
cles OF clothing that told u tale too horri.
Bile for ready realization,
The steamer had sunk with all on board.
Mr.. Hnrtienberg as soon as prudence W oul(l
permit, pulled away in skiff to the point
wiicio the steamer was last seen, and the
articles were found floating, and picked up
what proved to be the body OF Mrs. Rand,
fionting 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 carelessncss
or Ignorance on the part Of the engineer.
The steamer was chiefly used by the owner
ior carrying on II supply business to the
cottages, and was valued ut about $1,000.
In common with most Of the smaller boats,
she was withouta supply OF life prescrvers,
though it is not clear that these would have
been OF service at the critical moment,
whether the boat capszed or was simply
swampcd and went to the bottom with it's
Imprisoned occupants.
As above stated, ten lives were lost as
follows:
Ex-mayor Alonzo G. Rand.
Mrs. A. G. Rand
Mr.. and Mrs. John r. Coykentlall.
Miss Katie Coykcmdall, aged five.
Miss Mary Rand, daughter Of A. G. Rand,
aged sixteen.
Harvey Rand, SON OF A. c. Rand, aged
fourteen.
Frank Rand, son of Mrs. A. B. Rand.
Robert Iinssey, son of N. B. Hussey.
George Mcdonald, engineer OF the steamer
and son OF Capt. Lew 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 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: II. h. Langdon,
&. Il. Hatch and Mrs. Hatch, w. Il. Bur-
well, G. NJ. Lnring, =. NJ. Babcock, Judge
koon. John Brltlstrcet, George Moulton,
Louis Watson DIR. Tuttlc, o. A. Pray.
a. q. Rand was one OF the most prom.
incnt citizens OF Minneapolis. .IIe located
here early in the history Of the city, and
actively identified himself with the business
interests and the growth and development
OF the then small but promising city. lie
established, together with II. w. Brown,
the Minneapolis Gas Light company, the
first organization which furnished illum-
ination for the city. Fortune favored Ills
efforts, and he succeeded in anllssing IL
large fortune. MIR. Rand was a Republican,
and although he was never particularly uc-
tivcin political circles, heacccpted the NOM
nation OF the party for mayor in 1S72and
was elected by 1. good round majority. He
was very much liked by all classes.
John X. .Coykcndnll was aged As years and
the senior member Of the firm Of Coykendall
Bros. Co., composed OF J. II. Coykendull
and Charles T.. Hamblen. Mr.. Coykendall
was IL pioneer mcrchantin Minneapolis.
Frank Rand was ~ nephew of Mr.. A. C.
Rand, being the son Of Mr.. A. B. Rand. lie
was well known in Minneapolis, llavingliv,d
with his uncle for several years. He was
about 20 years old and was a young man of
ability.
Mary Rand was only rs years old, but
was a particular favorite among all her ac-
quaintances, as well az in society, which she
recently entered. She was born in New York
city.
Harry Rand was born in Aurora, ILL.,, in
1872, and was consequently IL years OF
age. lie had spent all Of his life in Minnc-
apolis.
The engineer, George Mcdonald, had his
home with his father in OtscgO and has been
engaged for some years stcaInboating. He
was about twenty-five years old and had no
family.
Robert H,sscy was son ofN. B. Hussey,
the plumber, OF Minneapolis. He was =
bright lad about 12 years old. '' '''.' a
The Patriarcl,al Odd Fellows At *. Paul.
The various Temples, delegates and
friends Of the Patriarchal Circle Of Odd
Fellows gathered in large numbers at st.
Paul. on the sth inst, and were Hospitality
Delegations were present from
most OF the Western States, and some from
as lar east as Massachusetts. Most OF the
I,afriarclls who arrived were accompanied
by ladies, and it is estimated that ut least
900 strangers came in on the various
trains in connection with the grand excur,
sion.
The proceedings of the first day
were Opened by ~ reception at Market
Hall. where addresses ofwclcolue were made
by Governor Hubbard, Mayor Rice and
Postmaster Day, to which suitable respon.
ses were made By sumemc C9unse! NJ. f.
slissle OF Chicago. Peter Van Vctchen Of
Milwaukee, and Supreme grand oracle.
A very impressive aud attractive ica ture Of
the days proceedings wnstlle grand parade