The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1886-04-23
A TERRIBLE CYCLONE IN MINNESOTA.


fatally injured
ST. CLouD, MINI, April Is. few minute
after o'clock yesterday afternoon the skie
became overcast with dark cloud, and q erea
black mass rose over the hills southwest of tn
city, coming with terrible velocity toward tn,
western outskirts in direct line for the Mani
tob" freight yards. The clouds hung low ant
rolled over and over like smoke on a battle
field and were accompanied by n loud roaring
and cracking sound that resembled confls
grafton in its fury, The cloud was funnel.
shaped, and the point dragged along the
ground like the tail Of huge aerial beast. Iasb.
ing everything that came in its path to atoms.
The citizens had hardly time to flee to their
cellars and seek other places of refuge before
the wbirlwind was on them; and the mir WAS
hlled with Tying boards, shingles, bricks and
other Debris that was strewn over the country
and piled in pr Iomiscuous heaps. 1t came from
the southwest and moved in q northeasterly
direction until it reached the river, where its
course was diverted, and followed the river
banks until it reached Sank Rapids, where it
diverged to the left, passing directly through
the center Of that town. The utmost excite
from their houses, and rushed aimlessly about
in the midst Of the dark cloud of dust and
avalanche of boards and brick. Men lost
their presence Of mind and stood in silence and
inactivity in the presence of The wind demon.
1t was hardly noticed before it was on the city
In oil its fury. and people were not warned of
their danger before it was upon them, and they
fell like grain stalks before the reapers sickle.
The part o! st. Cloud struck by the Cyclone
was the southwestern section, and was occupied
by the houses Of the laboring class Of people,
the majority of whom arc Foreigners employed
on the railroads. Their dwellings were light
built houses and became an easy prey to the
monster that had so viciously pounced upon
them. They were like cookie shells in the
grasp Of the whrlwind, and were picked up
and tossed in the air and rent.into d thousand
pieces. The earth was ploughed up in the line
Of the cyclone; and the path over which it
passed, to the width of nearly O quarter of a
mile, looks as though it had been upheaved by
terrible volcanic eruption. The wind had
hardly begun its terrible work before it was
finished, and the scene that greeted the eyes of
those who had escapad the fury was one that
caused the 'stoutesf heart to shudder. The
cries and shrieks Of the wounded rent the air,
and the ground was strcwn with the bodies. of
the dead. Among them were stalwart men,
weak women and weaker children. The citi-
zens almost to man, rushed to the demolish-
ed districts, and summoning physicians, began
their work of rescuing those who were still liv.
ing from beneath the piles of dirt and falling
buildings. After dark the scene was O ghastly
one. The rain poured down in torrents and
hundreds Of men wandered over the ground,
many carrying lanterns, searching for bodies
among the ruins. The hotel lobbies we're filled
with excited citizens. many Of whom suspected
that some portion of their families or their
friends had fallen victims to the terrible disas-
ter. Women, seemingly unconscious of the
rain that was falling, were in the streets and,
ignoring the cutters aud turbd streams, glided
about sobbing and moaning in their fright.
The force of the storm was such as to wrench
off the door Of o safe in the postoffce and carry
it some distance from the building. A church
bell, weighing ], 200 pounds, was found amopk
the debris four hundred feet away from any
building. The remains Of the dead are almost
unacceptable, being completely crushed and
blackened. There are remarkable number of
persons injured about the hips and spine; many
Of the survivors will be disabled for life
Eighteen dead were taken to the Little Giant
engine house and stretched out on the floor
while the wounded were sent to the St. Rene-
dict Catholic Hospital, where they were
promptly cared for by corps Of physicians
and nurses, among whom we're numerous lady
residents who had volunteered their services,
There were forty-four wounded in the hospital
last night, besides the large number that was
taken to private residences. To-day there are
about forty-three, two having died, and others
having been removed. The bodies at the en-
placed in collins.
SAuK RAPIDS, MIMI, April 15.-A cyclone
struck this city shortly after o'clock yester-
day afternoon, and in just six minutes the best
portion of the town was in ruins. Not q single
business house left standing on Main
street. Many residences were demolished.
The wind came from the southwest and swept
everything before it for q width of about four
blocks. The storm cloud was as black as night
with q bright clear sky on either side. The
Courthouse is now heap Of ruins and several
the county officers were killed The school
house, the Presbyterian and Congre gational
churches; the postoiice, -four mill and large
machine shop were all converted into kindne
wood in less time than 1t takes TO tell il. What
was the center Of the town is now covered with
all sorts Of debris, timber, doors pieces Of fur
niture, &c.,
At the present time twenty-five dead bodies
have been recovered from the ruins and large
number of people are injured. The spectacle
Is asad one, the living being not only deprived
Of their friends bat Of all their earthly posses