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

than forty persons killed. outright, and number
.fatdNy dyt~,d.
ST. CLorn, MINN., April 10. A few minute
after clock yesterday afternoon the skie
became overcast with dark cloud, and a grea
black mass rose over the hills southwest of tn
city, coming with terrible velocity toward tn,
western outskirts in n direct line for the Mani
toht freight yards. The clouds hung low ant
rolled over anu over ike smoke on a battle
field and were accompanied by loud roaring
and cracking sound that rcscmbled n confa
grafton in its fury. The cloud was funnel
shaped, and the point dragged along the
ground like the tail of huge aerial beast lash
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 whirlwind was on them; and the air was
filled with nying boards shingles, bricks and
other Debris that was strcwn over the country
and piled in pIomiscuous heaps. 1t came from
the southwest and moved in n northcasterly
direction until it reached the river, where its
course was diverted, and followed the river
banks until it reached Sank Rapids, where it
divcrgcd TO the left, passing directly through
the center of that town. The utmost excite
ment prevailed Wcmcn and children fed
from their houses, and rushed aimlcssly 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
III all its fury, and people were not warned of
their danger before it was upon them, and they
fell like grain stalks before the rcaper's sickle
The part of st. Cloud struck by the Cyclone
was the southwestern section, and was occupied
by the houses of the laboring class Of people,
the maj ority 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 yicously pounccl upon
them. They were like cookie shells in the
grasp Of the whirlwind, and were picked up
and tossed in the air and rcnt-into Il 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 n quarter Of q
mile, looks rs though it had been upheavcd by
n 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 escapai the fury was ono tIat
caused the stoutcst heart to shudicr 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
zcns almos. to 4 man. rushed to the dcinoish-
ell districts, and summoning physicians, began
their work of rcscuing those who were still liv-
ing from beneath tho piles of dirt and falling
buildings. A.tcr dark the scene was ghasty
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 were filled
with excited citizens. many whom suspected
that some portion Of their families or their
friends had fallen victims to the terrible dsas-
ter. Womca, seemingly unconscious of the
rain that WAS falling, were in the streets and.
ignoring tho cutters and turbii streams, glided
about sobbing and moaning in their fright.
The force of the storm was such rs to wrench
of the door of n safe in the postotiice aud carry
it some distance from the building. \ church
bell, weighing ! 900 pounds, was found among
inc dcbfls -FOUR hihlreu jcSt away from any
building. The remains u: the dead arc almost
unrecospizabc. being completely crushed and
blachcncd. There are remarkable number of
persons I'M nrcd about the hips and spine; many
of the survivors will be disabled fer life.
Eighteen dead were taken to the Little Giant
engine house and stretched out on the floor
while the wounded were sent to thc -. rcnc
promptly cared for ny n corps of physicians
ana nurses among whom were numerous lady
residents who had volunteered their services,