St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-04-15

the cyclone from its beginning until its
ruthless work was accomplished. The aw-
full grandeur of the sight shall never for
get. Ii is impossible to say how many
people were killed or injured. As soon as
the storm had passed l staggered to my
boarding place, which strangely enough
was left unharmed. and have been here
ever since. unable to walk out. l am sure,
though. that no less than
THIRTY PEOPLE WERE KILLED,
while the injured will number many score
more. The eastern portion of the town is
in ruins" Proceeding. he related the de-
tailed story. whose very simpleneSs gave
dramatic effect To the narrative which the
most studied effort could not have attained.
All day long an oppressive sultryneSs had
pervaded the atmosphere. At noon the
clouds. banking up on the western horizon,
gave promise OF welcome rains and relief
from the dust and heat. All looked for
ward with pleasure to the coming
of gentle April showers. Their presence
had been long delayed and eagerly looked
for. Vegetation just beginning to be
touched with tinge of green would be
freshened up and the parched earth re-
freShed. Windows were thrown up and
have free access. Slowly that
BANK OF BLACKIsH CLOUDS
increased in size. But a change was taking
place. About o'clock in place of the con-
trasting elearness which had hitherto ex
isted, an Ominous grayish green tinge was
assumed by the sky in the southwest. The
air became more close. Still no fear was
manifested or felt Instead, there was
gladness for the surety which now existed
Of eOpiOus rainfall. Slowly the hue of
the heavens changed. The cOlOring inter-
changed and deepened as though the heay-
ems were huge palette and the cOlOrs
were being laid on with a giant unseen
brush. From green 70 a muddy copper and
from copper dark-hued brown, the clouds
in few moments shifted. Here and there
a streak OF light like a glittering dagger
was seen cleaning among the masses of
darker color. White seurrving, sail-like
scud appeared here and there. On the
edges of the approaching clOud-bank was
seen whitiSh grey trimming. All
THE CYCLoNIC CONDITIONS
were present. A vague alarm then began
10 stir i'm the breasts of the hitherto joyful
OnlOokers. 1t seemed to animate even
dumb animals. Horses standing in the
streets shifted uneasily and neighed
anXiously. Even dogs whined timOrously
and tried to stink away into places of
shelter. Those who had experience of
eyclonic storms feared the worst and i'm
parted their alarm In others. Anxiously
the sky was regarded. In few moments
the truth could no longer be doubted. The
inevitable and fatal inverted cone quickly
took form out of the terror-inspiring
mass which now covered the entire south
a .
distinctly outlined in blacker cOloring.
Twisting and twirling it came whirling
down towards the doomed towns. Then
the instinct of self-preservation took pos
session of all. Mothers with blanched
faces hastily
SNATCHED UP THEIR BABES
and sought makeshift protection in con-
venient cellars. Husbands and fathers
ran terror-stricken to their homes, fearful
for their wives and children. Hasty pro-
lection was made against the faSt-driving
demon of the wind. Doors were locked.
windows closed and whole families crowded
into cramped cellars. Others sought safety
in the open fields. In nearly every case
within the cyclones path precautions were
in vain. Like huge black funnel, with
its cadaverous nav seeking to gulp down
everything within its reach,
THE DEATH-DEALING CLOUD
came swooping down. With immeasur-
able swittneSs it drew near the fated towns.
At 4:32 it had struck the southwestern pOr-
tion of Sauk Rapids. There was a rush of
wind. the intermingled patter of heavy
raindrops and hail and the beautiful town
was at the mercy of the all-devouring
demon. Like snow beneath the warm
suns rays the houses in its path melted
away. Some were lifted bodily with their
contents high into the air and dashed into
kindling wood upon the ground. Others
of stOuter frame were crushed like so much
card board. Still Others more massive in
construction were twisted and wrenched.
The churches, forming as they did promI-
nent objects of attack, felt the full
FURY OF THE MONSTERS FORCE.
Their towers were all more or less dam
aged, as was the Normal school building.
The sky was almost black with flying tim
bers which were whirled like straws through
the air. Occasionally was seen an animal
hurled along with irresistible force. Oc-
casiOnally the semblance of human form,
bruised almost beyond recognition, formed
part OF the flying debris. Tall and sturdy
trees were hOiSted out of the ground like so
many reeds and sent flying like chaff
through the air. Above all the confusion
rose the roar and swirl of the storm as it
satiated its awful appetite for destruction.
For twelve minutes the terrific uproar and
work OF devastation ragged. Then all was
quiet. Quiet, save for the groans and moan
ing of
THE WOUNDED AND DYING.
These rose with terrible diStinctness upon
the clear evening air. There were Others
who made neither sign nor sound. Lying
under heavy beams, buried in rubbish
chOked cellars. lying lifeless in the road
ways where they had been thrown. nearly
two score people who had awakened glow