Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1886-04-22
AT IsICE's STATION.

RIcEs STATION, Special, April 15.-The re.
ports of the terrible disaster that had befaIlen
a wedding party near Rice's Station, sixteen
miles north of St Cloud, last night, were not
greatly exaggerated, but proved to be cor
rect, except in regard to the number killed
it having been variously stated that from
sixteen to twenty-five were killed, which
was in excess, there being. in fact, but ten
among the dead. All sorts of rumors and
stories concerning the affair were in circula-
ton, but as the wires were down telegraphic
information could not be obtained reporter
of the PIONEER PRESS visited the scene early
this morning, driving from St Cloud, and
thence to the former site of the farm house
in which such disastrous and fatal termina-
ton to the bridal festivities occurred, II
was owned by farmer named John Schulz
and occupied by himself and family, consist
ing of his wife and four children--two
daughters and two sons The wedding OF
his daughter, Louisa, to Henry Friday, o
young farmer of the vicinity, had taken
place during the afternoon, the ceremony
having been performed by Rev. Smith, the
Lutheran minister of St Cloud assisted by
Rev. Henry A. Seder, German Methodist
pastor of the neighboring village of Royal
ton Nearly all of the residents of the neigh
borhood were present, and the festivities
were at their height when the dreadful
cyclone swept down upon the place without
scarce moments warning, and no time
was had by the unfortunate bridal party and
hapless guests to
SEEK PLscE OF SAFETY.
The structure was almost totally annihf
lated, and every occupant either killed OF
L.
were two children who were playing
in the yard, and who were fright
ened by the approach of the huge black
inverted funnel, and sought refuge under
chicken coop The coop was carried away
and nothing left of iJ, but, strange to say
the two children were not injured Another
child. boy about twelve years old, who
was in the kitchen of the house at the time
escaped without serious injury. but he was
badly scratched and bruised 1t was he thai
rode into the village at Rice's and gave the
Information. Assistance was at once pro
cured and started for the scene The bodies
of the dead and wounded, terribly bruised
and mutilated, were strewn about the grounc
for distance of several hundred feet The
wounded were first looked after, and every
attention given them.
WELL CARED FOR.
Some were removed to convenient farm
houses aud others were taken into the hotels
at the station, and given the best care that
could be had under the circumstances Dr..
Rathbun. the local physician, had more than
be could attend to. and worked like beaver
trying to alleviate the pain and suffering of
the wounded Every assistance possible
was rendered by the people of the place, but
40, no,
stances, as there was no way of sending in
word to St Cloud. After the wounded had
been looked after the work of
GATHERING UP THE DEAD
bodies and conveying them into the village
was begun. 1t was found, upon count, that
nine had been killed outright, or at least
were dead when the succoring party ar
rived. One lady, Mrs Gaumlants, died after
being found, making the tenth victim. The
bodies were laid side by side on cots in the
little frame building at Rices that serves as
the town hall of the village, and this morn
ing the bodies were prepared for burial,
which will probably occur tomorrow, al
though that has not been definitely arranged
yet. Assistance was sent to-day from St
Cloud, three physicians and a corps
Of assistants being dispatched on
special train of the Northern Pacific
road, in answer TO the appeal for surgical
aid The pastor who performed the mar
rage service and his wife were among the
lead, but their little girl escaped injury, be-
ing one of toe children who sought safe
place under the chicken coop. The other
pastor, Rev. Henry Seder, was badly
wounded sustaining compound fracture of
the thigh and a number of severe cuts about
The face and head besides numerous bruises
on various parts of the body The groom,
Henry Friday, was killed instantly, as were
The mother and brother of the bride, but
she latter escaped with few bad cuts about
the fsce and head and broken collar bone
Her father. John Schulz, was badly hurt
about the head and had several ribs broken
It is thought, however, that he will recover
THE VICTIMS
Following is complete list of the dead:
HENRY FRIDAY. the groom.
CHARLES SCHULZ, brother of bride
JOHN sAUERS, farmer.
REV. SMITH
MRS. REV. SMITH
MRS. GAUMLANTS.
MRS. SCHULZ, mother Of bride,
MRS. KoEHLER
A girl named TRIyoERTS
One woman, name not ascertained
Those wounded were:
FRED VoGT. farmer; slight bruises about
head.
OTTO GAUMLANTS, boy: slightly.
CHARLES FRIDAY. nephew OF groom; com
pound fracture of the thigh.
REV HENRY A. SEDER, fracture Of thigh.
FREDERICK HERMAN, carpenter; severe
scalp wounds and face badly disfigured,
WILLIAM GAUMLANTS. farmer; spine in
jured
MICHAEL KoEHIIER, farmer; fracture a
base OF brain and badly hurt internally.
JOHN TRABANT, farmer; right arm broken.
JOHN SCHULZ, father of the bride: severe
COMMISSIONS on head and four ribs broken.
LIST or LOSSES
The following is correct list of the in
dtyidual losses. as estimated approximately
by committee of Sank Rapids gentlemen.
who made thorough investigation yester-
day, with view of enlightening people as
to the extent of the damage to property. IL
is penerally beiipyed that the aatir,ar.. -.