The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1886-04-22
HORRORS OF A CYCLONE.
a PAIL OF DEATH, 0ESOLATloN AND
RUIN IN MINNESOTA.

a PAIL OF DEATH, 0ESOLATloN AND
RUIN IN MINNESOTA.
FJondreas of Rsople Killed and NIangled--
Heart-Rending Scenes and Incidents
The Ground Poughed Up, Houses De-
moli,hed and Railroad Rails Twisted
Like Wire.
ST. CLOUD, MINI. April ia
few minutes after 4 O'Clock yesterday
afternoon the skies became overcast
with 8 dark cloud, and a great black
mass rose over the hills Southwest OF
{, the city, and coming with terrible
velocity to the Western outskirts in
8 direct line for the Manitoba freight
yards. The clouds hung low, and roll
ed over. and over like smoke over a
battle feld, and were accompanied by a
loud roaring and cracking sound. that
resenibled o confagration in Its fury.
The cloud was funnel-shaped, and the
point dragged along the ground like the
tail of a huge erlal beast, lashing every
thing that came in its path into atoms.
The citizens had hardly time to flee to
their cellars and seek other points OF re-
fugc before q whlrlwind was on them
and the air filed with flying boards,
shingles, bricks and other debris, that
was strewn over the country and piled
in promiscuous heaps. 1t came nom
the Southeast and moved in North
easterly direction until it reached the
river, where its course was diverted and
followed the river banks until it reached
Sauk Rapids, where 1t dlverged to the
left, passing directly through the centre
Of that town. :.
The utmost excitement prevailed.
Women and children fled from their
houses and rushed almlessly about IN
the midst Of the dark cloud and dust and
ar avalanche of boards and brick. Men
lost their presence of mind and stood in
silence and inactivity in the presence Of
the wind demon. It was hardly noticed
before 1t was on the city in all its fury.
and HE people were not warned OF their
danger before it was upon them, and
they fell like grain stalks before the
reaper's sickle.
The portion ofSt. Cloud struck by the
cyclone was the Southwestern section.
aud was the residence portion occupied
BY the laboring class Of people, the ma
1ority of them being foreigners employ
ed on the railroads. Their dwellings
were light built houses and became easy
prey to the monster that had so vicious
pounced upon them. They were like
cookie shells in the grasp Of the whirl-
wind. and were picked up and tossed in
the air and rent into thousand pieces.
The earth was plowed up in the line OF
the cyclone. and the path over which
.sto. a width OF. nearly q quarter
ga nile, looks as though It had beeh
upheaved by terrible volcanic erup-
ton. It had hardly begun its terrible
work before it was finished, and the
scene that greeted the eyes OF those who
had escaped its fury was one that caused
the stoutest heart to shudder. The
cries and slrieks of the wounded rent
the air, and the ground was strewn with
the bodies of the dead. Among them
were stalwart men, weak women, and
weaker children. The citizens almost
to q man rushed to the demolished dis
trlcts, and summoning physicians began
their work of rcscuing those who were
still living from beneath the piles of
dirt and fallen buildings.
Brainard was promptly telegraphed
to for medical help, and she Immediately
responded by sending q dozen physi-
clans and surgeons by special train,
but it was late in the evening when they
arrived on the scene. st. Paul and Min
neapolls were also appealed to and a
special car was sent out with twenty
three surgeon and physicians for the
scene Of disaster. After dark the scene
was CHASTITY one. Rain poured down
in torrents and hundreds Of men wander
ed over the ground, many carrying lan-
terms, scar hing for bodies among the
ruins. The hotel lobbies were filled
with excited citizens, many of whom
vet suspected that some portion of their
families or their friends had fallen vic
TINS to the terrible disaster. Women,
seemingly unconscious of the rain that
was falling in the streets, and ignoring
the cutters aud turbid streams. glided
about sobbing and moaning IN their
fright.
On the arrival of the train yesterday
with the surgeons, work was at once
begun to relieve the wounded. Eighteen
dead were taken to the Little Giant
engine house and stretched out on the
floor, while the wounded were sent to
the First Benedict Hospital where they
were promptly cared for by corps
OF physicians and the nurses, among
whom were numerous lady residents who
had volunteered their services. There
were fifty.four wounded IN the hospital
last night besides large number that
were taken to private residences. To-
day there are forty-three in the hospital,
two having died and the others have been
removed. The bodies at the engine
house were neatly dressed to-day and
placed in coffins. The funeral will
nrobably take place Tomorrow