Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1889-04-17

survivor to have the principal. Mrs.
Monroe died July 1, 1883, while the testa.
tor did not die until January 10, 1889. The
value Of the estate is admitted by 0rinnell
to be &225, 900, although some estimate IL
as high as $5OO,000. Mr.. (rinnsll is said
to be a stranger to the relatives Of Monroe.
Tho River Land Evictions Suspended.
Judge Shiras, Of tho federal court Of
Dubuque, on the 10th instructed Marshal
Desmond to suspend his order Of eviction
against the settlers on the Des Moines
river. lands pending the action of the sec-
retAry OF the interior and attorney gem
eral in determining whether suits will be
brought in the name Of tho government TO
quiet the titles to the same. Judge hhiras
says he does this as matter of courtesy
to coordinate branch Of the government
and in order that there may be no un.
seemly haste under the circumstances.
- -Rarsssnia<a as1A ~ s.nsasl nsas4Assss-s III
Not until the 14th did detailed reports Of
the Samoan disaster reach the newspapers
of the United States for publication, which
included all the graphic details Of the
storm, as penned by an eye witness. The
Associated Press account given to the pub
lie on that day contains full particulars,
from which the following extracts will
convey very correct appreciation of the
severity of the storm and extent of the re-
sultant disaster:
The little group of the Samoan or Navi-
tracted the attention of the civilized world
by fierce civil combat between two fac
tions of the natives, and the consequent
possibility of1serious complications between
the United States and Germany, have been
visited by disaster more appalling than
all the wars ever waged here. The United
States and Germany have lost nearly $50
lives and $3,OO0.00D worth of property.
The most violent and destructive hurricane
ever known in the South Pacific passed
over the islands on the 10th and l7th Of
March, ond as result the feet of six war
ships and ten other vessels were ground to
atoms on the coral reefs in the harbor or
thrown on the beach in front Of Apia.
The United States frigate Trenton. the
flagship OF the Pacific squadron, lies with
in stones throw of the American consul
ate, total wreck. The great hull of the
harbor a few weeks ago rests on the bot
tom. fast going to pieces. The United
States steamer Vandalia is buried out of
sight between the Trenton and the shore,
her shattered foremast and smokestack
rising from the water to mark the spot
where the gallant vessel struck and lay for
twelve hours before the awful torrent OF
water swept four officers and thirty nine
men from the deck and rigging. The
United Safes steamer Nipsic lay for several
days alongside the Vandalla with her bow
high on the beach and within five feet of
the waters edge. The vessel, though badly
damaged. was hauled of few days after
the storm, and is the only warship afloat in
the harhor. The three American men-of-
war were swept ashore almost on the same
spot.
The force of the storm was never
equalled in this part OF the world before.
The barometer had been falling steadily
for several days previous and the wind
commenced to blow Friday, March Is, and
| continued until Sunday morning. The
| rain fell in torrents during the whole time
| and great clouds Of saud swept over the
town. Hundreds of people stood on the
beach and watched the awful spectacle in
the harbor. The vessels all had full
head Of steam on and three or four anchors
out; yards and topmasts were down and
every precaution taken to insure the safety
of the ships, bnt the wind constantly
shifted from northeast to northwest and
the force WAS SO great that the vessels
dragged their anchors all over the harbor,
drifting from one side to another and COM
ing into collision several times. TYe-
mendous seas broke over the decks and
torrents of water rushed down the hatch
ways and put out the fires. The storm
raged furiously for nearly two days, and
when it finally abated the scene of de-
struction on the shore was frightful.
Houses were unroofed and blown down
and trees were uprooted and blown about
in such way that the streets we're in many
places completely blocked. Out Of seven
teen vessels which had been .noored in the
harbor only two small schooners remained
afloat and these were badly damaged. A
total list of the dead is as follows: From
the crew Of the Eber, II; vandalia, 43;
Adler, 20; Nipsic, Z; the schooner Lilly, 2;
Trenton, /; natives, 2; total, LAG.
Mormon Church Statistics
At the closing Of the conference OF the