The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1890-07-16
rRIcHrFuL LOSS OF LIFE.

LAKE Cry, MINs. July ls--Wbat will
probably prove to be The most disastrous
cyclone that has ever struck this commani-
ty. passed over this city at ) o'clock this
evening, infiiciios the loss of life perhaps 100
or 800 people and damaging property 10 an
extent that at this wiring cannot be esti-
mated. What appeared 10 BE- an ordinary
electric storm was first noticed coming up
from tie West. In half an hour the whole
heavens was converted into complete can
opy OF Lightning, which was watched with
interest by the brave citizens of The littie
village. and with Far by the timid woman
and children. 4 little before dark a terrific
wind storm struck the community. Trees
and houses were fast demolished in its path.
and everybody sought their cellars. When
the storm had somewhat snbsided it was
learned that horrible calamity lad be-
fallen the place, calamity that has not
been equaled since The St. Cloud cyclone
several years ago.
Az EXCLUSION STEAMER ctFsIzED.
soon the news scattered abroad that an ex-
cursion boat with over a0o people Oh it was
capsized in the middle of Lake Pepin The
boat proved to be the steamer Sea Wing
which came down the lake from Diamond
Bluff, small place about Il miles north OF
here, on an excursion to the encampment of
the First Regiment, \. G. S. NJ, which is
being held mile below this city. The
steamer started back on the homeward trip
about O'Clock, and although ihera were
signs of an approaching storm, il was not
considered in any way serious and no danger
was anticipated. The boat was crowded to
to its fullest capacity, about l50 men, women
and children from Red Wing and Diamond
Bluff being on board, and about 50 people
on barge which was attached to the side of
the steamer. When about opposite Lake
City the boat began TO feel the effects of the
storm, bat the officers kept on the way,
while the storm increased as the boat con-
tinued up the lake and in 10 minutes was at
its height. Nearing Central Point, about
two miles above Lake City, the steamer was
at the mercy of the waves, which were now
washing over the boat, and all was confu-
sion. The boat momentarily ran onto bar
and the barge was cut loose and the steamer
again set adrift in the lake. A number Of
those on the barge jumped and swan ashore
HoRREFYING SPECTACLE.
As the barge also hoated again into the
deep water, those on the barge saw the
steamer as it was carried helplessly out into
the middle of the lake, and as they were
being tossed about ON the raging waters,
they were horriied moment later to OBJ
serve the steamer capsize and its cargo of
100 people precipitatcd into the lake Those
on the barge remained there until they were
drifted nearer the shore, and they were ali
rescued or swan ashore Among them
were two ladies who were brought to the
beach by strong and ready swimmers There
were about so in all that were on the barge.
The events that transpired on the steamer
after il separated from the barge are proba-
bly, most clearly related by those who were
rescued from il about half an hour ago Il
is now u o'clock (midnight1 As soon as
the storm had begun TO effect the progress
of the boat, Captain Weaten gave instruc-
tions TO run the boat into the Wisconsin
shore, but the storm was too terrible.
OVER 100 DROWNED.
In five minute. more the waves began to
wash into the boat and fill its lower decks.
and while the hailstones as large as hens
eggs fell dowD ON the Leads of the poor and
helpless creature who were huddled together
on the top, huge wave struck the craft on
the side at the same moment that a terrific
blast Of wind more horribly forcible than the
other came up and carried the boat oyer, all
Of the people on board, $50 or more being
thrown into the water some being caught
underneath and others thrown into the
waves. The boat turned bottom upward
and only about % people were observed to
be floating on the surface.
HOW % PEOPLE ESCAPED.
These caught hold Of the boat and climbed
upon the upturned bottom, those first secur-
inga position assisting the others. In 10
minutes more the 25 or so who had obtain
ed momentary safety on the boat could OBJ
serve no others of the boats crew or passen-
gers floating on The surface OF the continu-
ing high sea of waves. Afterwards, how
ever, a fash of lightning lighted up the sur
face of the lake and the sight ofan occasional
white dress ofa drowning woman or child
was observable, but it was impossible for
those who watched the horrible sight to
save any Of those in the water
WIDESPREAD DESTRUCTION.
Reports from outlying towns show that
the storm visited destruction upon many
places While the central storm point was
at Lake Kohlman, the wind was of the force
of hurricane over all of the territory north
OF St. Paul, and its track was marked by
ruin for distance of II miles. Beginning
al Lake Maccarron, and extending across to
Lake Vadnas the storm left nothing stand
ing in the path. Farm houses were unroof
ed, all standing grain prostrated and trees
uprooted. Vague reports are coming in con-
tinually. At New Canada it is reported that
20 lives were lost and scores injured The
damage to property is also extensive. White
Bear Lake was crowded with excursionists.
but it escaped the cyclone though there was
general scare, hard blow and a severe