The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1890-07-16

LAKE CITY, Minn., July Whas
will probably prove to be the most dis-
astrous cyclone that has ever struck THIS
passed over this city at nine
o'clock last evening, infiicting loss OF
life Of perhaps one or two hundred peo-
pie and damaging property to an extent
that at this writing can not be esti-
mated. Your correspondent was visit
ing friends In Lake City and was sitting
In the yard when what appeared to be
an ordinary electric storm was noticed
coming up from the west. In half an
hour the heavens we're converted into
complete canopy Of lightning which was
watched with interest by the brave citi-
zens Of the little village and with fear
by the timid women and children. A
little before dark terrific wind struck
the community and your reporter sought
the shelter OF the house just In time TO
escape being caught under huge tree
that came crashing down against the
house. Windows were closed instantly
and none too soon, for the cyclone was
upon us and trees and houses were fast
being demolished in its path, while the
women In fear and trembling sought the
seclusion and protection OF the cellar
The building proved strong enough TO
weather the blast and in half an hour
the worst OF the hurricane had passed.
As soon as the trees had been cleared
away from the front OF the house your
correspondent started out and soon
learned that horrible calamity had be-
fallen the place, that has not been
eaualled since the ST. Cloud cyclone
several years ago. People began TO
gather on the streets and In few mo-
ments the news was scattered abroad
that an excursion boat with over 200
people on 1t was capsized in the middle
Of Lake Pepin. The boat proved to be
the Sea Wing, which came down the
lake from Diamond Bluff, q small place
seventeen miles north Of here, on an ex-
cursion to the encampment OF the First
regiment N. G. s. NJ, which Is being
held a mile below this city. The steam
or started back on the homeward trip
about eight o'clock.
The boat was crowded to its fullest
capacity, about $50 men, women and
children from Red Wing and Diamond
Bluff being on board and about fifty
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, but the
officers kept on the way. The storm In
creased as the boat continued up the
lake and in fifteen 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 confusion. The boat ran onto bar
and the barge was cut loose and the
, steamer again set Adrift in the lake. A
7 number Of those on the barge jumped
and swan ashore. lhl
. As the barge also fioated again into
: deep water those on the barge saw the
7 steamer as II was carried helplessly out
D into the middle Of the lake and as they
> were being tossed about on the raging
waters they were Mortified momeni
n later TO observe the steamer capsize and
s It's cargo OF hundred and fifty people
o precipitated into the lake. Those on thu
: barge remained there until they driftet
nearer the shore and they were all res
I cued or swan ashore. n y (i.stt 4
d The events that transpired on th'
}. steamer after II separated from th'
}; barge are clearly related br those VIII
y were rescued from It, AS soon as th
' storm had begun to affect the progres
= Of the boat, Captain Weathern gave In
/, structions TO run the boat into the WIS
1t consin shore, but II was too late. -,lI
% In eve minutes more the waves begai
g TO wash into the boat and fll its lowe
of decks, while the hailstones as larg
Is as hons eggs came down on the head
% OF the poor and helpless creatures whic
q were huddled together on the boat.
huge wave struck the craft on the sid
at the same moment a terrific blast
N wind more forcible than the others cam
n up and carried the boat over.
40 All OF the people on board, $50 or mor'
,o were thrown into the water, some bein
Al caught underneath and others throw
n into the waves The boat turned bo
of tom upwards and only about twent.
al iiye people we're observed to be fioatin
20 on the surface. These caught hold I
y the boat and climbed up on the a
Il. turned bottom, those first securing ap
ne sition assisting the others. In ten mi
In utes.mofe the twenty-five or so who h'
obtained momentary safety on the bo
codla Potsvrye no others Of the boat
cret II passsnsefs fcating on the su
Of face dfthS high sea- ,sTy 9s'sa9 ~
or AftstwArds,l however, as . fash
ir- liRhtnfng lighted mp the surface Of Y
ID. lsksl no sight of an occasional viii
er dfSss n arowning woman or child "
Ia obAdrs sAble, but II was impossible
an tifose vi o Witnessed the horrible sig
IA t0fend any aid Those remaining }
, esh tslling for help from the shore 4
ny s0on A the storm began TO abate and
II halfs a. hour lights were observed a
70 tint ubout on the pier at Lake City, .
IRE posite which point the upturned steam
had,n been driven. In few ,minu'
a dozbn or more row boats wore mann
anasput out from the shore The I
Of tnfnbd boat wss ut last discovered, \
,ut twenty or more remaining people, cliI
vas inc tothe boat were rescued and broue
no. tothe shore, most of them being m
| -ho cauid avim-. - a J