The Portland daily press., 1890-07-15
PLEASURE SEEKERS DROWNED.
Crowded Steamer Overturned by the
Waves In Lake PepIn.

LAKE CITY, Mimi, July 14.-Last night
Just before dark, disastrous tornado bore
down upon the community. What appeared
to be an ordinary electric storm was noticed
coming from the west, but in half an hour
the heavens had been converted into light
ning.lined black canopy Of death. A little
before dark q terrific wind struck the village
driving everyone indoors. Trees were up
rooted, buildings wrecked and much damage
done in the short time the storm lasted. In
a few moments the news was abroad that an
excursion boat with over 200 people on it
was capsized in the middle of Lake Pepin.
The boat was the steamer Sea Wing, which
came down the lake from Diamond Bluff, a
small place about II miles north of here on
an excursion. The boat was crowded to its
fullest capacity, about 150 men, women and
children from Redwing and Diamond Bluff
being on board and about so people on a
barge which was attached to the side Of the
steamer.
Nearing the central part of the lake about
two miles above Lake City, the steamer was
at the mercy Of the waves which were wash
ing over her, and all was confusion. The
boat ran onto a bar. 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. AS the barge
floated into deep water, those on board we're
Mortified a moment or two later to. observe
the steamer capsize in the middle of the
lake and its cargo Of 150 people precipitated
into the water. Those on the barge re-
mained where they were until they drifted
nearer the shore and they were all rescued.
The steamer turned bottom upwards and
only about 25 people were observed floating
on the surface. These caught hold of the
boat and climbed upon the up-turned bot
tom, those first securing position assisting
the others. AS flash of lightning lighted
up the surface of the lake the sight of an
occasional white dress of a drowning wom-
an or child was observable, but 1t was i'm
possible for those who witnessed the horri-
BILE sight to lend any aid.
Some of the people who yet remained to
witness the horrors of the night were again
submitted to another battle with the ele-
ments. With no word Of warning and as
they were just beginning to hope they would
be taken off by the citizens of Lake City, the
boat again turned over, this time an its side
and again all of the % remaining souls were
thrown into the water. OF these several
were drowned before they could be brought
to the boat by those who succeeded IN re-
naming ahoat and again securing hold on
the boats side. In a few minutes dozen
row boats were manned and put out from
the shore. The upturned boat was disc0v-
cred and the 20 or more remaining people
clinging to the boat were rescued and
morning 50 bodies had been found and the
search for the dead was kept up all night
Among those who are known to have been
on board the steamer. and who are undoubt-
ediy drowned, are:
Two children Of c. Ii. Rehedor. who were
on the barge.
PETER GERKEN, his wife, five children
and his hired girl.
FRED SCHERF, wife and one daughter.
MRS. CAPTAIN WETHERN and her two
children.
FRED CHRIST.
WILLIAM BAKER and family of three.
MRS. HEAfPFTLING and daughter.
Miss FLYNN.
BAZE ADAMS.
IRA FULTON.
In Lake City the damage to property by
the cyclone is great, although no fatalities
have been reported. Collins Bros saw and
planning mill was totally demolished. The
roof of the Opera House, owned by Mr.. Han
isch, was carried away, and the stores un-
derneath we're more or less damaged by the
rain and hail. Young 81 Co.'s dry goods
block is partly demolished. Part of the Ly-
ons block was demolished. The roof Of the
building in which the telegraph Office was To-
Gated is gone, and the lower floors were dam
aged. Gallett & Beck's sash factory is an
almost total wreck. The streets Of the city
are filled with fallen trees and parts Of build
ings that had been carried through the air.