Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1890-07-16
DEATH AND RUIN.
Many Persons Killed in n Minnesota
Sfr1.r

Many Persons Killed in a Minnesota
Storm.
A special from st. Paul of the 18th
says: A cyclone swept over a portion Of
Minnesota and Wisconsin at 5 O'Clock
this afternoon. 1t first touched the
earth on the farm Of Jas. J. Hill, pres
ldent of the Great Northern Railway,
wrecklng several buildings and
killing three laborers and many head of
bloOded stock Loss of life and great
damage are reported at many other
places, but the wires are down and it is
very difficult to get particulars. The
loss of life is variously reported at from
ten to fifty. In the Schumacher
house, on the shore Of Lake Ger
vais, five persons were killed and
hundred probably injured in the vicin-
ity. From all the summer resorts on
the adjacent lakes come reports of loss
of life and property. That the loss had
been very heavy was generally report
ed. There are some as yet unverifed
rumors of much greater loss of
life, of which nothing Can be
learned tonight. George Hazard, a
laborer in the employ of the Inflated
Schumacher family, reached st. Paul
few minutes after midnight and re-
ports that the list of the dead at Cole
mans (Kohlman's) and Gervais will
certainly reach twenty. It is night and
everything is confusion, and the bodies
cannot be recovered and identi-
fed before tomorrow. Three bodies
were taken out of the lake to-
night. Between 40 and $50 the boat
man at Kohlman's let sixteen row boats,
each of which carried from two to five
persons, and only four of these have
been returned. Many Of these people
were no doubt drowned, but as most of
them live in the city their names cannot
be learned until their bodies are recov-
cred.
The cyclone from the moment of it's
gathering until it had completed it's aw
full work was plainly visible from this
city, but it's full effect was not known
until 8 o'clock tonight, when mes
sengers came into the city in
quest Of medical aid for the injured
and shrouds and collins for the dead.
When the eddying monster had gained
its full momentum the wind suddenly
twinkling the great swirling mass
spread out like a fan, and sweeping
across Lake Gervais leveled everything
in its path.
The shores of Lake Gervais, once dot
ted with the summer cottages of wealthy
residents of st. Paul, are now the scene
of utter ruin and desolation. The death
dealing and devastating cyclone swept
over strip Of territory two
miles wide and eight miles
in length, in the center of
which is miniature and picturesque
Lake Gervais, killing at least five per-
SONS there, lnjuring more or less seri-
ously probably thirty others, and de-
property, while it is feared many men
out on the lake in boats were drowned.
So far as known the dead are: George
Miller, paying teller First National
Bank, st. Paul; Mr.. j. FL. Schumacher, of
St. Paul; Mrs. j. H. Schumacher, wife of
ST. Paul millionaire; Peter Gresen;
John Goetschke; Mrs. John Mullaney
and family Of four children; Charles
Schumacher.
Other reports followed thick and fast,
each being a little worse than what had
preceded it. To the north and east of
the city there are great mum Der of little
lakes which are sought by the multitude
every Sunday, and on the shores of
these lakes many campers pass the hot
months of the summer. Lake Coleman
ID one Ol lHose, anu lHo uduId90 lHoT0
was very heavy.
When the storm struck the little lake
the boat-house was lifted up bodily and
overturned in the water, and boat load
Of persons we're given similar treatment.
Other buildings were demolished or
badly wrecked.
Passing from the starting point the
cyclone struck Lake Joanna, Lake Ger
vais, Lake Vadnais, Little Canada, and
passed on about four miles to the east
of White Bear Lake The passengers
on the St. Paul & Duluth train
which left White Bear at 4:55
were approaching Gladstone when they
observed the cyclone forming, and
watched its whirling motion with inter
est rather than fear or excitement.
Not SO with the engineer, however.
He saw the threatening aspect of
the sky, and with a startled look
ahead to see if all was clear
he took frmer grip on the throttle,
and the engine leaped forward under
his touch. His judgment and quick ac-
ton undoubtedly saved the lives of the
whole crowded train full, for the twist
ing, terrifying devastator crossed the
track scarcely more than a minute after
tho traip had noccad