The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1890-07-18
CYCLONE HORROR.
The Steamer Sea Wing Blown
Over In Lake Pepin.
Nearly All Of the $50 People on Board
Drowned-Desperate Efforts at Res
cue in the Darkness-Ter-
rible Experiences.

rible Experiences.
LAKE CITY, Mimi, July 14.-Wha'
will probably prove to be the most dis
astrous cyclone that has ever struck
this community passed over this city al
nine o'clock last evening, .inf1icting the
loss of life of perhaps 100 or 200 people
and damaging property to an extern
that at this writing can not be esti
mated.
The first signs Of the coming disaster
were clouds which appeared to be ar
ordinary electric storm coming up from
the west. In half an hour the whole
heavens were converted into complete
canopy of lightning which was watched
with interest by the brave citizens in
the little village and with fear by the
timid women and children.
A little before dark a terrific wind
struck the community and the next mo
ment trees and houses were being de-
molished in its path.
As soon as the storm had passed II
was found that disaster had befaller
the place that had not been equaled
since the St Cloud cyclone several years
ago People began to gather in the
streets, and in few moments the news
was scattered abroad that an excursion
boat with over 200 people on it was cap.
sized in the middle of Lake Pepin. The
boat proved to be the steamer Sea Wing,
which came down the lake from Dia-
mond Bluff, a small place about severn
teen miles north of here, on an
excursion to the encampment OF
the First regiment of the Nation
al Guard of the State of Mime
sofa, which is being held mile below
this city. The steamer started back on
the homeward trip about eight o'clock,
and although there were signs of an ap-
preaching storm it was not considered
in any way serious, and no danger was
anticipated.
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 Of
ficers kept on the way. The storm in
creased as the boat continued up the
lake, and in fifteen minutes was at its
height.
Nearing the 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
| ha 81,
on to 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.
AS the barge also foated again into
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 Mortified a moment
later to see the steamer capsize and its
cargo of $50 people precipitated into the
lake. Those on the barge remained
there until they drifted nearer the shore
and they were all rescued or swan
ashore. Among them were two ladies,
who were brought to the beach by
strong and ready swimmers. There
were about fifty in all that were on the
barge.
The events that transpired on the
barge are probably most clearly re-
lated by those who were rescued from
it about midnight. AS soon as the storm
had begun to affect the progress of the
boat Captain Weathern gave instruc-
tons to run the boat into the Wisconsin
shore, but it was too late. In five min
utes more the waves began to wash into
the boat and fill it's lower decks, while
hailstones as large as hens eggs came
down on the heads of the poor and help
less creatures who were huddled to-
gether on the top. A huge wave struck
the craft on the side at the same mo-
ment that terrific blast of wind more
forcible than the others came up and
carried the boat over.
All of the people on board, $50 or
more, were thrown into the water, some
being caught underneath. The boat
turned bottom upward, and only about
twenty-five people were observed to be
floating on the surface. These caught
hold of the boat and climbed upon the
upturned bottom, and those first secur-
ing position assisted the others
Before help could reach them, how
ever, the poor creatures who yet re-
manned to tell the horrors of the night
were again submitted to another battle
with the elements, with no word of
warning, and as they were just Begin
ming to hope that they would be taken
off by the citizens of Lake City, the boat
again turned over, this time on its side,
and again all of the twenty-five remain
ing souls were hurled into the water. OF
these several were drowned before they
could be brought to the boat by those
who succeeded in remaining afloat and
again securing hold on the boats side.
In few minutes dozen or more row
boats were manned and put out from
the shore. The upturned boat was at
last discovered, and the twenty or more
remaining people clinging to the boat
were rescued and brought to the shore,
most of them being men who could
swim.
Later-Up TO this time, 1:S0 a. M,
tifty-nine bodies have been found and
laid out
Clippings.