Connecticut western news., 1890-07-16
Nothing Left Standing.
The Storm at Lake City.

LAME Sll1, MILL, uly Af- W uaG VIII probably prove to be the most disastrous cyclone that has ever struck this commpn- ity passed over the city at o'clock last evening, inflioting the loss of life of per haps one or two hundred people and dam aging property to the extent that at this writing cannot be estimated. The cyclone was preceded by an ordinary electric storm
 While the thunder was rumbling and vivid flashes of lightning cleaving the heavens, the cyclone swept down upon Lake City with 8 frightful roar. Houses were unroofed and trees uprooted
 An Excursion Boat Capsized.
 An excursion boat with over 15O people on 1t 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 seven teen miles north of here, on an excursion to the encampment of the First regiment, N. G. s. M, which is being held mile below this city. The boat was crowded to it's fullest capacity, about 15O men, women and children from Red Wing and Diamond Bluff being on board and about fifty peo- pie 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.
 Passengers Wild with Fear.
 Fifteen minutes later the storm was at its height, when the boat was nearing Central Point, about two miles above Lake City. The steamer was at the mercy of the waves, which were now washing over her. The passengers were wild with fear. Finally the boat ran upon 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.
 Hurled Into the Lake.
 As the barge also foated again into the deep water those on the barge saw the steamer as it was carried helplessly out into the middle of the lake, was capsized
 Those on the barge remained there until they were drifted nearer the shore and they were all rescued or swam ashore. Among them were two ladies who were brou-Ft to the beach by strong swimmers. .5o;:, fifty people in all were on the barge. iie events that transpired on the steamer
 .tyr it. separated from the barge are prob ply most clearly related by those who we're rescued from it about midnight. As ,oon as the storm had begun to affect the progress of the boat Capt Weathern gave instructions to run the boat into the Wis consin shore, but it was found impossible to do so. In five minutes more the waves began to wash into the boat and filled the lower decks, and while the hail stones as large as hens eggs came down on the heads of the poor and helpless creatures who were huddled together on the top. Upon the Ill Fated Steamer. A huge wave struck the craft on the side at the same moment that terrific blast of wind, more horribly forcible than the others, came up and carried the boat over, all of the people on board, 150 or more, be- ing thrown into the water, some being caught underneath and others thrown into the waves. The boat turned bottom up- ward and only about twenty-five people succeeded in clambering to places of safety upon the overturned craft. Now and then, as flash of lightning lighted up the sur face of the lake, the sight of an occasional white dress of drowning woman or child was observable, but it was impossible for | those who witnessed the horrible sight to lend any aid.
 Those remaining began calling for help from the shore as soon as the | storm began to abate and in half an hour | lights were observed fitting about on the pier at Lake City. Just as the few sur vivors were beginning to hope that they would be taken of, the boat again turned over, this time on its side, and again all of the twenty-five remaining passengers were hurled into the water. Of there sev- eral were drowned.
 Capt. Towards Brutality.
 One man observed the forms of two women wedged in between a stationary seat and the side of the boat, both pale in death. AS the lightning gleams lit up their upturned faces another man saw two little girls floating past him as he hung with desperate efforts to the steamers side. Half an hour after the passage of the storm your reporter went to the dock where the steamer Ethel Howard was anchored sAfe fxpm the storm. When asked Capt.