The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1890-07-17
CYC CT ON Els WORK.
Over a Hundred People
Drowned by the Capsiiz-
ing of a Boat.
Terrible Wind Storm. Strikes
Lake GerVais Killing Six
and Wounding Eleven.

UAAu ~ Uunu1nS sllOSOus
LAKE Cry, Special Telegram
What will probably prove to be the most
disastrous cyclone that has ever struck this
community passed over this city at O clock
tonight, inficting the loss Of life of per-
haps 100 or 200 people and damaging prop
erty to an extent that at this writing cannot
be estimated. Your correspondent was Wis
iting 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
whole heavens were converted into
a complete canopy Of lightning,
which was watched with interest
by the brave citizens 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
People began to gather on the streets and
in few moments the news was scattered
abroad that an excursion boat with over
200 people on it
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,
a small place about seventeen miles north
of here, on an excursion to the encamp-
ment of the First regiment, N. G.. S. NJ,
which is being held mile below this city.
The boat was crowded to it's fullest capac-
ity, about $50 men, women md 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 their way.
The storm increased 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 wash
ing over the boat and all was confusion.
The boat momentarily ran onto 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.
Asthe 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, and as they were being
tossed about on the raging waters, they
were Mortified moment later to observe
the steamer capsize and its cargo OF $50
people precip itated into the lake.
AS soon as the storm began to abate, and
in half an hour lights were observed fitting
about on the pier at Lake City, opposite
which point the upturned steamer had now
been driven before help could reach them.
However, the poor creatures who yet re-
NAMED to tell the horrors of the night were
again submitted to another
BATTLE WITH THE ELEMENTS.
At the encampment grounds of the First
regiment the tents were more or less de-
molished, but the four or five hun
dred soldiers in camp were not
hurt to any serious degree. Col. Bend, the
commander of the regiment, had his leg
badly bruised by trunk being thrown
against it.
LATER.
LAKE CRY, Special. - Surrounded by
beautiful bluffs and pleasant farming lands,
Lake Pepin's unruf1ed surface to-day gave
little evidence Of the fierce struggle with
the elements and of the death dealing fury
of the storm that ragged off this peaceful
little city last night. With scarcely note
of warning there burst upon this region one
of the severest storms ever known in its his
tory. and the loss OF lie is probably greater
than any other single calamity that has
ever visited any part of the Northwest. ST..
Clouds cyclone of few years ago was dis
astrous in the extreme, but it is as nothing
beside this. The list of dead already num-
bers sixty-fye and may exceed 100.
The excursion steamer Sea Wing of Dia-
mond Bluff had carried party of 200 or
more excursionists from Red Wing to the
camp of the First regiment, Minnesota ma
tional guard, which is just below this city.
When the day was coming to close Capt.
Wetheren prepared to return his boat load
to their homes. Many among them feared
an approaching storm, and asked that he
postpone his departure until after the storm
had blown over Thinking the storm would
not prove serious, he would not consent,
but at about o'clock started off up the
lake toward Red Wing, nearly all of the
over 200 passengers being on board: The
wind was !
BLOWING A GALE,
into the teeth of which the Sea Wing tried
to make its way, but the gale was too strong
for her.
A point of land runs out from the Min
nesota shore. just above this place, across
from what is known as Maiden Rock To
pass around this point it was necessary for
the steamer to turn slightly towards the
Wisconsin shore, and Immediately the hur-
ricane had seized hold of the already trem-
bling and creaking vessel and twisted her
out Of the control Of her engines and crew.
An attempt to beach her failed, and over
she went with her great load of passengers.
The barge Jim Grant, which was in tow,
and on which about one quarter of the ex-
cursionists had crowded, was also seized,
her awning being crushed in and the pas
sengers thrown into the water This hap
pened just below the point, and as the help
less hulks drifted be.ore the gale the
steamer righted herself for moment, but
in q moment was again keeled over, and so
badly torn by the storm she could but lie
helpless and let the waves wash over her.
The barge had broken loose from the
steamer and dritted down opposite the
town, and those still on board, about
twenty in number, were rescued. The
steamer dristed in back Of the point, and
sank with most of those on board.
The coroner says there are thirty-three