Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1890-07-19
REiLr a EvASs, Publishers.
VICTIMS OF THE STORM.
One Hundred Lives Lost on Lake
Pepiu, Minnesota.
Quiet Lake I.ashed Into Fury Whole
Families Drown Together-A Wide
Track OF Death.

&utet Lake teahed into Futy-Whoto
Families Drown Together-A Wide
Track OF Death.
Nearly one hundred lives we're lost by the
overturning ofthelittle excursion stcamersea
Wing by the tornado on Lake Pepin. The
boat came down the lake from Diamond Blutl.
small place about seventeen miles north q
Lake City, on an excursion to the cncamp-
ment ofthe First Regiment, y. G. $. M.,which
is being held a mile below the city. The
steamer started back on the homeward trip
about eight o'clock, and, although there we're
signs Of an approaching Storm il was not con.
sidered IN any way serious and no danger was
anticipated.
The boat was crowded, about $50 men.
women aud children from Red Wing and
Diamond Bluff heingon board aud about fifty
people ON barge, which was attached 10 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.
point Of land runs out from the Mime.
sofa 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 Wscon.
sin Shore and Immediately the hurricane had
seized hold of the already struggling and
cracking vessel and twisted herout Of the con-
troll of her engines and crew. An attempt to
beach her failed, and over she went with her
load of passengers The barge Jim Grant.
which was in tow, and on which about one.
quarter of the eNcnrsionists had crowded was
also seized, her awning being crushed In and
the passengers thrown into the water This
happened Just below the point and as the
helpless hulks drifted before the gale the
steamer rightcd itself for moment but
another moment was again keclcd over. aud so
badly torn by the storm she could but lie help
less and let the waves wash over her. The
barge had broken loose from the steamer aud
driitcd down opposite the town, and those still
on board, about twenty In number, were res
eued
The steamer drifted in back on the Point
and sank with most of those on board. Many
we're saved, however, and the hcroisin Of a few
cannot be slightly praised. Corporal n. l..
Ferry, OF st. Paul compelled the spectators 10
assist him. and saved the lives Of eighteen Of
those who were still elingng TO the wreck. He
went out on the lake when the storm was at
its height and seemed 10 know no fear Others
there were like him, ami over sixty were RES
eued from what seemed certain death. Some
boats cruised around for several hours, and
picked up some three score of struggling hut
still living victims OF the storm
As soon as the word reached the camp vol.
unteers were called for, and every one yolun-
leered toassist in rescung the living, or search.
ing for the dead Adjutant General Mullen
Immediately took charge Of the regiment, and
the search was begun and carried on. Body
after body OF men, women and children-in
some cases, almost Of whole iamilies.-was
taken from the water-som of them alive.
others unconscious, but not dead and vet
others from which the breath Of life Ind for.
~ La oh la IT,
both ofresuscitaton and Of LAYING out the dead.
was rendered by the excellent ambulance
corps, which had been but recently orenniscd.
Sad experiences are many, but remarkable
escapes are not lacking.
The Association Press man had just secured
the names Of the latest discovered victims,
when stranger, whose anxiety was apparent
In every movement, stepped IN and asked:
Us my daughter heard from YETI"
"Mhat is the namr2"
"BorthR Winters" WIS the rcaponse and an
inclination Of the head and a motion toward
the written list told the bereaycd father ofhis
affection, and he turned away 70 60 after The
lifeless clay Of his child
And my boy is not among them was the
sadly half-consolatOry remark nf Contractor
Carlson, who had worked fcycrishly all night
and all day without fndnga trace Of his son.
And so il went on. Fast 80 the bodice we're
taken from The water they were identified by
friends and relatives. and placed In
collins for transportation 70 their homes.
by two O'Clock fifty bodies had been recov.
cred, identified aud sent 10 Rcd Wing Nv
eight o'clock eight more had taken the same
journey, aud At three o'clock in the
afternoon seven others were added To the grne.
some number that had been carried by boat 10
Red Wing.
Major Fitzgerald, surgeon Of the regiment.
also had charge of the hospital corps. and also
of the arrangements for the handling Of the
bodies llesays death was very quick inovery
case, and that there was scarcely any evidence
Of there having been any struggle on the part
Of the dying Neither had any Of the boilie.
any bruises or other marks ~ injury upon
them. Death was quick and painless
When morning came the weary all nirhl
workers were replnced by relief from their
comrades aud The work went on successfully
aud smoothly. The barge lay quietly on the
water last abayc town aud tnpDlcd over ou
the port side, had drifted against her tow, and
together they lay, the shattered reminders II
the storms powsr aud msu's weakness With
axes holes were chopped in the decks aud
ropes fastened 10 the bodies under the water
and these drawn 10 the surface carried ashore
and turned over to the ambulance corps. Tho
bodies Of those who went down with the steam
er we're taken out Of the cabin through hole
cut in the pilot house and through the cabin
door.
Believing that still some bodies were 10 be
found in the half disnantled wreck General
Mullen ordered the tearing hway0i the upper
works Of the vessel. and the pushing Of Tho
wreck farther toward the shore where M.
was righted. General Mullen audhismiliiary
helpers went all through The Sea Wing. re-.
covering three more bodies, bringing the total
up 70 sixty.hFe, and convincing themselves
that no more bodies were 10 be- found there
The shattered old hulk was then len 10 drifi
At will, and her broken and battered frame.
work was in sad contrast with the bright
Tkies aud smooth waters.
During the morning systematic patrol Of
the water over which the bulls had drilled
after being hrst struck By the gale bad been
kept up By citizens u Lake city. Amer the
last bodies had been taken from the wreck
General Mullen pressed into service ail III,
rowb0ats within reach, and with four soldier
in each beat, began a thorough dragging o
the lake all about the scene % the disaster
There we're a good many who made use q
the life-preseryers bat probably none had
good and as much use Of them ne had I,ohel
Adams, aseyenieen-year old 500 Of Dr. 4 dam
of Lake City and another boy whose home
In Red Wing. They secured three life Dr.
servers, and were in the water for six h0u
before being rescued. Young Adams cGu
swim, but his companion c0uldnot Theyhf
the good sense 10 hoatqnietly. and not atteIn
10 fight against the waves b. the shore. Du
ing the six hours they were in the water fro
nine to three, they were bnheited By the b
lows and blown hiiher and yon BY the Ra
They first drilled abouta mile down past TOW
and then change In the wind Carried IN,
up the river 10 FronteDae. where they w.
rescued, still alive and we'll bit consideral
the wOrse for their hard experience
Captain Nethern, proprietor and c0fBma
er Of the sea Wing, has been severely blain
by the citizens and Others FIR what they ali
70 have been criminal negligence on his
in pulling ont into the lake with sue
crowd when the sky looked - Threatening
The captains wife and two of his II
children lost their lives Under the waves
that fact, together with the loss Of his ~
and the great loss u life, has 70 broken
that he bss kept out Of sight