Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1890-07-18
A STORMS HAVOC.
Death and Ruin Wrought Near ST.
Paul.
Many Persons Killed at Lakes Cole
man and VadnaiS.
A Trains Thrilling Race With the
Storm.

ST.. PAUL, Mimi. July ia cyclone
swept over a portion of Minnesota and
Wisconsin at o'clock this afternoon. 1t
first touched the earth on the farm of Jas.
]. Hill, president of the Great Northern
railway, wrecking 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 diff
cult to get particulars.
The clouds which had been threatening
a storm, began to collect over the region of
Lake McCarron, two or three miles north
of this city, few minutes after 5 clock
soon taking on the rotary motion and the
terrible appearance of the cyclone. Hun
dreds of citizens watched the clouds as
they swept together and followed their
course to the northwest, in which direc-
ton many friends had gone to spend the
day at some of the many little lakes that
are scattered over this county. Anxiety for
the absent drew many down town during
the evening to learn the first possible pa1
ticulars of what was thought to be un-
doubtedly a disastrous storm And so the
reports indicated. A young man drove il
from Lake Coleman, soon afterwards, With
the information that at least two persons
had been killed and over 100 injured at
that point He had been out there with a
young lady friend, and having gone after
his buggy to drive home. on his return to
where she had been standing he found his
companion seriously injured by the storm
which had so Suddenly come upon them
KILLED AT LAKE COLEMAN.
Other reports followed thick and fast
each being d little worse than what had
preceded it. To the north and east of the
city there are a great number 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 Is one of
heavy. J. H. Schumeir, a prominent
business man of st. Paul, and wife were
killed and their little child seriously in
jured George Miller, teller in the First
National bank, was also killed there.
When the storm struck the little lake
the boat house was lifted up bodily and
overturned Ii the water, and boat load of
persons was given similar treat ment
Other buildings were demolished or badly
wrecked.
SAVED A CROWDED TRAIN.
Passing from the starting point the
cyclone struck Lake Joanna, Lake Ger
vais, Lake Vadnais, Little Canada and
passed on about four miles 10 the east of
White Bear Lake. The passeng gers 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 in
terest 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 IL I'll was
clear, he took frmer grip on the throttle
and the engine leaped forward under his
touch. His Judgment and quick action
undoubtedly saved the lives of the whole
crowded train full, for the twisting, ter
Tifying devastator crossed the track scarce
y more than minute after the train had
passed.
The race of the train with the storm
king was one of the most thrilling Incl
dents of the great storm. As the train
drew into Vandois station a great storm
was seen raging about two miles north
west A tremendous cOne-shaped cloud
was seen twirling along at terrific pace
and looked like a water spout. The en-
gineer threw open the throttle and the
cars sped away The passengers ran to
the windows and some of them to the
platforms. But the men showed them
-, l. - IL Il -
shut down the windows and keep their
seats. The train soon attained an awful
speed, at least a mile and a half minute,
and the cars seemed to take great leaps
through the air and rocked back and forth
like ship on an angry sea. The cyclone
struck the station and smashed it into
splinters less than minute after the train
passed. and the run to St. Paul. six miles,
was made in less than four minutes.
FIVE PERSONS KILLED AT LAKE GERVAIS.
The place where the syclone struck the
ground and caused loss of life was on the
shore of Lake Gerv~lis. where J. H. Schu-
meier, of this city, has a summer cottage,
in little basin where Simon Good was
also located. The f1mnel-shaped cloud
swooped down on them, demolished the
dwellings and number of ether buildings
in the same neighborhood. The camp of
Col. Heleher, of this city. with large
party was blown down, but the party all
| escaped injury. In the wreck of the Schur-
meier house FIVE were killed and ten injur-
ed. The following are the killed:
Mrs. J. H. Schurmeier, of st. Paul.
Charles Schurmeier, of st. Paul. The
Rev Mr. Phaefer. of Brennan. Texas.
who was visiting them. George Miller,
| of the First National bank of this city.
Pete, Schurmeir's driver, whose last
name was not known. The bodies of Mrs.
Schurmeier. her son and Mr.. Phaefer have
| not yet been found.
The injured were: J. H. Schurmeier,
wounds; Charlie Good, serious injury to
scalp; Mrs. Phaefer, shoJlder broken;
| Thomas Barnard, not seriously; Mrs. Geo
| Miller, injuries to head, shoulder and
| foot; Miss Carrie Miss, wounded on head
and shoulder; Clark Hansen. bruised hip;
| Roy Good. three scalp wounds and injury
| to spine; Mr.. Center and Miss Minnie
! Miss.
1t is stated that the cyclone was confined
| to a district only three and half miles
| long and that the worst damage was with
| in the limit of half a mile.
| The help that had been called for from
| the stricken district was at once sent tc
! them, doctors and other assistance going
! as fast as they could be taken. The bodie>
of those mentioned we're brought to the
city this evening and turned over to then
| friends.
The storm passed into Wisconsin in the
| region OF St Croix Falls Wires are down
/ In every direction and it is extremely
| difficult to get definite information.