Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1890-07-19
A LAKE DISASTER.
The Terrible Work Of q Cyclone
in Minnesota.
An Excursion steamer Filled with Men.
Women and Children Capsised ON
Lake PepIn and Nearly All
on Board Drowned.
A Terrible Calamity.

LAKE ClTY, Nlinn., July 14.-What
will probably prove to be the most dis
astrous cyclone that has ever struck
this community passed over this city at
nine o'clock last evening, inflicting the
loss OF life OF perhaps 100 or 200 people
and damaging property to an extent
that at this writing can not be esti-
mated.
The first signs of the coming disaster
were clouds which appeared to be an
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 q terrific wind
struck the community and the next mo-
mept trees and houses were being de-
mOlished in Its path.
AS soon as the storm had passed it
was found that disaster had befallen
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, small place about seven
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 APP
preaching storm it was not considered
in any way serious, and no danger was
anticipated.
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
ut the norcy OF tho waves, which were
now washing over the boat and all was
The boat momentarily ran
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
aeep water those on the barge saw the
steamer as 1t was carried helplessly out
INTO the middle Of the lake, and as they
we're being tossed about on the raging
waters they were Mortified q moment
alter to see the steamer capsize and its
'argo of $50 people precipitated into the
AXE. Those on the barge remained
here until they drifted nearer the shore
nd they were all rescued or swan
shore.
All of the people on board, $50 or
more, were thrown into the water, some
'eing caught underneath. The boat
urned bottom upward, and only about
twenty-five people we're observed to be
eating on the surface. These caught
old of the boat and climbed upon the
pturned bottom, and those first secur-
ng position assisted the others.
In ten minutes more the twenty-five ,
r so who had obtained momentary
afety ON the boat could observe no
theirs Of the boat crew or passengers {
eating on the surface Of the continu- ,
ig high sea OF waves. 1
Afterward, however. as a fash Of 6
ghtning lighted up the surface of the !
Ike the sight of an occasional white
ress Of drowning woman or child was I
but it was impossible for
lose who witnessed the horrible sight I
lend any aid.
Those remaining began calling for O
clip from the shore as soon as the storm t
gan to abate, and in half an hour C
yhts were. observed fitting around on t
e pier at Lake City, opposite which a
lint the upturned steamer had now O
zen driven.
Before help could reach them, how G
er, the poor creatures who yet re- I
aimed to tell the horrors OF the night il
sre again submitted to another battle q
tn the elements, with no word of e.
Irning, and as they were just begin Il
ne to hope that they would be taken o.
by the cit 'zens of Lake City. the boat n
ain turned over, this time on its side, Il
d again all Of the twenty-five remain W
: souls were hurled into the water. OF Il
ese several were drowned before they
nd be brought to the boat by those
% succeeded in remaining ahoat and
ain securing hold on the boats side. ne