Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1890-07-17
WENT DOWN TO DEATH.
Terrible Accident ON Lake Pepin in
Minnesota.
More Than Fifty Bodies Recovered
aud Brought to the Stricken
People for Burial.

cpplt lOI DUildl,
LAKE City, Mimi. July A. surround
ed 10y beautiful bluffs and farming lands
Lake Pepin s unrutfied surface to-day gave
little evidence of fierce struggle with the
elements and Of the death-dealing fury of
the storm which ragged off this city last
night. With scarcely a note of warning
there burst upon this city one of
the severest storms known in its
history, and the loss of life is
probably greater than any other
single calamity that ever visited any part
Of the northwest Eighty-two bodies had
been recovered and identified when the
search was discontinued at dark tonight.
How many more were lost Is a matter of
uncertainty, but it is feared the number
will reach 100. The excursion steamer
Sea Wing, Diamond Bluff, had carried a
party of $50 or more excursionists from
Red Wing to the camp of First Regiment
of the Minnesota guards, just below the
city. When the day was coming TO a
close Capt. Whetheren prepared TO return
the boat load to their homes. Many fear
ed the approaching storm and asked that
he postpone his departure until after the
storm had blown over. Thinking that
il would not prove serious he would not
consent, but at about O'Clock he
started off up the lake toward Red Wing.
nearly 200 of the passengers being on
board, the wind blowing gale, A point
of land runs out from the Minnesota shore,
just above this place, across from which is
known as Maiden Rock. TO pass around
this point it was necessary for the steamer
to turn slightly toward the Wisconsin
shore, and Immediately the hurricane
seized hold Of the already struggling and
cracking 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 eXcursionists had
crowded, was also seized, her awning be-
ing crushed in and the passengers thrown
into the water This happened just below
the point, and as the helpless hulks drifted
before the steamer r'ghted herself for a
moment, but in another moment was keel
ed ever. The barge broke loose. drifting
down opposite the town Those still aboard
about 20 in number, were rescued. The
steamer drifted in back of the point and
sank. Many were saved, however, and the
heroism of a number of rescuers cannot be
too highly praised Corporal b. L. Perry
compelled the spectators to assist him and
saved the lives of eighteen of those who
were still clinglng to the wreck. OTHERS
tie @ were like him, and over sixty were
rescued from what seemed certain death
Small boats cruised around fer several
hours and picked up some
three score of the still liv-
ing unfortunates, As soon as
word reached the military camp volunteers
were allied for and every one volunteered.
Adiulant General Mullen Immediately
took charlie Of the regiment and work was
begun and carried on. Body after body OF
men, women and children and in some
cases whole families were taken from the
water, some alive, others unconscious but
not dead and yet others from which the
breath of life had forever fed. Sad
experiences were many. Parents who
had children missing and other people
looking for friends and relatives, ran up
and down the beach all night and to-day,
inqulring if any more bodies had been re-
covered and for the names of the identified
dead. The anguish Of the many parents,
whose children had been ruthiessly torn
from them by the awful calamity cannot be
portrayed
By 2 o'clock this morning Fifty bodies
had been recovered and sent to Red Wing.
By s, had taken the same mournful jour
ney. and at o clock this afternoon seven
Others were added to the gruesome number.
Few of the bodies had any bruises or
other marks of injury upon them. The
fact that the militia were in easy call un-
doubtedly resulted in the saving OF many
lives. aud the work of the citizen soldIery,
of their excellent organization and the
GOOD management of General Mullen and
Surgeons Fitzgerald, Clark and Kahn
were notable aud cOmmeudable.
During the morning a systematic
patrol of the water over which the
boats had drifted after being
first struck by the gale was kept up 10y
the citizens Of Lake City. After the last
bodies had been taken from the bulls,
Gen Mullen perssed into the service all
the row boats within reach, and with the
soldiers began this afternoon a thorough
dragging of the lake all about the scene
OF disaster. NJ bbAlt0 NNiN i'Nii''
up TO dark. when the search was
abandoned for the day. Dynamite
will be used in the morning. There
were good many who made use of
life preseryers, but probably none had as
rood service as had Robert Adams, the
seventeen-year-oId son Of DR.. Adams, Of
Lake City. and another BOY. They secured
three life preservers and were in the water
for six hours before rescued, Young Adj
ans could swim but his companions eould
not. They had the good sense to float quiet
" and not attempt to fight against the
waves. During six hours they were buff
feted bv the pillows. and blown hither
and yon by the gale They dritted about
mile down past the town and then, a
change in the wind carried them up the
river to Trouteuac seven miles from here,
where they were rescued by Or. kain
and party and to-day are nearly as well
as ever.
Capt. Wethen proprietor and com
,,,,rI,r If tra Spg WING has been blamed