Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-07-17
A STORMS HAVOC.
Death and Ruin Wrought Near st.
Paul.
Many Persons Killed at Lakes Cole.
man and Vadpais.

swept over 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
J cult 20 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 par
ticulars of what was thought to be un-
doubtedly a disastrous storm. And so the
reports Indicated A young man drove in
from Lake Coleman, soon afterwards, with
the information that at least two persons
had been killed and over 100 injured at
IL
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 little worse than what had
proceeded it. To the north and east ssof
the city there are 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 these, and the damage there was very
heavy. J. H. Schumacher, 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 over
turned in the water, and boat lad of
persons was given similar treatment.
Other buildings were demolished or badly
wrecked.
SAVED A CROWDED TRAIN
Passing from the starting point the
cyclone struck Lake Joanna, Lake Ger
passed on about four miles to the east of
White Bear Lake. The passengers 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
startled look ahead to see If all was
clear, he took fr'ner grip on the throttle
and the engine lea ,ed forward under his
touch. His judgment and quick action I'M
doubtedly saved the lives of the whole
crowded train full, for the twisting, ter
rifying devastor crossed the track scarcely
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 Vandnais station great storm
was seen raging about two miles north
west. A tremendous cone-shaped cloud
was twirling alorg at a terrific pace and
looked like a water spout. The engineer
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 back into the cars,
ordered them to shut down the windows
and keep their seats The train soon at
tanned an awful speed, at least a mile and
half q minute and the cars seemed to
take great leaps through the air and
rocked back and forth like a ship on an
angry sea. The cyclone struck the station
and smashed it into splinters less than a
minute after the train passed and the run
to st. Paul, six miles, was made In less
than four minutes.
FINE PERSONS KILLED AT LAKE GERvAIs.
The place where the cyclone struck the
ground and caused loss of life was on the
shore of Lake Gervais, where J. H. Schur-
meier, of this city, had a summer cottage,
in little basin where Simon Good was
also located. The funnel-shaped cloud
swooped down on them, demolished the
dwellings and a number of other dwellings
in the same neighborhood. The camp Of
Col. Heleber, 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 I'M ur-
ed. The following are the killed:
Mrs. J. II. Schumacher, of st. Paul.
Charles Schumacher, of St. Paul. The
Rev. Mr.. Phaefer, of Brennan, Texas,
who was visiting them. George Miller,
of the First National bank. of this city.
| feUe. 0cnurme1er driver, whose ldSU
name was not known. The bodies of Mrs.
Schurmeier, her son and Mr.. Phaeher have
not yet been found
The injured were J. H. Schurmtier,
wounds; Charley Good, serious injury to
scalp; Mrs Phaeher, shoulder broken;
Thomas Barnard not seriously; Mrs. Geo.
Miller, injuries to her head, shoulder and
| foot; Miss Carrie Miss, wounded on head
and shoulders Clark Hansen. bruised hip;
| Roy Good, three scalp wounds and an in
jury to the spine; Mr.. Center and Miss
Minnie Miss.
It is said that the cyclone was confined
to district only three and half miles
long and that the worst damage was with
in the limit of half mile.
The help that had been called for from
the stricken district was at once sent to
them, doctors and other assistance going
as fast as they could be taken. The bodies
of those mentioned were brought to the
city this evening and turned over to their
friends.
The storm passed into Wisconsin in
the region of st. Croix Falls. Wires are
down in every direction and it is extreme
ly difficult to get definite information.