The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1890-07-24
DEATH FLEW FAST.
SUDDEN AND AWFUL STORM ON A
WISCONSIN LAKE.

Into Raging Water-Awful Scenes of the
Tempest st-Kescuing Parties at Work.
LAKE CIrY, MINI, July 16.-Sunday
night just before dark q disastrous .
cyclone lore down upon this CON-
munity, and in a few minutes nearly
two hundred people were killed.
What appeared to be an ordinary
electric storm was noticed coming
from the west, but in half on hour
the whole heavens were converted
into lightning lined black canopy
Of death. A little before dark ter
rife wind struck the village, driving
every one in doors. Trees were up
rootc buildings wrecked and much
dam G done in the short time the
stor lasted. In q few moments
new was abroad that an excursion
boat with over two hundred people
on it was capsizcd in the middle Of
Lake Pcppin. The boat was the
steamer "Zawing," which camo down
from the Lake Diamond Bluff, q
small place about seventeen miles
north Of here, on an excursion to the
cncampmcnt Of tho First Regiment
Of National Guards, which is being
held mile below the city.
The steamer started back on the
homoward trip about eight o'clock
and although there were signs of an
approaching storm it was not con-
sidered III any way serious and no
danger was anticipated.
The Dont was crowded to it's fullest
H. n
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 officers kept Oh their way
The storm increased as the boat con-
tinued up the lake and in fifteen mill
utcs WAS at it's height. Nearing Cen
trail Point, about two miles above
Lake City the steamer was ut the
mercy of the waves which were wash
| ing over the boat, and all was con-
| fusion. The boat momentnrily ran
Oh Il bar and the barge was cut loose
and the steamer again set adrift into
the like. n number jumped over
board and swan ashore. AS tho barge
tloated again into deep water those
on the barge SOW the steamer as it
was carried Re4plessly out into the,
middle OF the laEss> and Las as they fwure-
| being tossed about on raging
waters were Mortified to 500 the
steamer capsizcd and it's cargo of $50
| people thrown into the lake.
The barge remained there until
they were drifted near shore, or
| swan ashore. There were u number
OF ladies who were brought to tho
beach by strong dready swimmers.
AS soon as the storm struck the
boat Captain Wcatholn gave mstruc-
tiOns TO run the boat into the Wis
consin shore, but it was too late.
The waves were too strong to permit
the working of the rud(ler. After the
barge was cut away it was carried to
the middle Of the lake and boats
were lowered by the crew and the
more cool headed passengers were
devoted to preparations for the worst.
a dozen or more secured the fow
life prcscrvcrs that were to be found
and jumped into the water, preferring
to take their chances. In five min
utcs more the waves began to wash
into the boat and fill tho lower decks
while hailstoncs us large as hons
eggs came down upon the heads of
| the people, while huge wave struck
| moment thatn terrific blast of wind,
others, came up and carried the boat
over
All Of the people Oh board, $50 or
more, were thrown into the water,
some being caught underneath and
others thrown into tho water. The
boat turned bottom upwards, and
only about twenty-five people were
observed floating OH the surface
These caught hold of the uptnned
bottom, those first securing q posi-
ton assisting others. In fifteen min
utcs more twenty-five or thirty who
had obtained safety Oh tho boat could
observe no others.
After the crew and passengers had
made Il thorough search in the i'm
mediate vicinity of the boat they be-
gan more extensive search. After
ward, however, as flash of lightning
lighted tho surface of the lake,by the
brilliant light the dress of drown
ing woman or child was observed,
but it was impossible for those who
witnessed the horrible sight to render
any aid. Those remaining began to
call for help from the shore.
Soon the storm began to abate and
in a half hour lights were observed
fitting about on the shore near where
the steamer had been d1ifted before
help could reach it, The poor crea-
t,1rce who ranoino1 tO toll tho hO,ro1.a
of the night were again compelled to
suffer further horrors OF the elements.
A hail storm burst with no word of
warning, and as they were just be-
ginning to hope that they would be
taken off by the citizensof Lake City,
the boat again turned over, this time
on it's side and all of the twenty-five
passengers wero hurled into the water
and drowned before they could be
brought to the boat by those who
| -.-.oealoI in ramoinino oHoet op1