Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1890-07-17
TERRIBLE DESTRUCTION
Many Lives Lost by a Storm in
Minnesota
Nearly One Hundred Go Down to
Death on an Excursion steamer
on Lake Pepiu

Nearly One Hundred Go Down to
Death on an Excursion steamer
on Lake Pepin.
Surrounded by beautiful bluffs and
farming lands, Lake Pepin's unrufiled
surface on the 14th gave little evidence
of the fierce struggle with the ele.
ments and the death-deSling fury of
the storm that ragged off Lake City the
night before. With scarcely note of
warning there burst upon that region
one Of the severest storms known In
its history. The loss OF life was prob
ably greater than any other single ca
lamity that ever visited any part of
the northwest. Sixty eight bodies had
been recovered and identified when the
search was discontinued at dark on
the night of the 14th. How many
more were lost is a matter OF uncer-
tainty. The excursion steamer Sea
Wing, OF Diamond Bluff, had carried
party OF 200 or more excursionists
from Red Wig &c the carr Q! the
First regiment Minnesota National
Guard, just below the city. When the
day was coming to close Captain
Wetheren prepared to return the boat
load to their homes. Many among
them feared the approaching storm,
and asked that he poStpohe theit de-.
parture until after the storm had blown
over. Thinking the storm would not
prove serious, he would not consent,
but at about o'clock started of up
the lake toward Red Wing, nearly 200
passengers being on board. The wind
was blowing gale A point Of land
rims out from the Minnesota shore,
just above Lake City, across from
which is what is known as Maiden
Rock. To pass around this point 1t is
necessary for steamer to turn slightly
towards the Wisconsin shore, and i'm
mediately the hurricane seized hold of
the already struggling and cracking
vessel and twisted her out Of the con.
troll OF her engines and crew. The at
tempt to beach her failed and over she
went with her load Of passengers. The
barge, Jim Grant, which was in tow,
and on which about quarter OF the
excursionists had crowded, was also
capsized, her awning being crushed in
and the passengers thrown into the
water. This happened just below the
point, and helpless. drifting before the
gale, the steamer righted herself for a
moment, but In another moment was
keeled over. The barge broke loose
and drifted down opposite the town
and those still on board, about twenty
in number, were rescued. The steamer
driited in back OF the point and sank.
Many were saved however, and the
heroism of a number Of rescuers can
not be too highly praised. Corporal
Il. l.. Perry compelled the spectators
10 assist him and saved the lives OF
eighteen of those who were still cling
ing TO the wreck. Others there were
like him and over sixty were rescued
from what seemed certain death.
Small boats cruised around for several
hours and picked up some three-score
of still living unfortunates. As soon
rs word reached the militia camp,
volunteers were called for and every
one volunteered. Adjutant General
Mullen Immediately took charge Of
regiment, and the work was begun
and carried on. Body after body Of
men, women and chlldren-in some
cases whole families-were taken from
the water, some alive, others uncon-
scious, but not dead, and yet others
from which the breath of life had for.
ever fed. The 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 inquiring If any
more bodies had been recovered and
for names OF the identified dead. The
anguish of the many parents whose
children had been ruthlessly torn from
them by the awful calamity, cannot be
portrayed. BY 2 o'clock next morning
fifty bodies had been recovered, iden-
titled and sent 10 Red Wing. BY 8
o'clock eight more had taken the same
mournful journey, and at 3 o'clock
seven others were added to the grue-
some number.
The storm really commenced be-
tween Snail and Turtle lakes, passed
over them and striking the northern
part of Little Canada, thence on to
the Schurmier and Good cottages,
across Lake Gervais to Gutzke's place,
thence in a northeasterly direction to
Farmer William Browns place, where
it lifted and disappeared Its track
was about forty-fve miles long and
from a quarter TO half a mile in
width. The bodies of Mrs. Schurmier
and her son, Charles, and Rev. Mr..
Pharfie, had not been recovered at last
reports. 1t is almost certain they are
at the bottom OF the lake, as a search
of the debris failed TO reveal any trace
of them.
LATER-It is ascertained the num-
Der seriously injured in the vicinity
of Lake Gervais is nine. OF these
Mrs. Lincoln Clark, Miss Minnie Meiss,
Frank Melancon, Mrs. Melancon, John
Guenther and Simon Good will die.
Mr.. Schurmier. Mrs. GOOD and Mrs.
Hubert Schurmier, while terribly in
iured, will likely recover. Besides
these about twenty others we're pain
fully bruised and cut, but not serious
ly injured.
The Pioneer Press Plainview, Mimi,
special says terrific wind storm, ac-
companied by hail, in the townships
of Highland, Glasgow and Beaver did
800, 900 damages to crops.
NOW GOES TO THE PEOPLE.
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