The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-07-15


this point on to Gaetzke's trees were blown
down in vast numbers and crops demoi-
ished.
LAKE CRY, Mimi, July 14.-Surrounded
Dy beautiful bluffs and farming lands, Lake
Pepin's unruffied surface gave today little
evidence of the fierce struggle with the ele-
ments and OF the death-dealing fury of the
storm that ragged off this city last night
With scarcely note of warning there burst
upon this section one of. the eseverest storms
known in its history. The loss of life is
probably greater than any other single
calamity that ever visited aay part of the
Northwest. Sixty-eight bodies had been
recovered and identified when the search
was discontinued at dark tonight. How
many more were lost Is uncertain.
The excursion steamer Sea Wing, of
Diamond Bluff. had carried a party OF 200
or more excursionists from Red Wing to
the camp of the First Regiment, Minnesota
National Guards. just below the city, and
Captain Wetheren prepared to return the
boat load to their homes. Many among
them feared the approaching storm and
asked that he postpone departure until
after the storm had blown over. Thinking
the storm would not prove serious, he
would not consent, but at about O'Clock
started off up the lake towards Red Wing.
nearly 200 passengers being on board.
The wind was blowing gale. A point
OF land runs out from the Minnesota shore
just above this place, 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 control. Her en-
gines and crew attempted to beach ner, but
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 being crushed
in and passengers thrown into the water.
This happened just below the point, and as
the helpless huiks drifted 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 drifted in back of the point
and sank. Many were saved, however,
and the heroism OF number of rescuers
cannot be too highly praised. Corporal S.
Ii. Perry compelled spectators TO assist him,
aud saved the lives of eighteen of those who
Were still clinging 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
the still living unfortunates.
As soon as word reached the militia
camp, volunteers were called for and every-
one volunteered. Adjutant- General Null
len Immediately took charge of the regi-
ment. and soon rescue WORK was begun and
carried on. Body after body, men. women
and children. in some cases whole families.
were taken from the water, some alive.
others unconscious, but not dead, and vet
others from which the breath of life had
forever fed.
Sad experiences were many. Parents
who had chi dren missing, and other peo-
pie looking for friends and relatives, ran up
and down the beach all night and TODAY.
inquiring if any bodies had been recovered.
and for the names of the identified dead
The anguish of the many parents whose
children had been ruthlessly torn from
tItisi DN tAS CdUNOt pe DOR
trayed.
Ato o'clock this morning fifty bodies had
been recovered. identified and sent 10 Red
Wing. By s o'clock. dozen more basi
taken the same mournful journey, and at
p. M. seven others were added to the lisr.
Following is list of the dead as far as
identified:
john HEFFLER. wife and two children.
PETEg GELLKR. wife and five children.
MRS BLkKER spd two children.
Mrs. HEAPLISG and three children.
Mrs scHwENLBEEG and daughter.
MINNIE FISHER.
KATE DALEY.
Mrs. SPHgRF and daughter.
FREDERICK STErGER.
ANNIE STEIeER.
FRANCIS sTEIGER
GEORGE SELsoS.
CHARLES DiNsLAGE
FREDERICK SEWERS and daughter.
TON LARSON.
Il 4. REnEUs sni two children.
FRED HATTExIER.
MAMIE ADAMS.
KATIE BURKHARpT.