Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-06-17
A DEADLY CYCLONE.
THE WORST STORM EVER KNOWN IN
SOUTHERN MINNESOTA.
At Least Forty or Fifty Human Lives
Crushed Out-Great Damage Done
to Property.
fpr telegraph to tho pIspatch.l

MfSyEAPoIIs. MINs., June 16.-A special to
the Journal from Mankato, Mimi, says; One OF
the worst disasters that over visited Southern
Minnesota occurred between $3.50 and o'clock
last evening. Every report that comes in Is
more serious than the preceding one. AT least
forty or fifty lives are lost The extent OF the
country swept Is greater than ever before known
snthe history of the State. Starting near JACK
ion, on the Southern Minnesota road. funnel-
shaped cloud swept eastward and passed iou,
miles south OF Minnesota Lake, then TOOK pf.aI
circle 10 the south, and passed away soutn ol
Wells. Considerable rain had fallen during tue
afternoon and about > o'clock the atmosphere
became almost suiiOcnting. Curlousiy-snaPtu
clouds began gathering over the southwest, ann
many people gaLeJ IN wonder at the eigh.::
About $40 o'clock the wind spraug up, ana OH
10 tho west n rapidly-cfcling black cloud was
seen fast advancing and tearing asunder every
thing IN its course.
SIXTEEN PEOPLE KILLED.
II passed two miles northwest of Sherourn'
and Il Is reported that II there struck the us
trict school-house, in which were tho teacnef
and eirhtsen scholars. Tho building was de-
moiished and the teacher ana niteeh sc'oiai
were killed.
At Easton three buildings were destroyed ana
several people injured. LiudOu wae Vlrltcu anu
many houses there were torn from their founda-
tous. One family composed OF a man. his we,
and child, were killed, and others Injured.
large group OF trees was completely uptVolcu'
The storm passed on eastward, destroying latin-
houses, barns, and, IN TACT, everything III "r
At Wells sidewalks were overturned, store.
fronts were blown out, and other camase VIZ VIZ
done. ssrs'
MORE DEATH Ant DESTRUCTION.
-Four miles south Of Minnesota Lake I'VE farm
hous and thoir Out-Duildings were caught IN tne
storm and utterly demolished. -Four pe2ple
were killed. The body OF one of these-J i oiii'
Mt,Ya fa al fxa
ing. His wife, a hired man, aud n schoolteache ei
were also injured. Railroad section-men SUI
fered severe injuries. Much damage was u"A,
south of Wells, and 10 Is reported mat t0rty vi
fifty were killed south and west OF that village
As most OF the damage was done IN the couh'
try reports are slow in coming in put what ha'
been already heard Is enough 10 insure the pe'
LEI that II was the worst storm ever repotleu ~
South Minnesota. Ii IS expected mat later re-
ports will increase rather than diminish inc eA'
tent Of tho iamagc done, as wen IA the loss o.
life and personal injuries. Many heart-rondihe
scenes occurred.
SCENES Or DEvAsrATIoS.
The house OF Bohemian family AT Bowen MIL
near Minnesota Lake, was blown entirely away
not ono log remaining. A brakeman VINO saw
the storm AZ that place SAID he plainly noticed
the funnel approaching IRON the West' anu ina
ne n uae-ed north OF the village he was cast 4
tire ground by the terrific pres'uro OF air whicl
Was 80 no. that 70 almost s'iliei him. lhs an
seemed Ike gas and everything was iiiled with
white haze. All along the Milwaukee road IRON
Jackson to MinnosOta Lake the scene is one o
| devastation. Not every house is destroyed, but
20 many are demolished that the scene IS piiiiul
The wind had full sweep and the wires have
been down all the forenoon.
TRAINS DELAYED.
The Milwaukee train 10 Wells got no further
| than Maplefon last night, owing 20 the debris or
| the fracf The morning train from Wells wa
| four hours late. Telegraph poles and trce'
| were everywhere blown over. Owing tOa wash
| out at B!akeley on the Omaha read last nigh
| tie passenger train from the twin cities has no
| yet arrived. This mornings train IRON sloa'
| 1'ify was held ar kasota 70 await repairs on the
| track. WashOut at Rochester on the N0rtE
| western road delayed tho morning passense
| train from the east In this city heavy rain Tel
| throughout the afternoon, night, and forenoon
| but no damage Is isreportod.