The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1892-06-15
A RouGH EXPERIENCE.
An Illinois Graduating Glass Excursion,
Nearly Results Disastrously.

Nearly Results Dfsastrously.
CHICAGO, June l5.--The steamer
Juliet, with the graduating class, ar
rived at the dock near the Northwestern
depot at 3:15 a. m. All on board were
safe despite the experiences of the even
ing and unaware of the anxiety which
their failure to return had caused, or of
Nle reports of disaster to the craft. The
tap, while eventful, was not at any time
considered dangerous. The excursion
was that arranged for the celebration of
class day. The steamer with its merry
load went up the lake to Waukegan,
ieaving Evanston after the first storm
was over and when the lake was COM
paratively calm. The party had become
thoroughly imbued with the spirit of the
'6ey. The return trip was undertaken at
6:lh o'clock, and the little vessel stood
ont two miles In the lake and had
FAched point of Fort Sheridan when
Ne storm was felt. 1t had been raining
some time, but the sea was SO slight
tat it was not felt. Both cabins were
fled with members of the class and the
pfogramme of exercises was being car
red out without any interruption. 1t
was not until the waves began to sweep
over the deck that there was any indica-
tion that there was danger.
A Speech Cut short.
Suddenly, while a speech was being
made by one Of the male members Of the
class, the greatest wave encountered
swept over the bow, broke and sent its
spray into the cabin through the open
hatch. The little vessel shivered,
etppped and careened under its force.
The speaker was staggered. His aud
itors were forcibly thrown about. In
fact, in a moment the living cargo was
deposited on the lower side. But the
young folks righted themselves as rap
Idly as the steamer came to an even
heel and began to put themselves in po-
sition to withstand the rolling of the
vessel, for all at once saw that there
Would be rolling before port was
made. when the boat careened
tie passengers were all thrown to one
Isile of the boat" ahid gentleman who
lwis on board. There was much ex-
| lcitsment, especially among the young
Iwdmen. The young men tried to reas-
lsufe them. The sea steadily got heavier,
land soon many of the young women
were suffering the agonies of sea-sick-
ness. 1t was then about 10 o'clock The
|captain decided to put for Chicago.
Erom that time on it
I wns q Tough Experience. ~.
Ont of forty young women ON board only
one escaped being sick. The cabins had
been newly painted and we could not
open the windows to get any air. There
were more than eighty of us jammed in
the two little cabins. The result may
be imagined. Some of the women
tainted. Many preferred to cling to the
rail on the upper deck in the. driving
rain rather than endure the horrors of
the cabin.
About the time we were abreast of
Evanston and could distinguish its
lights" continued the gentleman,
things were going hard with us. The
steamer was heading directly into the
wind and sea. The sea was running
high and the wind blowing gale. The
boat seemed to be making no headway.
Now and then we would get into the
trough of the sea and we
would be thrown about like
peas in a basket. From this
point we fought our way towards Chi
cago. Part of the time all would be
black as pith. At one time both the en-
gineer and fireman were laid out by sea
sickness About this time we kind of
gave mp hope. But we crept nearer and
nearer to Chicago light and finally made
our way into the harbor, as sorry lot of
excursionists as ever landed in Chi
cago.s
The passengers went directly to the
Northwestern depot and took the train
at 5:15 a. m. for Evanston.