The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-07-06
TORNADO In MINNESOTA.
TIE Destroyer Sweeps Through
Five Southern Counties.
Scores Killed, Buildings Demol-
ished and the Crops Ruined.

One Of the worst disasters that ever vis-
tied Southern Minnesota occurred between
and o'clock few days ago. A tornado
laid waste scores Of happy homes and killed
forty or fifty people. The extent Of the
country damaged was greater than ever
known in the history Of the State, aud 1t
was fortunate indeed that no considerable
town or village Law in the tornado's path.
Starting near Jackson, on thu Southern
Minnesota Division Of the Chicago. Mlwau-
kee and st. Paul Railroad, the tornado
swept eastward AMI passed four miles south
of Minnesota Lake and then took broad
circle to the south, AMI passed south or
Wells County. Considerable rain had fallen
during the afternoon, and about $50 O'Clock
the atmosphere became almost sunocatlnS.
Curious-sbaped clouds began to form IN the
southwest, and many people gazsi In won,
der at the sight. About $50 P. n. q wind
sprung No. anil off to the west circling
black cloud was seen rapidly advancing ana
demolishing everything il its course. IL
passed two miles northwest Of Sherburne,
and struck district schoolhouse, in whIca
were the teacher and eighteen scholars. Ine
building was demolished and the teacher
and fifteen scholars were killed.
At Easton, three buildings were destroyed
and several people injured. Lindon was Wis
tied and many houses were torn from their
foundations. One family, consisting or q
man, his wife and child, were killed and
others injured. A large grove OF trses was
completely uprooted. The storm passed on
eastward, destroying farm houses, barns,
and in fact, every thing in its path. At Wells
sidewalks were overturned, store fronts
blown in, aud other damage done. Several
men were blown down by the force OF the
wind.
-Four miles south Of Minnesota Lake five
frame houses and other buildings were
caught in the storm aud demolished. Four
people were killed there. The body OF John
Brown was taken to Minnesota Lake next
morning. His wife, hired man and q school
teacher were also injured. Section men
suffered severe injuries. Much damage was
done south OF Wells, and forty to fifty peo-
ple we're killed south and west OF that VII.
lage.
Many heartrending scenes occurred. The
log house OF Bohemian family at B,wer
Mills, near Minnesota Lake, was blown
entirely away, not one log remaining. The
family, man, wife and six children, spent
the night miserably in the rain, without
shelter from the elements. They huddled
together upon heap OF straw. and with
piece of sheet endeavored to ward or the
COlQ Wluu duu ucFCk SooSA12S SA4 s&SS SAAANS~
them to the skin.
At Wells. a section man received terrible
injury in the breast from flying board. A
brakeman who saw the storm at that place
said he plainly saw the funnel approaching
from the west, and as it passed north OF the
village he was thrown violently to the
ground. Probably not less than LOU were
wounded, and as they were mostly IN
the country, distant from medical aid, their
sufferings were terrible.
All along the G. NJ and st. P. road from
Jackson to Minnesota Lake the scene was
one of devastation. Not every house was
taken, but so many were destroyed that the
scene was pitiful. 1t is one OF the richest
sections Of the State, and Is prairie, WIN
now and then a wind break Of trees planted
by the settlers. The wind had fuu sweep.
A despatch from Mapleton, Minn., says:
ssTen people are reported killed near here
and twenty injured. Six houses are COM
pletely wrecked. The Brown family is
among the injured. The tornado was four
miles south OF the village"
A Spring Valley despatch says there was
a cloudburst just before o'clock P. M.which
DESTROYED q great deal Of property. One
woman, whose house was swept away,
was drowned. An Albert Lee special report
ed that fifty were killed between Wells
aud Minnesota Lake. At Hartland i've were
killed. John Brown, his daughter, Lady
school teacher boarding with him, and q
neighbor's son, are the dead at Minnesota
Lake. Browns wife was fatally injured: He
was a wealthy farmer. living between Wells
and Minnesota Lake, and not stick of his
elegant house is left. The schoolhouse at
Shsrburne was destroyed and ons pupil
killed. Nearly all tae others were more or
less injured.
The county was foo led and the prairie
covered with people looking for their homes
or friends. They were Oh horseback aud in
all kinds of conveyances. The houses were
mostly swept away entirely, without YES
tige to show where they stood.
The tornado split when it reached Winnie
bago City, and one part went south or wells,
while the most destructive part went north.
A Paramount, Mimi, special says:
"The tornado passed through MaTting
County from west to east caus.
ing thousands OF dollars worth OF
damage. The schoolhouss was demolished,
and the teachers and pupils, seventeen IN
all, were injured, some Of them severely"
Mr.. YonEers's house in Rutland, Mimi.
was wrecked, and all the family injured;
one child was killed instantly, and one has
since died. aud another w%.s fatally injured,