Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1892-06-23
Fearful Loss of Life and Destruc.
tion by a Cyclone in Mime
sofa Towns.
Scores of Buildings Torn From
Their Foundations and For
ests Laid Low.

flsiteu southern minnesota passed over
large portion OF Faribault county ycster-
day afternoon. The afternoon had been
sultry and dense overhanging clouds seemed
almost to touch the ground. while not o
breath of air stirred. Later heavy down
pour ofrain setin, and at about $50 O. clock.
preceded by wind from the southwest a
huge funnel-shaped cloud was noticed by
people living west Of Wells. 1t advanced
rapidly, with loud roaring sound, and
first touched earth near Jackson
Two miles west of Shcrhurne little dis.
trict schoo! house stood and under its APP
parenty shcltcring roof the lady teacher
held her eighteen scholars until the rain
should abatc. Without moments warn.
ing the tornado struck this building ana in
a twinkling
REDUCED IT TO sPL1NTERs.
One pupil was killed outright and the
teacher and nearly all Of! the children were
more or less severely wounded Whether
any were fatally injured cannot be ascer-
taincd. AT the time the little village of
Easton was visited and three houses were
demolished. From here the twisting fun
mel took all easterly course and u.tc-ly de-
stroyed everything in its path. Dozens of
farm houses and barns were wiped out of
existence by the awful power OF the wind.
At Elartland five people were killed and
many wounded. When the center of tho
cyclone approached Winncbago City it
seemed as though that prosperous city was
iatcd and the greatest CONSERVATION pre-
vailed there for few minutes; but, for,t-
natcly for the inhabitants, the river seemed
to divid- the tornado and half turned
southea>tery and onc-hali northeastern.
The southern funnel swept south OF Wells
and circled it to the east.
THREE PEOPLE WE'RE KILLED
one mile east OF Wells and their bodies
were o-day carried into Wells for burial.
One was q middle-aged lady. another was a
boy and the third all unmarried farmer.
The northern half oil the cyclone was
about four miles south of Minnesota Lake,
and not building in its path was let.
standing while many people were killed
or wounded. The most touching case was
that of John Brown, a highly respected
and well-to-do farmer, whose fine residence
was near the track of the Milwaukee rail-
road. The house was reduced to splinters,
and all the occup lnts are dead or dying
Three persons were instantly killed, Mr..
Brown, his daughter and lady school
teacher who was boarding with him. His
wife was fatally injured and is not expected
to survive the night. His daughter was
picked up and hurled 200 yards by the
force of the wind. A neighbours son was
killed. Five houses were destroyed at this
point. Among the touching scenes here
enacted were the cndeavors of Bohemian
father and mother to protect six little chill
drcn from the cold rain that necessarily
and pitlessly beat down. With torn
sheet, the only thing saved from the gen.
eral wreck of their happy home o: ycster-
day. they were attempting to shield the
only possessions left TO them. No. one log
was lett on top Of another to mark their
ruined home.
THE DEVASTATED TERRITORY
was to-day covered with q flood of water,
and through deep mud ON horseback and
in wagons hundreds people searched for
some trace Of their homes, some wind
tossed souvenir OF their lost possessions or
for the face o: missing friend But
neaSer reports have come in and it may be
two or three days before the full
sum OF The disaster is known.
Wherever cuttings were destroyed they
was so totally ard u,terly demolished that
not a vestige OF them is left. The storm
did little damage at Wells, where it blew in
a few window fronts and overturned side
walks. Several men were Frustrated by
the force of the wind. One Of IT, sse states
that the air seemed like some su1ocatng
gas and was of whitish hue.
Three section hands on the Southern Min.
nesota road were injured By fyis.. tinbers.
Trees and telegraph poles wer., '.-s.4":, off
or twisted out OF shape Wires -.;. not
put in working order until ncou. W..res
along the Northwestern road w.as all
down during the night. AT one pace
STRUCK, EIGHT HOUSES
in succession were destroyed. and at aEoth-
er place house was so completely d s.
stroyed that no trace OF it or OF its occu-
pants could be found. though search was
| made Scores of people received wounds,
| and as most of them were IN the country
| they suffered untold torturcs through
| exposure to cold. wind and rain
throughout the night and lack of surgical
| attendance. Tie storm will entail great
hardship upon those who los, their all,
although crops are not injured. Last even
I ing's train tor Wells from this city was uu-
| able to proceed 'urthcr than Mapleton, ow-
ing to obstructoEs on the track. The
morning train from Wells was IL, re hours
late as the trainmen repaired the telegraph
line.
Riot on Train.
| LATRoBE Pa, June ia riot occurred
on Ligonier valley train last night which