The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-05-30
RUIN CAUSED BY STORMS.
A GREAT DOWNPOUR IN WIS
CONSIN AND MINNESOTA.

Rains Do Halfa Million Dollars DAM
age-Many Bridges Washed Away
and Railroad Traffic ParaIyzed-
Towns Flooded and the Wheat
Washed Out of the Ground.
Half million dollars will scarcely cover
the damage done by the late great storm
which ragged for day and night in Min
nesota and Western Wisconsin.
The downpour of rain was the greatest
ever known in that section OF the North
west, and in many places was as destructive
as waterspout. The damage was greatest
along the st. Croix. Eugalles AMI Chippewa
Rivers, where the rise in the waters was 80
rapid that bridges could not resist 1t, and
dozens OF them were washed away. In sew
eral places. also, dams were washed out,
and the swift flowing food did large dam
age to business property.
The first death list included five. one being
killed by lightning near Anoka. Mimi, and
another near New Richmond. Wis. A Awo-
man and two children were drowned in the
Eugallee River. near Spring Valley, Wis.
Railway traffic was In state OF paralysis
all day, because OF the bridges and washouts
IN the tracks. Reports from the farming dis
tricts indicated that the loss to the farmers
would be very large.
On rolling land the rainfall was 50 heavy
as to wash out the tender young wheat.
Hundreds Of acres OF grain were reported
ruined IN Goodhue, Washington, Pine and
Benton Counties. The potato planters OF
Chicago County also reported serious loss.
At Saltwater rain fell In solid sheets from
II o'clock p. m. until o'clock a. m, and
the damage done amounted to at least $780,
600.
AtSt. Cloud one OF the results Of the de-
luge was the drowning OF two men. John
Mooney and Andrew Swanberg, In attempt
Ing to cross rivulet on horseback In the
town OF Mindon, Benton County, lost their
lives. The water was twelve feet deep, and
their horses became mired in the muddy
bottom, throwing Of their riders.
At Anoka the Rum River rose twelve
inches There was no mail or train on any
road all day. There were washouts In all
directions.
At Sauk Rapids, Mimi. the heaviest rain
The Northern Pacific track suffered badly,
all bridges between Rice's and Clear Lake
being washed out.
At Bloomer dam, sawmilI, planning mill,
bridges, houses and six million feet Of logs
were carried away. In that city great
damage was done to streets, bridges and the
railroad companies.
The Wisconsin Central tracks from Stanley,
Wis. to Chippewa Falls, distance OF
thirty-fve miles, have been washed out. Not
O piece Of track half mile In length was
left.
Chippewa Falls suffered the loss of five
bridges. cutting of traffic with the Omaha
road and causing the loss of the gas works.
Chippewa City. six miles north Of Chlppe-.
wa Falls lost sawmill, dam, barns and
lumber yards, and the city was completely
wiped out, together with 100000 feet OF
logs.
J The Chippewa River was ten feet above
low water mark. Itwas reported that the
Little Falls dam and the Flambeau dam
had given way.
At River Falls, Wis, the heaviest storm
ever known there occurred. The river rose
fully twenty feet, and four bridges were
crushed and carried away In few minutes.
The residence Of Swan Brolander was car
ried away, but he. with his wife and several
| small children, were rescued through the
bravery of citizens. The dam Of the Prairie
| and Greenwood mills was carried out, the
| large starch factory owned By s. j. Mealey,
| of Monticello, Mimi, was entirely swept
| away, and also Foster Brothers saw mill.
| Thirty thousand dollars Will not cover the
loss TO the city. .'
At Downing, Wis.,, rain flooded the town.
| No lives were lost, but the damage to prop
erty reached well into the thousands.