New-York tribune., 1899-06-14
NEW RICHNOND DESOLATE
AT LEAST A HUNDRED LIVES LOST IN
THE TORNADO.
BUSINESS PORTION WIPED OUT OF ExIs1
ENCE-HARRowING SCENES IN THE
u.ISCQNsIN

BUSINESS PORTION WIPED OUT or EAlSb
ENCE-HARRoWING SCENES IN THE
STRICKEN LITTLE WISCONSIN CITY.
New Richmond, Wis. June 13.-Indescribabiy
sad are the scenes OF desolation wrought BY
last nights tornado. which practically swept
out Of existence the prosperous little city OF
New Richmond Out OF five hundred houses
and stores in the town, fully three hundred were
wrecked by the storm destroyed by nre.
Almost every family has one more members
among the dead. injured or missing, and little
groups are seen everywhere searching. by tho
light Of lantern or torch for loved ones who
may be buried IN the piles Of debris on every
hand The eearch has been conducted all day
and UP 10 8 o'clock tonight ffty-four bodies
had been found, although the number OF dead
certainly will reach one hundred or more These
have for the most part been taken TO the Cath
Olic and Congregational churches which. al
though in ;he edge OF the storms path. es-
capped its fury. In these temporary morsues
the sights are such as TO touch the hardest
heart as the grief-stricken living recognize the
mangled and often dsmembered bodies Of misc
ing dear ones.
The wounded hnd temporary asylums in the
unintured dwellings either side Of the path
OF devastation, where doctors and nurses DO
heroic work without sleep or rest. AS many a.
possible Of the injured. whose chances for rs-
covery are considered good, are being sent 10
the hospitals at st. Paul and Minneapolis. where
they will have better care.
RUIN IN THE BUSINESS SECTION.
The business portion OF the city covered
space Of four squares each way, and was built
solidly Of brick and stone This entire space
was swept clear, foundation walls. and IN some
places masses OF debris alone marking where
business houses formerly stood. Trees which
lined the streets OF the residence district were
broken of or twisted and uprooted
The tornado came up the river from Hudson
where the damage was comparatively slight
Following the general course OF the river ana
the branch OF the Omaha road, the storm gained
in intensity as II proceeded. and was at its
worst when II struck the business centre OF
New Richmond. outlying houses In the pain OK
the storm frequently were torn assunder ana
the fragments scattered TO the winds. Trees
were uprooted and roadways blocked. washed
avay or so overhowed as to be made entirely
unrecognizatle.
rhe desolate view Of New Richmond 10 one nos
soon 20 be forgotten. Among the broken fraS-
ments OF their homes the people wander help
lessiy striving somewhat amlessly and hope
lessly to gather together what is left 10 them
On the east and west limits OF the city many
houses are still standing with little or no dam.
age. and TO these homes the occupants welcome
their less fortunate nsghbors and friends. giving
them such aid as is possible and the sympathy
they so much need. The property loss cannot
be estimated at this time. and may never be ac-
curateiy known II was almost total. for the in
surance agents report that no tornado insar.
ance was carried in the town and on only .
small number OF places. where FIRE Joined In the
destruction OF property. win the business men -
AZ all reimbursed for their losses.
HIGHER ESTIMATES OF LOSS.
The average residents Of New-Richmond sst's
mate the loss Of life at higher figures. They be-