The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-06-26
HE SAW THE CYCLONE. 4
j. A. Place Describes the Great Minnesota
Disaster.


J. A. Place, who has returned to Ana
conda from Minnesota after a three
weeks business trip, was in ST. Paul
when New Richmond was struck by
the cyclone. He graphically describes
his experiences. About noon of the
18th the air was SO sultry that one used
to Montana breezes could scarcely
breathe" said he yesterday There
was not a ripple of air and the heat
was unbearable. About O'Clock in the
evening heavy clouds of a greenish vel
low appearance banked up on the hori-
zon, and soon the whole sky was a mass
of swiring clouds. Vivid flashes of
lightning blinded and the heavy rever-
berations of the thunder deafened the
citizens. The darkness was SO intense
that at 6 o'clock all the lamps We're
lighted Rain fell in torrents and the
streets became raging rivers; sidewalks
were flooded and immense damage was
done.
lightning struck the spire of the
federal building, now in course of cree
ton, one-half block from my hotel. l
was sitting in my window, when sud-
denly a glare blinded me and the room
seemed as though it were filled with a
ball of yellow fire. Then came a peal
of thunder such as l never before had
heard, and never wish to again. The
bolt ripped off the tiles from the spile
of the federal building, struck an iron
pipe and went into the ground. l have
a number of pieces of the thing which
l procured after the storm abated
"A few blocks further up the street
an apartment house, an eight-story
| building, in which about 800 families
reside, was also struck The roof caught
| fire and number of engines responded
Before ! could reach the spot the fire
| men had it under control. An immense
| crowd assembled in very short time.
| 1.-The day following, while at the
| Union depot, | saw train bearing ).
sufferers of the New Richmond disaster
arrive. The sight was distressing. A
| large crowd awaited the train and
scarcely sound could be heard
THE patrol wagons and ambulances
were in waiting and also the Red Gross
| doctors and nurses in uniform. -Four
nurses were assigned to each cot, and
| the sufferers We're removed from the
| train to the wagons and ambulances
and thence to the various hospitals. The
| railroad companies placed their trains
and crews at the service of the doctors
| and Red Cross people, and thus did
much to relieve the suffering. On the
| 10th | visited st. Joseph's hospital, at
| 1879 West Ninth street, and there saw q
rumber of the sufferers. The operat-
| ing rooms had been in use all day, but
the work was not yet completed.
Il also visited St Thomas academy
and attended the 18th annual com
| mencement exercises, on June 10. The
| programme was most excellent. 1t was
a revelation TO me. The rendition OF
Scenes from Julius Caesar was far
above criticism The Very Rev. P. r
| HeffrOn, D. D., of St. Paul delivered
| a powerful address. Orations were also
delivered in Greek and Latin by the
| graduates. This year, shortly before
| my arrival, 25 priests We're ordained.
Il also visited Minnehaha Falls, q
few miles from the city, and was wei
| repaid for the time spent on the trip
The scenery there is far different from
| that which Montana boasts, and this
| year the water in the falls has beer
| higher than for a number of years
| past" Sc. '.