The Forrest City times., 1899-06-16
SWEPT OUT OF EXISTENCE.
One Hundred Persons Killed and Twice that Number Injured
 by Cyclone.
NEW RICHMOND, WIS.,, TORN TO FATHERS
Fire Adds Its Horrors to the Scene and Renders it DOubly DesOlate- Nenr-By Cities Hurrying to the Rescue of the Wounded and Homeless.

New Richmond. Wis.,, June 13.-The tornado that has swept out of exist enee the prosperous little city of New Richmond was the most disastrous in point of fatalities ever occurring in this section. The exact number of dead is still unknown, but it. will cer- tainly reach 100 and very probably will exceed that figure. As they were re- covered the bodies were brought to the schoolhouse or to the Catholic or Congregational churches. Thence they are to be taken to the cemetery cx- cept in few cases, where homes still stand, in which the remains can be kept for few hours during which the final tribute of love could be rendered by the bereaved families. The bodies were prepared for burial by ltcal and visiting undertakers, and as soon as identified were marked and disposed of as their friends required.
 Heroes of the Debris.
 The Catholic priest, who had spent sleepless night and day in looking after the bodies and souls of his par ishioners, was one of the coolest aud best workers among the many who volunteered their aid.
 Nurses and physicians from St. Paul who had come down by special train or the Omaha road as soon ae news Of the disaster reached the Minnesota capital, were of great help, all night and day, and when the day closed all the seriously injured were believed to have been cared for. Those whose in- luries were serious, but whose chances for recovery were believed to be good were quicl, sent to the hospitals of St. Paul al Minneapolis, where bet ter care can be given them. The slightly injured and those whose cases seem hopeless were j.ept here and were given the best attention possible.
 The Dead and Injured.
 The list of the dead is gradually ir- creasing, during the day and tonight it seemd that 100 might be the mini mum estimate of the day. while the list of the injured will reach and per haps exceed 200.
 Fire Added to the Horrors.
 
 rescuers searched the debris, where bodies might be found. X fire com pany from South St. Paul kept two streams of water pouring on the smouldering ruins, for fire lad been added to the horrors of the tornado, and dozen fires were blazing till d heavy rain at the close of the day about extinguished the flames.
 Some of the merchants organized private salvage corps and managed to save some property, but the amount was small.
 Business Portion Swept Clean.
 The business portion of the city GOV cred space of four squares each way. and was solidlv built of brick and stone. This entire space was swept clear, foundation walls and in some places masses of debris alone marked where the business places formerly stood. Trees that lined the streets o1 the neighboring residence district were broken clear off or twisted and uprooted.
 Gathered Force ss It Came.
 The tornado came up the river from Hudson, where the damage was com paratively slight. Following the gen erai course of the river and the branch of the Omaha road, the storm gained intensity as it progressed, and was at us worst when it struck the business center of New Richmond. Outlying residences in the path of the storm were stripped of shingles and boards or sides were blown off, or, as more frequently happened, were torn asun- uer' and the fragments were scattered to the four winds of Heaven. Trees were uprooted and roadways blocked, washed away or so overfowed as to be made entirely unrecognizable.
 Circus Patrons Filled the Town.
 A circus was in town on Monday, ana people had come in from all the surrounding country. After the circus .he people had crowded into the city ,o oo their. shopping before going nome in the evening. It was at this uihe the storm cloud came rp from 'he southwest The circus grounds were outside the path of the storm, u' the people being in the business piaces, fell prey to the terrific wind.
 Help and offers of Help.
 AS soon as the news of the disaster nau reached the outside world offers VI heip and help itself began to come ."'o the city. St. Paul, being the rail 'oad center to which New Richmond was tributary, was first to learn of the storm and it's attendant woes, and "i'hln two or three hours sent the ''is. relief train with physicians, .urses' hospital supplies and commis- '4fy stores for the people of the strick-