USA > Minnesota > Goodhue County > History of Goodhue County, Minnesota > Part 53
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gage was saved. I have ten checks in my pocket, but not a trunk or carpet bag. My little boy had on a night gown, and his mother was costumed after the manner of the bride above mentioned. Unfortunately for me, I had deposited my money in the safe, and the safe proving to be an iron box only, everything within it was utterly destroyed. The citizens of Red Wing were a humane- hearted people. All our immediate wants were relieved and cloth- ing supplied in abundant, if not always in perfectly fitting measure."
The survivors. after being properly provided for, were embarked on the next boat up the river, going to their several destinations. The charred remains of the five persons who perished were ten- derly and carefully deposited in coffins and buried with the usual Christian burial service in Oakwood cemetery. The wrecked hull was drawn up on the sand with considerable difficulty, but was not removed until some time later. On October 31, 1859, the prominent citizens of Red Wing, realizing that the wreckage was both unsightly and a menace to traffic, petitioned that the mayor of common conneil appropriate $300 to be used in connection with what would be contributed by the packet company, to have the obstruction removed. Later the removal was accomplished. The petition is still in existence, and the list of signatures is herewith published. as it shows the names of the principal men and business companies living in the city at that time. The signers were: R. N. McLaren, Peter Meresole, Andrew A. Teele, G. I. Cooper. S. B. Foot, Edward L. Teele, Orton P. Ward. A. Daniels, jr., II. A. Park. Towne & Pierce, Clinton G. Reynolds, C. H. and E. L. Baker, P. Sandford. H. C. Hoffman. I. S. Kellogg, S. W. Chaffee, T. Le Adams, Jas. C. Hawes, J. E. Simmons, Me- Intire and Sheldon, W. L. Webster. T. B. MeCord, J. M. Hodgman, W. C. Williston. W. D. Bevans, Thomas I. Smith, Albert Hall. S. A. Bevans, C. E. Bolander, John M. Ives. O. B. Rosco, P. Brun- dage, Man Comstock. W. W. DeKay, William Freeborn, Erie Peterson, William Burrill. J. C. Weatherby, J. W. Brown, E. M. Borsil, Seth T. Norton. W. W. Sweney, J. M. Friedrich, Charles Kemp. R. B. Smither, S. A. Hart. M. Hickman and Bro .. F. P. Downing. Jared Sexton, William Sexton, W. L. Grow, F. W. Lit- tle. Smith Meigs & Co., Brown and Betcher, Orin Densmore. Hub- bard and Davis. M. L. Chamberlin. E. C. Howard. Geo. W. Park, A. W. Esping, E. P. Lowater, Q. Buneh & Co., John Carroll, George Wilkinson, W. Bristol, A. B. Hawley, W. W. Phelps, J. Going. Fred Joss, Francis Ives, T. I. Little, A. G. Littlefield, William Lauver. G. W. Woodley, H. Pettibone, James G. Stod- dard. Andrew Cook. J. H. Brand, Phallappe Hoffman, E. J. Wilder. C. McClure, A. B. Miller and Watts Sherman.
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"'SEA WING" DISASTER.
About 8 o'clock on the morning of the thirteenth day of July, 1890, the steamer "Sea Wing," 110 tons, Captain D. N. Wethern, with a crew of ten men, of Diamond Bluff, Wis., left that place, towing a barge, and carrying eleven passengers, bound on an excursion to the encampment of the First Regiment, M. N. G., at Camp Lakeview, about two miles below Lake City on Lake Pepin. At Trenton twenty-two persons went on board, and at Red Wing about 165 others. for the same destination.
The day was intensely hot. with low barometric pressure. From about 5 o'clock p. m., for over two hours, storm indica- tions were visible to the northwest and north, a tornado having in fact, in that time, destroyed several houses and killed five or six of their occupants, near St. Paul. Captain Wethern, although the skies were threatening, believed it safe to venture out, and the boat with all the excursionists and some others, on board, set out for Lake City on the return. a little past 8 o'clock. The storm gathered very rapidly, and the wind was blowing, by signal service measurement, sixty miles an hour.
When near the middle of the lake, and five miles above Lake ('ity, the "Sea Wing" was suddenly completely capsized by the wind. A cry was heard, "Cut the barge loose," and an employe of the boat cut the ropes which bound boat and barge together ; they soon drifted apart and were separately driven ashore. The people who were upon the barge were all saved. Life preservers had been pointed out to passengers and many had put them on, before the boat capsized, but some had not done so. Many were imprisoned in the cabin. and some were otherwise so caught, or injured, that they were unable to escape. Planks, boards, life preservers. chairs, etc .. were floating about. and many saved their lives by securing some of them. The thick clouds made the night so dark that only by the lightning flashes could one see to gain help, or to render any. Many deeds of heroism were done among these people suddenly hurled into the waves. Men able to swim supported others, until they could be drawn upon the wreck, or could pick up some plank or life preserver, or even swam with them until picked up by rescuing skiffs. The efforts of swimmers, and the winds and waves landed them at widely separate points, two boys even getting to shore on the Wisconsin side.
When the barge grounded, men jumped out and hurried through the surf to the shore and then ran to Lake City and to the camp for help. Skiffs and men were obtained from Lake City and scores of young men from Lakeview. The skiffs were vig- orously employed in picking up the survivors and bringing off those who were still alive on the wreck. The night was spent in
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the rescue of the living and the recovering of the dead. A dis- patch was sent to Red Wing and on the request of the chief of police a special train was sent by Division Superintendent Under- wood, of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company, about midnight.
The steamer Ethel Howard. Captain JJ. G. Howard, arrived at Red Wing about 6 o'clock, Monday morning, with forty-two bodies of the dead, and the steamer Nettie Durant with eight others about noon.
Later ou Monday the steamer Luella, Captain Antoine Rocque, of Wabasha, a powerful raft-boat, on her way down, eame oppo- site the scene of disaster. Captain Roeque made his raft fast to the Wisconsin shore, steamed across the lake, and placed himself, boat and crew. under the direction of those in charge of the search for the lost. It was through his labor, continued all day and until nothing more remained to do, that the wreck was pulled near to shore. and under the force of the Ethel Howard also. so pulled to pieces that the cabin could be opened and the whole wreck thoroughly searched. in the course of which fifteen other bodies were found and forwarded to friends at Red Wing. Adjutant-General J. H. Mullen was very helpful in inspiring and directing the work on Monday and Tuesday.
The lake was vigilantly patrolled on Tuesday, and dynamite was employed in the hope of raising the bodies, the operations being conducted from Captain Berkey's steam launch by Lieuten- ant E. F. Glenn. U. S. A. Only one body was recovered, however.
On Wednesday the same watch for floating corpses was main- tained by skiffs and by the steamer Wanderer. The passing of the steamer Menomonee over the place of the disaster caused one of the bodies to appear, and the services of the boat were bespoken to endeavor to raise the others. She continued her movements with such success that thirty-one more, making all of the victims but one, were recovered and sent to Red Wing. The last, the ninety-eighth body, was found Thursday morning. and with its recovery the work at the lake was finished.
Through Monday the work upon shore, at the scene of the disaster, was mainly in the hands of the officers and men of Com- pany G, First Regiment, M. N. G .. Captain C. A. Betcher, the citizens of Lake City, and other members of the soldiery from the camp. During subsequent days the people of Lake City were led by Mayor Stout. and the soldiers assisted, operations being then in charge of a force sent by the Red Wing City Council, nineteen men under the charge of Street Commissioner William Llewellyn. The force was kept constantly at work by proper reliefs. A representative of the city council was present nearly
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all the time, Aldermen Hack, Smith, Friedrich, Oliva, and Acting Mayor Carlson being in that service.
In Red Wing business was practically suspended for four days. Upon the arrival of the remains of victims they were taken in charge by the coroner until properly identified, and then de- livered to the relatives. friends, or associations claiming them for burial. Funerals began on Monday evening and continued through that and three following days. The tolling of bells was almost incessant, and some funeral procession was traversing the streets every hour.
The deceased who had lived in Diamond Bluff, ten in number, and those who had resided at or near Trenton, numbering ten, were taken for their last rites to their former homes.
The interments in Red Wing were: Three on Monday, forty- four on Tuesday. fifteen on Wednesday, and nine on Thursday.
Thirty were laid to their rest in Oakwood cemetery, thirty- three in the German Lutheran, and eight in the Catholic cemetery.
The societies which attended to the obsequies of members. or families who had perished, were the Odd Fellows, Sons of Her- man, Grand Army of the Republic, Women's Relief Corps, Sons of Veterans, Patriarchal Circle, Ancient Order of United Work- men. All the people of Red Wing were diligent and untiring in rendering assistance to their neighbors so suddenly overwhelmed with sorrow.
The services at the respective funerals were necessarily brief. There were sermons in most of the churches on the following Sunday, inspired by the sad experiences of the week. But the public demanded something more. Memorial services on a day set apart for the occasion was everyone's desire. The common council appointed a committee of arrangements for such a service on Monday evening, the committee consisting of Aldermen Fried- rich, Hack and Oliva. The board of trade on Friday appointed a committee consisting of Charles Betcher, L. A. Haneoek, Peter Nelson, M. S. Chandler and J. II. Rich, to co-operate with the committee of arrangements of the council; and a committee on resolutions, consisting of F. M. Wilson, S. J. Willard, W. C. Williston, S. P. Jennison. E. T. Mallory.
The board indicated its wish that the services be held on Fri- day afternoon, July 25, and that Hon. E. T. Wilder be requested to deliver the oration, or, if he should decline, that he preside on the occasion. The committee of arrangements met together and chose Charles Beteher chairman of the joint committee.
Those who perished were :
Belmont. N. D .- A. O. Anderson.
Diamond Bluff-William Jorgenson, Mrs. Millie Kremer, Leon
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Kremer, R. L. Mero, Austin Mero, Myrtle Mero, Millie Niles, Florence Smith, Mrs. D. N. Wethern, Perley Wethern.
Graysville, O .- Eliza J. Crawford.
Hay Creek-Kate Burkard, Martin Scherf.
Hartland, Wis .- John Adams.
Red Wing-Mrs. W. H. Blaker, Cena Blaker, Dell Blaker, Charles D. Brown, Phoebe Bearson, John Behrens, Louis Brenn, Fred J. Christ. Joseph Carlson, Charles Dinslage, Kate Daily, Ira M. Fulton, Minnie Fisher, Mrs. Merrit Green, Ida Green, Peter Gerken, Henry Gerken, Mrs. Peter Gerken, Emil J. Gerken, Al- vina H. Gerken, Amandus Gerken. George Gerken, Fred Hatte- mar. Theodor Ilorwedel, Mrs. F. Ilempftling, Fred E. Hempft- ling, Lizzie Hempftling. IFerman Ilempftling, Mrs. Herman Hempftling, Mrs. Hannah Humpert, Mabel Holton, Melissa A. Harrison, George Hartman, Edward Ingebritson, John Ingebrit- son, Thomas Leeson, Mrs. Edward Larson, Gustaf.L. Lillyblad, Mrs. Ole Nelson. Henry Newton, Emma Nelson. Geo. Nelson, Ran- dina Olson, Mary Olson, Peter Olson, Orrin Oskey, Julia Persig, An- nie Persig, Chas. Peterson, Knute E. Peterson. Henry Rehder, Rosa Rehder, John Schoeffler, Mrs. JJohn Sehoeffler, John Schoeffler, Jr., Frederick Schoeffler, Mrs. Sophia Schulenberg, Mamie Schulen- berg, Henry Schulenberg, Annie Schneider, Annie Staiger, Fran- eis Staiger, John Straub. Fred Seivers, Ida Severs, Mrs. F. Scherf, Hattie Scherf, Mary Skoglund. Henry Steffenson, Rikka Vieths, Bertha Winter.
Trenton-Ella Adams, Mamie Adams, William Adams, Mattie Flyn. Cord Johnson, Nettie Palmer, Alice Palmer, Adda Way, Edna Way, James Wilson.
Welch-Thomas O 'Shaughnessy.
Those who were on the boat and survived were :
Red Wing-Jacob Appenzeller, Ernest Axelson, John Ander- berg. Arthur Anderson, Axel Ake, John Ammon, Oscar Berlin, Oscar Bowman, Gny Bertron, Aggie Bertron, Gust Beckmark, William Blaker, L. D. Bayrell, Robert . Chellstrom, Mary Casey, George H. Cook, Charles Carroll, Frederick Chellstrom, Albert Carlstrom, George Diepenbrock, Jr., Will W. DeKay, Richard Dannnm, E. T. Danielson. W. J. Eisenbrand, George Eis- enbrand, Robert Eisenbrand. Oscar Forsell, Charles Fisher. V. Freeman, John Gilbertson, George W. Hawkins, Hugo IIerder, Charles Ileidenrich, Albert Johnson, C. D. Jacoby, Theodore F. Kempe, Will Kenney, Alfred Kolberg, Charles A. Lidberg, Henry Luft, George Landeck, Ed. E. Martins, Eddie Merkins, E. D. Morris, Andrew Monson, Charles Mueller, Peter Malm, Hendrick Nelson, Axel Nelson, Jens Oss, August Olson, William Purdy, Ilaskell Purdy, William Plaas, William Patterson, Frank Perkins, John Qual, Ludwig Rock, Henry Rehder, George Reeve, Fred
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Scherf, Ed. Schenack, George Smith, N. K. Simmons, George Severs, C. S. Sultzer, Otto Simon, Claus Sandstrom, Herman Seastrand, Charles Trutman, George Thompson, Sherman Ward, James Webb.
Diamond Bluff-E. P. Burke, Francis P. Gartland, Mrs. Hill, daughter and son, Henry Hope, Frank Hope, Charles Neil, E. M. Niles, H. L. Niles, W. R. Niles, M. L. Sparks, Mrs. M. L. Sparks, William Sparks, Warren Sparks, Jesse Sparks, Captain D. N. Wethern, Roy Wethern.
Lake City-Robert Adams, Will Carver, Henry Mabey, Theo- dore Minder.
Burnside-W. Boner, John Boner. Emma Boner. Thomas Callischan.
Trenton-Perley Palmer, Frances Palmer, Andrew Seriber, Frank Way.
Minneapolis-F. C. Lampman, Frank Mero, Ed. Stevens.
Prairie Island-Peter Heckstrom.
Argyle-A. S. Bayrell.
Grand. yet simple, solemn, yet comforting, were the services commemorative of the great catastrophe. The day surpassed the promise of its predecessor. The sun shone from an almost cloud- less sky, a haze intercepting the full force of the rays. A gentle breeze agitated the air, the sole remaining requisite for a perfect summer day. The majority of the business establishments were early appropriately draped with black and white, expressive of general sorrow. At noon the stores were closed, the factories shut down and the citizens as a whole prepared to join in the observance of the day.
Thanks to the generous co-operation of the ladies of the city, both those named on the committee and others, the floral decora- tions were abundant and the most beautiful ever seen in our city. From the north gate entrance of the City Park, where the ob- . servances were held, a picture was presented that brought tears to many eyes. Tributes from loving hands and loving hearts were visible everywhere. Above the gate itself was raised à high arch, draped in mourning. From the center was suspended a magnificent star. On the other three gates were raised dark pillars appropriately draped and hung with wreaths and gar- lands. In the avenne, leading up to the platform in the center of the park, garlands were festooned from the trees on both sides.
Midway between the speakers' stand and the main entrance to the park, stood an obelisk twenty feet high hearing the ninety- eight names of those in whose memory the services were held. A dark and beautiful ivy encireled the obelisk softening its marble hue and a tiny bouquet of flowers had been placed by each in- scription. The names were inscribed on one side of diamond
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shaped mourning cards, the other side bearing the date of the disaster. These were fastened to the obelisk, in such a manner that at the close of the services they could be removed by friends and relatives and taken home as souvenirs with the tiny bouquets and a small wreath.
Just beyond the obelisk. on a stand most ingeniously wrought of rustic birch, stood a magnificent floral tribute, still another proof of the kind and sympathetic hearts of the citizens of Lake City. It was a floral mound four feet square and about a foot high. Each of the four corners bore a different design. On the front side of the mound. looking toward the large gate, was the word "Hope. " most artistically fashioned of small white flowers and forget-me-nots. while on the side facing the obelisk, the word "Rest" lay imbedded in dark moss. In the center of the mound, resting on a snowy ground of white roses, stood a cross and anchor, each nearly two feet high. The cross was of yellow roses and the anchor was of tuberoses with a top of smilax.
The speakers' stand was festooned with black and white draperies, garlands and wreaths. Over the top floated the flag at half-mast. Across the canopy in front was an arch bearing the motto, "We weep together," made of flowers over a black background. A large platform on the right presented a white wall with the following:
"For youth is life's green spring. and he who goes In the full strength of years. matron and maid And the sweet babe and the gray-headed man, Shall one by one be gathered to thy side By those who in their turn shall follow them." On the left side a similar wall had the words: "Let us be patient. these severe afflictions Not from the ground arise, But oftentimes celestial benedictions Assume the dark disguise."
Along the whole front of the speakers' stand was a wide me- morial bank of offerings. Those were tributes from individuals and societies comprising varied and numerous designs, of crosses, wreaths, anchors, and pillows, also a beautiful tribute represent- ing "Gates Ajar." At the close of the exercises these, with a large number on several adjoining stands, were presented to the friends and relatives of the departed ones. Besides these, crosses, three and four feet high, were arranged around the park, while many beautiful emblems, presented by different societies, were suspended from the surrounding trees. Upon one of the stands were tablets with the following verses :
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VIA CRUCIS, VIA LUCIS.
Through night to light ; and though to mortal eyes Creation's face a pall of horror wear,
Good cheer ! good cheer! The gloom of midnight flies ; Then shall a sunrise follow, mild and fair.
Through eross to crown! And though thy spirit's life Trials untold assail with giant strength,
Good cheer ! good cheer! Soon ends bitter strife,
And thou shalt reign at peace with Christ at length.
Through woe to joy! And though at morn thou weep. And though the midnight find thee weeping still,
Good cheer! good cheer! The Shepherd loves his sheep, Resign thee to the watchful Father's will.
Through death to life! And through this vale of tears, And through this thistle field of life ascend
To the great supper in that world whose years Of bliss unfading, cloudless, know no end.
With the early trains there came people to the city from above and below, residents of neighboring cities, old citizens of Red Wing and friends of the afflicted, all to join in the general expression of sorrow and sympathy.
At 2 o'clock the bells of the city commenced tolling. It was the signal for assemblage. The mourners came, the societies formed at their headquarters and marched to the park, where all were received by the members of the park reception com- mittee and conducted to seats. Along each side of the entrance were drawn up a line of members of the local militia company, while the members of the fire department patrolled the grounds.
Shortly after these had arrived came a special train from Lake City, and almost at the same time another arrived from Rochester. With the former came about 500 people from our neighboring city by the lake, and with the latter nearly 200 from Rochester and Zumbrota. A large delegation also came in from Cannon Falls. After the seating of the visitors. the park was thrown open for general admission. Seats had been provided for 2,500 people. These were all filled and as many more people were standing.
In the grand stand were seated the speakers, ministers, officers of the day, and members of the committees. Directly to the back, in the temporary stand, were the ladies of the decorating
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committee. the singers and the invited guests. The mourners ocenpied seats to the right of the front.
The services were opened by Hon. E. T. Wilder, president, at 3 o'clock, and proceeded in the following order: Invocation, Rev. J. H. Hancock ; reading of resolutions, Hon. F. M. Wilson : reading of messages. ex-Governor I. F. Hubbard ; hymn, "Roek of Ages," chorus; oration, General S. P. Jennison ; selection, "The Chapel." Company G Glee Club ; address, Hon. W. C. Williston ; hymn, "Lead Kindly Light." Mrs. Crouse and choir; address. Ilon. Wesley Kinney; hymn. "Latom oss for Herren Gladjas," Swedish Entheran Choir: address, Hon. O. M. Hall ; hymn, "In the Ilour of Trial," Company G Glee Club; address Rev. W. C. Rice ; benediction, Rev. J. Wynne Jones ; Doxology.
Thus ended the public observances, but to this day in the hearts of the hundreds is cherished the memory of those who left Red Wing on that fated day so cheery and full of life, only to be brought back as lifeless clay.
POLICE OFFICERS KILLED.
The shooting of Chief of Police James Daily and Police Officer John Peterson, on the evening of JJanuary 14. 1907, was probably one of the most terrible tragedies ever enacted within the limits of Red Wing. A man named Angust Bloom, who had been a Red Wing barber, escaped from the insane asylum at Rochester, and appeared about his old haunts in Red Wing. The Rochester asy- Ium authorities, though notified of his presence here, failed to take any measures to capture him. At first the local authorities allowed him his liberty, thinking him harmless, but when he be- gan making threats it was decided to place him in confinement. At a little after 6 o'clock on the afternoon of the day in ques- tion Bloom registered in the Sibley hotel, then took a walk, and at about 9 o'clock again entered the hotel, followed shortly after by Chief Daily and Officer Peterson. They had scarcely gotten into the office when Chief Daily asked Bloom how long he was go- ing to stay in Red Wing and if he was going to St. Paul. To this Bloom answered no, and backed up toward the counter in the hotel office. Chief Daily, facing him, said: "I understand that you have been threatening people." and Bloom, still retreating, stepped into the doorway of the hall leading from the office room to the main stairway, and said in reply : "Go away or I will ----- " The chief drew his club, but Bloom was quicker and in an instant drew a revolver from his pocket and aimed point blank at the chief. The first shot missed fire, but he fired again and the second shot struck the chief in the left shoulder and Daily staggered back, and as he fell the third shot was fired by the insane man. taking effect in the abdomen. Bloom then fired again, striking
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Officer Peterson, who was coming up the steps. Officer Peterson walked to the office of a physician nearby and notified him of the tragedy. The men were taken to St. John's hospital, the best local medical and surgical talent was summoned and a specialist came on a special train from St. Paul. The efforts, however, were unavailing, and the two officers died on the evening of Janu- ary 15. The funerals were held at the Catholic and Presbyterian churches, and the city went into mourning. Bloom was captured in a house where he had sought shelter a few hours after the tragedy and was committed to the asylum at Rochester.
RED WING FIRES.
Disastrous fires were frequent in Red Wing before the present system of water works was completed in 1885. The first fire was the burning of the Indian bark houses in the spring of 1853, an account of which has already been given. The first dwelling house among the whites which was burned to the ground was built, owned and occupied by Thomas M. Lowater. It stood on the corner of Third and Fulton streets. A defective flue was sup- posed to have been the cause. Loss, $2,500; insurance, $1,000.
The next fire of any importance was the burning of a block of stores, corner of Main and Bush streets, together with the stable and barn of the Red Wing house, which stood near the block on Bush street. This fire broke out about noon, October 28, 1857. This block was at the time the finest business structure in the town. It was built by James Lawther less than a year previous. The stores were occupied as follows: Peter Meserole, hardware; S. B. Foot, ready-made clothing; H. Lowater, books and station- ery ; J. M. Sylvester and W. L. Webster, jewelry. Offices in the second story were occupied by Charles McClure, a lawyer, and C. H. Connely, a physician. The greater part of the goods in the stores were saved, but the building was a total loss, estimated at $5,000.
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