Jasper County Democrat, Volume 9, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 July 1906 — BIG WIND AT ST. LOUIS [ARTICLE]

BIG WIND AT ST. LOUIS

Blows a Steamer Against a Dike, with Pleasure Seekers on Board. St Louis, July 27.—A terrific wind and rain storm struck St Louis and vicinity. Lightning started seven fires In different parts of the city. A negro. name unknown, was blown from his wagon under a passing Are engine and killed. The excursion steamer Liberty, filled with'pleasure seekers, caught in the storm near Alton, 111., was driven through the Mississippi river at uncontrollable speed and dashed into a dike on the. Missouri side. Rocking and toppling, with the terrorized passengers huddled in the cabin, the prow of the boat was forced upon the government dike, while the force of the wind hurled chairs into the river from the deck, and shattered the cabin windows. The boat held firmly on the dike, however, and when the storm had abated sufficiently the government boat Lucia transhipped the passengers and landed them at Alton.