Rensselaer Republican, Volume 25, Number 46, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 July 1893 — STORM SWEPT. [ARTICLE]

STORM SWEPT.

A Side Show at the Fair Wltbortt a Permit. Chicago was visited at 5:30 Sunday afternoon by the most terrific storm it has experienced for several years and the rain fell In torrents. The earlier part of the day was well nigh perfect, cloudless and with a cool, gentle breeze blowing off Lake Michigan. The storm gathered in the north end northwest with marvelous quickness. All at once it was swooping over the city, leveling trees and spreading death and destruction among the many pleasure boats which were out npon Lake Michigan. Owing to the beautiful weather during the morning these boats were more numerous than is usual. Many narrow escapes were experienced, but so far as known the loss of life is limited to four, all of them lost by the capsizing of the sailing yacht Chesapeake, which was overturned about two mile* fromt shore.' The party on the boat consisted of nine people, and of these four were drowned.

At the World’s Fair grounds little damage was done to the buildings, but the passengers who were aloft in the captive bal-. loon had a close call, and the balloon itself after being brought to earth was blown Into pieces and the pieces were carried out of the grounds. With a succession ol cracks the giant silk covering was rent completely in two. The strong cordagt which had covered the silk with a network snapped as though it bad been packthread. One half blew one way and ha<! another. It all happened so suddenly that no one had time to think. An extraordinary ireaK of nature hajust been made public in Valparaiso, It t the shape of a child born without a ii No part of the head was visible exoep" the month and chin, which were of natural size.