The Storm in Olmsted County
Rochester, Aug. 14, 1869

Editors, St. Paul Press -- We were visited with one of the most severe rain storms of the season last night. It commenced about nine o’clock last evening, and continued almost without intermission until seven this morning. Tubs and pails setting out in the yards indicated 12 or 14 inches full of water – consequently all our streams are booming. The boy that drives the stage and carries the mail to Wabashaw [sic] started out this morning but coming to Silver Creek, east of the city, refused to cross – the water was so high – but having one passenger who was anxious to proceed he (the passenger) determined to go ahead, took the reins and undertook to drive over, but had not gone far in the stream before the carriage was sung round, turned over, threw them off into the stream. The boy seized the mail bag and swam ashore, but the man, Mr. Winter, I think, residing on Greenwood Prairie near Elgin, was drowned, also the horses, before any assistance could arrive they were beyond recovery. Sad reflection. The man hurrying on to his family now he’s in the cold embrace of the waters.

It is feared much damage is done to the crops – our farmers were in the midst of harvest, grain looking well, prospects fine – this morning they are feeling much discouraged and looking glum. It will cost them double to gather the remaining crop if it is not damaged otherwise. [18 Aug 1869, St. Paul Daily Pioneer]

The storm of Sunday night seems to have been much more violent in Southern Minnesota than here. Our Rochester correspondent reports considerable damage done to crops, and the farmers blue. He reports a stage passenger from Plainview drowned in the attempt to cross Silver Creek. The Winona Republican reports little damage done to wheat in Winona, Dodge, Olmsted, Steele, Goodhue or Wabashaw, either cut or standing. [St. Paul Daily Pioneer, Aug 18, 1869]

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