About this record
On June 12, 1899, a deadly tornado struck the town of New Richmond, killing 117 and injuring 150 more. With a circus in town, the population had swelled as people came for the festivities. The tornado had originated as a waterspout on Lake St. Croix and then moved northeast to New Richmond. Shortly after the circus had ended, the tornado passed through the center of town, leveling a strip of land 1000 feet wide and 3000 feet long. Over 300 buildings were destroyed and multiple deaths were reported in at least 26 families: six families had four or more deaths. Mrs. A.G. Boehm wrote this book about the tornado in 1900 which includes first-hand accounts from New Richmond residents. It concludes with a report on the damages submitted to the governor for the distribution of relief money.Citation
Boehm, A.G., Mrs. History of the New Richmond Cyclone of June 12, 1899. (St. Paul, Minn: Dispatch, 1900); online facsimile at http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/search.asp?id=1543