Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1830-05-13
nnARTrNsBURG, VA: THURSDAY, MAY IA ,aso.

an American merchantmen, passing from
Rio Janeiro to the United States. IN which
Bancroft returned TO New Orleans. On
reaching that city, his system yisljed TO dis.
ease: and for several weeks, he was confined
- his he'd.
Partially restored 10 health. he embarked
IN ihe early part OF February. 1913, for Lou
lsvkle, en- board oil enc of the larger class oil
steam boats. Between Natehez and the
mouth of the Ohio, about 10 O'Clock, on a
dark night, in the midst of violent snow
storm. and while running under heavy press
oil steam, she struck in the impstucusness oil
her course, one OF those formidable planters
which at that day were so destructive 10 the
commerce Of the western waters Ii passed
directly through the bottom OF the boat, en-.
tered the torecastIe. and was broken ofF-p9r.
tally checking her Roadway. At the titnc OF
the aceid ut most OF the deck passengers
were aslecp--those OF tie CABIN being eaga
ged II various kinds OF amusement The
shock was sddGgn and Tremendous. ! lac
sleeping were aroused in dis,nay. ard ali
were j.led with uAuiierablo horror. The
boat mas instantly turned 10 the shore, n0ni
which sao was distant but few rods, aud hy
command OF captain Campbell, who etiabi,ed
an admirable elfpcs.ession, the extent oil
the injury was promptly ascertained When
she nearcd the beach, one end ola cable that
lay cooled on her bow, WAS fastened TO a tree;
no one, in the hurry ct the mo nent fraugh,
with such imminent danger, thinking 10 M
quire whether the other end was made fast
The boat swung round in Tho rapid current
and soon the treacherous cable ran out 1.-THE
lost end fell spiashing in the water, and the
agltated passengers saw the almost certain
prospect OF escape changed III the lapse Of ri
lhstahf, TO immediate and remediless des
trdcilon. scene Of tumultaous confusion
ensucd
The long boat was filed with passenger
and rowed 10 the land, but uuiortunatesi 10
sing an oar, 1t was regained in time 10 afford
any nrther assistance to this pefishing mass
oil human beings. Some plunged into tbs
cold stream 10 save themselves by swimming
- some chung to the wiliow,; while othoi
throw themselves upon tie Grewood aut
such articles OF furniture az was mos. likely
TO bear them up. The raging of the storm
the deep gloom Of the nj ht--the prayers and
shrieks and expiring groans OF such rs were
sinking beneath the taraid waters the cun.
tusis'a and despair Of those clinging TO the
trees, or still staining on the wreck, preseat
ed scene slckenipg, terrific. understandable
In few minutes, the Tennessee filed witt
water and sunk, and in one rnotnaiul hour
not less than sixty Of her two l4andreJ pAssen
gers were hurried from time to eternity.
few DAYS after this melancholy occur
renee, ihs body ofBancfoft was found moi f;tr
below the fatal spot. /, was known by dis
covering, suspended on his bosom tie minis
tare likeness of beautiful female, with hel
name engraven on the gold wdh which i
was encased.
The grave Of William Bancroft, indcatct
only hy rough stone, on which are rudeI,
traced the initials Of his name, stands heneatl
towering sycamore, on the south bank o
the Mississippi, near the Walnut Hills.