The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1837-08-26

devouring element-the continued puihng |
of the engine for it still continued to go'-
the screaming motherwho had leaped over
board to the desperation of the moment
with her only child,-the flames mounting
to the sky with the rapidity oflightning'-
shall ever forget the scene-the hour oil
horror and alarm? Never, were to live TIL
memory shall forget all else that ever came
10 the senses. The short half hour that
separated and plunged into eternity @Oo
human beings has been so burnt into the
memory that even now think oft more
than half the day.
| was swimming, to the shore with all
my might, endeavoring TO sustain moth
Ell and child. My strength failed
me.
The babe was nothing-a mere cork-
AGO, co. said the brave mother, "SaVe
nv child; save NY and she SUNK
to rise no more. Nerved by the resdlu-
ton of that woman, reached the shore
in safety. The babe saved. Ere
reached the beach, the Sherrod had swung
off the bar, and was slowly floating down.
the engine having ceased running. In ev-
erv direction heads dotted the surface OF the
river. A new and still more awful appear
ance, the burning wreck now wore. Mo-
theirs were seen cinging, with the last hope
TO the blazing timbers, and dropping off one
bv one. The screams had ceased. A sui
len silence rested Ger the devoted vessel.
The flames became tired Of their destruc-
| tive work.
While sat dripping and overcome upon
The beach, steamboat, the Columbus, hove
in sight and bore for the wreck. 1t seemed
like one last ray OF hope cleaning across
the dead gloom of that night.--Several
wretches were saved. And still, another,
the Statesman came in sight-More, more
were saved
A moment TO me had only elapsed, when
high in the heavens the cinders flew, and
the country was alighted all around. Still
another boat came booming on. | was
happy that more help had come. After
an exchange of words with the Columbus,
he continued on his way under full steam.
Oh, how my heart sunk within me! The
waves created by this boat sent many a
poor mortal to his long home. A being by
the name of Dougherty was the Captain OF
that merciless boat. Long may he be re-
membered.
/ My hands were burnt, and began to
experience severe paH. The scene be-
fore me-the loss of my two sisters and
brother, whom had missed in the con-
fusion, all had steeled my heart. | could
not weep-I could not sigh. The cries
of the babe at my side were nothing to
me.
Again-another explosion |! and the
waters closed slowly and silently over the
scene of disaster and death. Darkness re.
sumed her sway, and the stiffness was on.
ly interrupted by the distand efforts of the
Columbus and Statesman in their laudble
eXertions to save hGman life.
Captain Castlemen lost, l believe a
father and child. Some argue that thi:
is punishment enough, No, it is not. HI
had the lives of hundreds under his charge
He was careless of his trust, he was Guilt,
Of crime that nothing will ever wipe out
| The blood of2O0 victims is crying out from
the depth of the father of waters for ven
geance. Neither society nor law will for
give it. His punishment is yet to come
May lnevcr meet him!
! could tell of scenes of horror tba
would rise the indignation of stone; but
have done. As to myself, could tell vol
much to incite your interest. 1t was NOR,
than three weeks after tle occurrence he
fore ever shed tear. All the fountain,
OF sympathy had been dried up, and M,
heart was as the stone. AsI Law on M,
bed the Oath day after, tears, salt tear
| to IL