The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-07-30
THE CORONER'S INVESTIGATION.

After the destruction of the steamer the Coroner of
Wcstchester county empanneed jury, and proceeded
TO investigate the accident The following is the tcsti
mony -
FIRST DAY.
Jacob Hman, Of Troy. being said-The deceased
Elizabeth Hillman my sister; she single woman
about sxtyeght years Of age the deceased and myself
passengers board the steamboat Henry CLAY on
her trip to day from Albany which place left at
O'Clock this morning; reached the point where she
destroyed about half past three o'clock the first in
tmation that had of the fire while in of the
boat perceived great deal of confusion board but
being hard of hearing 1t time before learned
the Of the confusion which finally discovered to
be that the boat fire. then tried to get to tho
after part of the boat where had short time before left
my sister to her but the fire had broken bad
that could not get to the end Of the boat the flames
to out of the engine rooms spread very
fast the confusion board increased, and somebody
took 10 be officer of the boat told the to be
quiet finding that could render my sister no 3sstance
Jumped overheard and succeeded in reaching the shore
some time afterwards l found my sister ashore dead
do not know anything to how the fire occurred tho
Armenia started from Albany ahead Of the Henry Clay
and the two boats raced for number of miles side BY
side believe that both driven TO the top of their
speed the Armenia was near the shore the west side
Of the river. and the Henry Clay kept crowding upon
the Armenia and finally the Areaia fell back previous
to which there great alalm and excitement board
The Henry Clay especially among the ladies' account
Of racing between the two boats; and person, whom
SUPP to be the captain of the boat through the
cabins and endeayored to pacify the ladies'
Siodait b. Colby. of Montpelier VT being sworn, said
The deceaecd now viewed by the jury was my wife;
her name, Harriet Colby her age 32 she and myself
passengers on board the Henry Clay; when last
her board she sitting in the ladies' cabin:
this was minutes before the occurrence she said
that sho preferred to be there being alarmed account
Of the boats racing: before the racing she
went upon the promenade deck the boats, while racing
came together as TO touch anu caused the greatest
alarm and confusion board; of the ladies tainted
Mr. $. u. Bancroft testified as folows-I am
chant residing at Pbiiadelpbla; the deceased my
wife her age was 80; We had no children pas
sCneers board the Henry Clay. which left Albany
about O'Clock this morning for NewYork arrived off
afternoon. /
thought the boat racing with another called the Ar
mena until we reached place which understood to be
Kingston. after leaving there, thought the racing
censod while the boats racing, spoke to passen-
ger about it, and objected to it, he went and spoke to
person whom thought was officer of the boat; my
wife very much excited at the time several ladies
shed tears account OF the racing I think that the
alarm had amost subsidized after leaving Kingston, and
that tho spced afterwards less rapid / think
oil racing had ceased before dinner and there
excitement board just before the fire
broke out; i cannot say whether there was any
collision of the boats while racing but IL they did not
come in contact. they very It.; observed one
of the hands put the tenders down between the boats
the first notice had Of the fire, was when was at the
bar getting something for my wife; discovered the
smoke and considerable bustle then to look for
my wife, and took her to the arboard side of the
boat where waited until thought that our chance
for safety to jump into the water; told my wife
would jump first and then be ready to receive her, but
she did not follow, as expected when up again
in the water after jumping looked for my wife, but did
not see her. several ladies jumped into the water where
I was but the smoke and fire became thick that we
lost sight Of them; then ashore; the boat had
then been run ashore but could not get of her that
way; | don't think the boat was turned towards the
shore immediately after the fire was discovered
the main deck when 1t broke out; do not know Of
any improperly careesness the part Of the officers
Of the boat; my wife was born in Philadelphia we had
been married IL years.
rIFTY-Two BODIES RECOVERED, MANY MORE MISSING
prTIrUL TALES
The inquest was resumed this morning. at o'clock
pursuant to adjournment and Mr. Scrven late District
Attorney, attended to conduct the examination for the
Coroner.
Mr. H. Wells, the present District Attorney, was also
in attendance, and Mr.. James X. whiting.
The evidence taken during the fore part of the day
confined almost entirely to the Identification Of
certain Of the bodies,
of the witnesses however gave testimony apart
from the Identification Of tho bodies There some-
thing particularly pteous in the short tale told by the
first witness; the result is given in the subjoned
As TO THE BODIES MARGARET cHArILLoN AND GEORGE
rHeLMAN.
John Chatillop, 1SI Cherry street. New York.-Re-
cognise my wife and brother naw; my wife about
tecnty'six years old, born In Germany; George Thie
was about thirty one, also born in Germany; he
lived in Poughkcepsie they coming together to
NV York, aboard the Hepry Clay with katarina wit
meyer the servant hc latter saved the other two
| were lost two children were on board, besides
Kaorine, three years old and Helena fourteen months
their bodies were not recovered the servant saw tn,
children, one in the of its mother and the other In
the arms oi1ts uncle; ttlc
/ who is all that Is left to me of my family.
THE BODY or n. A. sANps-A BABE
Theodore Wing OF 10l Allen street. New York-Rccog
rized the body OF the babe who nine months old
of Isaac D. Sands Of Stanton street. carman: HI
lost at the time from the Henry Clay; wtnes.
distant relative: had doubt as to Its identity
i was sent by the mother for the body
TO THE BODY CHARLOTTE JOHNSON, (Colorcd)
Carey Hopp, sworn, deposed that he lived at Tn,
Eastern House, Poughkcepsie waiter; the
his sister law, and he her get on board tn,
Henry Clay yesterday; she drowned the mother
the deceased. Mrs Williams board with her. and
mot been since found; she Lived In the same place
Il f.