The Weekly comet. [volume] (Baton Rouge, La.) 1853-1855, 1854-02-12
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TERRIFIC CONFEDERATION
rEw lInLEArs,

Z III q
inst, we gather the particulars Of one
Of the most Obstructive fires that has
ever occurred at the Port Of Orleans.
The fire originated on board the
steamer Charles Belcher. The Bel
cher had just arrived in port from
Nashville and being yet early in the
morning q o'clock on Saturday. the
passengers bad not yet left her. The
fire commenced in the stern of the
Belcher and spread with Amazing RI
pidity. Mrs Garlic the Captains
wife made q narroW escape.
She was lying sick in her tateroom,
when the fire broke out, but the en-
citement Of The scene 50 aroused her,
that she leaped with her child from
The hurricane deck into the water, and
was fortunately saved
One oftbe passengers Of the Beleher
who said that bis mother and fistor
were destroyed, became frantic, and
after the steamer sunk he rushed on
board Of one Of The other burning boats
and was about to lsnp into the flames
when he was by force prevented. lie
then drew knife and stabbed himself
in the region Of the heart. declaring
that he bad nothing further to live for.
The wound, it is expected, viii prove
fatal Tile poor man, bleeding pro-
fnsely, was borne away in cab to the
Charity Hospital, there to recover or
die.
The flames spread from the Belcher
to The Molican and Natchez where
there were several lives lost. Two
deck hands. u pastry cook are missing
and The clerk Of the boat lost His little
son--six negroes were also lost. En-
CINE after engine came to the levee,
but could not render much service.
lard oil and itflamable liquors float.
ed on the water adhearing to cotton
and other combnstibles, and threat
ming as they hoated off in thescurrent,
the destruction Of the whole fleet of
at the levee.
The Sultapa and Crescent City
both hastily raised steam and got out
from the landing, thus breaking the
chain Of boats, in order if possible to
prevent the spread Of flames. Ere
his could be done however, tho Liah
Tuna, The Crescent and the Saxon were
aiken up by the devouring element and
consumed to the waters edge. Il wal
With great difficulty that the steamer
Grand Turk could be saved, after
considerable damage. The
TRUE Delta appends list Of the
'oats, passengers, cargoes, and has an
'stimate Of the loss sustained, to which
ve refer our readers for the particulars
# this terrible calamity.
4 MURDER EH KiLLgD,-I'he Mem
'his Wing Of the LIST inst, has the fol-
owing.
We learn that Mitchell tho man
7ho stabbed DR. Leake, ut Baskerville
n this county, few days since, was
lied at Holly Springs, Miss, On Mon
ay evening. a party Of neighbors Of
)r Lcake, among whom was Mr.. II.
}. starke, Mr. Leakc, d cousin of the
Dr.. $ and two or three other gentlemen
ere III pursuit Of Mitchell, and met him
. the road this side of Holly Springs.
o soon as Mitchell saw them, be turned
is horse and ran him at full speed,
large knife and swear
e that be wonld not be taken alive.
ne party pursued, and the chase vas
ept up until they reached the square
Holly Springs, when the cry Of stop
lie murderer caused the bystanders to
rest the speed Of Mitchcls horse.
|e still swore he would not be taken
i've, and Mr.. s'arke road up, shot
i'm down, killing him almost instant
:. Mr.. starke gave himself up to
e authorities, and an examining court
as held Yesterday mnrnin1. HI me