The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1854-10-18

Loss OF THE STEAMER MALTA.-We have al
ready published, by telegraph, the loss of the
steamer Malta, by striking snag IN the Ohd5o
river 70 our friend, col. D. Richardson, one
of the editors of the Galveston News, who ar
rived here last evening from St. Louis, we are
indebted for the following particulars Of that
catastrophe:
The steamboat Malta, capt Frazer, from Lou.
isvile to Memphis, with about ESQ passengers
on board struck snag at the head of Hurri
cane island, about fifty miles above Paducah
on the morning of the 29th ult, when she i'm
mediately sunk in about twelve feet of water.
7 Most of the cabin passengers rushed on the
; hurricane deck, and others attempted to jump
on hatboat they had in tow, by which many
lost theft lives, the boat swinging at the time
and threatening to cansize. From information
derived from one of the passengers, the mum
Der drowned must have been between thirty
and fifty, all exceptstwo being deck passengers,
among which were Several women and children
can old gentleman called Baronet, from Indian
apolis, who was on his way to White river, was
drowned in attempting to jump on board the
fatboat. The name of the other cabin passen-
ger was not known.
About fifty of the passengers saved, came
down to Paducab on the Raven, the balance re-
naming on the William Thomas, which hap
pened to be lying at the time, close to the scene
of disaster, and rendered great service in land
ing those on the hatboat, by sending out yawl.
None of the cabin passengers luggage was
lost, and all lives might have been saved, had
they STUCK to the boat. Some twenty of the
passengers came on to Cairo by the Emma
Brown, where they got on board the Aleck
Scott.
We regret to learn that the splendid packet
steamer Princess while backing out from the
landing at Fort Adams, on her downward trip
yesterday morning. accidentally caught fire,
and in a few moments afterwards was in one
sheet e flame. All efforts to save either the
boat or cargo were fHlltless. She had on board
at the time $500 bales of cotton, She reaterpart
of which, we understand, was DESTROYED.
The loss of life, we are sorry to add, was very
great. 1t is ascertained that four at least have
persisted, one, a yourg lady, a Miss Rose Wilson,
and little girl, whose name we could not learn.
Two negroes were also lost 9
New Orleans True Delta
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New York PoLrrIcAL PARTIEs.-New York
politics are puzzle to the people of all other
states. There are so many parties that it is a
hard matter to remember the names of them
to understand the shades of difference between
them is next to an impossibility. The National
Inteligencer in showing the confusion of par
ties in the Empire State, says:
Ten political conventions have already been
held there since the 18th of July, and that seve-
raj others are yet to be held oThose that have
taken place embrace hard democrats soft demo
Gratis, wings fusonists, free democrats, anti-Ne-
braskites, seeding free soilers, independent fu-
sionists, temperance men and liberty men.
Those yet to come will include anti slavery men, |
fugitive slave rescuers and know nothings As !
each of these conventions will set forth a differ
ent platform, every shade of opinion will be &C.
commodated.
There are as yet Qnly four candidates in the
field for governor, viz: Myron H. Clark, whig
and anti Nebraska, Green C. Bronson, hard
shell democrat, Horatio Seymour, the present
governor soft shell e free soil democrat, and
VIM. Goodall, liberty man. There are five
candidates for lieutenant governor and a still
larger number for the other state offices.
The baptist churchesocomposing the central
baptist association held their annual sitting with
the church at Melrose the present week. The
association convened on Saturday morning for
business, and since that time has been engaged
in the furtherance of the OBJ ccts for which it
was convened We attended service on Satur-
day night, and on Sabbath morning, and were
pleased to find good congregations present on
both occasions. The attendance on Sabbath
was very large, and was as respectable an au~
lence as is eyer gathered together in the coun-
Try. Nor was the attendance less worthy of
remark, than the complete respect and atten
ion which was paid to the ministers and the
good order which reigned during the exercises
number of ministers from other churches
were present, among whom we noticed rev. Mr..
Turner, of Shelby, rev. Mr.. Vining of Polk,
rev. Mr. Eagerly, of Smith, rev. Messrs Grain
and Lucas, of Nacogdoches county, and seve-
raj others, whose names we did not learn
We earnestly hope that this association will
De productive of much good. 1t has our sym
oathies in an eminent degree, because at its last
sitting resolution was adopted in favor of the
otal prohibition of the sale of ardent spirits, and
o It's influence we look for much good to the
'ause of temperance, and its co.worker, re- ;
lglon. !
The town Of Melrose is improving in a very I
'ralseworthy manner. We notice several build }
ngs in the course of erection at the west end of
own. A new store house is also being builtin =
he centre of town, and in short time the new !
Masonic hall will be erected. Verify our Mel !
ose friends are determined to 60 ahead.
Nacogdoches Chronicle
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Perhaps our parish was never in more flour
shng condition than at present. Every body ,
GEMS to be doing we'll, as far as outward ap- l
'earances go, and if there is any crime stalking
broad, it is kept hidden very secretly, for F
here is not now, nor has there been for long t
'me, any white or black person in Jail, with the I,
RECEPTION of runaways. Litigation too appears
0 have got to a stand still, as may be Judged v
rom the lack of judicial sales in the public pa- Q
ers. Indeed, lawyers sheriff, clerk, (and we a
1ay add the printer and all who live upon the n
1istortunes of Others are bitterly complaining $
this lamentable state of affairs. For the
God of the people, however, it is to be hoped e
hat the docket will continue as it is.
Really, so prosperous are all, and so plenty fl
oes money appear to be mot to our pockets, 4