Eaton Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1843-1856, 1855-04-12
From the vieksburg SsatiRel Extra.
Burning Of the Builetin-Fzll Particulars.


The Memphis and New Orleans packet,
Bulletin, Captain @. B. Church, while on her
do2nward trip and near Islands Ninety six
sad Ninety-sesen, took FIRE, on SstuT ay az
lemoon about four O'Clock, and was ioially
consumed. In addition to The distinction Of
the boat, we regret 10 have TO reeofd a. great
loss Of life. The fire was first discovered in
the third or fourth tier of cotton from above,
and in less than live minutes, so rapidly did it
extend, the boast was almost entirely enyel-
oped in flames.
Below will be found ihr proceedings of a
meeting Of the passengers, which confirm a
full account of this sad casualty. The hooks
and a gre5ier part OF the papers belonging 10
the boat were destroyed, together with the
baggage OF the passengers.
MEETING OF THE PAssENGERS.-Ata meeting
of the surviving passengers Of the Inflated
Bulletin, Gen. VIM. Wick, Of Bolivar coun y,
Miss, was called to the chair, and j, VI. Orig,
OF Chicot county, Arkansas, was chosen sec
ret ny, whereupon The following proceedings
and statements we're had. The boat was found
to be on fire when near the islands of Ninety
six and Ninety seven, about Al o'clock p. NJ,
the wind at the time blowing hard. Captain
@. B. Church gave the order 10 make the shore
as soon as possible. Mr.. W. j. Miller, the
pilot at the wheel, stood manfully at his post
until The boat struck the shore, and then made
his escape from the flames by jumping off the
hurricane roof at the stern of the boat into
the river. He exercised a well -defhed iu g
ment in The selection Of a point at which 10
reach the land, at OF before reaching which
the boat was ~encompasSed in flames, having
on board about $500 bales of cotton. Some
of the p ssengers succeeded in jumping on
shore from the fUrecast!e, but the large ma
iority were cut off from their escape forward
by the flames, being in the river part Of the
boat. Captain G. b. Church, together with
MeSsrs. Freleigb, Porter and Robinson, clerks,
Mr.. Brown, the mate, as well as all the other
officers of the boat, worked with faithful fdtl-
ity in saving ;bc passengers from o watery
grave. Capt. Church, with Mr.. James Hew-
ard, the steward, were the last TO leave the
wreck, and, after rendering every assistance
possible in his power 10 others, jumped into
the river al a distance Of some two hundred
yards from the shore, and but for the timely
aid rendered him by a skif going 10 his res
cue, was in great danger Of losing his own
life.
This Inflated accident occurred near The
landing of DR.. Keene, (Some twelve. miles be-
low Lake Providence al whose house, as well
10 " tbul VI Jdu6C UbOiSuut CNSlg SOuliOil was
rendered 10 the passengers under their h1Spi-
table roofs. During the scene o! danger very
great assistance was rendered by the timely
aid OF the officers Of the steamer Falcon, by
picking up (by means OF her small -boats) many
who were struggling in the river but
for which the number Of lives lost would have
been much larger. Great assistance was also
rendered 10 the sufferers by the captain and
crew of a coal boat. which was floating i'm the
river near by, whose names we have not the
pleasure to know.
The number Of missing, as near as can be
ascertained, is from twenty 10 twenty Eve
persons. The lady passengers, by means OF
lile-boats and cotton bales, were all saved, for
which we ascribe great credit 10 Captain
Church. The boat, cargo and baggage are all
a total loss. The wreck loated DOWN some
FIVE or six miles, grounded and sunk. We are
10 learn that Captain Church has il
surance on his boat TO the amount,of $4,000.
Upon motion, The meeting adjourned.
WIN. WICK, President.