The Nevada journal., 1855-02-02
PROM The otateslnan.
Incidents Of the Explosion on the Pearl.

Mr.. Henry Keefer, the messenger OF Adams
& Co., to whom we are indebted for much ot
our information, informs us that inst prevlons
to the explosion, he was sitting in his room,
which was at the stern of the boat. reading
Mr. Mcbride, the messenger of Wells, Fargo
& C o., and Rhodes & Co., came to his room
and informed him that the steamer had reached
the city, and that as he (McBride) had remov-
! edhis treasure box, &C., forward to the star
board gangway proffered his assistance to Mr..
X. in getting his express matter forward also.
Mr.. X. gave his papers and letter bags to Mr.
Mcbride and stopped to replace some articles
in his room, went out and got half way thro'
the cabin towards the bow when the explosion
occurred. Had he not delayed, as stated above,
he would have joined Mr.. Mcbride and Mr..
Mount, who were standing together, and IN
doubtedly would have perished with them.
Mr.. Kecier states that there was no steam
smoke or fire to be seen on the boat after the
explosion, and he experienced no unpleasant
effects from either The entire boiler and
steam apparatus appears to have BEEN blown
bodily overheard
Mr.. Il. also states that the boat appeared to
be nearly cleared Of passengers after the catas-
trophe, nearly all of them appearing to be in
the water. He Immediately threw overheard
all the chairs, stocls and other articles to the
struggling victims, which he could find left on
| board.
The explosion was witnessed by many per-
sons upon the shore, and boats were promptly
manned and despatched to the relief of the un-
fortunate victims
AS soon as possible, after the explosion, q
bawser was got out and the boat made fast to
| the shore short distance above Cerey's mill
| She was then in q sinking condition, but by
means of several hawsers was prevented from
careening over into the river.
AS fast as the bodies were recovered. those
who were still alive were conveyed to the
county hospital, which was speedily filled to
overhowing with the wounded and dying, the
sight of whom was sickening, while their
groans were heart-rending.
In many instances considerable sums o
money and gold dust were on the persons oi
the dead and wounded which was taken pos
session of by the proper persons.
The clerk of the boat MIR. 1ilman was stand
ing at the desk in his Office when the e1plo-
sion occurred, and it is miracle he was saved
as the Uffce was blown to atoms.
The Pearl was a stern-wheel boat, nearly
new, having been in service but about one year
Her cabin was the whole length of the upper
deck. On the starboard bow was the bar-room
and the Office opposite. Some distance aft o.
these on either side were the stewards anc
pantry room. At the stern were four state
rooms for the accommodation OF the officers
and express messengers. These were all the
rooms on the deck. The pilot house was
on the hurricane deck over the bar and Office
Mr.. Williams, the pilot was blown conside
rable distance but only slightly injured.
-ho 10 fI,f
number killed. was from Woodstock, Shenan-
doah county, Virginia, from whence he emil
grated to this country in June last, and has
been residing at Nevada since. He was q
brother of John Anderson Esq, of Nevada
we'll known in this State-was about 80 years
of age--a lawyer by profession, and a gentle
man of eminent ability in his profession His
family are still in Virginia and his brother
John Anderson, Esq, was about to depart to
the Atlantic States for the purpose OF BRING
ing them to this country.
Mr.. Samuel j. Jones, the book-keeper ol
| Wells, Fargo & Co., at San Francisco, was
standing, when the explosion occurred, on the
hurricane deck in front of the pilot house.
He got tremendous hoist into the water but
escaped by having the left side of his head
and face badly burned. He was doing well
last night.
A quantity of papers belonging to the Su-
preme Court were picked up and are now in
custody of Mr.. Ball, the City Collector.
The treasure box of Rhodes & Co., and also
that of Wells Fargo & Co., were thrown into
the river. Men are engaged in the search for
and will doubtless recover them.
The engineer was seen to jump overheard at
| the moment of the explosion aud swim ashore.
Mayor last night had large seine placed
across the river from outside the prison brig
to the shore, in order to catch any bodies
which might rise during the night This
morning large force will he employed drag
ging the river.
RT There is a man in New York so