Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1858-05-13

boats started up the river on race, the
Ocean Spray having about one hundred
yards the start, both boats having num-
ber of passengers.
The following statement of persons on
board at the time. we take from the st.
Louis Democrat.
STATEMENT OF MR.. t. W. BRANDON.
Mr.. Brandon went on board the Ocean
Spray, for the purpose of attending to the
shipment of about 200 bags Of salt which
the boat was to take on board, at Belcher's
sugar refinery. After. howevr, both boats
were out in the stream, and the race had
fairly begun, the captain informed Mr..
Brandon that he could not stop for the salt,
and that he would have to carry him up to
Alton, for lie wanted to beat the Hannibal
CITY, which boat at this time was gaining on
the Spray. Mr.. Brandon states that he
could sec the fremen on the Hannibal City
breaking up rosin and casting it in the fur
naces. When the boats were rounding the
point above the city, they were very close
together. the Keokuk packet having steadi-
ly gained upon her rival, and almost COM
ing alongside.
At this juncture, the fires Of the Ocean
Spray were fed with rosin and turpentine,
and with the increase of steam she was just
beginning to gain upon her competitor,
when the alarm of fire was heared. Mr..
Brandon says he became alarmed at the
heat of the boilers, and thinking that there
was some danger of an explosion, went up
on the hurcan deck. and passed back Until
he was over the ladies' cabin He says
there was considerable excitement on
board, and many were extremely anxious to
bet on the success of their boat. He says
he had been standing over the ladies' chin
but a few minutes, when he was startled by
faint cry of fire. coming very indistinct-
ly from the forward part of the boat. This
cry was Immediately followed by several
shouts. and casting his eys toward the pi-
lot house, he saw the pilot give the wheel
very sudden turn, and noticed that the
boat, which was about twenty yards out in
the stream, began to head for shore. At
this the confusion was great, the cries Of
the passengers began to be fearful and ago
nizing. The women and children, crazed
with alarm, were heard in the cabin below,
while he hoarse shouting of the men in
front made the moment most terrible. His
first impulse directed him to rush forward
He ran to the wheelhouse steps, and had
placed one foot on the first step. when a
rush Of flames and smoke drove him back
then run along the roof until just forward
of the pilot house, and before the boat had
struck the shore jumped for his life. landed
safely on the shore, somewhat shocked and
numbed from the fall, but not seriously
hurt.
just as he landed. trunk passed over
his head and knocked his hst off. Having
recovered his full powers he began to
throw into the river sticks of wood, which
he gathered from log-heap near the spot.
While doing this he was the witness OF
some of the most agonizing scenes. The
head of the boat having struck the shore
with much violence, and the wheels still
kept in motion she began to shove along
and up the bank until her further progress
was arrested by the steamer Keokuk, which
was lying up at that point for repairs. The
movement of the wheels, and the strong
wind blowing at the time. seemed to force
the stern of the boat out from the shore and
up the stream. which resulted in the more
speedy burning of the after part Of the ooss:.
and made the escape of the ladies and child
rem more perilous than before
The Hannibal City. seeing the smoke
and conjecturing the cause, dropped off to-
wards the Illinois shore, and manning hsr
tyawl sent it over to assist those who were
compelled to jump in the water.
The yawl, also; of the Ocean Spray was
manned. but became SO unmanageabls by
reason of the numbers that clsng to it, that
it drifted down the stream hundred yards
before landing, though it was not more
;. than ten yards from the shore.
Mr.. Brandon says the men, as a general
thing, jumped, and reached the shore safe
iy, though he saw four of them hanging
to one log out in the river. Three of them
were on the upper side ofit,and one on the
lower. The log kept turning over and over
towards the man on the lower side, until
he. becoming exhausted with his efforts to