Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1858-07-21
SELEOT MIS- CELLAN Y.
Burning Of the steamer GaIena
-.ThFiIiing Account bY one Of
che Passengers.

The SteameF Galsna, tne Mississippi
River packet running from Duuleth to ST.
Paul, was burned at Red Wing landing on
the night of the lst instant. The Ere was
fnt discovered about the smoke staekSaOd
spread With astonishing rspidity. There
we're about seventy five cabin and twenty.
Eve deck passengers on board. They we're
aroused, and ell escaped but seven, gener.
ally in their night dresses. A Ms. POr-
ter and three children were among the lost.
They bad been placed beyond the reach of
danger, when the mother in her bswilder-
meut rushed back past the flames into the
cabin. The children followed the mother
and were overtaken BY the flames before
human exertion could save them.
Nj. o. Everts, passenger, has furnish
cd the Chicago Press with q thrilling &C.
count Of the midnight scene. About one
O'Clock the shout was heard, "The boat is
on 6reP Mr.. E., reused bis wife auG
child, and with them rushed from the state
room. He says:
HurryiOg up and down the long saloon
we're craEsd women, and men almost as
frantic. "Where shall 90 T. "Ssve me |
save mel ]" 20, nv child, my child ?-
Fire fre!" ave are all lost r. This wsy |
I'll ave you slI!' mingled in one confused
uproar; with piercing shrieks aud lacera.
ting cries high over all. If 1 spake, can
not now recall more words than these |:
"Quick, Mary, give me my boy" And
those little boy hands are still clinping
round my neck, and the quick beat ofthst
baby-heart still meets the louder pulses of
my Own, around which new veins of love
have swollen rapidly, softeuing, melting,
until even now--no, / will not weep.
Just at this moment. when a master was
80 much needed.no one knowing just what
to do. Captain Laughton (ofheroic mem.
ory--a braver man never trod dsck-nor
= more humsue) appeared Ike an sppari
tion 10 the midst of us and said firmly :
"This way, and you will all be saved
S.eady! this way!!" The tide turned in
one direction at the masters command ,and
With few exceptions followed steadily and
without crowdng, through the eide en-.
trance uextthe shore down the gangway,
somewhat olstructed BY trucks which ca.
yer men where endesvoring to get ashore
--or of The boat at least and 10 our 10y
90 found the bow near the shore, and a
plank launched. A group Of ladies were
in advance of me, and | set up six feet
Hoosier barrel against the crowd behind,
holding back with what ability was given
uhe. 10 the confusion, l missed Mary, but
thought her in advance, aud 50 was satisfi.
sd--so walked the plank, teetering with its
excited burden. aud struck foot on shore
with my jewel on my breast. There was
JOY 10 that moments experience, A mo.
ment more and Mary was BY my side-and
then our friends, all safe--and if but half
drt ssed, bare-footed, With dishevelled hair.
more beautiful in this moment to my eyes
'haa fabled princesses in all the glory of
their royal attire.
We turned to look upon the sceue be.
fore US. Already had the flames extended
to the extreme ends Of the long ship, reach
ing high above the pilots house, still oc.
cupied by the brave man at the wheeI, hold :.
ing his charge hard on the shore, and the
whole heavens seemed lighted by the cou.
hagration. Still amid the flames could be
seen fitting form. .and beard wild shrek
Of despsiring agony land now = man drops
doWn the guard into the stream,an strug-
giles for the shore; and now a boy-brave,
glorious boy l--leaps from the cabin deck
and sWims With vigorous stroke dowL,doWp
the stream; be cannot buffet il; aud now
the yawl hss reached him-saved hurrahl
The cry of"Powdel on board" startles
with new fear. and the crowd recedes far
up the bluff and down the shore. Down
falls the deck-up shot the flames renew.
cd with strength, vaulting high above the
tall black chimneys; crash came the huge
black monsters themselves over the deck.
The river seethes and bisses, as II wound.
ed and mad with pain; the high wheel
house arches fame aud tumble into the
surge; bang goes the cylinder head, and
the liberated steam outrushing for mo-
men; seems to rend the monsters bowels,
and then, subdued by its own energy, is
seen no more. The boilers fall the flames
begin to drooP; the hull is burning low;
she waters edge is reached; in flows the
adverse element; she fls-she sinks, and
With one loud bliss Of defiance the flames
expire, and all is dark and silent.
Among the more notable incidents Of
the scene. was the Pilot standing bravely,
coolly at the Wheel enveloped by fame,
until the boat was safe aground. Hemade
bis escape thence over the deck and down
the rigging. Captain Laughton was twice
knocked down by trunks thrown from the
decks, in bis passage up and dogn.epdsav.
oring to save bis passengers. He had sew
eEaI children on board himself, all Of whom
were saved. A poor Norwegian emierant
woman, who bad COW tied on the lower
deck, 10 attempting to liberate the poor
dumb animal, Lost her own child. There
were several oxen and cows on board, most
Of which after being badly burned, broke
overheard and swan ashore. The great.
est distress and sympathy we're felt for
poor girl of fourteen years Of age. whose
mother With two younger sisters and
brother were ell lost. They were plain,
honest. earnest looking family, going from
Michigan to meet the husband and father
1t Aankatc, 10 NinnesOsa. This poor girl |
0ORa nlouA fa eNnsav tha .sa1 ;ctail;,,.~,. I