Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1858-06-30
From the Bloomington (Ill.) Photograph.
True Heroine.

Mrs Caroline C. Stranburg, wife Of z. p.
Stranburg of this city, was passenger on
the PennsylrGnta, which was burned to the
waters edge in the Mississippi, sixty miles
below Memphis. on Sunday morning, 18th
instant Mrs left her berth just before
the explosion took place and when she heard
the report, which shook every piece Of timber
in the boat, she caught hold of her little CHILD,
which was only two months cid, and rushed
into the ladies' cabin al the very moment that
large piece of machinery came rushing
through the floor. She ran to the captains
room and told him that the boat was On fire,
but he said she was mistaken and advised
her to be calm. She said she was not mista
ken, and her manner was so earnest that the
captain thinking she might be correct, went
down to the boiler deck. He returned in
short time, and remarked to Mrs S., ..There
! Is no danger now-the fire has been subdued."
Mrs. 5, however, would not be convinced,
she insisted that the boat was in flames, and
told the captain to make preparations for sa-
wing The passengers. AS she finished speak
ing, the flames broke through the cabin floor,
aud in less than minute the cabin was filled
! with smoke. She saw that the time for ac-
! ton had arrived, and she knew that her life
/ and that of her child depended upon her own
exertions; SO she went down the private stair
! case, and was fortunate enou yh to reach the
! boiler deck in safety Knowing that she
would perish by fire if she staid on the boat,
/ she determined to leave it, anu run the risk
of meeting her death by another method,
She accordingly seized board about seven
feet long and eight or ten inches wide, and
grasping hcr child with one arm and the board
with the other, plunged into the river.
The current, owing to the high stage of
water, was very rapid, and Mrs S, had as
much as she could do to keep herself and
child above the surface; but she proved equal
to the dangerous situation In which she was
placed, and her perilous journey down the
river would not have been attended with hall
the danger that it was, if her unselfsh heart
had not prompted her to save a man who was
unable to save himself 4 short time aflel
leaving the boat, she saw man struggling
in the water, and she knew from his move
ments that he vas too much exhausted to save
himself from going to the bottom; so she ger.
crously and molly jeopardized her life to save
his: she grasped his arm, al the risk of being
pulled from her frail support, and assisted
him in getting upon little Ii.ce of planl
that was hardly sufficient to keep herself anc
child above the surface Of the Father 0
Waters.
After floating for an hour and half, tht
three were rescued By some men, who, hav
ing heard the explosion, launched small
boat, and started up stream to render assis
tance to the unfortunate sufferers Nhel
, the man who was rescued by Mrs. Stranbers
. placed his feet in the boat, hc tried to expires
; the gratitude which be felt for his preserver
but his heart WIS so full of thankfulness tina
his tongue refused give utterance to hi
grateful feeling. Mrs. Stranburg left thi
, city abont three months ago, and went t
Clinton, Miss, her birth place, where he
parents reside. She took passage on the Penn
, syIrania, at Vicksburg, and was fortunat
+ enough TO arrive at her own house in "a
: city on Monday evening. Her conduct enti
ties her to the admiration Of all who can ap
, preciate noble act