The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1858-07-14
WHOLE NO. 90.

CduIlOG DullcI III anu HOW Iuc ydWl Has
reached him-saved hurrah The cry
of Powder on board" startles with a
new fear, and the crowd recedes far up
the bluff and down the shore. Down
falls the deck--up shot the flames re-
newed with strength, vaulting high
above the tall, black chimneys; crash
came the huge black monsters them
selves over the deck. The river seethes
and misses, as if wounded and mad with
pain; the high wheel-house arches flame
and tumble into the surge, bang goes
the cylinder head, and the liberated
steam outgushing, for moment seems
to rend the monsters bowels, and then,
sabdued by its own energy. is seen no
more. The boilers fall the flames be-
gin to drop; the hull is burning low !;
the waters edge is reached; in flows
the adverse element; she flls-she
sinks, and with one loud hiss of def
ance the flames expire, and all is dark
and silent.
Among the more notable incidents Of
the scene, was the Pilot standing brave
ly, coolly at the wheel, enveloped by
flame, until the boat was safe aground.
He made his escape thence over the
decks and down the rigging Captain
Laughton was twice knocked down by
trunks thrown from the decks, in his
passage up and down, endeavoring to
save his passengers. He had several
children on board himself, all of whom
were saved. A poor Norwegian emil
grant woman, who had COW tied on
the lower deck, in attempting to lberate
the poor dumb animal, lost her own
child. There were several oxen and
COWS on board, most of which after be-
ing badly burned, broke overheard and
swan ashore. The greatest distress
and sympathy were felt for poor girl
of fourteen years, whose mother, with
two younger sisters and a brother were
all lost. They were plain, honest, ear
nest looking family, going from Michi-
gan to meet the husband and father at
Mankato, in Minnesota. This poor girl
goes alone to convey the sad intelligence
to her father. She sits near me as |
write, her heart too fearfully wrung for
much external emotion. Perhaps no
individual saved, suffered more in get
ting ashore than my friend, VIM. Brad
ley, of Keokuk, late of Columbus, Ohio.
He was too late for the gangway and
plank, and after spending his best exer-
tions to save some children who clung
to his limbs, and some women who per-
sistently refused to leap into the water,
although small boats were waiting as
near as the flames would permit, he let
himself down from the guard and fell
exhausted into a skiff, then half full of
water. He reached the shore and was
saved-but that was all. The boy who
leaped from the deck and swan so fine
ly, said he never swan before in his life
but preferred drowning to burning,
and so sprang overheard. Instinct
taught him how to swim, and he was
saved
A bridegroom and bride, young and
joyful, late from Grin, N. Y, got ashore;
he dressed in the unique costume of a
hat and shirt--she do, less the hat
Scarcely any baggage was saved. I
have ten checks in my pocket, but not a
trunk or carpet bag. "Charlie" had on
night gown, and his mother was cos
tuned la the bride above mentioned.
Unfortunately for me l had deposited
my money in the safe, all but few COL
lars, and the safe proved to be an iron
box only; everything within it being
utterly destroyed. The citizens Of
Red Wing are a humane hearted people.
All our Immediate wants are being re-
lieved, and we shall take the next boat
up, without money, and no baggage to
trouble us. Please excuse our per-
sonalising this letter. An individual
experience is good representative OF
the whole, and can give my own eaiser
than another's.
Ever truly yours.
o. EvERTs.