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

becoming thoroughly saturated, the piece
wood was insufficient She would sink al
most below the surface, and by strong
effort, stssfghten her body, throw back her
head apd stiffen her arms, but all of no
avail. She sank and was seen NO more
Mr.. Brandon says that the spectacle from
the shore was most heart-rending. The
ladies at first tried to save their baggage,
some of them throwing their trunks and
then jumping in after them; others were
concerned only for themselves and their
children. and ran wildly about screaming
and crying for help. AS the flames ap-
preached, they swung themselves down
from the guards. while one or two were
seen to slide down the ropes and posts at
the reare. How many were sunk or lest
cannot be ascertained, nor even guessed at
now. There were some fifteen or twenty
women on board, and some eight or ten are
all that are thought to be saved.
Several horses, which were fastened in
stalls behind the wheel-house, were burned
up. The kickings, rawlings, and human
like cries cf these poor brutes, as the flames
wrapped around them, are described as
most terrible and affecting.
After the the upper part of the boat had
nearly been consumed, an explosion of a
keg of powder took place in the hold which
added to the CONSERVATION of those on
shore. Mr.. Brandon describes one woman
who was buoyed up in the water by her
clothing, until she hoated down against the
Star Of the West, where she was assisted
by gentleman, who extended her long
sapling or pole. to which she clung, until
some gallant Irishman swan in and res
cued her.
Mr.. Brandon says he saw one family, Of
a man, his wife. and two little girls, who
all got off safe, but were lamenting the loss
Of their little boy, who they said was burn.
ed up. He also saw the body of decl
hand pulled out below the Star of the
West.
STATEMENT OF j. II. pENfsoN.
Mr.. Denison is from Lynchbdrg, Ohio
and was on his way to Florence, on the
Illinois river. He had trunk containing
money and articles of apparel valued a
$1,000, which was lost. He says wher
the boat started out, the Hannibal City
backed ou: just behind her, and when un
der good headwsy. she was about a hun
dred yards in the rear. He says tha
when the Ocean Spray was within about (
mile Of where she took fire. she saw the
Hannibal City gaining on her, and the com
mand was gisen to put turpentine in the
furnaces. He says he had been very mucl
interested in the race, and had taken po
sition in front, where the steps came dowr
together, SO that he could see them frine
up. They first threw rosin in, and tber
the mate suggested turpentine. ~
The captain was by when the order was
given and some of the men went down in
to the hold and brought up barrel o
turpentine. which had been consigned t.
some person in Peoria. The men took al
AK and split hole in the head of the bar
} rel; and then, under the orders of th'
mate, dipped the fluid out. and threw i
over the coal that was lying near by. This
J was not expeditious enough, and the heas
of the barrel was knocked in. and buckle
with piece of rope to it was used to diI
the turpentine. The barrel, at this time
} was sta aiding not moro than six feet from
the doors After dipping with the buckle
and sprinkling the coal, sticks of wooc
were taken up and their ends plunged int
the barrel. and then laid down between th'
barrel and furnace. While lying there
one of the firemen, in pulling out his rake
jerked live coal. as is supposed, on thu
wood, when it was Immediately ignited ant
blazed up furiously.
The mate swore at the men and orde..ss.,
them to throw water on the FIRE. The wa
ter seemed to drive the flames to the bar
rel which was soon all ablaze. The mate
grew furious. and cursing the hande, or
dered them to cast the barrel overheard
In attempting to do this. the barrel was up
set, and the burning fluid in an instan
spread all over the deck, and poured in
frey torrents down into the hold. At thi.
the cry of FIRE was shouted, and the alarm
became general.
1 Mr.. Denistou says he Immediately Tar
up stairs for his baggage, which was in
stateroom No. 26. He dragged his trunk
and Garnet sack as far az the clerks ofioa