The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1859-05-18
MISCELLANEOUS.


IVA OHA1Ik1AN In " ~.
The st. Nicholas.
The Missouri Republican contains the
details Of the burning of the St. Nicholas.
Many Of our readers will be interested in
perusing the dreadful account, and to the
exclusion of other matter, we copy the state
ment of one of the survivors:
STATEMENT OF MR.. H. II. GILMAN.
My name is II. II. Gilman; am brother
in-law to the first clerk, Ben. v. CLINE;
was second clerk of the St. Nicholas at the
time Of the disaster; about two hours be-
fore the explosion repaired to the Office,
and pulling off my coat and vest laid down
on the bed for nap previous to arriving at
Helena; was lying on my right side, with
my cheek resting in the palm Of my hand
on the pillow; being very tired I soon fell
asleep; the explosion took myself and bed
up bodily through the roof, dropping me at
| least one hundred feet from the boat, on the
Mississippi side; the transformation was
complete; my position on the bed floating
down the river was precisely as when lay
down to sleep in fancied security; my sud-
est sense of pain, and the shock was not
more than sufficient to bring Inc to consciou-
sness; at first | supposed ! was in the
midst of horrible dream-then that had
accidently fallen into the river, as all was
still as death on the boat; called out loud
ly, help! help! man overload but met with
no RESPONSE: IN another moment the means
or the scaldcd and wailings Of the women
lad
vailed; | retained my position on the bed,
not knowing how trail my support might
be; for half an hour l foated along, re-
clining on the bed with my cheek resting
in the palm of my hand; dnrst not even
turn my head, and looked constantly in the
direction the current swayed my bed
Sometimes was witnessing the horrors at
| tending the boat, then for some minutes would
be facing the shore. In about fifteen min
utes a second explosion occurred, and i'm
mediately after the boat seemed on fire in
every part Lying on my bed, heard the
terrific cries OF the women for help; could
see them on the hurricane deck clinging to-
gether; saw them descend and Jump in the
river; could see them clinging together
there; could see and hear them imploring
tor rescue; saw them sink and pass from
life to death. The scene was most horrible,
and turned my eyes away unable to wit
ness all the horrors. After floating for halt
an hour, great splashing in the water at
tracted my attention. A lot of cattle, hear.
ing human voice, were swimming wildly
toward me; they seemed to fairly jump, SO
eager Were they to approach me. These
cattle were blown from the wreck, and they
seemed fastened together some way among
them were two or three bloated carcasses,
and as saw them approach me, with their
great glistening eyes glaring demon-like at
me, thought all hope Of safety was pass
ed. uttered the most fervent prayer that
ever escaped my lips and awaited calmly
my fate. just as the cattle approached my
bed, step ladder came floating past and
with stick pulled it toward me. In the
meantime the cattle tried to mount my bed
and sunk it. With one hand clung to the
ladder and with the other drove the cattle
away with the stick, when my bed arose
and once more took a seat upon it and so
tioatsd for an hour longer. In the mean
time boat with four men passed within a
hundred yards Of me, but refused to take
me in. also hoated across the bows of the
Susquchanna, which boat was lying to, pick
ing up the sufferers, but | could gain no
notice from her. BY this time had hoated
down two miles below the mouth of the st.
Francis river, when my cries for help were
responded to from shore, and encouraged to
hold out as long as possible. A skitf pu,
ont from the plantation, guided by my con-
tinual cries, and in about two hours from the
time Of the explosion l was picked up; the
boat put ashore at once. Onlanding found
live others who had been rescued, one OF
whom was the watchman, who was dread
fully burned. The others We're cabin boys.
We dispatched messenger to the first
house for aid, but was refused admittancc to
the house. We went then some distance
up the river to Mr.. Williamson's whose doors
new open To receive us. A ply sician was
procured and everything done for our COM
tort. In an hour rtheSusquehanna came along.
The Capt. sent some OF the crew for US,
who carried us in chairs through cotton
patch on board the steamer, where our
wounds Were dressed. We arrived at Mem
pnis Monday morning, where the whole city
turned out and offered US assistance. My
clothes We're then cut from me, and in COM
mon with the rest, was bathed in linseed
oil, OF which fortunately three barrels were
on board as freight. The sufferers We're
lying about on the cabin floor, some Of them
in death agonies, others groaning and cry
ing out with pain. 1t was sickening
sight. As | lay in my berth, saw
three men expire before We arrived at Mem
phis.
On our arrivel at Memphis the Sons Of
Malta and representatives OF the Masons and
Odd Fellows all came down on board and
took charge of the suffering brothers of their
Irrespective societies, and showed every kind
ness to thesufferers generally. The mayor
pitalities oftne city. Too much praise can
not be given to them all for their generous
attentions.
Mr.. G. is burned on the arms, hip, face,
left side and hands, but not dangerously.-