Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-11-24

mans hat among some hey that was slowed near the
furnaces. The engineer attempted to get the
doctor 20 work, as 70 throw water on the
flames, but was unsuccessful and he then let
of the safety-valve, TO prevent an explosion.
The devouring elements soon spread over all
the hay-(there being large lot aboard) and in a
few minutes our whole town was alarmed by see
ing a tremendous fame Of fire shoot above and
around the Inflated vessel There were about $50
To $50 persons on the boat; 100 being cabin passe-
GERS So fierce and so rapid were the flames that in
but a few minutes all egress over the forward part
of the vessel was rendered futile Great conster-
nation prevailed on the steamer. Many succeeded
in getting the coal barge and reaching the shore
before the lines were burnt. About 10 or IL head
OF cattle broke loose part Of which succeeded in
reaching our shore, while some six or seven swan
to the Indiana side. No other freight or cargo was
saved-the Clerk being glad to save himself with
out the books or money. Capt. Lamb eYinced great
GOODNESS and presence of mind. He busted himself
in hurrying people from the cabin-tOok up two
little children and bore them to safety and returned
again. lie was about the last TO leave the boat
sprlnglng overheard with his negro boy, and while
IN the water he said to the boy: Save yourself, L
am too much exhausted to do anything" This is
the Negroes version and as the captain has not vet
been heard OF, we must infer that he is dead.
During the confusion, a child was handed to Mr..
inks negro woman, who was standing ashore, and
she ran home and placed it in bed. The mother, a
German woman was shrieklng for the child, when
n
one Tor Gods sake to save his wife, who was
struggling some thirty feet from shore, when Mr..
D. H. sharp, of OwensbOro', on visit TO our town,
instantly sprang into the water and bore the lady
ashore in slfety.
One lady manifested remarkable presence Of
mind. She deliberately commenced throwing her
baggage into the river, although advised to leap
overheard, and when she had finished. calmly
walked to the after guard and jumped into the river
where one of our citizens caught and conveyed her
to land. Mrs. Mcdonald, who, in company with her
husband, was on the way TO Cuba
chung to her feeble partner, and. aided by Mr. H. H.
Craft dragged him to the guards, and persi sted in
staying beside him until he breathed his last, when
she slid down the staunchion and was received In
the yaWl nIanifesting that pune devotion which is
ever ELECTED from her sexin hours OF trouble.
A negro chambermaid belonging to capt Lamb, |
Is known to be lost so with negro nurse OF ore |
Of the passengers-also, an hoster by the name OF
Michael Freely. Three mules and two horses broke
Dose and swan ashore, but it was awful and fear |
'n to hear the sitting and agOnizng cries of the |
gast lot of stock, who were struggling tied to the
take, to escape from being roasted hVe-and poor
1rutes struggling in vain.
While the fans was at its height the steamer E. |
l. Fairchild came up the river and stopped for |
'ver an hOur-the officers rendering every assist
nee in their power. Great praise is due Captain |
fawcett for his eXertiOns in the cause of humanity.
&c offered free passage to Louisville to all who |
hose to go, Of which kind invitation many aVaied |
Early Monday morning, Mr.. Samuel Cooper, of
ur town, caugh trunk drifting near Munchof's
ill. A large hole was cut one side of the lock
showing that the trunk has evidently been rifed.
We have seen two letters which were in the trunk,
ERECTED "Tho. Brawdshaw, Mound City, H." The
runk can be obtained from Mr.. Cooper.
A valise marked "Jno. S. Wood, Tuscumbia Ala
ANA, is lost, and the proprietor will pay literally
Or its recovery. Ward & Cary, in Louisville, are
uthorized to act for him.
1t is impossible to ascertain an exact resort of
he loss of life, but it highly probable that not
yer six or eight human beings were lost. The
Oat was almost fully insured.
Our citizens extended every aid in their power
lrowing open their doors for the reception of the
lfferers, several of whom are now in our midst.
The books and papers of the boat were lost.