Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1860-05-12
T From The 81. Lo uis Democrat, 3Oh uh
Terrible Steamboat Disaster.

Accounts OF Inc burning VI the eIed'bel
A. +. Lacey reached us by telegraph on
last Friday night, but were very unsals-
factory. No particulars of the affair has
since been published. Yesterday The Of
fcers of The boat reached this city, and
we are indebted to Mr.. J. NJ. Worley, the
second clerk Of The unfortunate steamer,
for a safemen, of the incidents connected
with that terrible accident.
The Lacey left 81. Louis on Tuesday
last, a, IL VI. There were forty or fifty
passengers on board-sbout twenty or
twenty five in the cabin and the balance
on deck. Among The cabin passengers
were Mr. Lacy, Presidents Of the Cape
Gjrardeau Bank, his lady and two children.
Mr.. Lacey was one OF the owners Of the
boat.
On Thursday evening last, about ten
o'clock, while the steamer was abreast OF
Island II, a, Booths Point, l2s miles be-
low Cairo, fire was discovered by the
watch, on the forward deck. The alarm
was Immediately given, and Captain Fay.
Tor, the commander Of the boat, with 9th
ers, Immediately rushed TO the spot, and
found an open bale Of hay in flames.
Every effort was made to throw it over
board, bu, the flames spread SO rapidly,
and communicated TO the other bales in
the vicinity, lha, their efforts proved fruit
less. The alarm was then given, and al
lempis were made by the officers 10 get
the crew together, and thus endeavor 10
save the passengers. But they refused 10
do anything except TO secure their own
safety. BY this time the alarm had
spread over the boat, and men, women
and children were running in every dlrec-
lion, utlering the most frantic cries. All
became conlusion,- and general rush was
made to the rear Of the boat, where par
lies threw themselves into the river-ma-
nv of whom were drowned. The cattle
became frantic in their endeavors to es-
cape the fire, but being firmly secured were
all burnt, with the exception OF lev WHO
Jumped overheard and were lost.
The Captain, as soon as possible, gave
order for the boat TO run ashore, which
was Immediately done, the pilot and engi-
neer remaining al their posts until The
boat had reached the landing, and with
the assistance Of those On shore made last.
When this was done, the pilot spoke
through the trumpet to the engineer, eX.
claiming Done, with the engines" the
usual remark made by that officer at all
landings. The engineer replied "AIl
right and then, and not till then, did
they leave their posts. II all had behaved
as collectedly and bravely as these two
men and the Captain. there is little doubt
that many lives might have beer saved.
Not a single dollar in money, or sim
gle article of clothing, save that worn BY
the parties who were up at the time, was
saved, most of the passengers having jun
ped overheard in their night-clolhes.
Incidents of the Catastrophe-Heart-
reAding scenes.
Capt. Lacey. of Cape Girardeau. TO
gelher with his wife and two children, one
an interesting little boy aged about eight
years, and the other little girl OF four or
five years, were among the passengers.
The happy family party had not proceed
ed on their journey more than one hun
dred and fifty miles, when terrible dis
aster overlakes them, death sna;ches away
Ihe lille daughter, and father, mother and
son are thrown upon tie barren shores oi
barely saved, and their hearts overwhelm-
ed with the grief that had so suddenly
come upon them. Our informant states
that as lie stepped out Of his sIateroom' he
me, Capt. Lacy rushing towards tia stern
of the boat TO save his family. lie called
after him, telling him not TO brighten the
women for he thought The bale OF hay IN
which the fire was first discovered had
been thrown overheard, and there was no
danger.
Our informant then wen, back into his
stateroom, drew on his pants and once
more stepping into the cabin was con
founded and terrified at the progress OF
the flames, which had already broken into
the front part of the cabin, and were car
rying everything before them. He then
ran back TO assist the ladies and children
in their escape. Seeing Captain Lacey
with his boy in one hand and his little girl
in the other, while his wife frantic with
fright, was clinging to his person, he ap'
preached the Captain and told him if he,
would Give him the little pir he would
try TO save her. Tie Captain gave her
up, she going willingly without word of
objection, while her little brother clung to
his father, and in moment after, with
her arms clinging round his neck, he
bIavely plunged into the water. The