Des Arc semi-weekly citizen., 1861-08-10
Fromthe Memphis Argus 9th. Steamboat Disaster Kanawha Valley Burned Loss $l0 ,000-Eo Lives Lost.

Steamboat Disaster Kanawha Valley
 Burned Loss $10 000-Eo Lives
 Lost.
 The Memphis and White river mail packet Kanawha Valley, Capt. D. B. Price, destined for Memphis, was discovered on fire about o'clock Monday morning the 5th inst, at Snip Island, on the Arkansas shore. The flames made rapid progress, and the boat was lmme- diately run ashore, and the passengers taken off. The Kanawha Valley was about five years old, and has been in the White river trade for two years pest. She was owned by Capt. Charley Coles, and valued at SSo0o. She was insured at Cincinnati for $60O0. Below we append statement made by passengers:
 ON BOARD STEAMER H. D. MEARs, August 6, 1861. We, the undersigned passengers on board the steamer Kanawha Valley, hereby certify that, about 5 o'clock op the morning of the 5th of August, 1861, k fEe broke out in the hull of the above named steamer, which threatened to consume the boat in few mln- utes. The pilot immediately ran the boat Tn shallow water, near sand bank, some nun dred and fifty yards from the shore.
 
 passengers were up, but owing to the vigilance of the officers on duty the alarm was properly given, and upon examination it was found that a passage in front was impossible, so the off, cers and passengers determined to save the ladies and children, threw them from the ca bin overheard.
 Then came scenes of horror and distress perfectly indescribable, when fathers, hus- bands and friends were to force women and children to seek their destiny an the waters of the great Mississippi river. Never, never can we forget the words of kindness and encour- agement of the brave and gallant officers and crew, who stood in the river ready and willing to rescue each one as they were consigned to the water; and after the great battle was fought they did all in their power to make us comfortable, by erecting shelters to protect us from the burning rays of the sun on sand bar, and at the same time administering to the wants of all the rescued, until relief came from the steamer Mears.
 The loss sustained iby the passengers was very small We think one thousand dollars will cover al Some eight hundred dollars of that amount was in money. While we give all crdit to the gallant Captain Price and his off, cers, we hereby tender our kindest regards and heartfelt thanks for their kindness in this our great distress Having passed through our troubles to come out victorious, we cannot for get the noble and generous conduct of the we'll known Captain Berry and his gallant crew, who did all they could to cheer and revive the spirits of the unfortunate passengers.
 P. S-Our porter, a yellow boy, named Charles Spratlng, mmortalized himself. May his shadow never grow less. The greatest loss was that of Dr. Mcclure, $490; also of Miss Ada Moulton, S57, and small loss by Mr. Oates. J. T. o.
 W. E. Love, Mrs. Love. L. F. A. HolIem, Mrs. Henderson and child, J. M. c. Henderson J. L. Morris, Mrs. Knight and child W. R. Robins, Miss M. E. Wallace, J. P. H. Wal lace, Mrs. Davidson and tn: :ee children, J. F. Davidson, Martin Slaughter, Mrs. $. C. Rus sell and child, J. T. Allen, Sam Radgusky, Mrs A. D. Lowder and two children, w. H. Thom- as, M. D., Dr. M. Mcclure, Mrs. M. c. Hern, John I. Oates, Mrs. M. A. Lane, H. H. Oates. Mrs. M. E. Clifton, W. H. Bonner, Miss Ada Moulton, H. J. Trotter, Mrs. Amelia Gates, H. H. Ferguson, Mrs. L. R. Kennett, T. Ii. Garret, Mrs. M. A. Bestwick, w. H. Rork C. H. Bestwi.k, John Barbee, Miss M. A. Best wick.