The Des Arc weekly citizen., 1861-08-14
From the Memphis Argus 6th. Steamboat Disaster -Kanawha Valley Rurned-Loss P10, ,0e0-No Lives Lost.

Lost.
 The Memphis and White river mail packet Kanawha Valley, Capt. D. B. Price, destined for Memphis, was discovered on fire about 5 o'clock Monday morning the 5th inst, at Ship Island, on the Arkansas shore. The flames made rapid progress, and the boat was imme- 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 past. She was owned by Capt Charley Coles, and valued at $80O0. She was insured at Cincinnati for $6000. 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 on the morning of the 5th of August, 1861, fire broke out in the hull of the above named steamer, which threatened to consume the boat in few min utes. The pilot immediately ran the boat in shallow water, near sand bank, some hum dred and fifty yards from the shore. This happened at an early hour, but few 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 ill front was impossible, so the off, cers and passengers determined to save the ladies and children, threw them from the ca bin overboard
 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 a sand, bar, and at the same time administering to the wants of all the rescued, until relief came | from the steamer Mears.
 The loss sustainedaby the passengers was very small. We think one thousand dollars will cover all. 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 ndgenerous conduct of the well- known Captain Berry and his gallant crew, who did all they could to cheer and revive the spirits of the unfortunate passengers.
 F. 5 -Our porter, yellow boy, named 1 Charles Spratling, immortalized himself. May his shadow never grow less. The greatest loss was that of Dr. Mcclure, $49o; also of Miss Ada Moulton, S57, and small loss by Mir. l Oates. J. T. o.
 l w. E. Love, Mrs. Love. E. F. A. Hollem, Mrs. Henderson and child,J J. M. c. Henderson, J. L. Morris, Mrs. Knight and child, w. R. Robins, Miss M. E. Wallace, J. F. H. Wal- lace, Mrs. Davidson and th:ee children, J. K. Davidson, Martin Slaughter, Mrs. s. c. Rus sell and child, J. T. Allen, Sam Radgusky, Mrs l A. D. Lowder and two children, w H. Thom- as, M. D.. Dr. M. Mcclure, Mrs. M c. Hern, John T. Oates, Mrs. M. A. Lane, H. H. Oates, Mrs. M E. Clifton, W. H. Bonner, Miss Ada Mouton, H. J. Trotter, Mrs. Amelia Gates, H. H. Ferguson, Mrs. L. R. Kennett, T. H.. 1 Garret, Mrs. M. A. Bestwick, w. H. Rork, c. H. Bestwick, John Barbee, Miss M. A. Best wick.