Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1865-07-01
Disaster on Red RIvcr-SinkIBg OF a
steamer and LESS CT 200 Lives.
dispatch to the Chicago Republican,.

[Disratch to the Chicago Repubhcanl.
CAIRO, June 20.-New Orleans dates
of the 14th are received.
The United States.traDsport Kentucky
left Shreveport on the 9th, with /, 200
troops. Within twelve miles OF Shreye-
port she struck a snag, and sunk IN
half an. hour. The loss of life was over
200, mostly paroled prisoners from
different regiments of Tennessee and Al
ALBANIA. 80
IaTER.-The steamer Lady Gay,
with New Orleans dates OF the 10Th,
containing further particulars OF the
Red River disaster, has just arrived. -
The United States transport ketueky,
with about 900 passengers, principally
prisoners and families returning to
their homes. left Shreveport for New
| Orleans on Friday June 9th, at 8 IL
O'Clock, p. IN. About 8 o'clock the
same night, Il was discovered that the
boat was making water rapidly, and be-
fore the boat was landed and the stages
got out, she sunk in about twenty feet
of water, her timbers breaking and
crashing. The loss of life must have
been terrible, she being crowded and
sunk inside half an hour. 1t is suppes-
ed that some 200 persisted. She had
about go horses ON board, all of whom
we're lost except three. The passen-
gers lost everything. The United
States steamer Col. Chaplin came to
the rescue, and rendered valuable aid in
rescuing the hundreds who chung to the
wreck. q rs.5l- ts-.. Il
1t was fully half an hour after the
snag was struck before the steamer went
down. She ran about four miles after
commencing to leak, passing some three
miles beyond the Chaplin, which was
tied up for the night, before the final
disaster occurred. The Chaplin started
for her as soon as possible, and render
ed great deal of timely assistance, res
cuing and saving unfortunate passen-
gers struggling in the current, which
was very strong, and clinging TO por-
tons of the wreck remaining above
water. Eli E
1T was thought by many passengers,
and by those on board the Chaplin, that
great loss of life might have been pre-
vented had an effort been made to effect
a landing at certain moment. The
Captain, finding the water gaining rap
idly on the steamer. made for the shore
at last, but found that she had settled
too much to get near enough to the
bank to put ont stages. A stern-line
was got to the shore, but snapped inn
medtaiely. The boat then careened and
sunk instantly, the water washing over
the hurricane-deck forward. The stern
remained above water.
As the boat careened, great rush |
took place TO the hurricane-deck. Many |
of the passengers were III their berths |
and were saved almost wholly destitute
of clothing. A large number were
caught between the decks and drowned. |
The ladies generally succeeded IN gain |
ing the hurricane-deck, and were all
saved. Some children were lost. Some |
passengers gained the nearest bank, and
others reached the opposite side in safe
ty. To render the disaster more appall- |
ing, the texas took fire after the steam
er careened, it was supposed from the
upsetting of coal-oil lamps by the shock |
and the spilling of their infiammable |
contents on beds. The fire was, fortu-
nately, quickly extinguished, otherwise
very large number would have been |
added to the mournful list.
The paroled prisoners were principal
There were some Arkansas soldiers and |
a small number of Loaisianians on |
board. No federal soldiers were among |
the number. The officers of the Ken |
lucky, it is believed, were all saved.
A Murderer Sentenced to be Hanged |
ut Observation-Disclosures Bell, on trial at |
Waukegan, Ill. last week, for the MUIR |
dey os Mrs. Ruth Briden, near that |
place, some time ago, has been con-
victed and sentenced TO he hanged on |
Friday, the Both instant. This was one /
of the most cold-blooded murders on
record. sOnt of reveneeafor refusing to /
give her consent 10 Bell marrying her I
daughter, he swaylaid Mrs. Briden,
knocked her down and cut her throat
from ear to ear. The sentence was
pronounced by Judge Williams, of this
circuit, before whom the case was tried.
Bell is hardened wretch, and main
tanned the most stolid indifference thro'-
out the trial. Chicago Journal 19th inst. !