The Iowa transcript. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1858-1866, 1866-05-09


a strong wind blowing, aud the steamer
although working with might and mair
seemed unable to subdue the flames, whic
were gaining rapidly on them. The root
Of the burning buildings fell in one by one
then for moment blazing up brighter tina
before, would fade into mass of bTilliar
Goals, shooting out occasionally hungry
angry, disappointed jet Of lurid fame
seemingly anxious for further food to feas
upon.
Along the docks down the river q humble
Of small frame buildings were allowed I
burn, as more valuable property needed at
tention. Several men who were attemptin
to remove the valuables in the upper stor
Of the main Office. narrowly escaped bein
smothered to death by the smoke. all the lad
ders and methods of communication wit
the street having been taken away in tn
excitement Of the moment. Their cries 70
and they were finally rescued from thei
perilous situation.
A large pile Of lumber was thrown int
the river to prevent its being consumed
Some. however. having ignited, foated dow,
the stream, adding, with its half-e tinguish
ed light, to the CHASTITY grandeur Of til,
scene.
The loss is estimated by several officer
probably, in view Of the damage to property
and the delay in carrying on the business o
the road, be very light estimate.
| From tho Detroit Pist, April %.
The steamer Windsor, which was lying a
the dock, ienited almost ins'antaneously
At the time the>fire broke out, Capt. Clinic,
vas standing about 300 feet from the depot
| He started at once for his vessel, but tn,
flames spread so rapidly that he found him
self unable to reach her Running dowl
| the dock shor, distance, he procured
small boat, and pushed out into the river
succeeding in arriving at the steamer il
time to save the lives Of number of the
hands
William Kirby, the mate Of the Windsor
was on board in charge, and as soon as he
discovered the FIRE, rang the bell for the
boat to swing clear Of the dock, but before
anything could be done the vessel was in
flames. Seeing that no time waste be lost
ne therenpon ran aft, called the men to save
themselves by jumping into the river, and,
as they did so, threw life-preservers to as
many as he could see.
The number who persisted is as yet un-
known. 1t is believed that at least 20 lives
were lost. The captain Of the Windsor
states that ID men, who are known to have
been upon that vessel, are missing.
man in a state of stupeied intoxication,
known to have been on board one of the cars,
is believed to have been burn. to cinders, as
no trace Of him can be found
A train Of both passenger and frei ght
cars was standing upon the track a, the de
POI, about to start for Saginaw 1t consist
ed of six cars, one Of which was q sleeping
coach, containing some so or 40 passengers,
most of whom had retired for the night
Two of the cars were totally destroyed, in
GLIDING the sleeping coach, which was
valued at $1,000
There are always in times Of danger some
singular individuals who, for their quiet
self.controi and cool and steady determine
ton to acquit themselves like men, deserve
special commentator. There was at least
one such upon this occasion. John John
son. a colored man. who had charge Of the
sleeping car attached to the Saginaw train.
saw the FIRE break out. and, with true cour-
age, quietly requested the passengers to re.
main IN their seats, as the train would, he
believed, be drawn out Of the depot. Find
ing, however, that the track ahead was
blocked with freight cars, rendering it i'm
possible for the train to move, he at once
turned his attention TO saving the passeng-
ers. After getting them all out. as he be-
lieved, although the car was wrapped in
flames, he examined carefully every berth
to put the matter beyond all question, end
then left the car himself.
VIM. Kirby, the mate of the Windsor,
whom we have already referred TO, and Tho
raj nnd
scorched with the heat, when finally driven
to jump overheard. was thrown heavinc
line. With true sailorlike heroism, he quiet
~ sang out to the parties thus rendering
helping hand: Throw it to some one else"
Among the losers is the chief editor of
The Post. Gen Carl Schurz. He had two
large boxes in the depot Of the Michigan
Southern railroad, containing, among other
things, very valuable portion Of his libra
ry, collection of 6ne geographical and mi
I,ary maps, collection Of Photographic re
productions Of the best paintings in the
gallery Of Madrid, several volumes Of ma
nuscript, number Of letters from Mr.. Lin
coin and other prominent persons, and all
his correspondence with his family during
the last twelve years. containing an a.
most complete diary of the political and
miiudTS events Win winch ne mas De6G con-
nected. The less is very severe one as
far as the pecuniary value Of the contents
off he boxes is concerned, but, as many of
the articles destroyed cannot BY any posi-
bili'y be replaced, it Is irreparable.
The scenes on the river beggar descrip-
ton. The burning steamer, swayed to and
fro BY the changing evolutions Of the tide,
with the decks aud sides covered with
drowning, burning men, whose cries,
groans, prayers, and impreca.ions could be
heard above the noise Of the tiremen on the
shore. and the shouts Of their rescuers on
the water. presented spectacle of grand
aud awful sublimi,y, never to be forgotten
Indeed their cries were plainly heard on the
Canadian side Of the river, and their ago
nized pleading countenances, as hope gave
way to fear and they sank to rise no more,
were observable by the lurid glare Of the
land and water fires, to those who lined the
shores, and whose heartfelt sympa,hies and
invoca,icns they had, although unable to
offer assistance.
LONDON correspondent. gives the follow
ing anecdote Of Nathan Rothschi'd:
. The bank of. England having refused to
discount large bill drawn on him. he
gathered all the FIVE pound notes he could
procure in England and on the continent,
and presented himself at the bank. He