Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1866-02-13
Loss or THE W. r. CAgTER-TSTERs
EGEsNG INCIDENTS.

The first indications that the passen-
gers up1n the luna had Of the disaster,
were parts Of the wreck and cargo hoat-
ing past, about daylight on Friday
morning. a few miles above Nicksburg.
The Luna continued TO pass parts Of the
drifting wreck for about fifteen miles,
when she was met by the Evening Star,
which had overtaken the wreck In time
20 pick up and save some twenty-five or
twenty-six persons, found cllnging 10
boards, cotton bales, swamped boats, and
Other drifting matter. Among the saved
and on the Evening star, were but hve
females, though il was reported there
were many lsdy passengers on board the
W. r. Carter when the disaster occurred.
From couCurriuE accounts, given 10y
the passengers who escaped with their
lives, the following facts are gathered.
The W. r. Carter blew up at about four
o'clock Friday morning, February
second about twenty-five miles above
Nick.burg, and was in the middle Of the
river at the time, and running slowly.
The noise attending the explosion was
very slight, not sufficient even TO awaken
the passengers. The boat caught IRE i'm
mediateiv. The first warning many had
Of danger was the fire in Interstate rooms
The boat did not sink for upward OF one
hour after the explosion. The pilot, who
escaped. SAYS he and his brother were al
the wheel at the time, ana his brother
exclaimed, "Whst is this ?' He replied,
"D0n't know. unless she Is blowing up!
AT that the floor raised comparatively
slowly, and the next place he discovered
himself was down among the boilers.
! He saved himself, but his brother was
lost.
A Young man from Missouri was
awakened by the fire, when he sprangup
and climbed ont of his state room through
the flames, burning his hands very
badly. and fell almost exhausted into the
water. where he climbed upon a floating
cotton bale and held fast for nearly one
hour, when he was picked up by the
Evening star.
A gentleman, said 10 be from louisville
I inst married, was on the fated boat with
I his wife. and was awakened by fire in
I his state room, when he rushed forward
l 10 see what was the matter, and became
separated from his wife by the flames,
when lac shouted 10 her TO jump over
board. and sprauE into the water himself,
5ut he could not induce her 70 follow
He swan about the boat, for some time,
irving in vain 20 convince her Of his
sbilitvtO save her, when be swan ashore
and She perished in the flames. He threw
away. il was said, Sl7,05O in gold.
A waiter c0lored f0rcibly dragged a
ladv from her state room and threw her
overheard. % save her from burning %
death. and the poor lady was drowned
n seems that the women in general
clustered upon deck and perished In the
gaues. rather than risk the water while
she men perished in the water, vainiy
epdeavoring 70 persuade the women 70
trust themselves 20 the river. One Of
lhe saved tells OF seeing dozens Of men In
the water, clinging 70 each other, ana
I drowning Ia the struggle Another tells
I of seeing them become chilled ana iau
] back heipiesslyin the river, meeting their
! fate.
/ To add 20 the terror Of the scene were
number Of horses and mules, Whlcn
swan round and round the burning boat
] As the Luna passed up, the poor animals
could be seen struggling and shivering
IN the water close % the bank, which
they were unable 10 climb Only one
was 10 be seen that had gained foot
hold on tto shore. Everything indi-
Gated q most friyhtfui disaster. Most Of
the persons saved had nothing but their
night clothes, and suffering extremely.
! HORSES EToLES.-A Afr Shaw, living
near Okol9ns, last week had q number
OF horses stolen from him. Getting on
the track OF the thieves, he pursued them
10 Kentucky, where he succeeded in over.
taking one Of them, who was dealt with
so severely as 70 induce him 10 disclose
his gang end their operations. Returning
Z 10 Saltillo, be secured the assistance o
Cants. smith and billiard, who arrested
ab5gt ten Of this nest Of rogues. som,
Ave- ar Fix were tak8n cut and hung
Tbese enterprisiug officers have sue
eeeded in getting The names OF sb0g
fsrty Of the gang, and are in pursuit 0
49,, We hope they may succeed il
letting possession Of the whole lot, an,
S9efe eut 10 them just punishment 70
then crimes. We hope 70 get full ac
count Of this mattes, which we VIII CIV
our readers Terong disss'l 1fp'e'
/, Fs5. /.
~ Flve-twenties closed in Londo