The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1867-03-13
Loss Of the Texas.

We regret to record the loss of THU
favorite Steamer, so we'll known il
Confederate times as the never failing
and regular weekly packet, between
this point and Shreveport, Captain
John Amsden, who is reported among
the lost, was one of the oldest steam.
boatmen on. the river, and one of tho
best, obliging and efficient clerks in this
trade. We have known him intimate.
~ since 1885, have been OH the most
friendly intercourse with him from that
day, and can truthfully and sincerely
attest to his good character, rnsullied
honor and purity of conduct as man.
He will long be remembered, and his
loss sincerely mourned by his old
friends and associates in Alexandria
and Rapides. Peace and rest to bis
soul!
The following statement has been
kindly furnished us by one OF the pas
sengers:
The steamer Texas, Capt. Chas
Stinde, left New Orleans, on Wednes.
day evening 9th March about 6 o'clock
P. NJ, for Jefferson, Texas, and all in.
terlnediate Landings. All went well
until midnight of Friday, when about
midway between the mouth of Red
River and Alexandria, the boat struck
a snag, and in twenty minutes was a
total wreck. The night was dark and
stormy. AS soon as the boat struck
she was made fast to the left bank Of
!. the River, which enabled all the pas
sengers and crew to save themselves.
Too much credit cannot be awarded
to Capt. Stinde and the officers and crew
of the Texas, for their noble exertions
in saving the lives of the passengers in
the trying emergency in which they
were, without amoment's warning call
ed on to exert, and successfully, all
their ability.
The only officer missing is Capt.
John Amsden, the chief clerk Of the
Texas, and it is quito possible that he
has escaped by clinging to some part of
the wreck. II
Out of Seventy-fve souls on board
the Texas, passengers and crew, not
more than one or two have been lost.
The Boat was made fast to very
bluff bank, where the wateris probably
one hundred feet deep, and as soon as
the hull filed with water, the boat be-
gan to caseen over, pulled up the trees
to which she was made fast, and in less
than five minutes the vessel was q total
wreck: the cabin parting from the hull,
and the hull turned bottom upwards,
and drifted down the river.
From the time the Boat struck the
snag, up to the time of her final de-
struction, a period of twenty minutes
had not elapsed.
We are now awaiting, either an up
or down Boat to relieve us from our un-
pleasant situation, about three miles
below Fort DeRussey.
On behalf Of the passengers, I am
Yours Very Respectfully,
JOHN MCKEE.
March 9th 1867, 8 o'clock A. NJ.
P. S.-Sjnce wrote the above I learn
that the Cabin and Hull did not sepa-
rate, but, that the wreck grounded
about two miles below when she was
wrecked. The Captain and crew are
at the wreck and doing their best to
save the cargo.
The passengers were taken on board
the Alabama about 81 o'clock this
morning, and are now proceeding on
their way tostheir several destinations.
With the exception of myself there
were no citizens of New Orleans among
the passengers.
Mr.. Jas. I. Hickey, of the firm of
Hudson & Hickey, Leather dealers,
Nashville, Tenn. was the last man ia
ken from the wreck, and uninjured.
JOHN MCKEE.
March, 9th 1867, III o'clock A. NJ.