Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1868-12-09

Ee.urn of air. zeigler and wife
A statement from N. b. Toney.

passengers on the ill-fated United States,
returned to this city yesterday morning,
and were joyfully received by their
friends. They composed one Of the bridal
parties on the United States, having been
married at Fremont, Ohio, on the Sunday
night previous. Mr.. zsigler arrived at
Louisville on the Gen. Lytle Monday, and
received kind attentions from the propri-
etors of tie Louisville Hotel, who would
not accept any pay for their board. When
they arrived at that place they had moth
ing at all except the scanty and ill-htting
apparel with which the humane citizens of |
Warsaw had provided them. A large
number Of their German countrymen
sought them Out, and furnished them with |
money and clothing to meet their necessi-
ties. tagr
Mr.. Marcus B Toney was also passen-
ger on the Lyle, and is expected 10 reach
home this morning In the Louisville pa
pers of yesterday, We find the following
statement from Mr.. Toney:
STATEMENT OF N. B. ToNEY, OF NASH
l. sr VILE.
From NJ. B. Toney, OF Nashville, one Of
| the unfortunates on the steamer United
States, we have the following statement:
The United States left Cincinnati on Fri
day evening at 81 o'clock, having on board
between sixty and eighty cabin passengers,
among whom were three bridal parties:
J. w. McFerrin and lady, Nashville Mr..
Ziegler and lady, Nashville, and Mr.. Inskip
and lady, Madison; also, Mr.. and Mrs. e.
NJ. Hays, Nashville; Mrs. Jones and her
daughter Eva, from Pensacoia, Florida;
Mr.. and Mrs. Green, from Louisiana; Mrs.
| Pearce, of Louisville, and two other la
| dies, whose names he did not learn.
Having string band on board, dance
was decided upon, a portion Of the cabin
was cleared, and dancing commenced,
which was not continued very long, owing
to the scarcity of ladies to ELL up the sets.
About ten o'clock portion of the lights in
the chandeliers were extinguished, warning
the passengers that il was time to retire.
About this time Mr.. GaIyin, who had been
reading, folded up his paper and retired,
WHICH was the last seen of him. 4 few
minutes to eleven we took the Italian string
baud on the outer guards Of the ladies'
cabin, and, having the humber of each OF
the staterooms, we serenaded them, playing
one piece at each room. Some of the party
suggested charivari. The gong and dir
ner-bell we're brought out, but, not wishing
20 hear il, retired to my stateroom, leav-
ing Mr.. johnson, from Louisville, and
Miss Jones, of Florida, together with Mr.
Price, of Louisville, and Miss johnson, of
Memphis, promenading around the upper
tier Of staterooms. think it was aboHt
fifteen minutes past eleven when retired !;
had not been asleep; think five or ten mir.
utes had elapsed from the time retired
until heard two whistles from
an ascending boat listened for
our signal, but heard none. The alarm
bell, which was under my state-room,
sounded. Immediately sprang to my
feet, opened the outside state-room door,
and was standing in the door when the
boats collided. l saw the flames shoot up
Immediately, and knew the boat was en-
fire. | rushed out in the cabin, add found
f the flames were bursting up through The
office. ran aft with the intention of try
ing to man life-boat. Arrived at the
ladies, cabin, the scene bsggsrs description.
The flames Of the under deck bad reached
the cit Of the boat, and We're bursting up
through the ladies' cabin. The screams Of
Help helpm "Where is my hubbard p
"Where is my brother?'' Lord save Us =
we're enough to make the stoutest heart
sink | burst open oue of the cabin doors
next 10 the Kentucky shore, and saw the
America between US and the shore, her
stern about opposite our wheel-house and
about forty feet from us. | Immediately
cried 10 those who were jumping over not
TO do so, as the America would save US.
A great many had leaped from our boat
aud were struggling in the water on
door-biiuds aud Iife-preservers; the
Yacht was full of the hands Of the United
States, who had clambered into 1t by means
the ropes, in the meantime the America
commenced backing down beside us, her
wheel drowning some and upsettiDg the
Yacht full of the United States hands. A
great many of the United States passeR-
gers, when the America neared Us sufficient
", leaped TO her aud were saved. 1t Is said
Sir. and Mrs. McFerrin leaped a. distance
of fifteen feet. Just as / prepared TO leap
[ discovered the bow Of the America in
full blaze. Her bow passed just astern Of
Us, adding fresh flames 10 Our already burn
ing craft. / think Miss Jones was strug-
Cling on a shutter in the water, aud was
Knocked off by the wheel Of the America
Being stuffed by smoke and the flames
ursting up around me- lesped from The
uppeI-deok and swan ashore, which l
reached without any clothing and entirely
exhausted.
Mr.. Zlegler, German from Nashville
placed life-preserver upon his wife, then
one upon himself, and tied them together,
determining that one should not be lost or
saved without the other. Mr.. and Mrs
Green, of Louisiana, both got out together,
acting with q grea. deal Of courage; they
savgd one gold watch and Sl60, in currency;
had goods on the boat TO the value OF
$4,000. Mrs. Green is the Doblest Roman
Of Ihsm all. When she reached the shore
she kneit down in the mud and water and
offered thanks to Almighty God for her
safe deliverance. Being q Kentuckian,
Kenluckians should be proud of her.
When | reached Warsaw, four hours sfser
the accident, saw Mrs. Green attending
TO Mr.. Hays, who was in an adjoining room
to me. As soon as she procured some dry
linen she went TO work faithfully and
visited every sufferer. Just before the
bogt came to take her back to Cincinnati
she came to my room and said, 81 have
lief. you in charge of your brothers, | know
they will take care of you" With tears IN
her ewes abe said, God bless you, may you
reach home safe" Mr.. Green's brother
was on the United States, and taken down
to Florence. Esch thought the other was
lost, but they met On the Dumont going up
all cafe. Mrs, Green was formerly Mlss
e Morgan, went to school 10 Mrs TeVis, 10
/ SEelbyville, afterwards married Mr.. Bell,
{ of Lexington her husband dying, she
married Mr.. Green, Of Louisiana. May
guardian angels attend her pathway
through life.
r. Mr.. HAYS, of Nashville, was badly
| burned by lamp IN Ihe ladies cabin burst
| lug, the oil spiIling on his head. A negro
man saved him, to whom he gave all his
money aud drafts and took him with him
| TO Cincinnati.
Mr, Hays says the last he saw OF his wife
she was struggling on plank, and thinks
some one took il from her.
One more touching scene and l am done.
] | AfterI Was conveyed to the hotel, with
| nothing bat nv wet uBderclothes on, and
put in bed in this condition, gentleman
came to the bed, unbuttoned my shirt, saw
& nv clothing all wet, he burst IN tears and
commenced taking off his nnderclothes to
. ! supply me. He was 4 bro! her Mason, and
, IN nv condition he had so much sympathy
that he could not restrain his tears. That
brother was Vim. TaGe, OF Warsaw, Ky.
To the brethren Of Warsaw lodge l am in
debred for my ontft and conveyance home.
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