Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-04-13
The Steamer Ruth Disaster.
Graphic Description of the CatastropAe-
Letter from ReU. e. j. GOodspeed.

The following graphic description of the
recent steamboat disaster on the Lower Missis-
sppi river was written by Rev. Il. j. Good
speed, pastor of the Second Baptist Church
OF Washing ton-who, with his wife, was a
passenger-for the buPiist Standard. The
Ruth was burned the night of the 18th
ultimu The letter is as follows:
The party on board was chiefly. from St.
Louis, and contained representatives from all
classes. Some of us were seeking health IN
the genial air OF the South, or accompanying
invaids, others were taking pleasure trip;
and others were going on business to various
points Several of the ladies and gentlemen
were planning masquerade ball for the eVe-
ming, and making great preparations for the
entertainment. The tables had been full of
card players all the dull morning, and even
into the afternoon, till the passengers were
generally quiet. Some had turned into their
berths. The captain, clerk, and chief engineer
were soundly sleeping. l sat reading IN the
ladies' cabin, when my wife, who had been in
the plot-h house, came up hurriedly and tapped
me on the shoulder, and beckoned me to come
into the state room. | saw by her manner
that there was something wrong. l followed
hastily in excitement, and she turned to me
when [ entered and said
1.-The boat is on fire, and they are running
her in shore" 1put en- my hat and overc1at,
and thrust some things into my pocket, and
took her reticule, and followed her to the bow
of the boat. by the time we reached the
bottom OF the stairway, the boat was within
twenty feet of.thc shore. In u moment the
crowd were pushing us forward, and, looking
up both PASSAGES, / saw mass OF faces full
of terror and anxiety to escape. | saw smoke
from the hold, and the negroes rushing to the
boat 5 edge, aud III moment, taking my wltes
arm, | sprang forward toward the extreme
front of the boat. When it struck the shore
the colorcd persons flung themselves headlong
out, and commenced climbing the bunk, which
was twelve feet high and soft frofp rains, and,
they reached the edge, they fed into the
fields Now ladies sprang out and men bundled
them up the bank by taking hold of arms and
limbs promiScuously. Then the plank was
thrown out aud up this steep assent the rest
began to make their escape. By this time
the flames threw out long tongues through
the black smoke, and the cry of "powder"
caused tremendous stampede out into
cotton field l stood on the bank and said to
my wife, Il am going back after our trunk"
She begged of me not to go, and dispatched
man with an offer OF money to secure our
wardrobe. He was boat hand and was ordered
to get out rope, and SO failed me, and thus
we were left with nothing but what we had
on and some cordials in the reticule took in
my hand These were in constant demand
among the nervous and exhausted shipwrecked
company, who were now scattered all about
large field, and exposed to the sharp wind and
intense cold of March night. There were
hut OfJ fra
burned, and the others were so in range of
the smoke as to be uncomfortable for some
time. At last they were taken possession of,
and their modern chimneys were soon filed
with the blaze Of cheerful fires. The furious,
fatal element from which we fled in dismay,
was now most agreeable to our shiverinS
persons.
The fire was raging in the cargo of the Ruth
with unrestrained energy, and presented a
scene of unsurpassed sublmity and terror
1t drew negroes in their boats from across the
rivir-our island was almost o wilderness, with
no inhabitants and no provisions for the hun
cry three hundred now covering on itsshores
and was seen for twenty miles away. The
visitors took the part of yreckers, and stole
everything they could find unprotected. We
had on board powder, (Which was thrown over
board,) hay, cotton, oil cake, petroleum, pork,
and everything combustible-in all over l.,
600 tons-13O head of horses and mules, and
800 souls. Nothing was saved excepting a
few trunks and valises, Parties lost money
and jewels in their state rooms and trunks,
and wardrobes worth from five hundred to
four thousand dollars. Most escaped with
barely what they had onat the time the alarm
was given. 1t was amusing to mingle in the
groups and hear the incidents, experiences,
surmses, theories, and superstitions, regrets
and hopes with which they beguiled the weary
hours.
The Captains wife told us that her hus-
bands spirits seemed very low when he lay
down, and his. last words were ;" Well, if