The Montana post., 1869-04-16
STEAMBOAT FIRE ar sT. LOUIS.

another telegram.
srEAmBOAT FIRE AT ST. LOUIS.
The following is the account of the
recent steamboat fire at st. Louis, as
published in the Democrat OF MARCH, 30.
The total loss is estimated at over $780,
600. Beside the Montana boats men
toned below, two others, the Armenia
and Jennie Lewis, were totally de-
strnyed:
AT O'Clock las: night the ringing
of bells on the steamboats, at the wharf
gave notice of FIRE among the shipping.
Flames were observed issuing from the
after part of the Ben Johnson. lying at
the foot of Washington avenue. The
Ere spread with great rapidity. snd from
aft of the boilers il soon burst into the
cabin. enveloping the whole boat from
stem tn stern The flames spread TO the
boats lying alongside, and in a few min
utes the Henry Adkins. tie Carrie
Kounz and the q. B. Allen were a mass
OF seething. cracking flames. The Jen-
ME Lewis, having steam up ready 10
start up tLe Missouri river, pushed out.
ana might have been saved without a
scratch had not the noble hearted com
mander. Capt. Mcpherson, endeavored
TO save the lives of the people on some
OF the other boats that were on FIRE near
the middle of the river in getting the
passengers from the boats, the Jennie
took fire, and was totally destroyed.
THE HENRY ADKINS.
Three Of the boats lying at the foot
of Washington avenue burned at the
shore, and their hulls were saved in
part These were the Henry Adkins.
the Ben johnson, and the G. b. Allen.
The Adkins. lying further up than the
others. and just below Fades bridge,
was in flames before her crew were fair
" aware OF the danger. Efforts were
made To- shove her out, but her bow
rested upon the shore. and she could
not be moved. Capt. Terrell, her CONS
mander, WIS compelled TO flee for his
life. leaving behind all his clothing &c,
except those he had on. The boat was
fully loaded for Fort Benton. having on
board about 200 tons of freight, all of
which was destroyed. The boat was
valued Al $50. 600. and was insured for
$11 900 in Chldester & Weeds agencies
the insurance having been renewed
yesterday. She belonged TO Capt. Ter
rell. Capt. LodwicL, of Cincinnati, and
John Adkins, of Alton. The freight
consisted oi a general assortment of
merchandise The boat would have
started for Fort Benton on Thursday
morning.
BEN JOHNSON.
The fire undoubtedly originated Just
Oft the boiler of the Ben johnson, per-
sons having seen the flames in their in
cipient state. Quite brisk breeze com
ing from the northwest, famed the Ere,
and in the space of two or three min
utes the fears of spectators were aroused
for the safety of the boat.
IN an Incredibly short time the flames
spread To the Carrie V. hOuntz. aud trom
thence TO the q. b. Allen on the south.
and by the time the Fire department
were ON the groued-which was perhaps
in good time from the receipt of the
alarm - all three of these boats were
burned in their upper works. the kountz.
however. being cut loose and floating
down the stream, presenting, in all its
intensity. ones preconceived idea OF a
ship on fire.
The Ben johnson was worth about
$4,000, according TO the estimate OF J
prominent steamboa men, and WAS ]
owned by Capt. Tom Noorhis, her COM /
mander, and others. The total insu-
rance could not be learned. but she had I
$4,000 in Howe's agencies. Her hull !
will be saved in n damaged state. but
her machinery and every thing else in.
and about her, must De a total loss. She |
had not much freight on board.
THE @. b. ALLEN,
A. p. & e. w. keiser principal owners.
was burned down To the hull, which /
will be saved in tolerably fair condition,
though every thing else about the
steamer was destroyed. She was esti-
mated 10 be worth about $4,000. Hav-
ing only commenced receiving freight
on Saturday evening, she had not full !,
cargo on bcard. She was 70 have LETT