The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-05-12
Indians Shot at Fort Hays
AN Escape Prevented.
Appointments by hel.Presi-
dent-His Conference with
a Secret Agent from st.
Domingo The Bus
teed Impeach-
ment.
FROM TIE WEST.

ers Burned-Ijves Reported Lost.
Special Despatch 10 The EUening TeLegrdph.
CINCINNATI, May 12-9 A. M.-SiX river
steamers were burned to the waters edge at
their docks on the Ohio river in this city, last
night. Several lives are reported lost The
loss, which has not yet been estimated, must be
very heavy, as several of the steamers destroyed
were new irst-class passenger boats. Their
names are the Darling, Westmoreland, Mary
Erwin, Melnotte, Cheyenne, and Clifton.
SECOND SPECIAL DESPATCH.
The Steamers s Bmrned 90 thS & W"fsr,s i,a Edge
CINCINNATI, May 12.-The fire which broke
out this morning among the river steamers at
this city, which resulted in the total destruction
of the boats mentioned, was caused by the up
setting of lamp in the wash-room of the Cliff
ton. The flames seized at once in the light
woodwork of the boat, and in so quick time
did they envelope her that those on board we're
Just able to escape with their lives. From the
Clifton the flames extended speedily to the boats
that were lying Immediately by her side. There
are rumors that there were some passengers
aboard the Clifton. All lives on board were
saved except deck hand burned to death.
A hand on the Cheyenne says shat all aboard
were asleep when the fire broke out, and that he
is certain that five deck hands aboard were
burned to death.
Robert Gamer and wife, colored, were on the
landing hunting their son, John Gamer n lad on
the Darling, supposed to be lost. Officers said
that four five men were seen to jump off the
Darling and struggle to get ashore; only one
succeeded. Skiffs went out to rescue them, but
failed. In the midst of the excitement of the
occasion it was difficult to get information that
is entirely satisfactor yin regard to losses. The
Il. A.
exclusive of cargo:-Clifton, $25, 600; Westmore-
land, $4,000; Mary Erwin $60O0 Darling
$4,000; Melnotte, $4,000; Cheyenne, So, ,000.i
At half-past 3 o'clock all that remained of the
steamers was their blackened hulks, in which
the fire was sullenly burning. The Darling was
not entirely consumed, but whatever remained
of the wheel-house and other parts of the boat
stood up like monuments to mark the place
where all that is beautiful in boat mechanism
had in a short time been consumed. The scene
| Immediately in front of the wharf presented a
spectacle too sad to describe. Six boats side
| by side were in ruins. Others had fed to escape
| the flames. 1t was perhaps the saddest scene
they had ever been witnessed in the marine his
tory of Cincinnati.
| Attempt of Indian Prisoners TO Escape from
| Fort Hnys-The Chief "Big Head' and two
Warriors Shot.
Special Despatch 10 The EpeItlD 1etegTdph
Fort LEAvENwoRTH, Kansas, May IA
discharged soldier, who has just arrived here
from Fort Hays, gives an account of the attempt
made by the Indian prisoners confined there to
escape. Last Sunday, while Captain Howard,
Adjutant of the 5th Infantry was changing
guard and was entering the door, he was felled
TO the floor by a chief. At the same
time a squaw who was rushing upon him with a
knife to stab him was shot down by the guard.
The sergeant of the guard, named Hogan, of
| Company G, same regiment, was stabbed in the
back and severely injured, and the guard in
self-defense, fired into them, and killed two In
dians, including the chief Big Head, and wound
| ING one or two more which had the effect of re-
storing quiet. The Indians were all armed with
| knives.