Wyandot County Republican. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1869-1903, 1869-11-05
HORRIBLE TRAGEDY IN THE
MISSISSIPPI,
THE STEAMBOAT ST0NEWALL DE-
STR0YED BY FIRE.
THE RAPID SPREAD
OF THE FLAMES.
TWO HUNDRED AND TWEN-
TY LIVES LOST.
THE MINUTES OF AGONY
AND DESPAIR.
PLU GlNG INTO THE RE-
NIORSELESS RIVER.
THE BOAT AGROUND FAR FROM
SHORE.
RESCUE FOB FEW OBLI-
TON FOR MOST.
THE BRIEF1 &c PAIN
FUL STORY
Reckless Carelessness the Aw-
full Cause.
PLUNGING INTO THE RE-
MORSELESS RIVER.
THE BOAT AGROUND FAR FROM
SHORE.
RESCUE FOR FEW OBLE
TION FOR MOST.
THE BRIEF &c PAIN
F'UL STORY.
Reckless Carelessness the Aw-
full Cause.
Special Dispatch to the Cincinnati Gazette.

Special Dispatch to the Cincinnati Gazette.
ST. LOUIS, Oct. 20.
The most appalling disaster that
perhaps has ever occurred on the
Mississippi river took place about
six O'Clock last night just below
Neeley's Landing. and about 125
miles below here. At that hour the
steamer Stonewall, for New Orleans,
heavily laden, and with 253 souls
on board, was discovered to be on
fire, having caught by lighted
candle coming in contact with some
hay, $50 bales Of which was stored
on the deck.
A deck hand named Charles Will
liams, who once lived in Cincinnati,
bravely attempted to smother the
fire with blankets and bed quilts,
but the wind blowing briskly, the
flames spread rapidly and could not
be controlled.
An effort was then made to train
the hose on the fire, but the terror
stricken deck passengers, number
ing one hundred and fifty, made such
a rush to escape that the men hav-
ing the hose in charge were forced
back, and the attempt was abandon
ed.
The scene in the cabin at this
time, the passengers being at sup
per, was one of the widest confu-
sion and excitement. A rush was
made for the boiler deck, and the
forecastle was soon crowded with a
terror stricken mass of human be-
ings, surrounded on one side by
fierce and Kissing flames ready to
devour them, and on the other by a
rushing and turbid tide of water.
An attempt was made to run out
stagings to afford refuge for those
whom they could hold, but the op-
posite effect was produced, for the
affrighted passengers rushed pell-
nell into the stagings, and all who
reached them were engulfed in a
watery abyss.
Others jumped overheard, and
after whirling for an instant in the
strong and edying current, sunk and
were swept away to be seen no
more.
When the alarm was first given,
the steamer was headed for the
shore, but struck on Tea Table tar,
two hundred and fifty yards from
the Missouri shore, where she stuck
fast and remained until she was
completely destroyed.
1t is said that had the pilot run
SO or 60 yards further down stream,
be could have landed the boat at the
bank, and probably all could have
been saved. AS it was, there was
several feet of water all around the
stern, and the only chance to escape
was by swimming, and the distance
being so great, the currentso strong
and the water so cold, but few were
able to land.
Sixteen persons were saved by
hanging in the water from stage
planks, and sixteen more swan
ashore. These are all of. whose
positive safety there is any certain
ty.
One gentleman named Brennan
was picked up in the water anc
brought ashore, but he was so chill
ed by the cold water, that he dice
soon afterward.
Mr.. Phelps, of Shreveport, La.
was saved after swimming three
quarters of a mile, but when h
reached the shore, he was so neal
dead, that his jaws had to be pried
open to give him stimulants.
Capt. John Donty, of New Or
leans, was last seen sliding down {
bar into the water, and is supposed
to be lost.
| Capt. Tom Scott, the Commando
Of the boat, was once seen in tn
texas and afterward was observed
floating down the river on spar.
Parties on shore, residents of tn
place, followed down the stream or
horseback for a distance of sevel
miles, looking for the Captain. I
is feared that, numbed by the cold
he fell off the log and was lost.
The first clerk, Mr.. Milton El
bart, was last seen in the office O
the boat trying to open the safe
The barkeepers, DR.. Hoover an
| Josh. Lester, it is feared are lost
nothing was seen of them after tn
, fire broke out.
t VIM. H. Chick, the second clerk
: is also thought to be lost, as he ha
not since been seen.
) John Lyons, assistant engineer,
: also lost. 1t is feared the onl
e officers of the boat of whose safet
f we are assured are George W. Flu
a ton, first engineer; Edward Fulkel
2 son, the pilot; Elisha F. Watson
r the carpenter; Monroe Vanderver
e the striker.
e Chas. Williams and John Churcl
e man, deck hands, were saved. Wi
q