Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1869-03-23
For the Spectator.
JEFFERSON, TEXAS, Feb. 10th, 1859.

cEFEEhSON, 1EAAS, EGD. lDtn, 1907.
Mr.. Editor This community has just been
| shocked by one of the most awful and distress
ing accidents that has ever occurred in the his
tory of Red River navigation. The elegant
New Orleans and jefferson Steam Packet
''Mittie Stephens, was burned in Caddo Lake,
about so miles below, and out of 1O4 souls on
board, 81 were lost. -ssz ~
Many years ago the great raft in Red River
turned the main body of water out of its chan
mel, and it flowed out over the low country
southwark and formed Caddo Lake, which i
about 40 miles long and from 6 to II miles
wide and being full Of stumps, trees and cy-
press knees, is quite difficult to navigate. :,
The 'Mittie Stephens, left Shreveport,
La. about dark and entered the lake about
$50 I. M, and was steauiing on her way to
Jefferson. She had heavy freight, and as the
night was dark, necessarily proceeded slowly
There were on board quite number of emf
grants from Alabama and Mississippi, coming
to seek their fortunes In Texas. The passen-
gers retired at the usual hour, and were soon
wrapped in quiet slumbers-mauy of them to
dream Of home and friends for the last time. -
The midnight watch had sounded and the IA
miliar cry of ''Alls wellp rang out on the still
night air, and all was again quiet save the la>
bored working of the machinery and the splash
Ing OF the waves against the sides of the proud
steamer as she ploughed the turbid waters of
the lake. At about Is minutes past II O clock
lire was discovered on the larboard side of her
torecastie, which had broken out in a bale of
hay. The order head her to the shore" was
given and the alarm of fire was sounded to
arouse the passengers But so rapid was the
progress Of the flames that the whole forepart
OF the steamer was inveloped In less than ten
minutes from the first alarm and most of the
passengers only awOke to find themselves
hemmed In on every side by sheet of fire
The scene was now awful beyond description. -
The wild sbrleks of the women-the heart-
rending cries of the children and groans of
strong men as they rushed from onc end to the
other OF the cabins seeking some outlet, could
pc heatd above the roaring and surging of the
merry pillows as they ragged around their victims
and shot their forked tongues high Into the air.
Many sank aogn on the desks and in the cabins
ana pefisned in the HANGS, while some hoped
through the fire into the Lake only to find
watery grave.
Some of the ladies might have been saved,
but as soon as the alarm was given the negro
crew rushed tor the Life boat cut it loose
ana crowded into it, and in moment all went
GOWN together, not one who entered the boat,
SO tar as Is known, was saved
W hen the boat reached the shore those who
still survived had to jump eff her stern into
deep waters, where they were driven still fur
ther out, BY the current from the wheels, which
were sui In motion. Dat of twenty five ladies
on board only two ladies and two little girls
were saved. They belonged to party of emf
grants, and were the only survivors of family
OF 70 persons who had left Alabama with high
antlclpatlons of happy home in Texas They
were brought to our city and kindly cared fer
ana conslderabie amount Of money was col
lected for their relief Thew were daoL noe
sengers and saved themselves by Jumping over.
board and holding to the rudder Till they got
near some limbs of a tree when they caught