Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 186?-1872, 1870-05-21
LACROSSE.
RayageS OF the Fiery Fiend--A Night
of Terror and Alarm.

LACROSSE, May l5.-The most ter
rible confiagration that ever visited
this State, occurred ut the Lacrosse
depot this morning, by which the en-
tire depot and freight warehouse, the
elevator and contents, the steamer
War Eagle and nine cars of express
freight, and other property was de-
stroyed and seveal ives lost. Words
are inadequate to picture the terrible
scene of the confiagration, conster-
nation and dismay. The steamer
War Eagle, where the fire started,
blazed up like torch in moment,
and rendered escape for some difficult,
and for others impossible. The ex-
tenslve depot and adjoining buildings
were Immediately wrapped In flames.
The terror, the alarm, the uncer-
tainty, the exaggerated rumOrs of
loss Of life, the large crowd of people
shifting here and there with their
faces lit up by the flames, and the
tiremen bravely at work, all formed
a scene appalling to the timid and
the brave. The fire broke out in the
Northwestern Packet Company's
steamer War Eagle, which plies be-
tween Dubuque and st. Paul.
There was not time to save any
thing but life, the flames and blind
ing smoke eveloping the boat in a
moment. Those of the passengers
who We're half dressed and near the
office, escaped by the front gangway
and those in the rear of the cabin
We're awakened by the officers, and
under the direction of the captain es-
capped by the rear scuttle and were
taken ashore by boats which picked
up many who jumped overheard and
many were compelled tn jump over
board. One of the pilots named
James Martin jumped from the hur-
r;cane deck. The rapi,lity Of the fire
may be inferred from the fact that the
mail agent who was in his office had
barely line to secure his money pack
ages and escape by the gangway.
There were forty-eight kegs ofpow-
der in the MAXINE, under the fore
castle, but the boat burned amidship
and sunk, so the powder was not ig-
nited. There was but a small pas
senger list, and the city was full OF
rumors regarding loss of life; but
careful inquiry places the number at
four. The four are, Mary Ulrich, of
this city, aged IS; barber of boat,
cOlored man, of Cincinnati, name un
known was burned on boat: an elder
ly man, supposed burned, name I'M
known; man and wife, thought to
have persisted; one old lady, name
unknown, who weighs two hundred
pounds, rushed to the stearn of the
boat, climbed over into the water and
hung to the rudder, till she was pick
ed up by boat, is badly burned.
Another woman who came on
board Mt Prairie du Chen sick, jump
ed overheard and was badly injured.
The Keokuk lay alongside. The
War Eagle fortunately had enough
steam to move her, and passengers
were saved with some damage by the
prompt action of the officers. The
fire went rapidly to the freight sheds
on the dock and adjoining buildings,
all Of which, together with the large
elevator and cars, We're destroyed in
an hours time. The heat was terri
BILE, and the flames lit up the sur
rounding country for miles, with all
the brilliance of day. Nothing about
the depot was saved, excepting two
safes, containing tickets and money.
The tickets on hand were lost.
The total loss il estimated ut from
Sl70,0O0 TO $500, 700. War Eagle was
not insured.