The Republican journal., 1871-01-05
THE NICK WALL HORROR.

Memphis despatch TO the Boston Evening Times
Passengers who arrived here tonight from
bcIpW. among whom is one OF the passengers
of The Nick wall, give the following details
ot the accident to that boat on Sunday night.
which resulted in the death of over one hun
dlrd passengers. The Wall struck the snag
ut halt-past ten on the night named and sunk
IN less than ten minutes in forty feet of water
Her hurricane roof falling in from the i'm
meuse weight thereon made prisoners of the
cabin passengers, thereby preventing their
escape Mr.. Montehuchtcr, the passenger
mentioned, states that at the time named
eight or ten passengers were sitting about
the stove when they felt the shock He then
ran out of the door of the cabin, and was
about to return when the roof caved in, dash
ing barrels wagons, ploughs and other ar
tlrlcs INTO the cabin, where everybody had
rushed who could get out Of their staterooms
MIR. Montchutcher's further statement is as
follows ! was thrown against the smoke
Stack on starboard, rs the steamer was then
falling on her larboard side | was twice
pulled back by the hair. and, in the third at
tempt made, some one caught me by the feet,
IN the struggle to save himself, and pulled
my shoes of. finally managed to gain the
hurricane deck, and then saw no earthly
chance Tor escape, rs the roof was by this
time crowded, and every one was seeking
for something on which to float The boat
was by this time under the water; nothing
remained ont but the hurricane roof and the
pilot house. The wreck was still floating
down the river, and we did not know what
time She would sink. Women were scream
mo tor husbands and children, and children
for parents. just rs we thought all hopes
were gone we saw the lights of a boat COM
ln@ up the river and every one that could
shouted for assistance. James Vandervorst,
assistant pilot, lighted piece of paper in
The pl"t house, showing it as signal of dis
1resS. In about fifteen minutes the friendly
boat Heated alongside and made fast to the
wreck, when staging was thrown out and
All that were able got on board the Seminole.
After she came alongside, Nandervorst and
Richard Dill, the porter Of the ll-fated steam
ca, cnt through the hurricane roof and found
MIS-. Kor. the captains Wife, wedged in
among lot of barrels, boxes, &c. She was
brought into the cabin of the Seminole, and
after great eXcrtions showed signs of life and
is now doing well. The dead were then
Thought in The scene bcggars description
There We're about twenty-five killed, but
cannot tell how many were wounded Mr.
Taylor, from some part OF Missouri, who
was roommg with me, is among the dead.
lie had retired about five minutes before the
accident happened. A gentleman, with his
daughter and son-in-laW, the last two lust
married, are among the dead. They intend
ed to get eff about one mile below the wreck
The Nick Wall lies aground about four miles
below Worthon Point where she struck
The number Of lives lost by the accident can.
not be l5certained. Sixty or more deck pas
sengers went on board at this place Sew
eral of these, in the midst of the terror of the
scene, leaped overheard and were drowned
Many were taken from the water by boats
The Seminole passengers say that Captain
Montgomery came up to the wreck and
touched it 50 lightly and gently that there
was not the slightest perceptble shock
Then the liteboats almost Immediately sur
rounded the Nick Wall. Captain Montgom
cry not only exhibited GOODNESS and skill, bu
his kindness was unboundcd The steamer
Paragon passed the wreck of the Nick Wal
about two hours after the accident occurred
and the captain, officers and crew rendered
the unfortunate people taken from the wreck
every possible kindness. Those going down
the river were taken by the Paragon to thei
destination.
In cxtricating Mrs. Roe an axe had to b,
used to cut through the hurricane roof Sh,
was struck with the axe, but not seriousl,
wounded. Seventy emigrants and twenty
cabin passengers boarded the Nick Wall here
She had on board $50 souls, all Of whom
were lost, except those named above. The
disaster is the most appalling one that ha:
occurred since the explosion of the Sultana
in 1863 Among the lost was bridal part,
that got on here.