Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1871-01-05
THE MISSISSIPPI DISASTER.
sinking Of the Steamer Nick WALL
Loss of Over q Hundred Lives

THE MISSISSIPPI DISASTER.
sinking OF the steamer Nick WALL
Loss of Over u Hundred Lives.
MEMPHIS, Dec. % One of the pas
sengers of the Nick Wall gives the fol-
lowing details of the accident to that
boat, on Sunday night, that resulted in
the death of over one hundred passen-
gers: The Wall struck the snag at 1890
on the night named, and sunk in less
than 40 minutes in ten feet of water
Her hurricane roof falling in, from the
immense weight thereon, made prison
ers of her cabin passengers, thereby
preventing their escape. Mr.. MONT
Huetler, the passenger mentioned,
states that, at the time named, eight or
ten cabin passengers were sitting about
stove, when they felt the shock. He
then ran out the front door of the cab
in, and was about to return when the
cabin roof caved in, dashing barrels,
wagons, plows, and other articles into
the cabin, where everybody had rushed
who could get out of their staterooms
Mr.. Huetler's statement is as follows
Was thrown against the smoke-stack on
the starboard side, as she was then fall
ing on the larboard side; was twice
pulled back by the hair and third at
tempt was made; some one caught me
by the feet in the struggle to save them
selves, and pulled my shoes off; finally
managed to gain the hurricane deck,
and there saw no earthly chance of es-
cape, as the S-oof was by this time
crowded, everyone seeking something
on which to float; the boat was by this
time under water, nothing remaining
out but the hurricane roof and the pilot
house; the wreck was still floating down
the river; we did not know what mo-
ment she would sink; women were
screaming for their husbands and
children for their parents just
as we thought all hopes past we saw the
and every one that could shouted for as
sistance; James Vandervoorst, assis-
tant pilot, lit a piece of paper in the
pilot house and showed it as a signal
OF distress. In about fifteen minutes
friendly boat hoated alongside and
made fast to the wreck, when staging
was thrown out, and all that were able
got on board the Seminole. After the
Seminole came alongside, Vandervoost
and Richard Dill, porter of the ill-fated
steamer, cut through the hurricane
roof and found Mrs. Poe, the Captains
wife, wedged among lot of barrels,
boxes, and other freight She was
brought into the cabin of the Seminole,
and, after great exertions, showed
signs of life, and is now doing well
the dead were then brought in, and the
scene beggars description. There were
about twenty-f five killed; cannot tell
how many were wounded. Mr. Taylor,
from some part of Missouri, who was
rooming with me, is among the dead.
He retired about five minutes before
the accident happened. A gentleman
with his wife, daughter and son-in- law,
the last two named only married few
days, are among the dead they intend
wreck of the Wall lies aground about
four miles below Worthton's Point,
where she struck The number of
lives lost by this terrible acct
dent cannot be accurately ascertained,
sixty or more deck passengers went on
board at this place. Several of these,
the midst of the terror Of the scene,
leaped overheard, and were drowned.
Many were taken out Of the water by
lfe-boats of the Seminole Passengers
say that the Seminole, Captain Mont
gomery, came up to the wreck and
touched it so light and gently that there
was not the slightest perceptible shock.
Then her life-boats almost Immediately
surrounded the Nick Wall. Captain
Montgomery not only exhibited cool
ness and skill, but his kindness and
generosity were boundless.
The steamer Pargoud passed the
wreck of the Nick Wall about two
hours after she was wrecked, and the
captain, officers and crew rendered the
unfortunate people taken from the Wall
every possible kindness. Those going
down the river were taken by the Par
goud to their destination
The names of the saved are as fol-
lows: Thomas j. Robinson, Ga; W.
l.. Sprayberry, Ga; Samuel W. Scat
Ian, Hugh Thomson, st. Louis; VIII
ham Y. Evans. Kansas City, No. J.
". Monitor, Madison county, Ala; Au-
gust Kass, Emile Jess, Chicago, ILL.,;
L. w. 4 ttaoiil-. St- AildIieS. no -. w
Bidin, st. Louis; William Boyd, ST
Louis; J. r. Bowers, G. H. Bowers,
T. J. Bowers, Mrs n. d. Bowers,
Miss Fl. E. Bowers, Il. ID. Bowers,
Cherokee County, Ala. VIM M Smith,
Ga; ". b. Smith, Ga T. NJ. Rolater,
T. S. Rolater. MI Rolater, Ala; P.
Nhesenant, Mary Whesenant, Arinda
Whesenant. Littleton Whesenant,
Nancy Whesenant, VIM. Whesenant