The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1871-10-28


cago itself was consuming to ashes. Towns
on the western and eastern borders Of the
State of Michigan would add their fiery
horrors to the scene, and far over in Cana
da, other villages and cities would be seen
struggling with the flames.
What circle of terrors on that awful
night! What track Of desolation to be
seen the following day! 1871 will pass
disasters, but will above all be memorable
I for its raging tempest Of fire.
LOSS OF THE STEAMER R. G. CONTEMPLATION
LARS OF THE CATASTROPHE---THREE LADIES
FROM SUPERIOR GO DOWN WITH THE WRECK
Mr.. Thomas Holton, the bereaved hus.
band of one of the lost, arrived here Thurs
day morning, and from him we get the
painful particulars, found below. Mr.. Hol
ton was in Detroit where the rescued men
arrived, and was present in Capt. Wards
Office during the court Of inquiry, and had
personal conversations with the survivors.
Having the deplorable misfortune of losing
one that was near and dear to him, he spared
no exertions to ascertain full and truthful
particulars.
1t seems that before, and at the time of
the wreck, there was quite storm on the
lake, the waves rushing mad and high, but
of the boat. Sunday morning, October
18th, was the fatal day, and angry Lake
Huron, holds the dead.
Having unshipped her rudder, and get
ting into the troughs of the sea, the boat
became unmanageable. Her deck load of
500 barrels of -four, and a quantity Of silver
ore were thrown overheard. Her smoke
stack was lost and the steamer took fire,
but this was speedily extinguished. The
staunch boat rode the storm nobly, and but
! little fears were entertained for her safety,
until heavy wave struck her, causing her
to lay over on her side, and the grain in
the hold shifting, kept the unfortunate
steamer in this position, when she rapidly
filled, and 90 minutes before o'clock on
that fatal morning, the steamer and all
who were left on board went down. Three
life boats with 8 men having left the steam
er before she sank, were saved.
There were thirty-two passengers in all,
eight of them being ladies. Nearly all of
the passengers were confined to their rooms
by sea-sicllness, and when reused up few
minutes before the sinking Of the steamer,
they were SO sick and exhausted, that they
expressed willingness to die in their
berths. Mrs. Palmer, and Miss Mary Mann,
never left their rooms; but Mrs. Holton,
being locked in her room, and unable to
find her key, herocally tore the door off the
hinges, and after struggling with the sea
of water which then filled the cabin, sue
ceeded in reaching the upper deck, and was
seen standing within few feet of the Cap
Among the lost were Mrs. Mary Holton,
daughter of Mr.. James Syer, and sister of
Mrs. p. E. Bradshaw; Mrs. Helen Palmer,
and young son, widow of the late Alonzo
Palmer, and daughter Of Judge Thomas
Clark, and sister of Mrs. Richard Relf, and
Mrs. r. B. Mclean, of this place; Miss
Mary Mann, daughter of the late Judge
William Mann, whose now sorrowing
mother and three sisters reside in Cincin-
natl
| These three ladies were we'll known in
Superior. Miss Mann was beautiful and
accomplished lady, and an excellent artist,
and was universally respected for her many
good qualities. Mrs. Holton had been here
on visit to her parents and sister all sum-
mer, and was just returning to her home in
Cincinnati, when the terrible fate met her.
Mrs. Helen Palmer, was on her way to
spend the winter with relatives in Toledo,
and leaving loving relatives and kind friends
here, was buoyant with the thoughts of a
happy visit, but met a watery grave.
A gloom is cast over our city, and we
trust it may never be our duty again, to
record the loss of any so dearly loved.
The relatives have the unfeigned sympathy
of our people in their hour Of bereavement,
and the memory of the lost ones will be
long and fondly cherished.
CHARTER OF THE SUPERIOR AND ST. CROIX
RAILROAD COMPANY.
L Il IL. {