The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1874-03-11
THE PRINCETON DISASTER.

hb iAiRNLAOAS biDACi Eh.F
The steamer Princeton was bound up
the Potomac on the morning Of February
28tb, 1874, having on board large num-
Der Of people, including President John
Tyler, his cabinet, large number cf Sen-
ators. Representatives aud distinguished
citizens, many with their wives and daugh-
tiers. The occasion was fete. gwen .by
Capt Stockton, the Princeton having Just
shipped the largest gun then known, the
Peacemaker.' which carried o solid shot
weighing 225 lbs. AS Alexandria came in
view. Capt. Stockton said privately to the
President and Cabinet that he would Ere
parting salute from the peacemaker ia
honor of George Washington, the great
peacemaker Of bis country and for their
particular Qualification. as the gun was an
experiment. in the machinery Of death,
aud great curiosity prevailed with regard
to its character. The President aud par
ty started up the cabin stairs when the
President was recalled to hear toast pro-
posed hya young lady, then well known,
Miss Wrckliiie,wh gave the sentiment.
The Flag of America the only thing that
is American that viii bear stripe. The
Secretary Of State, Mr.. Upshar Iva. had
alse returned With the President, when he
was again urged TO the deck that he
might witness the firing, but the announce
men; Of national song retained MIR.
Tyler, and Upshur wen. on deck alone.
As the name Of Washington was pro-
nouneei by the singer loud came the re-
port Of the gun, and in the midst Of the
excitement, the master Of ceremonies cali
ed for three cheers. Before roiee could
utter responsive shout, the boaiswsin's
mate rushe.i into the cabin, black will,
powder aud blood dripping from his gar.
mcnts, exclaiming in broken sentences that
the gun had exploded and killed everybody
on deck. Tue cries Of wives. whose hus.
bands had been at their side moment be-
fore. the shrieks Of daughters for their IA
Tiers, the rushing Of mon, and fainting 81
women. the trembling Of the ship and the
cloud of smoke that enveloped the vessel
above aud below without and within, com.
bincd to produce asccne sIssost iudescri-
bable for lis pain and horror. When the
sinoke had risen. the lower part Of the gun
lay npon the lifelcss, bleeding body Of the
Secretary Of State, who expired before be
could be taken from It's tfammels. Gen.
Gilmer. Of Virginia. lay senseless beside
Mr.. Upshur. and also expired before any
assistance could be rendered him. Virgil
Msxcy. Of Maryland, was horribly mutiIa-
ted aud member Of Congress from New
York. lived half an hour without however.
giving any token Of consciousness; aud
Commodore Kennon, who bad watched the
gun with great interest. lay mangled aud
senseless. aud breathed his last within the
same period.
The Secretary Of War. Judge wilkins.
did uut trust the gun. and had retired o.
moment before the firing. thus saving his
life. The wife Of Gen. 0ilmer. with eyes
fixed and fearless. gazed at the dead body
Of her husband, to whom she was passion
atsly attached. and who had been dancing
with her and hour previously. Dumb with
agony, white with terror. aud qviveriug in
the anguish Of the scene. she was borne a
way By scrrow-stricken friends, aud sud.
deifly sent back upon the afFrighted air
shrek upon shrek o. madness and despair.
The daughters Of Commodore Gardiner
threw themselves upon tho bloody corpse
Of their father and pitcousIy bemoancd his
cruel death.
The victims we're conveyed to Wsshing-
ton. where Eve hearses bore the dead TO
the Presidents mansion. The collins we're
arranged II the center d tie east room.
according to the rank Of those who slept
within them.
TIE catastrophe had occurred on Wedhs-
day on Saturday the tuneral took place
amid all the niJurEfal pomp the living
could pay as tribute to the dead and
mid the tolling Of bellahd heavy resonance
Of minute guns. the collins we're laid With
In their dmal resting place IN the Congress-
ional buryins ground. .
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A piece ola doors leg found undecided