Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-08-06
The Burning Of the Steamer Pat
Rogers.

SUPPOSED TO BIB THE WORK OF RRvENGRPCL
MICRO.
LOUISVILLE, August 6.-The possible origin
OF the Ere on the steamer Pat Rogers is given
here as follOws:-About two weeks ago a negro
thief was detected by the Waterman on the
boat, who fred at but missed him. This negro
took deck passage on the Pat Rogers when She
left this wharf on Tuesday, and was heard to
say to several negroes before starting that he
before the boat reached Cincinnati" The
opinion is expressed by of the officers of the
line here that this negro set the boat on fire and
cut the tiller rope.
LIST OF THE DROWNED.
CINC1FNATI. August 6.-In addition to those
reported lost of the steamer Pat Rogers yester-
Gay, the following named persons are now
and two children OF Simon G0stner, of Cincin-
natl; the wife and child of DIR. Gibbons, OF
Madison, Indiana; A. M. Bolts, Of North Caro-
Of North Carolina, was badly burned; also,
John H: Hughes, the mate. They arrived in the
city last night.
THE GREATEST MISFORTUNE
consisted in the fact that the fire occurred in
that particular part Of the river, for just there
the river was at such q stage that it was impOs-
slble for the boat to reach the shore, drawing as
much water as she did. The limit Of time be-
tween the first alarm and when everybody had
lett the boat Is said to be twenty minutes. At
the time there was dry land on the starboard
side, only thirty yards distant, but a wall OF
flames interviewed. On the larboard side land
was long distance away. The wind was blow
ing toward the nearest shore, and drove the
flames in that direction. Many OF those who
got to the nearest shore are disfgured for life
the exposed part of their bodies being actually
roasted by the excessive heat. One Of the most
THRILLING AND MIRACULOUS ESCAPES
was that of Miss L. j. Williams, of Louisville
who threw away her valise and extra clothing,
and after securing the services of a gentleman
In throwing overheard crate OF peaches, she
leaped into the water after it with a life pre-
server, where she attempted to cling to the
crate. 1t revOlved like a reel, and for two ter
rible hours she struggled with the crate, and
had just closed her ewes in despair when she
was drawn into skiff by Mr.. Hnff. who rem
dered valuable services in several other cases
Miss Rawden, of Louisville, jumped from the
boat toward the Indiana shore, and the hungry
tongues of flame licking along the surface OF
water horribly burned her head and face. She
mad no life preserver, and secured emily one end
OF plank by cliDging to the pantaloou leg of
moving through the water, several gasping,
drowning persons extended their hands toward
her; some even grasping her hair, and tearing
Ii out by handfulls.
TIE LAST LIVING OBJECT
seen on board OF the boat was a little child,
three G four years of age, running about
screaming with fright surrounded by flames,
and Its legs, arms, and face exposed to the ter
iible heat. The negro crew behaved badly,
hurrying Off the boat before there was any i'm
minent danger, and monopolizing all available
white man rowed away in the lifebOat, which
could have been used to convey twenty or
thirty persons to the shore. The river is being
dragged for bodies this morning. The cargo of
the boat was valued at about 81 0, 900. Insurance
not known.