New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-04-27
Local Intelligence.

Noffat, local inspectors OF steamboats,, yes.
terday began to take evidence in the case
of the burning of the steamboats, John
KYLE. Charles BodmaDn and Exporter.
which disaster occurred on the twenty.
third instant resulting in the loss of several
human beings and much valuable property.
william M. MorrOw-I was second en-.
qineer of the steamboat Kyle; was work
inr in the blacksmith shop when | dis
covered light in the store room; broke
open small window and instantly flame
and smoke issued in such quantities as to
convince me that l could not extingush
the fire; ran to start the donkey engine
as there was steam; then l discovered it
would be useless to start the engine as the
fire had made too much progress; it did
not take me more than half a minute to
reach the donkey; then tried to escape,
jumping over the wharf just as she got
loose clerk Brown took to the water; it
was believed that there were some rout-
sbouts in the hold, sleeping: think that
oil the other people saved themselves; did
not see any body drown.
John L Ford swOrn-I am master of the
tugboat Nellie, and was on her at the time
the John Kyle was on fire; we were coaling
the steamship COrtes; as soon as the alarm
was given we started for the scene, having
but little steam; on the way up we picked
no several persOns-One q woman, and the
others colOred men, who looked like labor
ers: we continued on up and picked up
more people; l was on one side of the tug
and tue mate on the other: we threw our
life preservers overheard and persons
seized them: proceeding further we rescued
more persons; the Kyle was then drifting in
the stream; went on board the Exporter
and cut holes in her deck, as it was said
some persons were in her hold; found
nobody there; then looked carefully around
for more people in the water, but saw none;
heard no one hail me; did not have hold of
the Charles Bodmann at any time.
George M. Levis-I was first engineer
of the Kyle when she burned; was
on the levee when the fire begun
on the Kyle, near the boat; went on
board Oh the instant; the fire broke out g
the store room and blacksmith shop; the
blaze was then part way across the boiler
deck, starbOard; was at once satisfied that
nothing could be saved; did not notice
anything about the tugbOats; l know OF
nothing that could have started the fire
except sparks from the blacksmith forge;
heard people on shore calling tor the tugs
to save people; told the captain to save
himself and all he could; l saved myself on
the stage plank; there were bales of hay
stored near the blacksmith shop; nan
was welding a strap.
More witnesses will be examined as soon
as they can be be found.
PARDoNED.-GeOrge johnson and GeOr'
giana Epps, convicted of crime and SEN
fenced to the fenitentiary, have been par
doned by Governor Kellogg.
OUr OF DANGER.-It is pleasant to be
able 10 annouce that Mr.. Peter j. Burke
has been pronounced out of danger by his
physician, and that the office of the clerk
of the Superior District court will soon be
conducted properly because he will soon be
there to attend to its affairs.
CLOSING NIGHT OF THE FAIR-Last Sat
urday night the closing of the ladies' fair,
held for the benefit Of the colored Masonic
Lodges in this city, by the Daughters of the
Eastern Star, took place. The spacious hall
where this fair has been held under the
guidance of Mrs. o. j. Dunn as matron,
was crowded upon that occasion with the
elite of our colOred people, and among the
many other pleasant incidents that occurred
during the evening was the presentation by
Senator Burch of very handsome Knight
Templar's sword and belt, manufactured
expressly for the occasion, to Sir Knight
James Lewis.
The presentation speech was made by
Senator Burch. Colonel Lewis replied IN
handsome styie. State Grand Master John
Parsons, Hon. w. G. Brown and others,
also addressed the convention. Wine
flowed freely and the Daughters of the
Eastern Star were toasted for their worth
and beauty.
The fair has proved great success. The
proceeds are to be used for aiding in the
erection of masonic edifice in this city.
The ladies will continue their efforts in be-
half of this good work during the summer,
it being their purpose to give a picnic and
grand concert during the summer months,
to be followed in the fau with grand
m n ic ball.
Mrs. p. c. Deslonde, Mrs. James Lewis,
Mrs. Lieutenant Governor Antoine, Mrs
Roxborough, Mrs. James Ingraham and
Mrs Vance have been prominent in laboring
to make the fair success, and are entitled
to great credit for having accomplished SO
much for SO good a purpose.
II o,,I a$nY