Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-10-18
The burning ofthe Steamer Southern
BELLE.


The burning o the steamer Southern Belle
on the Mississippi river some days since, has
heretofore been mentioned 10 the Gaz
Mr. Lawsou, one of her passengers, reports
that wneD about mile above Paquemue, a
landing was effected and lady got aboard
The boat backed out and was about midstream
when the cry of fire Was given, and almost ,m
uediately thereafter t.!c flames swept from the
stern of the vessel with irresistible violence.
With the alarm he Belle was headed tor the
back but despite the exertlous OF the officers
10 calm the passengers, some forty 10 number,
the utmost coniuslop prevail, d-terror that de-
fes d .scr. .pioo seemed TO seize them. and pas
scug rs and ieck haods, lreuzed with terror,
jum ped overheard, the shrieks OF the drowulog
aud piteuuS appeals ior help sounding high
alb W the suIlen roar OF the hame.
1t seemed an age, although i: was but short
tiute ere The Belle grated against the bauk, and
rel m. he passengers and crew sought the
shore. With those VINO galucd place OF safe
ty was MIR. Lawson, who states that as !e ran
ior the stairs be saw two ladies-a stout lady
aud Miss Fannie O'Conuer, of Baton R)uIe-
battliog with the Il lanes IN the att fthe cabn.
They strove with supeThumao eXertlon 10 run
the gauntlct Of FIRE, bu! we're driven back. 1t
would have been maduess to attempt to render
tncm any assistance, as even then, trom stem
TO s'ern, the Belle was u solid sheet Of flame.
The pilot, Mr. f. Hcbert, true hero. re-
nIaiued at his post until the last moment, amid
the A mes that e0c.rcled the pilot house and al
most blinded by suok,, with death s,ariog him
in Tie face, until all that could had cached the
shore. When he considered his own safety,
arcuLd and beneath him was a sea OF tire; es
cape by the usual route was Impossible; Gear
lump Of fifty icct to the deck was the only al
t"rratvc He stood p0lslng hlmseit Tor the
iump, caim and collected, king 10 his glorious
nauhood, aud then down be went era 'hlOg,
ouly to fall on deck maugled unto death, it is
thought, with his spine tr ken.
Ed Lewis, deck hand, says that be WAS
asleep 90 bale of cotton 10 the after part ot
the vessel when startled by the fire, and strove
to gain tine bow. 10 do this he had to pass
the buruing cotton. luch by inch, goaded on
b tie smarting of the blaze as 1t lashed HIM
toward his goal, he fought his way, until fnal
Is, &c ,rched and burucd about lis right haod,
ms i,ar slngcd from his head, aud bis right foot
buried 10 the BONE he reached the forward
d, OK aud Jumped ashore. The fire originated
Just aft OF the bake house, through some u?ac
constable cause although it Is said that 1t was
the woi K oi some tcud who chose that meth
cd ct cousuumatng his revenge.
Gov. TILDEN SAID TO HAVE SELECTED A
MISTRESS FOR THE WHITE House Mex: to
the question of Tliden's election, no subj ct
has elected more attention, especially 10 socl2
ty, than hat of his marriage. His conduct is
such iua, it would not Indicate tue els suSpl-
clon ha lie was ctnnubaly uclined and yet
there arr those wh, ass RI 1t as positive tact
thal his greatest wlst, after his eleclon aS
President, ls 10 secure an accomplished al q
good wnman as wife. He wants one who Will
be cvaiy way wJrlhy Of the high honor OF be-
iug tie par'ucr of the Chicl Magistrate of tie
natiou, aud WHO would ofieat: at the Whie
House receptions in u dlgulhcd aud WDmaniy
mauu.r, aad smooth down he ragged edge
that would assurcdiy follow were old Sammy
there alone, Without sucn helmet. For
such lady he has been looking tor several
mouths-not ouly he, but all his Intimate
friends
o! course subjects of this character are al
ways sought f r and discussed BY members of
refined society with infnne pleasure. a good
subject is more palatable than 60 meal.
Feiy httle GOES on in socie'y that the ladies' DO
not yet hold of. and the latest gossip is that
Governor 'liden has deteruiDCd upon leading
10 the altar, soou after election, o0e OF our
most beauuul aud accomplished townswomen
We nuy hope this is true, and that the ele.
gaut lady referred to will be called upon to do
the houors of the White House. No lady 10
the land would fill the place with more dipnty
aud grace. She is one OF tn most lovely OF
her sex.-AUany KnicherJocker