The Colfax chronicle. (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1876-1877, 1876-10-21
The Southern Belle Disaster.
Further Particulars.

Capt. j. L. McElroy, master
Capt. j. G. Libano, chief clerk; Mr.
Walter Maers, assistant clerk
Thos. Holt, second engineer;
Messrs. Hebert and Truxillo, pilots,
with several of the deck crew OF
the Inflated Southern Belle ar
rived in the city this morning.
From Capt. McElroy, Libano and
the barkeeper, MIR. Henry, whom
we interviewed, we obtained the
following particulars
The boat was in or about. the
middle of the river under full head
way (time l, 80 a. m. Tuesday 10th
inst.) when the engineer on watch
discovered fire amongst the cotton
in the engine-room aft. He inn
mediately turned the hose upon it
and gave the alarm of fire. Capt.
Libano, who was on watch at the
time, Immediately ordered the
porter to go to the texas and wake
every one up, whilst he proceeded
through the main cabin to arouse
the passengers who, some forty or
fifty in number, were all wrapt in
sleep. So rapidly did the flames
spread that ere he could return to
the Office the whole forward por-
ton of the boat was on fire which
rendered it impossible to save eth
er his books, papers, money or
valuables. Most of the money and
all of the valuables were locked up
in the iron safe and consequently
will be saved.
Capt. McElroy had just gone off
watch, and after making every
possible effort to save the lives of
those on board, barely escaped
with his own life. He made the
descent from the hurricane to the
main deck by means of the falls
used in hosting the stage; the first
Mr.. Thos. Roberts at the
same time jumped from the hurri-
cane roof to the lower deck, and
was seriously injured in the back
and right ankle. The report that
his back was broken is, we are
pleased to be able to state, untrue;
be is, however. very badly bruised.
The second engineer, Mr.. ] hos.
Holt, who was on watch at the |
time. stood nobly to his post, and
did not quit the engines until the |
boat struck the shore; he was pref
BY well scorched, but not severely !
injured. Mr.. Hebert the pilot, |
stuck heroically to his post, and |
eft it only when he was satisfied |
hat his services were of no further
use; fortunately he escaped from
she flames unframed.
Mr.. VIM. Henry, the barieeper,
made a narrow escape; he was
lsleep when the FIRE broke ont and |
barely escaped with his life, losing
everything else that he possessed.
lie informed us that as he ran
Town the forward steps, two gen
lemen who came on board at Port
Hudson were behind him a short
distance; finding the steps giving
way, and fire on all sides of him,
lie made a leap for life, and landed :
afely on the forecastle; what be-
anne of the parties behind him he
Ices not know, but supposes that
hey fell into the flames and perish
d.
The Katie landed near the wreck
Whilst it was still burning, and a
lumber of those who were on tie
'elle returned by her to their
ONES. In consequence, at this
lme, it is impossible to say who
mongst the number reported
Missing are really lost.
Miss Fanny O'Connor-this lady
7as reported by our morning con-
emporles as having been lost-is,
e are happy to state, safe at her
ONE in Baton Rouge, having es-
aped, as also did all the other lady
assengers. For this information
e are indebted to Mr.. Alex. Ben
min of this city.
The following are known posi-
vely to have lost their lives. Geo.
hoInas, (colored) stewart; three
lbin boys and five or six of the
eek crew, names unknown.
VIM. Won Phul, of West Baton
ouge; A. c. Grifiths and j. j.
lyon, of Port Hudson. and a
'ung man, l9 years of age, named