Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-03-07
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TIE ESr1KE LOSS
b. the burning Of the City Of Chester
amounts to $4,000 or more, on which
there is but little insurance. Pearce
Suggs & Co., Of this city. lose fifty casks
Of meat which we're on the boat for deliv
cry at this port. This firm loses more
than any other, though there we're a.
many as two hundred lots of freight
Some Of the freight lost was consigned
to the Mississippi and Tennessee and tC
the Memphis and Charleston railroads
for shipment hence. Of all the stock
and cattle but one hog escaped. The
squealing Of the hogs and neighing OIL
horses could be heard for a mile, but in
a few minutes they we're wrapped in
flames. Not a pound of freight was
saved, although
PIRATES, wRECKERs M OTHERS
made use Of every available skif and
canoe. They surrounded the boat,
and sven after daylight lost no op-
portunitY to seize and plumber.
In some instances these men turned a
deaf ear 10 the unfortunate persons who
we're in the water appealing for help.
They did not care for human life, but
we're intent on plumber, and to a degree
that shocks the stoutest heart. 1t is a
pity that the river pirates cannot sorle.
times be detected and dealt with accord
ing to the demands of justice. They
we're not alarmed except VIXEN the kegs
Of powder in the magazine exploded, the
noise Of which was heard for miles. The
great shock awoke persons two miles
away, aud many believed it an earth
quake.
Il CITY OF CHESTER
was built about six years ago, 'and since
then has been running regularly in the
Anchor Line service between St. Louis
and Memphis, for which former point she
was destined to leave at s o'clock this
afternoon. Her officers we're Captain
Alex zeiglsr, master; Captain Diet.
rich, clerk; AL N. Simpson and
Robert Fisher, second clerks; Sneed
Strong and Joe Wilburn, pilots;
Jesse Sta and Mcnamara, engineers;
The vessel was Of 900 tone burden, and
was valued at $45, 900. She was not in
surei. This is the first serious accident
that ever befell any Of the Anchor Line
steamers since the company organized.
twelve or fifteen years ego, a fact which
speaks well for the skill, caution and ex-
cellence that characterize the manage
ment of these vessels.
THE FATE OF YOUNG KIREAE.
Since writing the above we learn that
young Kirnan, after going down on deck,
remembered that he had left some valu.
able papers in the mail Office aAd return
ed to get them. But be was too late.
The flames seized the noble form and in
an instant the young man was burned to
death. Three hundred dollars are offer.
ed for the recovery Of his body. Com.
ment as we may and praise as we will,
there is a grander heroism and q uobler
beauty in the conduct OF young Kirneu
than pen can write or human lips utter.
With him there was no consideration
above duty, and lifeitself was not dearer.
And this he proved by death itself.
CAPTAIN HENRY DIETRICH's ESCAPE.
Captain Dietrich, the first clerk, had
retired at haltpast twelve o'clock to his
birth in the second stateroom, where he
was asleep when the sound of FIRE was
sounded. Without stopping to dress
himself Captain Dietrich rushed into
the Office to save the money and valu-
ables. He seized a satchel, and into
this put $25OO. Ee then rushed out and
tried to get down the forward stairs. The
flames rushed up and almost blinded
Captain Dietrich, who then made his
way along the larboard. The flames
here Kissed around him and intercepted
his progress. Rushing thence to the
starboard Captain Dietrich again found
his way arrested by the flames, which BY
time had envelopsd the entire cabin.
unable to swim, and With
the hope of saving the money
and valusbles, Captain Dietrich
rushed through the flames, bat did
not escape without injury. His face,
nose aud ears are blistered, but then he
is fortunate in escaping with his life.
After rushing through the fire.wrappsd
passage, Captain Dietrich sided down
the s~tauncheon ait OF the boat to the lower
guard where be tried to get hold of an
oar to work himself ashore. bis escape
was
A THRILLING Incident,
and, as related by Captain Dietrich, is
as follows: II was unable to pull it (the
oar from under a mans foot; some one
showed me a pine float; had the money
in n hand and the float in the
intending to hold on as long as
possible; my strength finally gave way
and the money fell into the boat; l
then Aoated down the river a mile
when l was picked up by parties in q
skif and carried to a small hut, where |
was kindly treated, The gentleman who
rescued nee is Jack Leonard, second
mate. l could see another skif csm.
;nO and cold uNono IL.