Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-03-07
Three Persons Lose their Lives
and $4,000 Worth Of Prop
erty DestrOyed-Full
Particulars.
Thrilling Scenes and InCidents--Es
cape Of Captain Dietrich and
0thsrs-HsrOiC Death Of
Young Kirnan.

NhAS "a SAOW "09 1oADNRIohA - ASee 1
than one can imagine the flames had
made their way into the cabin, and were
already beyond control. AS soon as the
flames were discovered an alarm was
given, but owing to the ~lateuess OF
the hsur the fire department did
not hear it, or else delayed half
an hour before answering. though
the presence Of the engines could
not have availed anything, Though
the wind was not strong, yet the flames
leaped upward and spread with wonder.
full rapidly. The FIRE originated just
above the boilers, and it is presumed,
though no one can tell, that it Was either
through the negligence of some person
or was the work of an incendiary.
THE STEAMER I or CHESTER
reached this port about IL o'clock, baV
ing come direct from St. Louis. She
was ladened with three or four
hundred tons Of freight, including
nineteen mules and four horses. The
whistling Of the tugs and the shouting Of
the people attracted a large crowd to the
elevator. In 3ess than two minutes tie
flames had swept through the long cabin,
burning and melting the paint and wood
into one living, glowing coal. Above the
roar and hissing Of the flames could
be heard the cream Of atfrighted people
and cries for help.
THE BOAT DRIFTED 0
after she was cut loose, and then the tug
Oriole made fast q line and pulled the
burning wreck toward the Arkansas
shore. The flames lit the heavens, and
as the sparks assembled the sight was one
OF great beauty. The lurid glare Of the
red Aauies spangled the silver mist Of
night and cast a weird light far Ger the
waters. The huge stacks fell with a
crash, and a million OF fiery sparks
scared up amid the dense volumes Of
smoke. The fakes of FIRE scattered in
every direction and glistened like
ELYISG STARS OR NADDESED MErEoRs
through the veil of night. By this time
Capt. William Maingault, with his trans
fer steamer Gen. Pearson had reached
the drifting wreck. Owing to the heat
the tug 0riole had to abandon the wreck,
which Captain Maingault then took pos
session OF, landing the Pearson at the
burning boats Otern. He then put his
pumps and hose at work, thereby keep
ing down the FIRE so as to remain along
side, and render ell possible aid, The
Pearson was kept There and her pumps
worked until both wheels of the Chester
fell overheard. In the meantime the
Pearson had held
BURNING BOAT tt II BANK
and the falling Of the wheels served as
anchorage. By the efforts of Captain
Msingault the wreck wss put on the
shallow water on the Arkansas bar. At
5 o'clock this morning Captain Main
gault had to leave the wreck, but be.
fore doing so be put it in charge
Of men whom be employed to
take charge Of it so as to prevent any
pillsge or piracy. During the FIRE Cap
tain MaiDgault made a narrow a
he stood on the forscastle, hose in hand,
keeping the fire down. Captain Main.
gsult was standing above the magazine,
and had been there at least halt an hour.
He did not leave the hulk until the
flames we're coming up under bis feet,
He then made his way back to the Pear.
son, which was laying alongside. Just
before leaving the lorecastle he asked
the tug to come up, but the officer in.
formed him that there was powder in the
hold under the forecastle whore
he was standing. Captain Main.
gault said if there was powder
there it ought to have exploded before,
aud he did not fear anything.
About the time Captain Maingault
reached the stern of the boat, having
already made three attempts to scuttle
her,
THERE WAS A TREMENDOUS
crash, caused by the explosion of the
magazine. This was accompanied by @
terrible shock which was felt for miles
away, and many believed it an earth
quake. The fire and burning timbers
we're thrown a hundred and fifty feet
into the air. The mass OF glowing Goals
which had fallen down into the hold we're
sent in every direction. For a minute
or two the ais was filled with these Goals
which resemblei a shower OF FIRE. John
Crane, the watehmaa OF the Pearson,
and the two colorsd iremen, assisted
Captain Maingault in his excellent work.
Captain Napoleon McNeely, of the
Oriole, which belongs to the St. Ber-
nRFd coal and mining company,
wac assisted by Captain Morris McNesly
and the crew Of the tug. These parties
deserve some recompense for their ser.
vices, which we are sure are appreciated,
aud will be properly rewarded by the
Anchor Line Company. 1t is not every
person that would risk as much or work
as bard as have Captain MaiDgaplt and
: Captain 4cEesly'