Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-03-07
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before the FIRE broke out, and at the time
there was no steam up. Nothing could
be done to arrest the flames, fer the in
aanmable character Of the wood and the
cargo we're favorable for the spread Of
the flames. Fortunately some Of the
passengers and crew we're aroused in
time to escape from the boat before she
was cut loose. The boat was cut loose
in order to ave the elevator and its
freight from the FIRE. AS the boat drifted
out into the stream the persons on it
realized their danger, for escape from the
flames had now to be lmade through the
strong waves of a great river. There
we're about twelve male passengers,
and one lady deck passenger. The
latter managed to jump on the elevator,
but the others had to exercise their
good Judgment in escaping. At least
three persons persisted, two probably in
the flames aud one in the water.
HOW SOM ESCAPED
is slmost'a mystery. Alf Simpson, one
Of the clerks, evidenced q heroic cool
ness. He seized bis valise, put on his
clothes, and then boarded q stock ge'o
on which he aoated down the stream and
was finally rescued. Simpson, like
Bill WriggleS on bis travels, chung to
his v%alise, which be brought safely to
shore. Joe Wilburn, the pilot, had to
take to the water, and, after drifting
down the river half a mile, was rescued
by some person in a skif. Bob Lee, g
well known fisherman, was instrumental
in saving a number OF lives. AS soon as
be saw the flames he jumped into his
skiff and at once roWed in the n~eighbor-
hood Of the burning boat, looking out for
and rescuing persons in the water.
Charles Pate, striker, Mr.. Wilson, en-
gineer, we're also compelled to Jump
overheard, and were rescued by parties
in skiffs. The colored characteristics,
who were reported lost, were the first
persons to get off the burning boat. This
they did before the boat was cut loose
from the elevator. While the elevator
was thereby saved, three human beings
persisted.
TIE MISSING PERSONS
are John Kirnan, United States postal
agent, G. A. Zsller aud a colored barber
named Brown. Since the fire none Of
these persons have been seen, and the
most diligent search has failed to dis
cover their bodies. Young Kirnan, aged
twenty years, wal the only son Of Mr..
Thomas Kirnan, Of this city, and had
but recently been appointed to the
United States river mail service between
St. Louis and Yicksburg. BE was q
young man Of moral habits, fne
intelligence aud most excellent
character. the pride Of a de-
voted father and the idol of q loving
mother. His death makes a vacuum
in a once happy but now sorrowiDg home
of which be was the light, the joy and
the life. Whether he sank beneath the
waves or was crushed by the burning
timbers of the Inflated craft is not known.
Devoted to his duty and sensitive of the
grave responsibilities of his Office,
YOUNG KIRNAN HEsITATED 10 LEAVE
the burning boat, although driven from
the office and mail bags by a wall Of
flames. After reaching the rear of the
boat, which had now drifted out into the
river, be stopped on the aft guard. There
he met Mr.. Myers and said something
about the mail being lost. He was more
concerned about the mail than about his
life. He was never sten after this. When
Captain Maingault was working at the
wreck his two colored hands espied a
CARCASS which they thought to be a man
The charred remains were laying doubled
over one Of the deck frames, but burnt
up before the men could ascertain what
the body was. Captain Msingsult thinks
twas the body Of one Of the hogs. The
death Of
C. A, TELLER, A WELL EYOwS BARBER.
is admitted. He vas 81 years of age,
and had lived in Memphis a long time.
Mr.. ZslIer will be remembered IS a large
man Of fine appearance. He had
been to St. Louis to attend to
the estate Of q brother who
recently died in hat city. He was seen
last night to retire to his state-room, and
it is now believed that be did not awake
in time to escape. He doubtless per.
ished in q couch Of FIRE. The colored
barber named Brown is also missing, aud
the supposition is that be was drowned.
Brown, like Others, upon finding the boat
driited out from the elevator, sought
temporary refuge at the stern of the yes.
sci. Seven persons, including two col
orsd 6remen, had taken possession of the
yawl, which was large enough to accom-.
mod0te twenty or more persons with
safety. The eOlored hrsmeu, however,
refused to let any more get in the yawl,
end assaulted Brown with the oars. An.
other eolored man was also struck with
an oar and prevented from getting in the
yawl by the firemen, who at once put Of
and made for the shore, leaving the pas.
sengers to their fate. Since then Brown
has not been seen. These are all the
persons known to be Loot.