Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-04-29
Terrtble Ferru Dtsaste,..

ELalN, H., April 2s.-Between s and
o'clock this morning small boat running
over the Fox river between East and West Ell
gin as ferry to take the place Of the bridge re.
Gently washed away, was capsized and all the
passengers to the number of about fifteen,
with but one exception, were drowned. The
boat was mere scow, Just purchased at q
cost of $50 and was propelled by rope
Those lost are mainly school children who
were on their way to school on the West side.
The accident occurred in midstream, but from
what cause cannot now be told. 1t is not pos
sible at this time to give the names of any OF
the lost, so many were crossing both ways all
the morning, and 1t was not known who went
on the craft.
The ferry was crossing the Fox river this
morning and was in middle stream when it
capsized suddenly. The passengers, OF whom
there were probably
THIRTY.THREE LITTLE GIRLS,
were swept down the current uttSring heart.
rending cries for assistance. Several were res.
cued with boats. The body of John Creigh.
toms daughter. aged -, was recovered, and
she is said to have been resuscitated. Twenty
persons are known to have been saved. Among
the missing are Thomas Murphy, aged 30 ;
Leo Taylor, 16, and Guy Carlisle, a boy. The
ferry-boat was Is by 15 feet, and when first
used yesterday, was condemned by the public
at once. The Evening Journals information
is that about fifty persons were drowned, but 1t
is impossible to gain trustworthy facts as to
the number on board and the saved and lost.
ANOTHER ACCOUNT.
ELe1N, April 2s.-An appalling disaster oc-
cured this morning which brought sorrow to
nearly every home in the city. The recent
floods has done great pecuniary damage to
this vicinity, bnt among the disasters which it
has inflicted the most discomforting is the
washing away of the bridge across the Fox
river, which have been daily traversed by great
crowds of school children and operatives
across the river from here. The council order.
q wire cable and made its first triplast evening
amid the jeers of the crowd, who suspected its
value from the start. On its second trip this
morning, when overloaded and nearly dipping
its edges in the
wH1RLING, EnpYlNe STREAM,
still swelling by the brooks and flooded mea-
dows, it yielded to strong wave, and with lis
living freight of thirty men and children was
overturned in the midst of the stream. The
whole number were In an instant preclpltated
stream uttering piercing shrieks and making
wild outcries. Those on the banks who wit
messed the horrible sight set about rescuing
those who kept their heads above water, and
there were some daring acts Of bravery and
more persons were picked up in small boats
and drawn ashore by means OF ropes than
would seem possible.
NOT so BAD.
ELGIN, H., April 28.-The disaster does not
now seem to be 80 bad as at first reported
Sixteen persons are known to have been saved
and ten persons are missing, and four are
known to be drowned. There Is intense excite
ment IN the city, and hundreds of persons are
busily engaged in dragging the river.
Later and More Detailed account.
CHICAGO, April 28.-The following special
to the Western Associated Press, gives the
most collected and reliable account of the ter
rible accident which occurred at Elgin this
morning:
ELaIN, ILL.,, April 2s.-A frightful calamity
occurred in this city this morning with the
swamping Of the ferry boat used in croossing
the river at Chicago street. It is estimated
thirty passengers were in the boat and only
fourteen have been saved. The boat was cross
ing the river from the west side, and when
nearly two-thirds over began to flood with
water. The passengers in CONSERVATION at
once stuck to the dry part
of the boat clinging to the
railing which, giving way, precipitated them
into the river. AS the water poured into the
roat it sank below the surface, leaving thirty
human souls
STRUGGLING FOR LIFE IN THE ANGRY CUR
RENT.
The water at this point is fully fifteen feet
deep and the current at least six miles an hour.
Yesterday the boat, which was ordered by the
city council as soon as the bridge fell last
week, made it's first run, and it Is only mat.
ter of surprise the accident had not occurred
sooner It is only II by 18 feet and does not
stand more than six inches above the
water, Much indignation is felt
against both the council and the builders.
THE MISSING
and known to have been on the boat, are
Thos. Murphy, Andrew Dawson, J. Corbin,
Guy Carlisle, Geo. Taylor, A. NJ. Coleville,
Elmer Foster, and little girl named Francis
Creighton.
wood of Rockford, Ga, at the Waverly are
missing and as they intended crossing on tne
boat 1t is believed are lost. The river is being
dragged, but no bodies have yet been found.
The lowest estimated number Of drowned is
twelve to fifteen.
Former Reports Confirmed.
ELerS, April 2s.-The latest reports entirely
confirm the former estimate of the number OF
drowned. which can't be less than twelve. No