The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1881-04-28
DISASTER.
A FERRY BOAT AT ELGlN
CAPSIZED THIS MORNING.
The Passengers were all
Drowned.
She List includes a number
of School Children.
DISASTER.
FERRY CAPSIZED-

ELGIN, I'll. April 2S.-Between 8 and 9
O'Clock this morning a small boat running
over Fox river, between East and Western
Elgin as ferry, to take the place of the
bridge recently washed away, was capslZed
and all the passengers to the number OF
about Is, with but one exception, drowned.
The boat was a mere scow. and was Just
purchased at cost of $3.50 and was pro-
PEELED by rope. The first trip was made
yesterday afternoon. Those lost are main
ly school children who were on their way
to school on the West side. The accident
occurred in mid stream, but from what
cause cannot now be told. 1t is not now
possible to give the names of any OF the
lost, as so many have been crossing both
ways all morning, and it is not Known
who was on the craft.
CHICAGO April 2S.-The Evening Jour
mails Elgin special says: An appalling
disaster occurred here this morning which
has brought sorrow into nearly every
home in the city.
The recent flood has done great pecu
MARY damage to this vicinity but among
other disasters that which has inflicted the
most discomfort is the washing away of
the bridges across the Fox River which
have been daily traversed by great crowds
factories. Across the river from here the
council at once ordered temporary ferry
SMALL sCOw
was rugged to a wire cable and made its
first trip last evening amid the cheers
of the crowd who suspected its value from
the start On it's second trip this morniug
when overloaded and nearly dipping its
edges in the whirling eddying stream still
swelled by brooks and flooded meadows
it yielded to strong wave and with its liv-
ing freights
THIRTY MEN AND CHILDREN
was overturned in mid stream,
Daily Neaos special says the ferry was cross
ing Fox river this morning and was in the
middle of the stream when it capsized sud
denly The passengers, of whom prob
ably
THIRTY THREE WERE LITTLE GIRLS,
were swept down with the current
uttering heart-rendering cries for assist
ance. Several were rescued with boats.
The boy of John Crighton's daughter aged
12, was recovered, and she is said to have
been resuscitated. Twenty persons are
known to have been saved. Among
the saved are Thomas Murphy aged
80; Leo. Taylor 16, and Guy Carlisle
boy The ferry was rs by IS feet and
when first used yesterday was condemed
by the public at once. The EUeniHg Jour
qtdES information is that about
FIFTY PERSONS WERE DROWNED,
but it is almost impossible to gain trust
worthy facts as to the number on board,
and the saved and lost.
LATEST ACCOUNT.
CHICAGO, April 26.-A special to the wes
tern associated press from Elgin gives the
following reliable account of the disaster
there: frightful calamity occurred in this
city this morning with the swamping of the
ferry boat used in crossing the river at
Chicago street. 1t is estimated thirty
passengers were upon the boat and only
fourteen have been saved The boat was
crossing the river from the west side, and
when nearly two thirds over began to flood
with water. The passengers on the Con
sternation Immediately flocked to the dry
part of the boat The whole number were
in an instant
PRECIPITATED INTO THE MAD CURRENT,
and whirled away down the stream, utter
ing piercing shrieks and making the wild
outcries peculiar to drowning persons.
Those on the banks who witnessed the hor-
rible 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 The disaster does
not now seem to be so bad as first reported
SIXTEEN PERSONS
are known to have been saved and ten per
sons are missing and four are known to be
drowned. There is intense excitement In
the city and hundred of persons are engag-
ed in dragging the river.
LAKE NAVIGATION.
,,r;I CT Morley