The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1881-11-10
The plsast.r to The War E.eIe.

| KEOKUK, Iowa, Nov. 5.-At about
O'Clock last night this city was thrown
into a wild state of alarm, terrible
crash being heard IN the direction o
the river, and al once the fire bells were
ng,steam whistles were blown, scream:
and noises of all were to be heard, and
amid the general alarm and confusion
all manner of wild rumors and exagger
ated reports were put in circulation, and
it was at once realized that dire calam
| ity OF a serious nature had occurred Or
the levee the scene presented defies de
scription, being terrible in the extreme
and a glance was sufficient to show thai
the very worst of the many stories SO
| quickly afloat were but too true.
The War Eagle, one of the finest
steamers navigating the upper river, had
whistled for the draw of the bridge, the
signal being promptly answered, and
had been headed for the outside of the
draw piers, and was apparently passing
all right when it was discovered That the
stern OF the boat was swinging around
the pier next TO the draw, the bow of the
boat being in an eddy. The pilot ran
TO back her and an effort was made to
get her out of the perilous situation and
sTRAIGHTEE HER UP
for the run, but the boat being heavily
loaded, and the curl emit at this point be-
ing very swift, even at low water, she
was entirely at the mercy of the rapid
stream, and was swung with terrible
force against the bridge. Her starbosrd
wheel caught on the second pier from
the draw, where for a time the boat
rested, her stern swinging around against
theispan. 80 = 47E -rtl 2 49,
The passengers were terror stricken
and rushed about frantic with fear, q
majority OF, them leaping from the boat
to the bridge and quickly hurrying 10 a
place of safety. The officers remained
at their poets and did all they could TO
prevent a panic or loss Of life. but the
efforts were Of little avail against the
alarm of those on board. Desperate At
tempts were made by. all ON board 10 es-
cape aud the frightened people used
every means TO do so, many jumping
into the water, a majority OF whom were
picked up by the small steamers and
lesser craft which at once put out TO the
rescue, but it is feared that several found
vatery graves. 1t is impossible now TO
ascertain with any degree of correctness
just what the loss of life is The boat
AFTER STRIKING, .trl
carried the span from its resting place
and went tearing through complete
and helpless wreck, passing down the
river stern foremost, rapidly taking wa
Ter and soon settled IN depth of about
seventeen feet, at 5 point about 600
yards below the bridge 'l5,esfvs
Hiram Bradley.' the pilot On watch.
says he saw the danger, and to avert ft,
gave signals to the engineers TO back
her, which they AT once proceeded to do.
but instead of the, boat yielding 10 thei
efforts Of those in charge, she became
unInanageable, owing 70 her heavily
laden condition, and continued TO swing
around against the bridge, backing up
slowly but not with sufficient strength
to get her out of the swift current. She
struck with Tremendous force iagainst
the second pier from the draw ssfikinq
il with her steam beard, crushing and
grinding the immense wheel to atoms.
and seeding terror and CONSERVATION in.
TO the very souls Of the unforsanases on
board 4f ,a.. -,
The loss 10 the Packet COMPANY a es-
tImated at about $4,000, while the
Keokuk & Hamilton bridge companYI
are sufferers 70 the extent0f &i500O6. |
The boat had miscellaneous cargo, and |
lacked fully 300. tons OF being loaded % |
the full capacity. - -. .ia4d
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