The Russellville Democrat., 1881-06-09
Foreign

ToBAcoo culture is being very successfully prosecuted now in British India.
 THE British government has compromised the Fortune Bay fishery damages for f30, 900 cash.
 JOHNNY RAINE of Ottawa City ran mile in 4:2s, the fastest time on record in America.
 THERE are 65 900 doctors in Japan, but only 504 of them have received legitimate diplomas.
 MORMON missionaries, who have been try ing to make proselytes in Germany, are to be expelled iron the country.
 A STRONG shock of earthquake was felt at Mussay Bay, Quebec. No damage. The shock was also experienced in other places.
 A DECREE has been signed granting De Lesseps' concession to cut a canal through the Isthmus of Corinth. Work will pro- bably be commenced in 1881 and be com pleted in five years.
 HERR MosT, editor of the Londen Freiheit Socialistic newspaper, has been tried on a charge of melting to murder, based on an article printed in his paper shortly after the assassination of the czar, which was constru- ed as threatening Alexander III. with a similar fate. He was found guilty but sen- tence was deferred.
 SOME time ago telegram from Mexico announced that the concession granted by the Mexican government to MT. Eads fer 6 ship railway at Tehnantepec has passed the chamber of deputies by unanimous vote. A private telegram just received from Mexico announces that the concession has also passed the senate.
 THE details of the terrible accident to the excursion steamer near London, Ont, are to1a al t.lt I,. terday a large number of citizens sought en- joyment in varions excursions leading from the city to adjoining towns, and for others the chief outdoor attraction was series of steamboat excursions on the Thames river. This enjoyment was rendered more attract i've from the fact that this was the first day of the season for boats to run regular trips; and this circumstance, taken into connection with the fact that it was public holi- day, naturally drew large crowds of pleas ure-seekers to the river. Trips were made down the river distance ofabout four miles to Spring Bank, place of popular resort, where the city water-works are located and three or four local steamboats took down large loads of excursionists at regular in- tervals throughout the day. About4 o'clock in the afternoon the Victoria of the Thames Navigation company's line started from the dock on her fourth and last trip for the day with large load of passengers of all ages, variously estimated at 400 to GOO. On the down trip though the boat was so heavily laden she shipped water in small quantities occasionally when the crowd would happen to surge to one side. On the return trip, when more than half way home, a slight commotion on the boat, said to have been the playful pranks of number of youths on the lower deck, and by others ascribed to the boat striking on a snag, caused the crowd, out of curiosity, to rush to one side, and as the side of the boat sank with the additional weight volume of water foet or two in | depth poured in upon the lower deck. which was crowded with passengers. Instantly the crowd on both decks rushed to the op- posits side and their weight, together with that of the water shipped by the boat caused a lurch in the opposite direction. Then it was that the disaster occurred. The side of | the boat sank in water to the depth of one or two feet. and while the crowd on the lower deck were struggling to save them selves from slipping down into the river, the stanchions supporting the upper decks suddenly gave way and the whole structure, with it's load of human beings, came down | on those who were below crushing them on the deck and rendering escape out of the question. It is impossible to describe the scene that followed. The boat continued to settle on it's side deeper into the water talk ing many ofthe passeR gers who were stunn- ed by the fall of the upper deck and were unable to help themselves. Scores sank in tho water without an effort, while many others, who were precipitated into the river unhurt, rent the air with their vain appeals for that succor which those of the passen- gers who were safe were powerless to ex- tend. The utmost exertions were put forth to rescue as many drowning ones as pos sible, and many were saved from watery grave.