The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1881-11-05
THE TESTIMONY.
Officers of the Gilchrist and
Their Evidence.
A Deck-hand Who Had Liquor
on the Boat.
THIS MORNING.

This morning the coroners jury in the
| case of VIM. Wendt drowned on the
steamer Jennie Gilchrist resumed the exam
| nation of witnesses.
This testimony does not materially differ
| from that already elected, except that the
| fact that liquor was passed among the
| crew on the night of the accident, vas
brought forth. At noon the jury adjourned
until Monday morning when the testimony
of some of the passengers win be submit
ted.
The first witness this morning was
WILLIAM RIEDENRIECH
who testified as follows:
Age nineteen, residence LIE Claire, Iowa,
occupation machinist Have been on the
Gilchrist seven days in the capacity of
Waterman; my duty being to attend fires
when the boat laid up for the night, to
clean and I'LL lamps and to do general
watching. Was not stationed in the cabin
among the passengers.
The witness after testifying materially
as the others in regard to disposition of
empty barrels said: 1--WE dropped down
to the Diamond Joe warehouse and took
on -four and barb wire. We then went to
Rock Island and commenced to load on
empty barrels on flat No. g. We also took
on slaves, whiskey. bottled beer, cider and
soda water. There was not very much
freight. The whiskey was on the boat.
Heard the men asking for supper between
seven and eight p. m. Heard the men say
they had drink out of white pitcher
Never saw the white pitcher passed. Saw
the men while working cargo Did not
have not drank anything since have been
on the boat. Saw the captain, mate
and engineer and all were sober
As soon as the freight was on
we pulled out and started up
stream Think it was a little after 10
o'clock when the boat reached the draw,
was in the engine room setting around. We
were crossing the river when the camn rod
broke. The engineer went outside and I
followed him. He told me the caEln rod
had broken and asked me to get him
hammer. Heard the engineer speak to the
pilot through the tube but did not hear
what he said Mr.. Names told me to stay
by the throttle to pass any word to the en-
gineer from the pilot house. l remained
there probably half minute and then went
out at the request of the engineer to help
roll over the wheel. Saw Hires and Gill
christ ON the other side. l remained there
standing when she struck the bridge. I
ran along the starboard guard and into the
engine room but saw no one there.-There
was no water of the engine room floor
and going into the cabin found the light
gone and everything dark. got up to
the light but how got there cannot teff
Found the glass broke and easily crawled
out. Saw the Schachter, the clerk stand
ing there and heard some one calling for
help. Schachter and pulled him out.
jumped into the river and SWAN to the
barge when / was pulled in by John Gil
christ and Pat Maine. Schachter came
aboard the barge by plank thrown to him
by the men ON board the Robert" There
was light on the barge. Mr.. Hires had
it. had life preserver in my hand, but
when the man called for help threw it
down and did not use it. Heard some one
calling for help on the wreck after was
on the barge. Heard Pete Hires calling
for everyone to get upon the barge. He
spoke loudly and could hear him easily.
1t was probably half minute before the
boat struck the bridge. Never saw Mr..
Hires or any officer of the boat under the
influence of liquor since have been on
the boat. No one notified the passengers
of the danger while I was at the. throttle.
Question-''As Waterman was it not
your duty to warn passengers of danger.
81 did not know that such was my duty
and have received no such Instructions"