The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1881-11-03
ANOTHER HORROR.
/ STEAMER DISABLED AND SWEPT
DOWN THE MIGHTY FATHER OF
wATERS-InGG or TYPE

WATERSHEDS OF LIFE.
NEW YORK, October pa Her
aid special from Davenport, Iowa,
furnishes the following: The steam
er Gilchrist left this point last even
ing in apparently good condition
bound for all points up the river,
loaded with a large and valuable
cargo of miscellaneous freight, and
carrying In her cabin full list OF
passengers. When the steamer had
passed under the bridge, spanning
the Mississippi and connecting the
city of Davenport and Rock Island,
the rods of the engine suddenly
gave way, causing the entire
machinery to become.unmanageable,
as the river is high, owing to
the recent extensive floods and the
current unusually rapid. So when
the Gilchrist had no longer her ma
chinery to keep her bow up
stream the swiftly running river car
ried her down the stream at a rapid
and appalling rate. Being so near
the bridge the steamer was thrown
with a tremendous and resistless
force against one Of the abutments.
AS the Gilchrist came in collision
with the enormous mass of stone the
earreened, causing weights OH safety
valves of the steam chest to break
from their fastenings and slide off.
The valves no longer holding check
on the steam in the boilers, it pour.
ed out in huge volumes and en-
veloped the helpless crew and pas
sengers who were wildly endeavor-
ing to secure life preservers in the
main saloon, and scalded many of
them in an awful manner, No
sooner had the steamer rebound
ed from the shock of the collision
than she began sinking, in which
| condition she was carried past the
city, the shrieks and cries for help
uttered by the frenzied victims be-
ing distinctly audible to the large
crowd OF citizens who soon thrODged
the bank, but they could render no
assistance as the steamer was hurled
past them by the turbulent river.
All the small boats and skiffs, usu-
ally numerous on the river, had
been drawn ashore and laid away
for winter and to escape the floods,
| which have prevailed all along the
course of the river for the past fort
night, SO there was no means of
speedily reaching the sinking steam
er. Other steamers, lying at the
wharf, immediately went to her
assistance and are actively at
work searching tor the surviv.
ors. ! learn that there were on
board twenty-three passengers,
/ nR nh
a crew of six persons. Eight persons
have been saved SO far, and of these,
some were badly scalded ;three of the
lady passengers are known to have
been scalded to death. The city is
in great excitement, and everything
possible is being done to relieve the
unfortunates. There ID but little
hope that any more will be saved.
LATER FROM THE DISASTER.
Rock ISLAND ILL.,, October 28.--
Further intelligence from the scene
of the wreck Of steamer Jennie
Gilchrist is to the effect that seven
teen persons In all were lost and
seventeen saved. other passengers
might have been saved if they had
yielded to the entreaties Of the more
cool-hesded who went among them
before the steamer struck the pier
and urged them to get on board
of the barge. The latter even tried
i to drag them from the cabin, but
they were so terror stricken and
powerless that they could make no
1 effort to save themselves. The
steamer had in tow a barge and one
fat boat. The latter was being
pushed at the bow OF steamer,
while the barge was fastened to the
port side. There seems to be no
doubt that the steamer was totally
unfit for the work expected from
her. She was heavily laden and
most of the crew were drunk fur
thermorerShe was more OF q freight
BOAT, and was not licensed to carry
passengers. The accident was en-
tirely due to careiessness and liquor.
There was q good deal of whisky in
the cargo, and some of il was tap
ped before the steamer left the
wharf.
SENATE PROCEEDINGS.
| WASHINGTON, October 28.-The
president pro tenn. laid before the
genate the petitions OF two Texas
banks, relative to bank taxation.
The petitions were referred to the
finance committee.
Morrill, called up his resolution
relative to the removal Of all exist
ing railroad depots in Washington
Oity. Referred to the committee on
the District of Columbia.
Allison called up his resolution
authorizing appropriations for a
committee to conduct, by q sub
committee, the investigation or.
dered into the disbursement of the
appropriation for various appoint
ments. Adopted.
The senate, at 1926 p. m, went
into executive session, aud the un-
decided contest over the Lynchburg
postoffice nomination was at once
resumed. An effort will be made
to dispose of the matter to-day.
The president sent to the senate
this afternoon only two unirnpor-
tant nominations. 1t is understood
that no others will be sent ia during
the remainder of the present ses-
sion. At 8 p. m. the senate Is still
IN executive session.
| At 9 p. m the senate is still in scs-
sion with closed doors. Many of
the senator's have sent out for sup.
per, from which the. inference is
drawn that there is at present nc
prospect of adjournment.
coAPARAIIvE COTTON STATEMENT
NEw YoRK. October 28,-Com.
parative statement of the cotton cx-
change for the week ending to-day
Receipts ct all United States
ports for the week 202,114 bales
same week last year 248,9S2 bales
total receipts to date 1,160, 49,
bales same date last year ], ,320, SOC
bales exports for the week S6,62s
bales same week last year 13l ,12s
bales total exports to this date
539, ,042 bales: Same date laet year
678,7S5 bales; stock at all United
States ports 646.270 bales; same
time last year 64S, ,507 bales; stock al
all interior towns, Selma not in
cluded, 104,194 bales same time
last year 98,s45 bales; stock at Liver.
pool SIS, 900 bales same time last
year 500, 900 bales American afoat
for Great Britain 164, 900 bales same
time last year 268 600 bales.
TO INVESTIGATE THE CITIZEN SOL
Il DIERY.
Boston, October 28.--Adjutani
General Berry has issued q special
order commanding a detail oi
seven staff and one line officers
l L. A.f~ IL 20 wfasl