Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1881-10-29
EASTERN intelligence.
TERRIBLE ACCIDENT ON THE
MISSISSIPPI RIVER.
The Machinery of the Steamer Gill
christ Unmanageable.
THE PASSENGERS AND CREW
FRANTIC.
Seventeen Lives Lost by the
Accident.
THE DISASTER ATTRIBUTED TO CARELESS
NESS AND LIQUOR.
OPPOSING sTRAHAN FOR POST
MASTER.
FiIibusfering by 1.-THE Democrats
and Republicans.
DAVID DAVIS ABsERTs HIMSELF AND DOES
NOT VOTE.
FiIibusfering by 1.-THE Democrats
and Republicans.
DAVID DAVIS ABsEHrs HIMSELF AND DOES
NOT VOTE.
Republicans Showing Their Sym
patlay for Malone.
ESPECIAL TO THE SENTINEL

ESPECIAL TO THE SENTINEL
DAVENPORT (Iowa), Oct. $3.50 AM
A terrible accident occurred on the Missis-
sippi River. near this city, last night,
which resulted in great loss of life. The
steamer Gilchrist left this point about
half-past 10 o'clock in apparently good
condition, bound for all points up the
river, loaded with a large and valuable
cargo of miscellaneous freight, and carry
ing in her cabins a full list of passengers.
When the steamer had passed under the
Government bridge spanning the Missis-
sippi River, and connecting the cities of
Davenport and Rock Island, the cam rod
of the engine suddenly gave way, causing
and useless. When the engineer Of the
Gilchrist announced the breaking of the
cam rod, Mr.. SHELTON at once rushed into
the cabin, telling the passengers of the ac-
cident which had happened, and urging
them to at once take refuge on the barge
fastened to the port side of the steamer.
He notified the pilot of what had hap
pened, who exclaimed "Why don't they
do something? Fol Gods sake do some
thing I" He blew the whistle, giving the
danger signal. The pilot then left his
wheel, giving it a turn for port, and made
tracks for the barge, crying, as he went
down stairs, "Save yourselves, she is 60
ing to strike the bridget" In the cabin
everything was in an uproar; frantic wo-
men were crying and men were about as
useless. No one seemed to nave any idea
of what to do. The crew, with the excep-
- ~ al I..a-1 H. Ala. - ---s
neers and fremen, are reported to have
been drunk, as we'll as terror-stricken.
She drifted upon a pier, urged on by the
swollen current. She partly turned and
presented her stsrboard side, obstructing
the pier, and striking it aft Of the boiler.
Eight persons had taken refuge on the
barge, and as it swung around to the left
OF the pier they cast off the stern and
spring lines. The bow-line was fastened
to the fat, which was fastened to the bow,
and when it was cast off the fiat swung to
the right, and the line went out with q
rush. A negro named Jim Smalley was at
the moment climbing over the bow Of the
barge, and the line being between his legs,
he was whirled overheard, but SHELTON
grabbed him by the trousers and landed
MIN On buard, u very much astonished but
gratified negro. When the steamer struck
the bridge she hit a little aft OF the boiler
heads, and broke them. At once the
steam began to rush in, and for a moment
the prospect Of being scalded was added to
that Of being drowned. The scene on the
barge was terrific. The only chance the
people had to breathe was by lying down
and putting their mouths to the holes in
the deck. They could hear the cries and
means Of the fated passengers in the
cabins who had stayed there. while the
crew on the forecastle were appealing
loudly for help, but at that time no help
could be given. The barge drifted off to
the left, followed by the boat, and the fat
following it. As the bridge was passed the
work Of rescuing those on the boat began.
The first engineer was pulled aboard, and
then the clerk and one negro. They tried
to reach the barge before striking the
bridge, but failed, and falling in the water,
drifted alongside and were rescued. The
wind carried the barge over toward the
Davenport shore, and in the course of q
short time they drifted down to
an island outside of Page, Dex-
ions & Co.'s mill, whore it
stranded. The stay there was not long.
The Evansville had heard the cries for
help, and left Rock Island on her GRAND
Of rescue. In about 20 minutes she came
upon the stranded barge and rescued its
- passengers, carrying them back to Rock
Island. Besides the u saved on the barge
there were five picked up on the Iowa
shore, who had chung to the wreck, and q
woman who had displayed remarkable
pluck in the cabin when danger became
apparent. Mr.. SHELTON and Clerk Shuler
tried to get the passengers down to the
barge. Four women in the cabin were in
a state Of helplessness, evidently expect
ing death. The gentlemen tried entreaty
and advice, but 1t was useless. There
were II lives lost. 1t is now impossible to
give the anne There seems no doubt
that the steamer was totally unfit for the
work. She was heavily loaded, and most
of her crew were drunk. The boat was
merely a freight boat, and was not licensed
to carry passengers. The disaster was en-
tirely due to carelessness and liqu or.
There was a great deal Of whisky in the
starting. The officers Of the Jennie Gill
christ are severely censured by the sur
viving passengers for their lack Of ability
to cope with the accident. The officers,
with the exception Of the Clerk, made
their WI personal escape OF first impor-
lance, and allowed the passengers to look
out for themselves. It Is also admitted
that the boat was overloaded with passen-
gers and freight. The most serious charge,
however, il made by one OF the surviving
passengers, to the effectthat the crew, in
Guiding the pilot, were under the influence
| Of liquor, and to this fact is attributable
the lack Of management after the first ac-
cident to the machinery, before the bridge
was encountered.
OppOsttiOn to Strahan for Post.
master.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 28.-In opposing
Strahan for Postmaster Of Lynchburg,
yesterday, the Democratic Senators held
that the present incumbent, Wilson, was q
good soldier during the war, was accept
able to the business men OF his town, and
that the Federal patronage should not be
used to control the State elections. The
Republicans replied that Wilson was short
In his accounts. derelict In duty, and de-
served to be displaced; that the Republi-
cans Of Lynchburg unanimously approved
Of Strahan, and that the idea OF Federal
interference was strained. The Democrats
by dilatory tactics prevented a vote on the
question. Filibustering may yet defeat
Strahan on a test vote to lay the nomina-
ton on the table. The Republicans voted
solidly against it, and the Democrats solid
ly for it, showing that the nomination