The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1881-11-03
SUNK m THE MISSISSIPPI.

The UnlIeenred steamer yennie GiIchrist
Crashed Against Pier-Heavy Loas 81
Life-Dranken Omcers tho Cause.
A Rock Island, Ql.) dispatch OF the 2sth
uit-, says; A little After 10 O'Clock last night
the Jennie Gilchrist left Rock leland with thir-
teen passengers and sixteen men of her crew
aboard She passed through the bridge and
got about half mile above it, when, at 1880,
the engineer discovered that the cam rod, which
is used to reverse the wheel, was broken, and
the boat at once. began drifting rapidly down
stream. The swollen river gave the current ad-
ditionsi force, and swiftly the craft went down
to its destruction.
When the threatening danger became ap-
parent Mr.. SHELTON at once rushed into the
cabin, telling the passengers of the accident
which had happened, and urging them to at
once take refuge on the barge He notified the
pilot Of what had happened, who, exclaiming,
Why don't they do something? For Gods
sake do aomafhing t,,- hlazrZhis xhistIaa for
danger and then left the wheel, giving It
turn for port, and made for the barge.
crying as he went down stairs; I" Save you :
selves she is going to strike the bridge T.
In tne cabin every one was frantic. Women
idea as to what to do. The crew, with the
exception of Pilot Dorrand, the clerk, two
engineers and fireman, were drunk and as ter
ror struck as the others. The scene was heart
rending. Mr.. Skelton and Clerk Schuler tried to
get the passengers down to the barge. Four
women in the cabin were in state of pure
helPlessness, doing nothing, saying nothing,
and evideztly expecting death. The mea tried
entreaty and advice, but it was useless no one
would STIR, and it seemed impossible to get
them OF any Of the passengers to lmoye They
were told that their only hope of safety lay in
getting Aboard the barge, but they would not
sur. Mr. Skelton and Mr.. Shuler shook them
and tried to drag them away, but it was use
less, and in despair they left them to their fate.
overcome It proved fruitless
As the boat drifted down upon the pier,
urged on by the swollen current, she partly
turned and presented her starboard side to the
obstructing pier striking it just aft of the
boilers. Eight persons had taken refuge on
the barge, and, as 1t swung around to the left
OF the pier, they cast of the stern end and
spring lines. The bow line was fastened to the
Aat ahead, and when it was cast OF the fiat
swung to the right, and the line went out with
AZ once the steam began to rush out. and
for moment the prospect of being scalded
was added to that Of being drowned. The
scene Ct that time was terrific Those on the
barge knew not whether they were safe or in
mortal danger. Around them was the thick
cloud OF steam, suffocating them 30 that their
only chance to breathe was by lying down and
putting their mouths to the holes In the deck
cries and moans Of the fated passengers who
stood there, while the crew On the forecastle
wero appealing loudly for help. They could be
seen, but at that time no help could be given.
The barge drifted on to the left, followed by
the boat and the fat following it. slsssfl
After the bridge was passed the work of res
suing those on the boat began. First the En-
gipeer was pulled aboard, then the clerk and
one negro. They had tried to reach the barge
before striking the bridge, but failed, and
- tr.& ~w,A- l.1 Ia 81 A..
barge and they were rescued. The wind car
ned the barge over toward the Davenport
shore and IN the course of short time they
drifted down onto tho island outside of Paige,
Dixon q Co.'S mill, where it stranded. The
The Evansville had heard the cries for heIp.
and It left Rock Island on its errand of succor.
In about twenty minutes it came upon the
stranded barge, and rescued twelve passengers
from their situation, carrying them back to
Rock Island. Besides the twelve saved on the
barge there were few picked up on the, Iowa
shore, who had chung to the wreck one a
woman, who had displayed remarkable pluck.
Thirteen are known to be lost.
The steamer had In tow one barge and one
aatboat. The fatboat Was being pushed at the
bow Of the steamer. The barge was fastened
20 the port side, and there seems no doubt that
the steamer was totally unfit for the work ; was
too heavily loaded, ana most of the crew was
drunk. The boat was merely freight boat
and was not licensed to carry passengers The
accident was entirely due to careIessness and
liquor. There was good deal Of whisky In
the cargo, and some Of it was tapped before
starting.
It Is impossible at this time to give full list
Of those killed in the accident, as no register
was kept Of those on board tho steamer. Those
known to have been lost are Passengers-J.
Zuber, William Wendte and daughter, Mrs.
James Trevor, Mrs. Sadie Temple, and four
unknown Crew-James Sanford, fireman J.
B. Temple, steward William, watchman, and
four negroes unknown. deck hands.