The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1881-06-02
THE LATEST HORROR.
Two Hundred and Ferty People Drowned.

/ ldTSc UumUeI Vi sOuSut
in various excursions leading from the city
to adjacent towns, and for others the chief
out door attraction was series Of steamboat
excursions on the Thomas river. This en-
joyment was rendered more attractive from
the fact that this was the first day OF the sea-
son for boats to run regular trips, and this
circumstance, taken in connection with the
public holiday, naturally drew large crowds
Of pleasure seekers to the river. Trips were
made down the river, distance of about
four miles, to Spring Bank, place OF popu-
lar resort, where the city water works are
located, and three or four local steamboats,
took down large loads Of excursionists at
regular intervals throughout the day. About
4 o'clock in the evening the Victoria, of the
Thomas Navigation Line, started from the
dock on her fourth and last trip for the day,
with large load Of passengers, Of all ages,
variously estimated ut from 400 to COO. All
went well on the down trip, though the boat
was so heavily laden that she shipped water
in small quantities occasionally when the
crowd happened to surge to any particular
side. On the return trip, when more than
half way home, a slight cOmmotion on the
boat, said by some to be the playful pranks |
of a number OF youths ON the lower deck, |
and by Others ascribed as to the boat strik- |
ing a snag, caused the crowd, out of curiosi-
ty. to rush to one side of the boat, which |
sunk with the additional weight. 4 VOL |
umc Of water foot or two in depth poured |
in upon the lower deck, which was crowded |
with passengers. Instantly the crowd on the |
bnnfh deck rllshe1 In fha npnosifa SiI MI
their weight, together with the wat.r ship
ped by the boat, caused lurch in the oppo-
site direction. Then ii was that the disaster
occurred. The side OF the boat sunk in the |
water to the depth Of one or two feet, and
while the crowd on the lower deck were
struggling to save themselves from slipping
into the river, the stanchions supporting the
upper decks suddenly gave way, aud the
whole structure, with its whole load of hu-
man beings, came down on those who were
below, crushing them on deck, and render
ing escape out of the question. 1t is impos-
sibIe to describe the scene that followed
The boat continued to settle on its side deep
er into the water, taking with her many of
the passengers who were stunned by the
fall Of the upper deck, and were unable to
help themselves. Scores sunk in the water
without an effort, while many Others were
precipitated in The water unburt, and rent
the air with their vain appeals for that sue
cor which those of the passengers who were
safe were unable to extend. The utmost ex-
ertions were put forth to save rs many a
the drowning ones as possible, and many
were saved from watery grave.
A. l..I,~ |
the work Of recovering the bodies from the
river and the wreck was proceeded with.
The bodies were placed on the steamboat
Lewis Fastas, and taken TO the company's
docks, where the task OF identification be-
gan. The accident occurred about a quarter
past six, and it was midnight before the
bodies, so far recovered, were brought hack
to the city. Here a most heartrending scene
cnsued. The bodies, as fast as transferred
from the steamer, were laid out in rows on
the grass by the river side, all in their holt
day attire. and with the aid Of torches the
faces were eagerly scanned by hundreds OF
anxious friends looking for missing ones. A
gOodly proportion Of the drowned are men |
in the middle Of life, and many are children
of tender age. Many were the walls of sor-
row which followed the Identification Of rel.
atives, perhaps mother, who discovers her
or children a parent One man
was heard inquirng for four children As
fast as corpses were claimed they were taken
in charge by their friends and mo, ed to their
homes. The utmost confusion prevails II
Is impossible at present 10 secure a complete
list Of the drowned, but many prominent {
citizens and their families are included In | =
the number. When the water was let of by | I,
the removal Of the rlash boards, the search '
was continued for those under the lower n
deck. and twenty-five more bodies were O
brought TO the surface, making about a00 in 4
al recovered. IL is not known how many | A.,
more. il any, are lost. The city council met v
o-day and passed resolutions of coincidence. Y
settled gloom reigns over the city. h
X. o. Montgomery, leather merchant OF h
Toronto, was on board the boat, but escaped, 6,
md succeeded in saving many others. He 8,
tates that on the passage the captain went ;r
mong the passengers, urging them 10 keep nj
N the other side. To one boy be said, "For | =
iod'ssalc keep on the other side. for IL you | n
on't you viii have TO swim for it, A little | 9.
ster be saw water passing over the deck and M
he boiler so by the board, when the crash a
took place. tv
Almost all the business Is at stand still, | .,
nd crowds line the streets discussing the m
nd calamity. The burial OF Che victims is At a,
his hour, 2:3o p. m, proceeding, and SOL "
mn silence prevailing. Flags are at half m
last. and bells toliing. ID
The inquest was begun this evening. The o.
Try viewed the body Of Miss Danpie Coor- r.
:. and adjourned till tomorrow. tn
A field battery was called out this afler- tn
BON for the purpose Of blowing up the bsil- tc,
;. under which several more bodies are sup ro
'sed TO be. a large number OF the remains ,,r
ere taken .o.the jrill house TO await fur ,es
er action. The people throughout tse city h.
Ell stunned and s;upc6ed by the blow, and 81
eeping men are seen on every eide. | al.
L
The Supreme Court Of New York hiss
anted the order to change the name Of the sA'
operation Of :. .ss'isasv d Ger to Tic css- ie'
, Co.'-the order 10 take effect on the sIst