The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1882-10-06

iissass,ppr STEAMER BURNED.
y Heroes of tn. Wheel apd vslv'


yrw0RLEANs, Sept. 3O.-The PiedywSs
-YfcktsNtg special says: This morning at3
o'clock q fire broke out on the steamer Rob
erE.1.ee while on trip to this city, about
thirty miles below here, resulting in total
destruction of the boat with terrible loss of
life. Following is the list of passengers
known. to be lost: Cabin passengers-Mr.
Pointei, OF Maysyille, KY; Mrs. Mcclellan,
of New Orleans, Miss Adams, music teach
or, on her way TO Baton Rouge; an infant Of
Mrs. Sear!e, Of Vicksburg, and two colored
women; also the following: Frank Jones,
fireman; Ophelia Jones and Martha Webb,
second and third chambermaids: T. Fisher,
Joe Murrell, Scott Cox, Thos. Collins and !.
Duncan, cabin boys; Samuel Brown, roust-
about; - Ksrdo, carpenter; William
Mestmaker, second engineer, and all Of the
cooks aud help except the pastry cook. The
books of the boat and the United States
mail were lost, together with cargo Of 500
bales of cotton. ...s ..rsso...f.t
:. The Lee had just been overhauled and
newly painted aud was on her first trip this
season. She left Vicksburg yesterday even
Ing for New Orleans with 500 bales of cot
ton aud good list of passengers. While
opposite Point Pleasant at $40 am. she was
discovered to be on fire and was Immediately
headed for the Louisiana shore and landed
at Lancaster plantation, thirty.fve miles be-
low Vicksburg. In a few minutes she was
completely enveloped In flames. p persons
including many of the crew are believed lost.
The steamboat J. NJ. White, passed the
wreck about six a. m. and took the remain
ing passengers and crew to Yicksburg. The
loss by the burning Of the Lee and cargo Is
SITS, 600. The merchandise was fully in
sured. ....s..
The saved owe their lives to the admir-
able courage of the pilot, john Stout. He
stood At the wheel aud gave hope to all by
his frmness, and as the steamer rounded at
Yucatan Landing the flames were fast en-
veloping the brave man 10 the pilot house,
who, despite the fire around him, with al
most the last hope Of escape gone, remained
at his post until he gave word to the engi-
neer that the boat bad made shore. Not
before did he for one moment take his hand
from the wheel. He made his escape by the
hurricane roof down hog chain to the low
or deck and from there ashore. Some think
the fire the work Of an incendiary, while
others believe that 1t was accidental. Engi-
neer Perkins first saw the flames issuing
from the pastry room in which there were no
lamps burning at the time. Steward Henry
CANADIAN states that DO lamps or other COM
bustible materials were ever kept in the
kitchen, pantry or pastry room. He thinks
| 1t Of incendiary origin. ....
Perkins notified the pilot and the boat was
headed for toe Louisiana side, and plunged
against the shore with such force as to be-
come firmly fastened. The passengers who
were not cut off from the bow escaped to the
shore. The casualties occurred among
those having berths aft. Some Of them,
however, were rescued after jumping over
board. Those who succeeded in getting to
shore were many half dead, some hatless,
others shoeless and others still with scarcely
enough clothing to cover their nakedness.
Much credit Is given to John S. Perkins who
was in charge Of the engines at the time. He
stood nobly at his post until pilot Stout told
him he could 60. .a."5