Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-03-31

he climbed out over the pilot wheel
and breastboard of the pilothouse on
to the roof Of the texas, where the
smoke was so thick be could not see
and had to feel his way passed be-
tween the chimneys few moments
before they toppled over; made his
way to the lower deck and aided the
other officers in making line fast.
The engineer on duty, Mr.. Robert
Kelly, stood at his engines like true
hero. His father, the chief engineer,
says he did not survive. He stuck
to his post and when last seen was on
the fantail near the wheel, trying to
unite a bullrail, evidently intending
to 60 overheard with it. The mate,
Mr.. j.. N. Bondurant, the second
mate, John Hill, the apprentice or
cub pilot, Bryson Purcell, it,, and all
others, save the deckhands or rousters,
who are never any account in such an
emergency, all did their utmost to save
the people, and displayed true heroism
in their efforts.
After the burning boat drifted out
and away from the coal fats, she
moved slowly with the current, a short
distance from the bank, one of the
coal fats floating with her, having
hung beneath one.of the guards as
she swung out. At the dollhouse be-
low the foot of Trezevant street, sew
eral barges of Ice were having their
cargoes discharged. The burning and
helpless wreck struck one of the loaded
barges settingit afre. Meantime the
coal fat became disengaged from
the burning boat. Upon it were ten
or twelve of the deck crew and deck
passengers, and these were rescued by
the U. s. steamer r. j. Wheeler,
which went after the floating coal
fleet, and towed it back to the landing
taking off the people upon it. The
steamer John 0vertOn had gone after
the drifting ice barge and the flames
on it were extinguished, ED it was
landed at its former position, dam
aged about one thousand dollars.
When the flames were at their
hight a moderate wind blew from the
northwest. They first enveloped the
amidships Of the steamer in and about
the center Of the lower deck, sixty
feet or so abaft the boilers, then curled
up over the cabin guards, smoke
rolled ia heavy masses over the stern
of the boat, filling the ladies cabin
and rising above the bluff, passed off
slowly toward the southern part OF
the city. The dawn of the morning
lit up the eastern heavens slightly,
while the lurid conhagration, blaz.
ing aloft brilliantly, illuminated
the river front. The cracking
flames carrying cinders skyward, made
a rushing, sizzing roise, which for
more than two miles to the southwark
sounded like heavy wind sweeping
through a dense forest. 1t was q
thrilling scene never to be forgotten
by those who heard and witnessed it.
and to those who participated in its
horrors the vivid and lasting impress
sion cannot be eflaced
| Two persons leaped into the river
from the floating coal fiat during the
ordeal yesterday morning and swan
ashore near the foot of Trezevanl
street, and were conveyed to the resi-.
dence of Mr. Bierce, on Tennessee
street, just below. A neiphboroye
the way sent enough garments tC
clothe the rescued couple, and Their
wants were otherwise administered to.
The couple left for their homes in Gin
cinnati last night on free passes sup
piled by the railway authorities. They
were both members OF the deck crew.
The body of the lady found floating
near the burning boat has not been
identified 1t was thought to be that
of Mrs. Percival, mother of Miss
Ionia Marstin, therescued lady now at
the residence Of Mr.. w. II. McGuire,
on Shelby street, but Miss Marstin has
not been ableto recognize it as that of
her mother; nor has Mr.. Mckinley,
the nephew of Miss Marstin,. The
former was in a hysterical condition
all through yesterday, but was better
this morning. Medical attention was
given her by DR.. Nall, while Dr.. Saun-
ders administered to those who we're
at the house of Mr.. Bierce.
Mr.. r H. Chittcnden, one of the
survivors, now aboard of the steamer
Gaff, destined to Hawesville, KY, oc
cupiee a room on the Golden City near
the middle of the cabin, and forward
OF the pantry gangways His room
mate was German pop corn trader on
his way from New Orleans to New
York, where he had wife and two
children. Mr.. Chittenden saw the
German in an apparently bewildered
frame of mind rush out of the room
and by means Of the outer guard take
directly aft toward the fire. He is
missing and undoubtedly lost, The
mans name could not be ascertained,
but he had a partner in the pop corn
trade whom he left at New Orleans.
Chittenden went out of his room
rather in hurry, but took time to
don his apparel, and saw the flames
curl up over the transom Of the state
rooms as he made his exit.
Mr. Albert Wilgnrs. one of tie sur.
vivors, also on the Gaff going home to
Proctorsville, Ohio, and with his skin
unbroken, was mind worried last even
ing because one John Dunn, fat
boatman, had his name published as a
survivor. The trouble with Wilgurs
is that because John went home by
another boat over two weeks ago he
cannot we'll conceive how he could be
anything else but safe.
The Mr.. Butler, with his wife and
four children, from Donaldsonville,
La, for Rockport, Ind, occupied a
room in the main cabin abaft the
gangway and near the pantry, almost
directly over where the fire had its
origin. His wife first heard the alarm