Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1882-10-03
keepers society began its session here
this morning and will continue three
dava


mOIuluk ~ D ClOCh uFe UEOk6 OuG on
the steamer r. E. Lee, about thirty miles
below here, resulting in the total des-
truction Of the boat, with terrible loss of
life.
The Lee had Just been overhauled and
this season. She left Vicksburg yester-
day afternoon for New Orleans, with
5000 bales Of cotton and good list Of
passengers. While opposite Port Pleas.
ant, at $50 A. NJ. She was discovered to
be on fire, and was Immediately headed
for the Louisiana shore, and landed at
Yucutan plantation. thirty.tive miles be-
low Vlcksburg. Inafew minutes she
was completely enveloped in flames.
Twenty.one persons are believed to have
been lost, including many of the crew.
The IRE is supposed to have originated
in the pantry-room. So rapidly did the
flames spread that it was impossible for
the passengers or officers to save any
thing except what they had on at tho
time Capt. w. s. Cannon states that
the steamer was owned by the estate of
his father, John w. Cannon, and her
commander, Capt. VIM. Campbell. She
was valued at $10O,C0O; insured for $780,
600, mostly in local companies. The
crew was composed almost entirely of
men who had been on the river twenty
or thirty years. The boat, besides her
supply pumps, had new fire pump with
IA inch cylinder, and 700 feet of hose.
There were always three watchmen on
the deck.
A PASSENGERS STATEMENT.
NJ. Bell, passenger, who was inter.
viewed, said: II think the fire originated
in the pantry-rOom of the cook house
though don't see what the fire was do.
ing there so early, as the cooks are moi
called before o'clock. Mrs. Dan Searls
with heroic presence of mind and moth.
erly devotion, grasped her sleeping in
fant, and arranging the life-preserver IL
her state-room about her person, jumped
boldly into the water. By the disar
rangemsnt of her life.preserver she wa,
thrown upon her back and lost her gras,
upon the child"
Capt. Campbell and the surviving
officers all leave by to.night's train TO
New Orleans, and will bring out the Et
Richardson in place Of the Lee on Tues
day.
HER CARGO.
New Orleans, Sept. 30-The Plea
yune's Vicksburg special says: The Lee
had on leaving here about 4l5 bales O
cotton. She took on some few more a
landings below and about sixty-five bale
from Q small cotton seed boat, go tina
when she burned she had about 81
bales. Also large cargo of boots an,
shoes and dry goods, reshipped by til
Vicksburg and Mississippi railroad fror
points north and east to Natchez an
other points below the city, and 2O,OO
feet of lumber, Q large quantity of door.
blinds. sash, etc., together with la,g
lot of miscellaneous freight. She stol
Iped to wood about twelve miles belo
here at 1880 this morning and rename
some time. The last landing made b,
fore the fire was at Ashwood, abou
twenty. five miles below this city.
The time the alarm was given the boa
was under way. She was immediatel
headed for the shore and struck the ban
in three or four minutes. The saved ov
their lives to the admirable courage
the pilot, John Stout. He stood at ii
wheel and gave hope to all by his firm
, ness, and az the steamer rounded
Yucatan landing the flames were fast el
veloping the brave man in the pilo
house, who, despite the fire around hir
with almost the last hope of escape gon
, remained at his post until he gave II
word to the engineer that the boat b.
made shore. Not until this was dol
did he for one minute take his har
from the wheel. He made his escape |
> the hog chain to the lower deck, and fro
(; there ashore.
i, Some think the fire was incendiar
while others believe it accidental. FL
gineer Perkins first saw the flames iss
ing from the pastry room, in which the
i were no lamps ut the time. The stewal
Henry Carrinhan, states that no coal
or other combustlble material was ev
kept in the kitchen, pantry or past
. room. He thinks it was of incendia
origin. Engineer Perkins, instantly
ter the discovery of the fire, notified t
pilot and the boat was headed for t
9 Mississippi side, and plunged with sn
!. force against the bank as to beco1
firmly fastened. The passengers not c
off from the bow escaped to the sho
and the casualties occurred amol
It those having berths aft. Some of the
H however were rescued after jumping ov
board. Those who succeeded in getti
ashore, many OF them half clad, some b
It less. others shoeless, and others still wi
o scarcely enough clothing to cover til
! nakedness. Much credit is given Wm.
Perkins. who was in charge of the {
gines at the time of the disaster. He sto
nobly at his post until the boat land
and Pilot Stout told him lie could go.
THE TOTAL LOSS.
n New Orleans, Sept. 3O-The total Il
!. by the burning of the Lee and cargo
4 $F5, 900; the merchandise was fully