The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1882-07-13
MINGo JuNcrIoN. O., JllIy {.

Fifty Persons Drowned
MINGo JUNCTION, o., July l.
The steamer Scioto with about 500 passen-
gers, coliided with the John Lonlas in the mid
die of the river tonight, sinking the Sc4ote in
fifteen feet OF water, only the pilot-house be-
ing visible.
One of the survivors says the scioto was
coming up the river under a fun head of
steam, and when about half mile from
Mingo junction the John Lomas was
sighted coming down. The pilot of the
Scioto whistled for the channel, but
owing to a misunderstanding botn boats
took the same side, the Lomas striking the
Scioto and sinking her in fifteen feet of water
in three minutes from the time of the collision
The scenes on the Scioto were heart-rending,
and the life struggles were frightfuI to behold.
The Lomas was only slightly disabled, and
went to work at once to save those on board
the unfortunate Scioto. This task was rem
dered easier by the bright moonlight, and no
doubt many lives were saved from this reason
WHEELING, w Va. July s.
The scene at the wreck of the Scioto to-day
almost beggars description. The anguish of
those looking for lost ones was added to the
walls and sobs Of those bending over the IMAM
innate forms of dead loved ones recovered
from the water. The Associated Press report
er arrived at the scene at noon, at which
time only nine bodies had been recov-
cred. Both banks Of the river were lined
with people, making a crowd of perhaps
20CO persons. The work of dragging in the
vicinity for bodies is still going on.
William Mulholland, OF wellsyiIa. o.. under
whose auspices the excursion on the ill-fated-
Scioto was given, said that the boat took on
about 200 passengers at East Liverpool and 25l
at Wellsville.. The boat was very much crowd
ed. and refused 70 stop at other points where
tickets had been sold. Taking his statements
with others, it il safe say that five hundred
souls were on board at the tins of the col
Hsion.
Captain smith. of Martins Ferry, who was
on the John Tomas, says that, when some dis
tance from the Scioto, he noticed the boats
were going to come together, and made his
Preparations for the shock. Both steamers
had on full head of steam, the Lomas going
down stream at the rate of fifteen miles per
hour, and the ascending Seioto at the rate of
twelve miles. 1t seems to be the prevailing
opinion that the collision resulted from a mis-.
understanding or confusion Of signals.
Several bodies are known to be in the wreck.
The steamer Welcome, of this city, left for the
scene of the accident this afternoon to render
aid in recovering and raising the sunken
steamer.
PITTsBURGH, Pa. JUL 5.
The Lomas appears to have sigma ed first, ac-
cording to regulations, with one blast, to pass
on the left. In few minutes the SciotO re
sponded with two, and made for the middle of
the river. The Lomas then gave two whistles,
but the boats kept coming closer and closer
together. Orders were given to back the en-
gines, but it was too tate to do any good.
The boats c1ms together with a tremendous
crash, the Lomas striking the SciOto on the
larboard or left-hand side, just about the ash
box, tearing into her guards, and making
large hole in the hull through which she began
taking water at a rapid rate. As may be i'm
agined, the confusion on board was terrible.
Tho number of women and children on board
was especially large, and as the boat began to
settle at once the scene heartrending-
parents looking for their children and vice
versa, husbands for their wives and wives for
their husbands, and prayers and cries filled
the air. The officers, to their credit, tried to
keep the people cool, with the usual resultin
such cases-nobOdy paid much attention to
them. The boat began going down at once
and in three minutes there was five feet of
water in the cabin. Those on the lower deck
mot less than fifty in number) began jumping
into the river, and the example was conta-
giOus. Many followed them like a flock of
sheep, while others more cool made their way
to the hurricane roof, where there was safety
as long as it would hold up under
the weight. There were dozen or
fifteen men lying drunk the lower deck,
and all were doubtless hurried into eternity
without warning. The river seemed black with
human beings and debris of all kinds, and ii
will be days at least before the full extent of
the disaster is known. There were three boats
the Scioto. and they we're at once lowered.
In the excitement the first overcroWded
and swamped, but il is believed that none of
the inmates were lost. The other WO boats
were managed better, and did good work in
rescuing passengers. The Lomas was not
much damaged by the accident, and, after land
ing her crowd on the West Virginia shore,
turned to the help of those on the hurricane
deck of the SciotO.
STEUBENvILLE, o., July ).
Following is q correct list of the missing:
Wood Bailey, John ThOmlinson, Wilson Paul
John Chrsty, Eugene Farmer, George C.
Thompson, Lincoln Wright, Benjamin Stebbins,
Lincoln Beardmore, Stephen Kent, Michael
Emmerling, Mrs. Michael Emm erling, David
Freed, Charles Leith, Charles Swearngen, Cit
Thompson, M. e. Estline and wife, Willie
Parell, Jacob Gibson and wife, James New
man, Miss DrOy, and J. Grousal all of East
Liverpool; Arthur f. HoaglaIrd, Mr.. Hunter,
Thomas Willie Booth Charles Davidson, Lew
is Harper, John Stevenson, f. p. Smith and
two children of Wellsvlle; two Brosser boys,
of Steubenyille; Cornelius Plumer, Washing
ton, Pa. Total, 40
Bodies Recovered: Evan p. Burke, Harry
D. BeardmOre, Miss Belle Brannon, Miss Moi
lie Shields, David Fago Edward Thomas,
Charles Sprague, Salie Kiddy, Stewart Pipes,
Donnely, Edward Duffy, Edward Smith. To-
tai, IL.
The work of hunting the dead bodies is stiD
in progress.