New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-08-29
WILD RUMORs IN YONKERs.
EXAGGERATED REPORTS CIRCULATED-SEYERAL
CITIZENS INJURED.

CITIZENS INJURED.
Intelligence of the disaster was slow in reaching
Yonkers. A few telegraphc dispatches received
by private friends of persons on board
the RIverdale. but the town was not generally ac~
quanted with the fact of the explosion until after
the arrival of the Chrystenah about O'Clock. Even
then the information that was spread was of an
exceedingly scanty kind, and the widest
rumors were afoat all the afternoon
and evanng. One of the local newspapers. The
Democrat, issued an extra" IN the shape OF
handful, printed in red ink.
and with an amusing mixture OF
types. in which the accident was briefly chroniced.
After stating that the boiler of the Riyerdale
had exploded on the up trip opposite
Sixteenth-st., and that the steamer
had sunk. the extra" gave the names of Joseph
NJ. Tompkins and Joseph Tobin as being among
several YoDkers people who were severely injured.
Naturally the intelligence created great excIte-
ment in the village. A number of persons
who had relatives in this city who were ex-
pecting to return to Yonkers by the evening
boats at once hurried to the station and
took the first train for New-York.
Others went to the wharf and in excited tones
canvassed the few facts that current until the
arrival of the Chrystenah. Then the
full extent of the injuries suffered
by inhabitants OF the town became known.
Fifteen OF twenty Yonl1ers people, who had been
passengers on the Rverdale were landed
by the Chrystenah, along with a
much larger contingent, who were regular
passengers on the Chrystenah. The latter boat
enjoyed much larger popularity and patronage
than the wrecked one. partly because her time
table was adjusted to the greater convenience
of Yonkers people, and partly because she was
newer and faster. The bulk of the patronage
of both boats from YOnkers was derived from
women and children, the majority of the men IN
town actively engaged in business In ihls CITY max,
ing use of the Hudson River and New-Iork City and
Northern Railways
A hurried canvass among the Chrystenahs pas
sengers put the apprehensi0ns Oh Tue
peop,e OF lOnkers at rest on inc question
OF "A possible ioss of life. only one person son OF
John Rowland. madcinquiflesln vain. NJ. Rowland
did not return On the Cnrystenau, out the lact ana
not cause great alarm. NOT name OF citZeh
Of Yonkcrs was reported to the
police or NJ the Office of the steamboat lne as mss
ing and unaccounted for. Seven persons, al men,
extent. were taken away rom tno . WEI
m carriages after the arrival oi the ChrHstfnah'
they were eI,Aderman Jossp9 N: iVEm l}x.rs
john Sherwood, j. +. X. Wells ana Arson Is. h3y,i
Joseph NJ Tompkins and James Tobin were both
sitting in the , GaSln Of tho Tue explosion E,sSr
and were struck by portion 81
a partition that was hurled against them. NJ
Ton, oki severely bruised ABOUT iuo Ilguh
shoulder and arm and Mr. IODin' VINO Is ueseI III
a small way in candies and fruits ana has
- yrroJsn leg was struck in the back. Both OF
the mon were carried TO their homes 10 carriages.
X w. Van Pelt IS the superintendent OF tue
Westminster Gas Light Company. ana tho 1Onkcrs
Fuel Gas Company. lie Jumped overheard as soon
"A he saw the explosion and was PICKED up
alter struggling some time IN the water by men IN
small boat lIe suffered severe nervous
shock and last night was unable to leave his home
Charles Calvert 10 young mer,
chant OF Yonkcrs. He also jumped
c,tastrophe. Sons one on board the wreck threw
him a rope, by which he attempted to
keen his head ont Of the water. The rope was
not fastened at the other end, however,
and bc pulled tho whole length OF 1t into the
water lie then managed to reach a piece
most eurrendeTing himself TO the faie that seemed
imminent ne was drawn into boat.
John sherwood carpenter, was In the forward
part OF the boat. Seeing that INC
hull would sink after tie eNploslon' ne
climbed the flagstaff in the bow. and chung TO tie
peak until thrown into the water by the sudden
iurrL forward which the boat made IN sinking. After
he was murled into the river he grasped a portion
of the pilot house and chung TO II until saved by
men IN a Tow-boat. . ,t .,.t
j. T. R.Wells Is an elderly gentleman VINO though
saved without special adventure, suffered 50 Sc
we're "A nervous shock that last nIght ne
wa. nuletely Frustrated and II was even feared
that he would die. Mr. llOyt was slightly scalded
by the escaping steam.
escaped without injury and ala g00d service
on board the wTeck by restraining number
of panIc-stTcken women VINO wished 10
fhroty themselves into the wafer Hearing the
signals for help, he encouraged them win
promises OF speedy help and undoubtedly In TINS
manner saved several liycs.