Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-12-15
The Number OF Lost Still Uncertain, but
Thought 90 He Large.

Last nights dispatches make It appear that the
loss OF life by the burning OF the Mississippi river
steamer j. NJ. White was nearly as great as at first
reported. The boat was at the Point Confee land
Ing at the time she took fire. At 10-15 O'Clock the
cry OF fire was raised and the bell was rung. In
an instant all was confusion. Some OF the deck
hands rushed to arouse the sleeping passengers
While others brought two streams OF water to play
on the flames, which had been first discovered I'm q
bale OF cotton amidships. The IRE burned with
terrible rapidity and it seemed but moment be-
fore the entire left side OF the boat was ahame.
When the alarm first sounded Alex. Mcyay,
mead clerk, was sitting in his cabin. The fire
leave the office, but not before he had secured q
sum or money from the safe. Mr.. McNay then
turned his attention to saving cabin passengers OF
whom there were about fifteen or eighteen, incud-
Ing eight ladies' He first awOke second Clerk John
Callahan. Callahan and Mcyay went to each
sengers quickly got out nearly all OF them In their
night garments Among them was a gentleman,
name unknown, but recognized as superintendent
OF the Efdal1a southern railroad. He had his wife
ana Two children, girls OF nine and twelve years.
with him. He bade them follow him. BY this
Time the flames had reached the cabin, through
which thick smoke was rolling. The panic-stricken
passengers quickly made for an entrance, some to
the stern and others to the front. The gentleman
stern Upon reaching the deck he grasped his
two children, one at q time, and threw them into
the river. Before he and his wife could follow the
flames had reached them and they were burned to
death. The two pilots on watch, John Stout and
Bob Smith, were In the pilot house, and were COM
PEELED to jump into the river. where they were
The fire burned so quickly that it was impossi-
pie TO see who was saved and who was lost The
deck was crowded with rOuStaboutS and deck pas
Sengers. Nearly all OF these were lost.
While the passengers and crew were escaping
rom the boat, the steam pipe blew up and was
hurled three hundred yards In the air. The force
OF the explosion caused over twenty bales OF burn
Ing cotton TO be hurled high in air
heard coming from the stern OF the vessel For an
instant two cOlored women were seen standing on
the galley just back OF the wheel-houSe, and the
next instant they were hidden from view by the
smoke and flames. The first part OF the boat to
give way was the wheel-hOuse 1t fell into the
water, and draft being created, the flames swept
through the center OF the boat. Those who escaped
were taken away from the scene by the steamboat
Stella Wild which plies between Bayou Sara and
M M AS the Wild was backing out four kegs
cotton and burning umbers were hurld in all
directions. This virtually put the fire out, and
blacked wreck when the wild reached the river,
q loud cry for help came from the middle OF the
stream: A boat was lowered, and was quickly
darkness the crew saw the figure OF a man grasp
Ing bale OF cotton, but before they could reach
him the bale turned over, and when II was
The number OF the lost cannot be definitely as
certained. Among those lost are: Lewis the sec
1n c COOK Go, Oscar the baker Amos the porter
vicksburg roasted to death, and two OF the five
keepers persisted.
Col S. L. James, who was in his state room,
manage to get ashore, and had to walk two miles
without coat, hat or shoes In the chilly winds be-
fore he could reach the railroad station Col.
James positively declared that there must have
been sixty persons lost because out OF stxty-rive
Others.
duty when the fire broke out and made his escape,
places the number OF lost at ten or dozen.