Woodville Republican. (Woodville, Miss.) 185?-current, 1888-12-29

soon in flames Then to add further
to the CONSERVATION the steam pipe
burst and filed the place with scald-
ing steam. Merriman was forced to
abandon his post. and he and the
strikers and Others ran to the sides
and climbed through the pitman in
order to save their lives.
As soon as The smoke and flames
began to shoot over the sides Of the
boat Capt. Jolles swung the wheel
around and headed the boat for the
shore. A full head of steam was on
at the time and the boat was soon
run into the bank. Before she did,
however, she was doomed and there
was scarcely bit of timber that
was not furiously burning. When
the Hanna struck the bank she
bounded away again and swung
around, drifting down as she burned.
Then Capt Jolles jumped out over
the cotton and sprining into the river
swan ashore.
The sight was weired one viewed
frolu the bank and the town was
aroused.
Floating cotton, charred timber,
and other floating debris filed the
river, and many people were strug-
Cling desperately in the water for
their lives. Some of them were able
to swim ashore, but most of them
were badly burned or so exhausted
that they struggled but few
moments and sank to rise no more.
AS the burning boat struck the
bank Of the river, the crew and pas
sengers who had been able to reach
the forward end of the boat sprang
ashore, some of them with scQrched
faces and bruised limbs and many OF
them with scarcely any covering
Among those who managed to get
off we're Capt. Holmes and Bob
Smith, the unfortunate pilot of the
Inflated Lee, who was a passenger
on his way down to the city Both
men were burned nigh unto death
and the story Of the way they
persisted is most heartrending.
When the Captain jumped ashore
he was badly burned, and in his
frantic desire to be relieved of the
pain he was suffering, he buried his
face and hands il the soft mud and
begged most piteously for some ono
to help him. Smith was just behind
and lay down beside the dying Cap
tain. Nothing could be done fol
the suffering men and the two died
together on the river bank. Capt
Holmes body was placed on the train
when it passed Plaquemine this
morning and brought to this city,
Plaquemine was not slumbering
) when the fire broke out, and when
the discovery was made that the
Hanna was burning, the entire town
almost focked to the bank an d
watched the vessel burn. The strug-
CLING unfortnnates who reached the
shore were taken care of and doctors
and others came 20 their assistance
and tried to alleviate their sufferings.
Tue City and Central Hotel and
private houses threw open theil
: doors to the Inflated people and fed
and clothed them until this morning.
The Texas and Pacific train passed
Plaquemine this morning, and most
of the crew with the exception Of
he deczhands boarded her. The
conductor refused to bring any Of
the survivors to the city unless full
: fares were paid, and the rousters
, having lost all their money anc
effects were forced to return to Pla-
quemine, where they will be looked
after Alr. Harpin, CT the Under.
writer's, who was aboard at the time
paid out of his pocket $40 in money
! for passage for those who came
down.
J The survivors tell graphic stories
of the burning. No one saw Clert
Powell, who displayed much heroisn
: in woking up the passengers, aftel
he had raped at the doors, and 1T il
quite positive that he was burned tC
} death and went down with th,
J steamer.
Among those that we're lost are
Capt J. S. Holmes, master o.
boat.
Sam Powell, chief clerk.
Bob Smith, pilot from Smith
land, La
Mike O'Neil night Waterman.
Joe Crane, cabin Waterman.
onroe Deck, first cook.
Jack Duff, second cook.
Joe Horney, cabin boy.
Jim v atson second baker.