The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-24

| scores oi thCm left her precipitately in
mld-stream, some, however, having the
presence OF mind to provide themselves
with life preservers. The others plunged
overheard and started for the shore, but il
is estimated that not half who deserted be.
fore the landing were ever seen aiterward
JAKE TAREY
is colored man who lives near the scene
of the disaster. He probably knew there
was horror springing up as soon as those
on board. To your correspondent, who
saw him tonight, he stated that he
was in his front yard cutting wood
he observed that there was trihe more
smoke than steamer usually made, and
the suspicion at once took possession oI
him that all was not well. Another glance
convinced him, and, dropping his axe, he
fled in the direction. When he reached
the brink of the mighty stream the sur.
face OF the water was
A MASS OF FLOATING HUMANITY,
bales OF cotton and blackened timbers.
The cries Of the chilled and drowning peo.
pie were awful, so much so that Tarcy in.
voluntarily turned away, painfully con-
scious that he could render no assistance.
Looking again, as the wheelhouse sue
cumbed to the fire, Tarey says he saw not
less than twenty-five ill-fated people 20
down with il TO meet death in fire and
water from the other portions of the boat.
He is confident that he saw no less than
twenty-five. But few Of these were seen
by him on shore.
WHAT BECAME OF THEM
This can better be answered by those liv-
ing along the river bank, and from day 10
day encounter the horror Of suddenly con.
fronting floating corpse. Perhaps the
most thrilling and melancholy episode OF
the disaster was the heroic effort OF an. old
colored woman, the mother of four chill.
dren, TO save her offspring She did not
desert them. On the contrary, each oI
the youngsters were thrown overheard
amidst floating cotton and timber, and the
mother followed just in time to escape con-
ilici with the flames II would have been
rs well for her, rs none Of them were res.
cued.
CAPT. MARK r. CHEEK
stood his grouud bravcly, supplying all
who came his way with life preseryers.
until warned by the heat that he could
safely delay his flight no longer. lie had
already looked out for the welfare of his
wife. 1t may properly be asked how the
loss Of life could have been so heavy at
that hour Of the morning and so near
shore. 1t does not look reasonable, but Il
is not altogether duo to the panic. The
fire broke out toward the front and soon
cut off escape from the cabin In that direc,
tion; but one alternative was left, by the
overheard route. Most Of them were
asleep, and before becoming aware of
the requirements were caught by the
smoke, then fire, then death. Sine,
all the books, papers, ETC., by which
NAMES or THE PASSENGERS
and their residence could be learned
nothing definite is known Of tho number
who persisted or who they were, except A.
Harris, wife and child, Of Bolivar Landing,
Miss.
Mr.. j. W. Harris, iaiher-in-law Of Mr..
Frank Gray, Of Memphis, received in.
inrics which may prove fatal. When the
boat was run ashore the ropes holding the
stage plank were cut aud Il fell on him,
breaking his back and arm.
Commerce landing Is six miles from this
place. About II o'clock thooe who were
fortunate enough 10 be alive began 10 mr..
rive here TO take the train for Memphis,
which passed up at $50 o'clock p. m.
From that time until the trains departure
they continued TO come, some walking and
others In wagons.
TnT ArrEALs correspondent rode out 20
the scene tonight, piloicd by faithful
colorci man named Perkins On the way
out ho met
TWO WHITE NEN sHiyERiNG
aud hungry, who inquired, between the
chattcring Of their teeth, how far il was
10 the railroad station. One OF them
FtlutNNt ss'AA Nv NA1 ll AiiN Nhlff HNll an
hour or more, and ioF four hour8 after his
rescue was unconscious from the effects
Of his icy bath. These two men seem 10
have been the last 10 leave the scene, a.
no moro were met either on the way or
at the scene. At many houses, however.
We found that the occupants had min
isiercd 10 the wants Of the rescued pas.
scngcrB during the day. The vicinity h
thickly settled, aud while the inhabitants
could contribute nothing 10 the rescued
they could and did DO a great deal 10
rgLWyE ruE DISTRESS
oi those who escaped. Tho steamer, after
burning near the waters edge, became
looscnod from the shore and noaicd down
stream hall mile or more, whore she now
lies q total loss.
But three bodies have thus fnr been ne.
covered, all colorcd. Two arc those Of
mon, the other ihsi Of a woman.
Supervisor Helms, who lives near the
scene, has ordered them stored aWsy In a
house until morning when they will be-
buried al the couniy's expense.
f. Y. AyBFnapV