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

while the carpenter, James Duncan, cut
oil the railing from the alter guards so that
cotton could be thrown out into the river
for people to get on. There were but few
people at this part of the boat as most OF
them had gone ashore forward. The steward,
engineer, two second clerks, carpenter and
Clerk Banker all got off at the stern,
going into the river, several getting on
cabin doors and blinds which | tore of
and threw into the river. After all were
out l got down Off OF the guard and
dropped into the river aud swan TO the
Shore, distance Of seventy.fvo yards or
thereabout, having all my clothes on, and
also life prcserver could have gone
down forward when the alarm was first
given and gone ashore without getting my
feet wet. When | went overheard the head
or bow of the boat was still against the
sand bar, but the stern was standing ou,
in the river. No living soul was on the
boat when went overheard rs far as |
know. The smoke was coming through
to where l was pretty freely, but the boat
was still at the shore, beng held there by
the outside or larboard wheel working
and holding her head against the
bank. Soon after the stoampipe
burst from the excessive heat,
after which the wheel ceased work.
ing, the boat swung out into the river,
iloated of and lodged against the head Of
Peters's towhead, where eshc sunk in twelve
feet Of water. No ono was on board when
she swung out into the channel rs far as
could be seen. The wheel-house fell in as
she iloated down and the wreck sunk out
Of sight. While the boat lay burning at
the sandbar the crew got ont line and
chain and tried 10 get out the anchor, but
the heat drove the hands from the work,
and the boat could not be held 10 the bank
after the wheel quit working. Clerk
Banker made the shore in safety about
mile and half below where he went into
the river and he was too much exhausted TO
walk so ] had two men tog 20 10 him and carry
him TO the place the passengers had sta.
toned themselves ashore. Fires were made
along the shore, dozen or more, to dry
and warm the people. One skill with q
fisherman came out from the Arkansas
shore and aided in saving people, taking
as many as a dozen people out. Two
other ssifls aiterward csme out, but did
not do much good. When was near the
shore and in the water sewers! men put
out long willow poles for me to catch hold
OF, but | told them 10 90 to others and
help them rs / could make the shore easy
enough. The crew went all along the
shore 10 help people out oi the river, and
Pilot Hodge went out on a bale Of cotton
TO pick up Mr. Hartnctt, who was
floating down holding on to an empty
barrel. After every body was out and
gathered in a squad, sent Elisha
Evans out to Robins1nvillc 10 telo.
graph Maj. Adams, and ] sent Clerk
Harry Best 10 ncighbf Ing people 10
employ wagons TO carry the ladies and
passengers out 10 the railway station,
where we arrived between 2 and 2 Jo'clock,
bringing up the rear. We came 20 the
city on the afternoon trin, reaching here
about $50 o'clock in the evening The
Kate Adams was one Of lhc best boats !
ever saw. When she took fire she was
about 800 yards from the eastern shore.
or Mississippi side, and It was not three
minutes from the time the alarm was
sounded before the boat was at the shore.
At this time the flrc WIS making rapid
hcadway, and was beyond control, aud
all that could be done was 10 got the pco.
pie of. The steamer Kate Adams was In
the mids. Of a busy season, and her loss at
such n time is unfortunate for her owners,
while II falls heavy on all concerned.
She cannot be replaced without rebuilding.
The cargo was taken aboard at all land.
ings along the river between Arkansas City
and Frias Point, distance Of l2j miles.
The boat has carried 1873 bales Of cotton
the present season. counting from Sept
last and including the trip on board when
lost; also 5000 sacks Of seed, the whole
being worth over a rcund million Of dol.
lars.
The company will loss fully $4,000 by
the disaster. The names Of the owners arp
John d. Adams, James II. Rccs, NJ. Il.
Check, John NJ. Peters aud Sam b.