Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-10-30
A TERRIBLE REVENGE.
Negroes Accused of Firing a Boat
Which Burned to the Water.
AT LEAST A SCORE OF LIVES LOST.
The Doomed Vessel an Excursion Steamer
Laden With Cotton.
STORIES OF HAIR-BREADTH ESCAPES

VICKSBURG, MISS, Oct. 29.-The fine
steamer Oliver Bierne laid up at Milliken's
Bend landing at about 12 o'clock last night.
She had quite lot of cabin passengers and
something over 200 deckies, white men en-
route to various levee works below Vicks'
burg. Of the deckies she took on 98 at
Greenville. AT the landing where about u
bales of cotton to be taken on,
the mate had some trouble with the
rousters, many of them quitting work, after
which the mate hired the leveemen, paying
them % cents an hour. This enraged the
negroes, who made open threats against the
mate and the boat
At $3.50 this morning the cotton IN the
deck room was discovered on fire and the
entire boat was mass of flames in short
time. Every effort was made to save the
lives of those on board. The yawl was
lowered to pick up those who could be
reached in the river. 1t was about the only
hope of saving the many who were com
PEELED to jump into the river.
PASSENGERS LOSE EVERYTHING.
The passengers lost everything, and it is
reported the boats books were also lost
The boat had 7OS bales of cotton on board
and was lying at the landing where she
burned, waiting for daylight to cross bar
near there. The passengers and crew who
were saved were shown every kindness by
the citizens of Milliken's Bend, who threw
open their doors to receive them.
1t is difficult to ascertain the loss of lives,
the several reports differing as to the exact
number. Conservatives say that 20 were
lost. There were quite a number of mar
now escapes. Captain Thorwegan was the
last to leave the boat, having to slide down
a guy rod from the upper deck. Pilot
Massie made his escape by passing through
the flames to the stern of the boat and
Jumping into the river.
The list of lost, as reported by Captain
Thorwegen, in telegram received at P.
NJ, is as follows: Two children of DIR. Wor-
rell, of Baton Rouge; Samuel V. Enliken,
the two chambermaids, daughter of Mr..
Adams, Of Omaha; five cabin boys nurse of
Mrs. FRASER, of Natchez Mrs. Woolidge,
Of New Orleans, and number of deckers.
THE FATE OF AN OLD LADY.
A skiff has Just reached here from Duck
who was found clinging to bale of cotton
AOdblGS NOWu buO 1ANCh dDOub 1O " ClOCh JnIo
morning by fisherman named John Mason.
The old lady was living when he found her,
but speech1ess. He took her in his skiff,
where she died few minutes after. Moth
ing on her person was found to identify her.
The body was taken in Undertaken Arnold's
parlor and will be embalmed to await the
advice of relative or friends.
The insurance value of the boat was
placed at S61, ,O00, though she was insured
for only $4,000. Total loss of boat and
cargo, 100000. The cotton was also in
sured.
The Oliver Bierne was one of the finest
and largest boats upon the river, being used
chiefly as an excursion boat. She belonged
in New Orleans but during the summer
Captain Thorwegan had her in ST. Louis,
where she was run in connection with the
Grand Republic as summer excursionist.
As cold weather approached, Captain Thor
wegan decided to take the Bierne to New
Orleans, and he left st. Louis with her
yer a week ago