Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-08-13
THIRTEEN CORPSES.
The Awful Sequel of Brook.
Ign Excursion.
VICTIMS OF A SUDDEN TORNADO.


The Upper Works of Rotten Vessel
Come Down with "a Crash on the I'm
fortunates-A Fearful Scene of Confu-
sion and Death-Men, Women, and
Children Killed and Mangled in the
Midst of a Howling Storm-Festivity
Changed TO Calamity in Moment.
New YORK, Aug. 13-Thirteen persons
were killed outright and thirty more We're
injured at Coldspring Harbor at O'Clock
yesterday afternoon. They were just clear
ing the dock on an excursion barge to re-
turn - Brooklyn when the vessel vas
struck by heavy squall and dashed
against the dock. 1t was in the midst of
terrible thunderstorm, the waves ran
high, and some people think that the mast
of the barge on which the people were
killed was struck by lightning. This is
not known, however. All was excitement
and confusion. Women and children were
running about and screaming with fright.
The sky was dark and threatening, and
heavy sea was running when the upper
deck of the barge fell with a crash upon
the crowd beneath. Thirteen persons Law
dead upon the deck when the wreckare
was cleared away. and upward of thirty
more were severely injured. Others are
supposed TO have fallen into the water
but Up to 9 O'Clock last night no bodies
had been washed ashore or recovered.
Terrible End to a Pleasure Trip.
The excursion was'sent out by the large
dry goods house of Haiser, of Brooklyn,
for the benefit Of its employees, but many
other persons took advantage of the excur-
sion to go along. In all there were about
$50 persons nearly all of whom are resi-
dents of Brooklyn and Williamsburg.
The excursion had two barges which he
longed to Mild's Excursion company, and
were towed by large tug. The excursion
left Brooklyn early in the morning and
arrived at Coldspring Harbor about noon.
The boats had barely put off from the
dock on the return trip when the ac>i-
dent happened. Among those killed was
the pilot of the barge. When the confu-
sion had subsidized the superintendent of
Geiser's establishment made arrange
ments for sending the killed and injuI ed
to their homes in Brooklyn, and the
bodies of the thirteen persons who were
killed were brough; to Brooklyn on boat
which landed at the foot of North Sixth
street. Williamsburg.
Statements of Captain Gibbons.
Captain John Gibbons, the commander
of the Crystal Spring told the following
story of the catastrophe: Il was standing
on the upper deck of the steamer, ready TO
go into the pilot house. 1t was about
\ O'Clock and all the passengers had come
aboard. Black clouds We're coming rapid
ly from the west and l feared a heavy
concluded No 70 ;,,s- ~
The storm showed signs of passing to the
south of Us and we concluded to start !
went into the pilot house, rang the bell to
start and took hold of the wheel Then
there came a most awful gale from the
west There was a roaring and rushing
that fairly deafened me: a sudden heavy
downpour of rain and flash of lightning,
followed by terrific peal of thunder that
sounded as if the earth was being rent
asunder
A Terrific Crashing of Timbers.
at seemed TO me as | looked out that we
were in the center of a cyclone, which
struck the steamer just aft of the port
bow II twisted off the flag staff, tore
down the awnings and two of the heavy
stanchions, splitting the deck open Then
it caught the barge. There was terrific
crashing OF. timbers, and the air was full
of flying wood. was so stunned for an
instant that i could not move Recover
ing, l grabbed ak that l kept in the
pilot house and rushed out. The air was
full of theories of the wounded Those
who were notwounded We're in a terrible
state of panic. / began to cut away the
timbers and take out the injured. All We
got out who are now dead were dead when
they were-extrioated One little girl cried
piteously: Save me; save me! But Ie-
fore / could reach her she was dead.
Many jumped over board, and were rescued
by Francis Radiey, whom we keep in
lifeboat alongside in case of accident l
took soto astoria, many of whom were
injured, though not seriously
List of the Identifed Dead
The bodies of the people whose lives
were lost We're brought to the foot Of
South Fifth street., Brooklyn, on the
steamer COLCHESTER. Ambulances We're
waiting, and the bodies of thirteen men,
women and children were carried to the
Fifth precinct station house, Coroner
Lindsay was summoned.
The following have been identified
Mrs Kate Fsllon, aged 40, and her 7-year-
old daughter Kate; Miss Goetz, aged Is;
Robert Shuler. pilot Of the barge: Kate
Kantz, aged 1; Lizzie Schrenhut, aged 9;
Caroline Prince, aged 81: Mrs. Liverfink,
aged So Henry Hoffman: Otto Fallon, Is
months; Henry Randall The station
house where the bodies we're taken was
surrounded last night Dyer owds of peo-
people, and the scenes were heartrending:
ANOTHER ACCOUNT OF The HORROR