Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-11-05
DIABOLICAL DEED.
NEGRO ROUSTABOUTS SET FIRE
TOA STEAMBOAT.
Twelve Passengers Burned to Death-An
Unknown Old Lady Found Floating on
Bale of CottoE-Loss, 100000.

VIcKsBURG, Miss, Oct. 29.-The fine
steamer, Oliver Bierne, laid up at Milf
ken's Bend landing at ~ o'clock last night.
She had quite q lot of cabin passengers and
something over two hundred deckers,
white men, who were en- route to the va
rious levee work below Vicks-
burg Of the deckers, she took ninety
were about seventy-five bales of cotton to
take on. The mate mad some trouble with
the rousters, many of them quitting work,
after which the mate hired the levee men,
paying 25 cents per hour. This enraged the
negroes, who made open threats against the
mate and the boat.
At $3.50 this morning the cotton in
the deckroom was discovered on fire
and the entire boat was a mass of flames in
a short time. Every effort was made to
save the lives of those on board, but 1t Is
feared the list of the lost will reach twelve
or more. The yawl was lowered to
pick up those who could be reached
in the river. 1t was about the only hope of
saving many who were compelled to jump
into the river The yawl was in charge of
the first engineer. 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
the Udr near JutIc- L ue pdSSCuStTS anu
crew who were saved were shown every
kindness by the citizens of Milliken's Bend,
who threw open their doors to receive
them. The list of the lost, as reported by
Capt. Thorwegan in telegram received
Two children of DR.. Worrell OF
Baton Rouge: Sam V. Entriken, two cham
Omaha, five cabin boys, nurse of Mrs. Fra
zier of Natchez, Mrs. Woolidge of New Or
leans, and a number of deckers.
A skiff has just reached here from Duck
port with body of very old white wo-
man, who was found clinging to bale of
cotton floating down the river, about 10
O'Clock this morning, by fisherman named
John Mason. The old lady was alive when
he found her but was speeches..
He took her in his skiff, where she died
few minutes after. 1t is thought that she
was at least sixty or seventy years of age.
Nothing was found on her person to identify
her. She had three plain gold rings on and
two other rings with setting of pearl
She had red lfiderclothlng and alarge black
silk night robe ana it was lined with purple
silk. Her arm was slightly burned. also the
robe. Coroner Lee has the jewelry. The
body was taken to Undertaken Arnold's
parlor and will be embalmed TO await the
advice of relatives or friends. She also
wore white lace cap.
In addition TO the offlcerS ana crew saved
are the following passengers: Mrs. DR..
Worrell, Baton Rouge; MIR. Willis Frazier
and children of Natchez. The survivors are
all expected to arrive by the first boat
down.
The insurance value of the boat was
placed at S61. 600 1t is thought that she
was insured for only $4,000. 81, 600 in Will
lam Mulley's agency, and the remainder in
Marshal j. Smiths agency in this city.
Total loss Of boat and cargo is 500, 900. The
cotton was also insured.