Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-07-13
DROWNED IN PEORIA LAKE.

DROWNED IN PEORIA LAKE.
River Steamer Wrecked by . Sudden
Storm.
PEORIA, H., July 1S.-Eisht bodies have
been recovered from the wreck Of the Frankie
Folsom and the search still continues.
The list Of Casualties 90 far ID - follows: Mrs.
Frank Fisher and daughter, Cora, Mrs.. Henry
Duisidicker, John Ahrender, Miss Corey, Mrs..
II. Wiles, Maud Ford and two unidentified
bodies. one . man and the other q woman.
1t is believed that six more bodies win be
found The river bank presents an animated
appearance. Grief-stricken citizens Of Pekin
are there IN quest of missing relatives aud many
Of them are nearly frantic.
Capt Loesch, master OF the boat, gives the
story Of the accident. He brought party Of
about forty up from Pekin 10 see Pains ''Last
Days Of Pompeii"
After the exhibition they pulled out, and
when in the middle Of the river the storm
Of warning. The captain attempted to head the
steamer toward the shore, and as he did 90 q
terrific gust Of wind struck the craft and keeled
It over In nineteen feet Of water.
but the larger part Of them managed to reach
the upper guard and cling there until help
reached them. Their cries Of distress wore
heard ON shore, and In spite Of the heavy wind
Q number Of skids went to their assistance, and
gradually they were brought to shore. Quickly
they were taken 10 residences where dry
clothes were secured, and for this reason II
was impossible to get their names.
Until the list Of passengers comes from Pekin
the exact number OF deaths cannot be told.
The persons drowned were nearly al in tho
cabin when the boat tipped over, and there was
no escape for them. window was smashed
in and one woman dragged ont. She was
breathing, but died in q few seconds. The sur
vivors all tell the most thrilling tales OF disas
ter, and there were many narrow escapes. Men
and women were pulled into boats half dressed
and it ia feared that some Of them will die from
excitement and exposure.
Sam Sutton, circuit clerk Of Tazewell county,
was in the second boat from the wreck. He
saved his wife by diving down into the cabin Of
the sunken boat. He brought her up in sense
less condition, but 1t is thought she VIII live.
THE PILOT LOST HIS HEAD.
He said the accident was caused by the pilot
becoming scared when the storm struck them.
Had he kept the steamer headed for the willows
on the opposite bank there would have been no
danger of its capsizing. When the storm struck
the boat there was the widest scene imagina-
ble Men and women huddled to the side from
the shore. and when the boat cereened many
were swept of. The vessel settled rapidly to tho
bottom Of the river, and every gust Of the
squall would sweep some unfortunate into tho
waves. The wind was blowing directly off
shore, but the cries of the women and the
hoarse voices OF the men could be heard on
shore. Mr.. Sutton eays he is sure the fol-
lowing persons were drowned, for he saw
their Gfeless bodies floating in the water in the
cabin: Miss Fanny and Ann Poebel, VIM. Rip
Mary Flath. Mrs. Fred Fisher, Miss Cora
Fisher, Mrs. Duisidecker, two girls unknown and
Mrs. Beebe. Those on the boat who have been
brought to the shore are certain that there
were at least eighteen drowned.
AWAITING THE WIND.
Just before the storm struck the vessel the
approaching danger caused considerable alarm
among the passengers. They crowded the
decks and anxiously awaited the coming of the
cyclone As the boat upset they we're thrown
together, many striking the water before il was
fully capsized.
When the volume Of water rushed into the
cabins frantic efforts were made to escape. Ono
man climbed through a window, only to land in
the lake outside. Furniture was shifted ABOUT
and number were injured by It, SO that they
were unable TO make any efforts at escape.
The storm abated somewhat a. the morning
came on aud the rescuing parties were able to
get to the overturned hull. Graphing irons
were brought and the bodies of those in the
cabin were taken out as rapidly as 1t was posi-
work. OF the first eight bodies recovered Eve
were those of women, all who had fed
to tho high side Of the craft as it
careened, and their faces were badly
burned. The fesh fell from their faces and the
features are neutrality-suspicious.. The small
boats as they made the trips from the wreck to
the shore, carrying the bodies Of those recov-
cred. were met by anxious inquiries and the
bearers were hardly able to push through to the
mOrgue.
At the bridge below lights were rugged and
anxious watchers stationed to grapple for any
bodies floating dnvyn thu rfvop
MADE CRAZY BIZ LOSING DAUGHTER.
Mr.. Golloon Of Pekin has lost his little daush-
ter and is raving crazy. He had to be removed
ing on.
Az soon as the news Of tho disaster reached
the police station every man on the force was
ordered to the scene. Mayor Warner ordered
all the hacks in the city to the place, and a. the
people are brought 70 the shore they are taken
able. The scene at the river bank Is pitiful in
the extreme. Friends Of those on the boat
stand on the shore waiting for every life boat.
OTHER CAsuALTIEa
When the storm broke the Lake and river were
filed with every description Of boat There
are over 200 pleasure boats at the yard and 20
only ninety-six Of them have been accounted
for. John Bard, q salesman, was caught about
100 yards from shore and had great difficulty in
getting ashore.
While standing in shelter Of . house he saw
several small boats 60 whirling down the river
and there il but little doubt that their occu-
pants have found grave in the angry waters
Two couples were saved in a miraculous man.
ner ct the foot Of Main street. The boats col
hded and all the people were thrown out By
cnngfng 10 their inverted boats they managed
to keep above water until rescued. It 10 feared
that some Of the persons out in the small boats
have been lost.
A boatman from up the river has Just come
in with six pairs Of oars he found floating. As
there is no trace Of the boats to which they be-
longed it is thought the occupants have been
drowned.
VISIT OF CYCLONE.