Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1892-07-21
Death Mid Pleasure.


covered from the wrecked steamer
frankie Folsom, and sixteen persons
are yet to hear from, telegraphs Peo-
ria, Ill, correspondent. The bodies OF
the following named persons are recov-
cred: The Rev. j. HI. McMeen. Benson;
Mrs. Fred Fisher; Cora Fisher; John H.
Arends, Pekin; Mary Flatt. Pekin; Mrs.
Henry Duisdecker, Pekin; Mrs. w. G..
Willis, Pekin; Miss Lottle Shade, Shell
byville; Miss Lottie Rutler, Pekin; Mrs.
Kate Beebe, Pekin; Grant Heppler,
Streator; unknown body OF young girl.
Divers who were sent down near the
wreck reported seeing four bodies
crushed under the wreckage. These
cannot be gotten at until the boat is
righted. Nearly the whole excursion
party was composed Of the better class
OF the population of Pekin and Delavan.
Never since the Chatsworth disaster
has there been any such excitement
here. The storm burst with remarkable
suddenness. Above the roar Of the
wind and thunder the cries Of the pas
sengers on the Folsom, as they clung to
spars, guards, and pieces Of furniture,
could plainly be heard, while at each
succeeding flash Of lightning the wreck
could be seen by thousands who lined
the river bank in the face Of the drench-
ing rain.
The storm did not last long. 1t blew
DIP with rapidity little short OF marvel
Gus, and as quickly subsided. The rain
continued, but the danger was over,
and soon more than score OF rowboats
were slowly bringing passengers to the
shore. Everything possible was done
by the citizens and officials. Patrol
h0.In nRIx II a
entire police force were ordered out to
assist In caring for the rescued.
Miss Heppler, OF Streator, was rescued
in an insensible condition and removed
to a house. It is impossible to tell
whether she will recover or not. James
Thomas is in the hospital. A swinging
timber struck him.. terribly crushing a
leg. The search for bodies was prose-
cuted all night. Mrs. Kate BeeDe, OF
Pekin, is known to have been lost. She
was on deck at the time of the accident
and must have been washed overpoard.
Her father, Fred Zuckweiler, was drag
ged cut of the water as he was going
down the last time. No trace OF
the daughter has since been found, and
all thoughts of finding her alive have
been abandoned. John Smith has not
been seen since the accident, and he too
must have perished. Immediately on
tho approach of the storm women took
refuge in the cabin, a small room, closed
the doors and shut the windows. When
the boat capsized they were as II In q
prison with no means of egress.
Was Returning from Lake View Park.
The steamer was returning from Lake
View Park, where a spectacular preduc-
tion OF the Last Days OF Pompeii" had
been given. The crew numbered five
The evening had been pleasant, but
during the latter part of the perform
ance there were mutterings Of a storm.
1t burst suddenly with great violence
when the boat had gotten out in the
middle of the river. Edward Loesch,
the captain, was In the pilot house when
the storm struck. He attempted 10 head
the boat for the shore, and as he did SC
the wind caught it and capsiZed It,
Most of those who were on deck rushed
10 the upper side, and were in this way
saved. Capt. Loesch helped all he could
to put on life preservers. He pulled up
two women who were struggling out OF
the cabin.
When the boat began to sink a whis-
tie was sent up for aid, but in a few mo-
ments the boilers were under water.
WOIu Nd5 EOhb W Lic pOllCc oldlloH anu
Mayor Warner ordered out at once all
the policemen, the patrol wagon, and
ambulance. The Folsom lay about 100
yards from shore in sixteen feet OF
water, and was about two-thirds under
water careened over on the SIDE. There
was not an available tug in the city.
The Longfellow, which was struggling
near the Folsom, made q landing as
soon as she could, and hurried her pas
sengers ashore. 1t was the intention to
go to the aid of the sinking boat, but
the wheel got caught in some manner
and great difficulty was experienced in
getting away.
Meanwhile numerous small boats were
put out, although the rough condition of
the river rendered the mission very per-
ilous. Rain fell In torrents, and the
wind blew in fierce gusts. All of the
steamer above water was covered by
half-drowned passengers clinging to the
upper deck, one side of which showed
just above the surface.
When the first relief boat appeared,
men and women leapod from the steamer
and swan to the boat. So many at
tempted this that they had 10 be driven
back with oars in order to keep the little
boats from being swamped. Four per-
sons were brought off in the first boat,
AMI after this the work OF rescue went
on rapidly. Mayor Warner had ordered
out a number of hacks, and as fast as
the people were brought off the steamer
they were placed in hacks and driven to
places of shelter. The river is being