The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-07-13
EXCURSION STEAMER UPSET.

The Frankie Folsom, with sixty Persons on
Isoara, Capsized Near Peoria.
srecial the Indianapolis Journal
PEORIA, H., July 13-The frankie Fol-
som, an excursion boat from Pekin, cap
sized here in a storm last night with all on
board. at the time she had on board at least
forty people, and but twenty of these were
rescued alive. All the rest were drowned
and at this time, O'clock A. NJ. but two of
those who were drowned have been
brought ashore. There is nothing posi-
tive to be learned ss to the exact
number of dead. but it must amount to al
most If not quite score of people. The
boat was tipped completely over. and is
now floating bottom side up in the middle
of the lake. Mrs. Beebe, of Pekin, and o
man by the name of Miller, said to have
cot on board in Peoria. were the two who
we're found drowned. Who the others are
il is impossible at this time to find out
Professor Payne has been giving pyro-
technic display here for thel past two
weeks and q good view of the exhibition
can be obtained from the lake in the north
ern part of the city. and large numbers on
excursion boats and small row boats
took advantage of the free exhibi-
tion. Last evening. about $50, q
strong wind-storm suddenly rose, and
crafts were unable to withstand the vio-
lence of the wind-storn. One boat-yard
claims that nine skiffs have not yet re-
turned, and it is thought that the occu-
pants have been drowned. There is great
excitement. Particulars are hard to OBJ
tain, as it is not known who were IN the
boats.
ANOTHER STORY OF THE DISASTER.
The frankie Folsom started ont from
Pekin last evening with forty passen gers
aboard. landing was made and
two or three couples joined the party.
There were also fifteen who got
ON the boat at the park. so that
tho passenger list reached fully
sixty. As the boat came out of
the landing and started down to the city
she was struck By q squali and turned over.
She was about midway in the river, and
sank rapidly. Owing to the tenn
pest the cries of the passen-
gers could not be heard. The Long
fellow, with seventy-fve passengers
from Kingston. passed her and ran to the
foot of the next street. Her passengers were
driven off and the boats made preparations
to 90 to the aid of the Folsom when her
wheel broke and she was left
helpless. Word was conveyed to
the police station and Mayor
Warner ordered every man to the scene
of the disaster. The Rock Island
road sent special train to
the scene of the disaster and
small boats were put off to the Folsom. the
hull of which could be seen when the lake
was illumined by the. vivid lightning
Four persons were taken off at q
time. 1t is known that there are
dozen persons in the cabin.
When the boat careened every one
rushed to the sinking side. and many
fell overheard. A man who Las
just been brought off says he
saw several women carried down and
they were cooked to death by steam.
Every timo the boat careened
some of the poor unfortunates cling
ing to the rails wonld release
their hold and disappear in the
waves. Some persons who were
out in small boats managed to
reach the shore. They saw several
bodies floating away which they could not
reach So far the following are known to
be dead:
Mrs. Duisdecker and two girl companions,
names unknown. Miss Cora Fisher. Mrs.
Fred Fisher. MISS Mary Flatb. John Ahrens.
Mary Paebel, Annie Paebel. Mrs. Will
lam Wiles. William Repberger. The
bodies of two unknown girls were
dragged out of the CABIN by
Mr.. Sutton. who hung them over the rail
when he ascertained they were dead. All
of these people were from Pekin.
Some thrilling stories have been told by
the men who have been brought off the
boat Samuel Sutton was with his
wife when the storm struck the
boat and heard her calling for him when
the cabin filled with water. He dived into
4 ha holA ,t.< cd 70, do nj