Omaha daily bee., 1892-07-14

PEORIA, Ill, July 13.-ISpecisl Telegram
TO THE BEE. AT 10 O'Clock last night
cyclone swept over the city leaving death
and destruction in its wake. The most
serious and appalling disaster OF the night
was caused by the capsizng Of the pleasure
steamer frankie Folsom, at the foot OF Cor
snne street. At Lake View park, mile
above the city, u representation OF Pompen
was given and for this occasion the Fol-
som, Pekn boat, came up with forty
people, A landing was made here, and two
or three couples joined the party. Fifteen
others got on at the park, so that tue pas
senger list reached fully sixty.
As the boat came out oil tho landing and
started down to the city it was struck by the
cyclone and turned over. 1t was about mid
way in the river and sank rapidly. Owing
to the tempest, the cries of the passengers
could not be heard.
The Lougfellow, with seventy five passen-
gers from Kingston, passed by and ran to the
foot of the next street. Its passengers were
driven off and the boat made ready TO 90 to
the aid Of the Folsom when the Longfel-
lows wheels broke and it was left helpless.
The " ors of Rescue.
Word was conveyed to the police station
ana Mayor Warner ordered every man to the
scene. The Rock Island road sent special
train TO the scene of the disaster and small
boats were put off to the Folsom, tho hull OF
which could be seen when the lake was illu-
minated by the vivid lightning. Four per-
IONS were taken off by the first boat out.
Names of the Lost.
The following is list of the unfortunates
who are known to have lost their lives by the
swamprng of the steamer:
AHRENS, JOHN, Pekin.
COREY. MISS Pekn.
DUISDEKER, Mrs, Pckln.
FISHER CORA. Pekln.
FISHER, MRS FRED, Pekin.
FLATH, MARY, Pekln.
KINDS, JOHN A., Pekln.
MCMEEN, REV. j. II.
POEBEL, ANNA. Pekin.
POEBEL, MARY, Pekin.
RlPBERGER WILLIAM, Pekin.
SHADE, LOrrIE, sohelbyville, Ill.
UNKNOWN-Iwo young girls with Mrs
Dulsdeker.
WiLES, MRS. WILLIAM. Pekn.
The body last night identified Maud
Ford of Pekin Is now known to be a mistake
and the identity is unknown. kate BeeDe
of Pekin Is missing and Is supposed TO be
lost, as is also John Smith.
Story of the Wreck.
Captain Loesch, master of the boat gives
the story of the accident. He brought
party of about forty up from Pekin TO see
Pains Last Days of Pompeli." After the
exhibition they pulled out, ana when in tho
middle of the river the storm struck them in
all ITS fury, without moments warning.
He attempted to steer the steamer toward
the shore, when a terrific gust of wind struck
the craft and lxeeled it over in nineteen feet
OF water The scene which followed beggars
npgrrptiOD Men and women thrpIyn
into the water but the larger part OF them
managed to reach the upper guard and cling
there until help reached them. Their cries
OF distress were beard from the shore ana
I'm spite of the heavy wind n number of skiffs
went to their assistance and gradually they
were brought TO shore.
Caught In the Cabin.
Quickly they were taken to residences
where dry clothes could ue secured, and in
this way 1t was impossible to get their
names. Until n list Of tho missing comes
from Pckin the eXuct number OF deaths can
not he told. Tho persons drowned were
nearly oil in the cabin when the boat tipped
over, and there was no escape for them.
Every ono persisted. window was
smashed in and one woman pulled out. She
was breathing, but died in few seconds.
The survivors all tell the most thrilling
tales of the disaster, and there were many
narrow escapes. Men and women were
pulled into the boat half drowned, ana it is
feared some Of them W i'll die from tho OK
ritement aud exposure.
sam Sutton, circuit clerk of Aswel county,
was in the wreck. He saved his wife by
diving down into the cabin of the suuken
boat. He brought her up safely, and it is
thought she will recover He said the acct
dent was caused by the pilot getting sud
denly scared when the storm struck them.
Had he kept his head and headed the boat
for the willows on the opposite bank, there
would have eecn no danger Of capsizIhg.
Passengers Terror-Stricken.
His description OF tho scene is realistic.
When the storm struck the boat there was
the widest scene imaginable. Men and
women huddled TO the side next the shore
and whom the boat careened over many were
swept off. The vessel settled rapidly to the
bottom of the river, and every gust of the
storm would sweep some poor unfortunate
off into the waves. The wind Yves blowing
directly off shore, but the screams OF the
women aud the hoarse shouts Of men could
be heard over IL all
Alderman M. Goloon of Pekin has lost his
little son and Is raying crazy. He had to be
removed from the bank where the work OF
rescue was going on by the police.
Lost From Small Boats.
When tho storm struck the lake and river
the water was covered with small row boats
loaded with merry makers. The fury of the
Eale lashed the water into foam, and the
frail shells boobed up and down in the heavy
Iea like corks. Most of the boatmen were
inexperienced, and as soon As the gallo burst
upon them they lost control OF the boats,
which were driven along before the wind
Many of the boats filled with water and
wero swampcd. their occupants having 10
take to the water and swim for the shore.
some OF tho boats We're overturned. The
women and children were the greatest
sufferers. People who were on the shore
rescued many OF these from watery graves
It's believed that not few have pershed in
this way.
Agony OF the Onlookers.
Among those on the bank were the rela-
tives and friends OF many who were battling
for life in the water. Their agony was in
tense. Now and then Inverted small boats
would float ashore. These were quickly
yignled by men, who would fight for posses.
Won. Springiug into the little crafts they