The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-10-26

We consoled ourselves that we had lived
through it all, and were now in the land of
the free and the home of the brave. We
possessed no thought other than in few
days we would be at home, surrounded by
friends, and feasting on the fat of the land.
The night passed, and when morning came
we were some distance above where the
Kansas River empties into the Mississippi.
Some time in the forenoon we reached He
lena, where We stopped for short time
While here an enterprising photographer
human freight on board. Several copies are
still extant.
After leaving Helena we steamed on up
the river without anything transpiring
worthy of note until about o'clock in the
evening, when we hove in sight of the city of
Memphis.
After landing the cargo of sugar was un-
loaded, and we lay there until about mid
night. Some time during the forepart of
the night went up on the cabin deck. Just
to the left of the stairway found room and
concluded to lie down for the night. took
off my shoes, hat, and blouse, and laid them
under my head, SO that they might not get
mp and walk off before morning, which was
apt TO happen. There was just room for me
TO lie down, as 1 touched elbows with my
comrades on either side.
was soon sound asleep, but woke again
rs they pulled the heavy planks on board
preparatory for leaving. / heard the bell
ring and the wheels SURGE and 1 knew that
we were in motion again. 1t was about
midnight, and the night was black with
darkness. We steamed up the river about
mile, and then crossed over on the Arkansas
side to take on some coal.
As soon as the boat was under headway
again fell into sound slnmber, and was soon
lost in sweet dreams. One by one the hours
passed. 1t was now halfpast two o'clock in tie
morning and we had only made the distance
of eight miles above Memphis. Every one
but the crew were now in their soundest
slumber. Suddenly there came a crash.
Then followed the most horrible time l ever
was witness TO. In the noise Of the explo-
sion had sprung to my feet. Everywhere
steam was escaping, women were screaming,
soldiers and crew cursiDg and swearing,
horses neighing, mules braying, splinters
fying-the once magnificent SuItana
wreck. Hundreds are drowning or have
already perished.
i noticed the cOlored porter as he emerged
from the smoke and steam, calling out that
the boilers had blown mp and the boat was
now on fire. Oh. the III ,ughts that rushed
through my brain for moment as ] stood
on the cabin deck gazing out on the rough,
cold watersi Ia an instant the thoughts of
the Is long months that had struggled for
existence in prison, Of the friends at home
waiting to receive me, and of the many
prayers which j had every reason to believe
had been offered up for my deIiverance,
swept over me. Now, just on the threshold
Of deliYerance, must die an awful death :?
The river being so high, the water so cold,
the night so dark, and the boat now on fire,
made the chances for safety doubtful to the
extreme. / did not have The slightest idea
that a single soul would get away to tell
the story.
In less time than it takes to narrate it,
the fire was under headway, and / saw that
] must make a choice of one of two things
las thought and that was TO either burn
TO death or drown. AS / preferred the
latter, began TO make preparations, with
the resolution in view TO improve any and
every opportunity that might present itself
for my safety.
AS / had taken off part of my clothing on
lying down il did not take me long TO divest
myself Of the remainder, but for fear that
might chill TO death left on my drawers
and shirt, which proved TO be of great value
TO me in the end In my pocket lett q
memorandum in which had kept an &C
count of ali the important events while in
prison, with day aud date. This / valued
very highly, but it was consumed along with
the rest Of my wardrobe. The river by this
time was dotted far and near with human
beings struggling for life. AS looked out
TO the right Of the boat saw three or four
men fighting in the water for an empty
crackei-bsrrel. 1t was whirliDg like hoop
and doubt if either of them was saved by
it. Some had taken off ali their clothing
before jumping into the water and were
trying 10 swim 20 shore, while others left ali
their clothing on. Some expert swimners
were struggling with others who could not
swim, and all went down together The
heat and flames were now driving those
nearest back, while those on the outer edge
of the boat were crowded off in groups and
left struggling in the water. Some climbed
back by means of ropes, only to be pushed
off again. The first gangplsnk, which lay
on the bow of the boat, was thrown off in