The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1893-10-24

OSSA4g = l. Ill
n. z; G.. W. Vandusen, Fort Plain,
Died at hospital-E. W. Wirts and
James G. Workman, New York; Mrs.
F. E.. McKensie, Stratford, Ontario; II.
Oppermani New York; Harry Arch
bell, New York; Guion Roberts, New
York; Miss Warren Garland, New
York; J. f. ArchbeIl, New York.
THE FATE OF THE RICHMOND.
The Story Told by a Solitary Survivor
How the Steamer was Lost and
all Save One Man Went
Down to a Watery
Grave.
DUNKIRK, N. Y, Oct. 16.-Only one
man escaped from the lost steamer,
Dean Richmond. He was found on the
beach near Vanburen Point to day.
His haggard face and sunken eyes told
a story of terrible suffering. He was
aimlessly wandering up and down the
beach, and, when spoken to, burst into
tears and said he was looking for his
dog. He was questioned and SAID he
had been washed off the Richmond,
and was unquestionably the only man
saved from the vessel. After he had
been cared for and given stimulants,
he recovered sufficiently to tell the
story of the awful last hours of the
steamer. He said his name was Clarke.
and he shipped in Toledo just before
the Richmond sailed. There we're 10
in the Richmond's crew." he said, ''be-
sides Capt. StOddart, his wife and three
children. We left Toledo at 6 o'clock
Friday evening, and sailed along all
right until we got into gale on Satur-
day. It struck us hard from the very
start, but if we had had good luck we
would have weathered the storm and
been safe in por5 in Buffalo this minute.
I'VE tried to get into Erie harbOr,
but could not on account of the choppy
sea, and then Capt. StOddart decided
to make the run to Buffalo if he could.
We were not in very bad shape then,
although we were badly wrenched by
the heavy seas which struck us, it
seemed, from every side. About 2 .
H., after matters had grown worse
right along, we sighted a couple of
steamers. They were quite a distance
away, but we signalled them for assist
ance. They either did not see us or
could not get to us, for they went right
along fighting their way into the storm
headed towards Buffalo.
1.-THE waves ran over our decks and
everything which was movable was
swept overheard. The captains wife
and children we're locked up in the
cabin for safety's sake and the crew
was working for their lives on deck.
An hour later we had lost a mast and
a smokestack. Then we continued to
drift along at the mercy Of the wind
and waves.
about Z o'clock in the evening the
wheelhOuse was washed away. The
rudder and wheel were broken and we
vera badly crippled. We were then
about Is miles from shore, and after
considerable work managed to set the
rudder so we could make the shore.
The captain had made up his mind to
run for the shore and beach. We made
fair Roadway with a hard fight and
began to get things ready to get out In
the yawl boat with the captains wife
and children. I went back to see the
captain and just before l reached him
a big wave struck us and / was carried
overheard. This must have been about
IL o'clock. | gave myself up for lost
when I found myself in the water. I
kept sight of the Richmond's mast for
some time and saw her drifting down
the lake turning and twisting in every
direction. Then I lost consciousness
and did not know anything until I
found myself lying on the beach, near
a town, which I found out was Silver
Creek. When [ came to myself [ went
into the town. l had some money and
got something to eat, found out where
[ was, and then came here to learn
what had become of the steamer. ]
heard this morning that she had gone
down and then I came over here and
tried to find the boat and my dog.
Clarke insisted on continuing his search
for his pet and a mile or two up the
shore an overturned yawl from the
Richmond was found. Clarke saw it,
Jumped forward and threw it over.
Inside, tied to the seat, was the dead
body Of the dog. Among the bodies
found this morning re those Of Capt.
StOddart and Mate Boylessen. The
Captains watch was stopped at 1920,
showing that to have been about the
time the steamer went down.
In the mates pockets were found all
this paper which indicate that he knew
there was no hope Of saving the steamer
and had prepared to leave her. A
lighter and pile driver is ashore between
here and Battery Point, and it is sup
posed the crew were drowned. Nothing
had been heard of them so far.
Up to 1 o'clock 5 bodies have been
recovered. One is that of a woman.
At present those identified are Captain
and Mate, Frank Patton, A. B. Mead
ows, wheelman and Hodge the fireman.
It is believed the remainder of the
bodies are between there and Silver
Creek.
The Journal estimates the damage
by the storm at NeWbern at about
$3.50.