Evening journal., 1894-09-20
BURNED IN THE RIVER.
Tug-boat Taylor Consumed By
Flames at Midnight.
ANOTHER WATERMAN APPEARS


duoing the Heavy Gold Ring, which
ne Removed From the Drowned Mans
Hand-a Young Mons Democratic
Club to BE Organized.
Special Correspondence Evening Journal.
NEw CASTLE, Sept 20 About mid
night the tugboat William H. Taylor, a
Philadelphia vessel well-known along
the river, caught FIRE while towing
loaded schooner and was burned TO the
water edge between Wilmington creek
snd New Castle hsrbor Captain Samuel
b Vent ana his crew OF FIVE men we're
rescued by a yacht coming down the
river and got aboard the pleasure boat
Just in time to see the tugs housing fall
In and the entire hull become one tongue
Of flame
Captain Vent who formerly COM
manded the Juno. OF the Red Star
Line. was seen by reporter soon after
Daylight this morning The captain and
bis crew bad been Lnt ashore here and
we're awaiting orders from their Phila
delphia agents through the Maritime
Exchange The Taylor's smouldering hull
was drifting down the river The fire
broke out Just back Of the coal bunkers
st II 80 o'clock and had gained too much
headway by the time the crew got the
fro apparatus IN working order. Mean
time. it Is said, the achooners captain
cut the hawser and sent the burning
tug adFift The timely arrival of the
yacht saved the entire crew from Ia.
jury.
Another Graham Reward Claimant.
When the steamer Major Rey bold ar
rived here yesterday from Salem, N. j.,
3 young man. giving the name Of John
Alexander Smith, and his address as No.
I24 Mc0lannen street. Philadelphia,
stepped ashore, inquiring for ! the
executors of the late Hiett Graham,
drowned Off Stony Point, N } last
month Smith claimed that he found
the body Of Mr Graham for which a
reward Of $500 was offered, but had
been forestalled BY one Captain Ray (the
old man IN whose favor bond was
entered and placed In the hands of the
mayor Of Salem
Smiths story would have had little
weight had he not produced and de-
livered up to Mrs. Graham the large and
costly gold ring, which MIR. Graham
wore continually, and for which the
coroner's party aearched 10 vain Tor a
quarter Of a mile along the shore He
said that he had been sleeping on the
ring every night until he could hear
from his uncle as TO what action to take.
His delivering up the ring kwas therefore
in obeisaDce to the will Of his Philadel-
phia relative, who notified him that
counsel for the case had been retained
Smiths story Is that ha was employed
as steward on Captain Rays old sloop
and on that eventful Saturday he went
ashore for driftwood with which to cook
theevening meal Finding the body lying
along shore, he took the large ring, ieav
ing the small one upon the hand, and
after securing the body, roWed out ana
notified his shipmstes The captain at
once said; Boys, there's $50 offered for
that body, for I'll bet that's the New
Castle man. I'll sail up 70 Salem at once
while you fellows keep watch until the
coroner can get here He then promised
Smith a suit Of clothes aud watch IL
they really had struck the luck. When
i5 was discovered that $500 WAS the 10
ward offered, then an entirely new light
was placed upon the case and Smith al
once wrote for advice
At the Atlantic House to-day, Prcprie-
tor John Riss, brother-in law and sue
eessor Of Mr.. Graham, said that he really
believed the young mans story. when
We are reaay to take up the bond now at
Salem, he said. "we viii bring the two
claimants 20 New Castle and let a justice
Of The peace hear and adjudicate the
case.