The evening times., 1895-08-20
Miss Ruth: Burs|ey Drowned
from the Macalester.
HER BoDYz NOT RECOVERED
Capt. Blake Advances the Theory
of Suicide. but 1t Is Denied
by Her FaMily-He Also Defends
Himself from the Charges OF De-
hay In the Rescue.

As stated in to-days Morning Times,
Miss Ruth W. Bursley, nineteen years OF
age, daughter of Capt Lemuel Bursley,
a clerk in the Pension office, who resides
at No. 5O4 b street northeast, fell over
board from the Iarboard side OF the steamer
Manchester about 1890 O'Clock last night
aud was drow ned before assistance could
reach her --~ "a
Miss Bursley, accompanied by her parents,
little sister Margaret and other relations,
participated in the excursion given by the
city postoffice clerks. ON the return
trip, about fifteen minutes after leaving
Marshall Hall, Miss Bursley complained
of being made dizzy by the boats motion,
and with her sister went forward on the
second deck, near the wheelhouse on the
port side She took seat on the rail,
aud was warned TO be careful by a couple
OF ladies.
As the steamer turned off Bryaut's
Point, Aiiss' B,rrsley either lost her balan nee
in reaching after her falling handkerchief
or was overcome by dizziness aud fell
into the river. The alarm was Instantly
given, but il is alleged that no life pre-
servers were thrown the unfortunate girl,
aud the steamer was not stopped for seve-
raj minutes. A nfeboat was finally low
cred, and a search made, but the body could
not be found.
The executive committee of the post
office clerks held a meeting j n the piirser's
room aud protested against what they
considered unnecessary delay in stopping
the steamer and lowering the boat. Capt.
Blake advanced the theory OF suicide, a nd
said the engines could not have been stopped
more quickly. The girl fell Immediately
in front OF the wheel and the captain said
she was doubtless instantly drawn into
the whirlpool created by the paddle.
CAPT. BLAKE'S STATEMENT
Capt Blake, of the steamer Manchester.
was seen to-day by Times reporter, aud
when questioned as TO the suicidal theory,
said:
'.of course 1 would not like to venture
an absolute statement to the effect that
Miss Bursley committed suicide, but do
uot see how 1t is possible for person to
fall over the rail OF the boat In the ma uner
she did, unless there was some effort on
her part.
lone fact connected with the case
which looks suspicious is that she left
the rest of the party and went to the for ward
deck alone, under the pretense that the
air on the inside OF the boat was sitting,
when the fact Of the ma tier was everybody
was shivering with the cold This cer-
tainly seems strange to me. butt would pre-
fer TO have the matter investigated by the
authorities, which will undoubtedly be
done at the proper time.
II have been on the river a long time,
aud have been closely connected with the
management of steamboats, for many years.
aud this is the first accident of any kind
l have ever had I try 10 take every
precaution for the safety Of my passengers
and certainly tried to do my duty last
Dight, however much criticized l may be
for my tardiuess in getting the lifeboat
into the water.
"Ilave you well organized drill system
iu ma inning the nfeboats?' asked the re-
porter.
REGULAR BOAT DRILLS
1--WE are required by the navigation
laws governing steamboats, to have such
a drill, aud it has been my custom to have
the meu go through such manual at
least once a week.
1.-The boats are kept covered to protect
them from the weather, but the canvas Is
so arranged that 1t eau be easily taken
off at a moments notice.
mo one deplores the sad and untimely
accident which happened to Miss Burs-
lev more than 1 do, and deeply sympa-
thize with her parents In their deep be-
reavement."
Inspector Thompson of the custom house.
said that lie thought the drill system was
In vogue on all the large reputable river
steamboats, and had seen the men drilling
on the Manchester.
The police boat Joe Blackburn left for
the scene of the unfortunate drowning this
morning, and no effort will be spared to
find the body OF Miss Bursley.
Rfvermen generally, however, are Of the