The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-02-04
A LAKE MYSTERY At CHICAGO.
Excitement Over the Appear
ance of a Derelict.
Supposed to Be the Hull of the
Chic0ra,
Peopie Seen Aboard the Strangs Fabric.
len Blocks the Way OF
Rescue Parties.


city. Tugs we're sent out in search oil
what a number of the observers think
WAS the hull of the lost Chicors, and
when darkness came on the lake was
being uearchsd in the hops the story
would become true. The report Of the
wreck Of the missing steamer reached
the city through the medium OF the fire
department. 1t was tslophoned to Chief
sweensy's Office in Chicago by Capt. NJ.
j. Bowers OF Engine compare No. "a,
which lie located at South Chicago.
Shortly before II O'Clock ia tho forenoon
the attention OF Captain Powers WAS
called to dark object far out in the
lake and about opposite the mouth of
black line like hull of vessel, rose
and fell with the swell of the sea. The
rumor spread in Chicago that the wreck
OF the Chicors WAS in view, and in a
short time crowds gathered aloug the
shore and glasses we're focused on the
object which was drifting rapidly to-
ward the southeast.
FIRE BOATS SENT OUT.
Captain Powers sent q message to the
chief OF the department.. The fire boat
Calumet vas sent out early in the after
noon and number of other tugs. among
them the Protection and the Morford
left the mouth of the Chicago river and
steamed as fast as possible to South
Chicago to search for the wreck. lu the
meantime an effort was made to send
an Sun h,,k Z
unsuccessful on account of the ice. The
fire boat Chicago was lying in the Calu-
met but between it and the open lake
was over half mile of river frozen from
bank to bank. the ice being several feet
thick. The Chicago could make no i'm
preston upon the ice. 1t was after
wards joined by the tugs Holiday and
Heisler, but the three combined were
tempt to reach the lake was given up.
While these efforts were being made the
supposed wreck had passed out of sight.
When last seen it was in mass of
floating ice which Was being carried by
the current toward the southern end OF
the lake, its course being Slightly to-
ward the east.
AT o'clock the Baltimore and o hio
the authorities to carry rescuing parties
to the stations along its line in Indiana,
which are close to the lake. Captain
jenkins and a detail of policemen and
several fremen from South Chicago
companies awaited themselves OF the
offer of the railroad company, and
shortly afterward an sngins and one
car started for Miller, Ind. which lies
close to the lake and ia about ten miles
east of Whiting. 1t was believed from
the direction in which the supposed
wreck was drifting when last seen from
South Chicago that it would come
ashore in the neighborhood OF Miller.
CAPTAIN POWERS STORY.
Captain Powers, in an interview, de-
scribsd the supposed wreck as a long
black line against the white field OF
ice. ~ do not say that it was the hull
OF the Chioors," he said. 'but it hsd
the appearance OF the half submerged
hull of vessel. 1t was about the
length OF vessel like the
Chicora. but 1 could not see it
enough to make out det-
nitely what position it was in. 1t APP
pesred to be hull with all the upper
works gone. and upon it could be esen
several black objects which might be
taken for human beings. but there was
no sign OF life. I thought at the time
that it was the hull of the Chicors, and
think 90 yet. 1t seemed to DO drift
ing fast, and when | saw ii first it
seemed to be about three miles out. [
have seen several persona this afternoon
who saw it and declared that living
men could be seen on it. but l saw moth
ing to indicate that there was anything
On it that was alive"
A. ]. Davenport, the keeper of the
lighthouse at the mouth OF the Calu-
met, watched the object for more than
hour, but he was unable to say whether
It was the hull of vessel or not.
DARKNESS HIDES THE MYSTERY.
During the day there was great ex-
element in South Chicago. Hundreds
climbed to the tops of their hou1es in
order to get view of what they be-
ieved to be the wreck OF the Chicora.
Along the shore as far as One Hun
iredth street the crowds stood in the !
bitter cold wind and binding snow |
torn, which began in the latter part of |
he afternoon. When it began to grow (
lark a crowd OF several hundred on the |
hore at One Hundred and Eighth street
quilt huge beacon fire. in the hope OF
attracting the attention OF the people /
IN the supposed wreck if any of them
we're alive. All sorts of rumors were cir-
ulated through the town, and
cores OF persons could be
ound who saw or said they
aw living men on the wreck and walk.
ng about on the ice which ell rounded
t. Some had counted the men and the
lumber varied from 10 to 20, or nine
more than the crew and passengers OF
he missing steamer. There were come
' no said they had seen the men on thu
wreck making signals. and had even
lesrd shots fred az an appeal for help.
Jone of the stories could be verified and
hey were totally at variance with the
estimony OF the police and tugmen who
lad watched the object through glasses.
NOTHING BUT SEA aULLs.
Latar--Captain jenkins, OF the Vessel
,wnere' Towing company, at 8 80 p. m.
eported The tug Perfection had just re-
urned from the search, and quoting
)aptaip Consaul'u words in making his
eDort, Captain Jenkins said:
1--WE found nothing at all saw moth
az but asa gulls and ice.
A report, however is in circulation.
omiug from Miller, Iud.. to tbs effsct
hat some persons there not only saw
he wrsck but could make ous this name
,hiOors. but tbisi ia not verified.