The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1895-02-14
THE EXCITEMENT IN NEW YORK
WAS INTENSE-PEOPLE
LAUGHED AND CRIED
WITH JOY.
PASSENGERS ALL WELL,
y. History of the Trip BY One of the
Passengers on Board-The Trouble
Was a Break Down in the Ma
chinery-Not Ship Sighted En-
Route.

New York, Feb. 11.-LaGoscogne was
this afternoon. She was proceeding slow
ly.
1t was not until ) o'clock that the look
out was sure that the vessel was
she balated steamer, whose arrival has
been anXiously awaited. She was ac-
Compaued by two other steamers, one
slpparen 5ly an Anchor liner. She dis
played signals, but in the failing light
they could not be made out from the
station on Fire Island. Her French laS
was soon made out and as no other YES
sci of that line was due, LaNormandie
having come in this morning, there was
little doubt of her identity, and it probably
never would have been questioned but
that her long delay had led shipping men
to believe that if she was still atloat
she would first be heard of from some
other port. The hope was strengthened
when II was seen that the vessel had two
masts nd two red smoke stacks, black
topped
The Delated steamer will probably not
reach the bay until 8 o'clock tonight as
she was moving very slowly. In that
81
until sunrise tomorrow morning. She
should reach quarantine at about Il. m.
and her dock before 10 o'clock.
THE JOYOUS TIDINGS.
New York, Feb. 1.-THE news that
Ia Gascogne had been sighted was re-
>eaived with great excitement at the Office
of the French line in Bowling Green. The
cabin Office was crowded with anxious
ipquirars who have relatives and friends
ON board the steamship. They had been
andinc around with pale faces, expect
iig at any moment to hear the worst.
When the word came that the ship was
safe for q moment stiffness reigned,
which was almost painful in its inten-
sity. Agent Forget for Il moment was
rendered speechess, which evidenced
how anxious he had been for the safety
of the steamer. Then he regained himself
and became wildly hilarious. He shouted,
ran here and there, grasping the hand of
this one and that one, and fairly jumped
up and down over the floor. amid the
excitement of the moment. Then he put
on his coat and started for the French
line pier ut the foot of Morton street,
where q ug had been in readiness to
take him to meet La Gascogne, should
she be sighted. Several of the anxious
ones awaiting news from the Office went
on board ne tug with Mr.. Forget.
Many vet eyes could be seen in the
French lDe office when the good news
was asceriained, and the tears were not
from The eyes of women alone. Stong
men yept as little children. The strain
( of days of worry had been too much for
them.
One man, Mr. Rich, broke down COM
pletely, and sobbed as if his heart would
break. ile nas three daughters on board
La tiascOgne, two of them of tender
years. III mad abandoned all hope when
tAe Joyful tidings came.
TIE NEWS SPREADS QUICKLY.
New York, Feb 11.-Not since the UNI
5ria was reported safe two years ago,
after perilous voyage across the At
lantjc with a broken shaft, has there
been as much excitement in this city as
this evening.
When the news was flashed across the
wires thar 4 steamer resembling the long
missing Lu Gascogne had been sighted
off Fire Island, the inference that the
French liner was safe did not, for some
tine. reassure the generally incredu-
iaus public. 1t was too good to be true,
and Il vas only when the bulletin was
announced that the La Gascogne was