The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1897-05-10

New York, May 9.-The Mallory line
steamer Leona, which left her pier on
Saturday bound for Galveston took fire
at sea, put back and arrived in port to-
night with 16 corpses on board The
dead were 13 steerage passengers and
three members of the crew. who sue
cumbed to a terrible fire. which oc-
Cured of the Delaware capes at an
early hour this morning. The horror of
the story can hardly be told tonight.
Those who are dead were penned up
below decks and, although frantic ef-
forts were made by the officers Of the
vessel to save them. the fire had gained
such terrific headway before the danger
was discovered that all escape was cut
of. The steamer carried in her cargo
many bales of cotton. 1t is not certain
how the fire originated. but when It was
discovered 1t burst forth with such fury
that It was impossible to reach the
steerage.
Even then the steerage passengers
apparently were unmindful OF the dan
ger, else the smoke and flames had not
reached them. The saloon passengers
were first aroused and I'm such a man.
ner as to occasion little alarm. When
IL became apparent that the fire had
cut off the steerage the captain and his
men poured great quantities of water
down the ventilators and the most
frantic efforts were made for the esca pe
of those penned up. Eight Of the steer
age passengers made their escape. The
dead are:
Bridget Sullivan.
II. Cantine.
Mrs. c. Guzza
Miss Guzza.
Miss Hannah Solomanson.
Mrs. Valcick.
Miss Valcick.
Sophie Schwatilz.
Marie Wades.
Two unknown children.
Two unidentified.
The crew:
Alfred Hardy, waiter.
ALFRED Lang. waiter.
III. Hartman, butcher.
The Mallory line steamer Leona left
here Saturday at 3 o'clock p. m. bound
for Galveston. with II saloon passen-
gers. She carried general cargo OF
merchandise. Captain Wilder was in
command. with First Mate Wallace and
Second Mate Sweeney assisting. The
chief engineer was Taylor. with
three assistants, and a crew of about
20 men. including firemen and deck
hands. Among the passengers was $.
V. Winslow OF Rutherford. n j. ON
his return to this city late tonight Mr..
Winslow told the following graphic
story OF the fire. which the World will
print
I'VE left the pier at o'clock yester-
Anx x.~ts
beautiful weather. We passed through,
making excellent time. the chief en-
gineer congratulating himself that all
was well and making the remark 10
his assistant that he could not believe
this luck could continue for the trip
that had started under such favora BILE
auspices. Sandy Hook was passed and
the lights OF the Jersey shore were still
visible when We went TO bed. BY the
time We passed Barnegat light. at II
O'Clock, all the passengers were In bed
The watch going of at Il o'clock re-
ported everything well. There was nc
suspicion OF any fire or other trouble.
First Mate Wallace was passing IN,
bridge about 2 o'clock a. M, when III
thought he smelled smoke coming from
the forecastle. He went down the com
panionway and opened the door to tn,
1
was a burst of flame which burned hi,
face. Wallace turned and ran on decl
and cried the alarm OF fire to the for
ward watch. telling him to awaken tn,
steward and have all the passenger,
aroused as quickly as possible withou
creating any excitement The stewart
did this In a quiet manner. going /,
each state room and waking the occu
pants. He said In calm tones tina
there was a slight fire in the forwsr,
part Of the ship and IL might be advis
able for the passengers TO get thei
things together. II might be possible
he added. that the ship would eventu
ally have TO he abandoned.
There was no excitement among tn.
saloon passengers. Most Of then
packed their luggage and carried &
from their staterooms into the main sa
loon. They gathered In the saloon ant
remained there and after the officer,
had assured them there was no imme
diate danger they took matters quietly
The steward made frequent trips and
came back with reports Of the progress,
of the flames. He said the fire was con
fined below decks and. as the flame:
did not rise very high. the passenger
did not fully realize the extent Of thei
peril. Captain Wilder rushed on decl
at the first alarm. clad only In an un
dershirt and trousers. He assumed
command and at once ordered the erev
to rescue the steerage passengers. Oi
the same deck with the steerage. on tn
port side of the shin. a large nuantit,