The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1902-04-24
A STEAMER BURNED
Awful Scenes On Board a fated
River Boat
SIXTY PEOPLE REPORTED MISSING
Passengers Awoke to Find Them
selves Surrounded By Smoke and
Flames.

Cairo, ILL.,, Special.-The side-wheel
steamer City of Pittsburg, from Gin
cinnati to Memphis, was burned to the.
waters edge early Sunday morning, at
Turner's Landing, "a miles from this
city. The early reports stated that 65,
lives were lost and that many were
badly burned and otherwise injured.
but the list Of casualties is not yet def
nitely determined. Two boats and all
available craft from this city went TO
the scene for relief. Efforts were made
to catch the New South, of the same
line at Paducah, and have her steam
back for relief, but the steamer had
passed Paducah, upward bound. before
the telegram was received. Most Of the
passengers were still in bed when Sec
ond Clerk Oliver Phillips gave the
alarm. The engineers at once started
all the pumping engines, while the
crew had brought all the hose into
play. Amid the streams Of water on all
sides, the flames from the lower deck
and dense clouds of smoke, the passen-
gers rushed from their state rooms and
a frightful panic ensued. The appeals
Of the officers and crew could not ap-
pease the terror-stricken crowds that
interfered with those throwing water
on the flames as we'll as with those
working with the life boats. Few could
adjust life preservers or do anything
else for themselves. The smoke was.
stiffling. Great clouds floated through
the blazing steamer, choking the pas
sengers and adding to their terror.
Children cried pitifully, begging that
they be saved. Life boats were manned
and every effort was made to save the
passengers from the floating furnace OF
flames. From the river banks the
sparks from the burning craft and the
dense clouds of smoke, tinged with
flames. made a most impressive and
weird spectacle. Boats were sent from
shore to help in the work OF rescue.
The steamer was quickly headed TO the
bank, but passengers were forced TO-
Jump from the stern and tried to SWIM
ashore through the swift current and
many were drowned. Many also per-
ished in the flames. Only one yawl was
saved, without oars, and about 20 or ~
women were taken off in the yawl. The
rest were picked up out of the water.
Help, except from people living near by
did not arrive until 2:30 o'clock this
afternoon, and passengers with only
night clothes and without food suffer-
ed terribly. Among the missing are
child Of Pilot AL. Pritchard, and Clay
Breeze, his wife and son, and a son OF
Archie NJ. Allen, of Pittsburg.
Captain Philips says 20 or % o. the
passengers are missing and the same
number Of the crew. Two women pas
sengers were severely burned, but VIII
recover. They are Mrs. S. r. Leach, OF
Bridgeport, O., burned about the HANDS,
and Miss Ellen Kenmore, OF Arbuckle,
w. Va, severely burned about the
face. Mrs. Fannie McCullum, or LeaV-
enworth, Ind, lost three children. Pat
Burt. of Owensboro, KY, his wife ana
six children, were all lost. The body OF
a child dressed in night clothes, was
taken from the river at Mound City.
Among the first bodies recovered we're
those of Captain Wesley Doss, OF Gin.
cinnati, and Miss Marie Tissim, Oh
Canelton. Ind.
Miss Marie Lisler, Of Carrollton, u,
died after being brought on shore.
Sylvester Doss died after getting TO-
shore.
The following is partial list OF those
lost: Mr.. Adams, Of Ohio, bound tor
St. Louis; Mr.. Downs, of Mempnis'
Tom Smith, sherman, OF Memphis;
Patrick Burrafe, of Owensboro. hy.;
Joe Kidding and Lud Jones, strikers
engineers, of Cincinnati; Wm. B. stu,
art of Cincinnati; little. girl named
Sweeney, of Owensburg, KY; l.. L.;
Hunter, of Litinti, Pa; two COOKS anu
two chambermaids and most OF the
deck hands.
The fire was discovered at 4:05 a. m
There were 60 passengers and 1o IN the
crew.