Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-04-24
A STEAMER BURNED.
The City Of Pittsburg Meets with
Disaster at 0gden's Landing.
Many PASSENGERS LOSE THEIR LIVES


Cairo, ILL.,, April 21.-One Of the
worst disasters in the history of river
navigation occurred shortly before
four o'clock yesterday morning near
Ogden's landing, near this city.
While almost all aboard were asleep
the steamer City of Pittsburg was
discovered on fire and in few mo-
ments was burned to the waters
edge. The loss of over $4,000 on the
steamer does not include the cargo,
both being total loss. The latest
estimates are that there were $50
persons ON board and that no more
than half Of them were saved, many
of the latter being burned or injured.
As the register Of the steamer was
burned no list can be given either of
the victims or of the survivors and
in the confusion it has been impos-
sible to get complete lists. Capt.
Phillips admits that the death list
may reach 60.
Most of the passengers were still
in bed when Second Clerk Oliver Phil
lips gave the alarm. The engineers
at once started all the pumping en-
gines, while the crew 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 passengers rushed from
their state rooms and a frightful
panic ensued. The appeals Of the
officers and crew could not appease
the terror-stricken crowds that in
terfered with those who threw water
on the flames as well as those work
ing with lifeboats. Few could ad-
just life preservers or do anything
else for themselves. The smoke was
sitting. Great clouds hoated through
the blazing steamer, choking the pas
sengers and adding to the terror.
Children cried pitifully, begging that
they be saved. They knew, as well
as their elders, that death confronted
them and clung to their mothers as
though they alone could save them.
Lifeboats were manned and every eff
fort was made to save the passengers
from the floating furnace OF hames.
Sturdy boatmen rowed as they never
rowed before in their heroic work
of rescue.
Boats. laden to their limit with pas
sengers in the scant attire they were
able TO gather, were landed at the
river banks. As fast as one boat
could be emptied 1t returned to the |
Inflated steamer. the heroic rescuers !
not waiting to catch breath of rest.
The burning steamer was quickly |
headed to the bank, but passengers
had to jump off the stern and try
ing to swim ashore through the swift |
current many were drowned. Many
also perished in the flames, Only one
yawl was saved without oars and the
women were taken off. About 20 or
80 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
in the afternoon and passengers with
only night clothes and without food
suffered terribly.
The fire started in the forward
hatch larboard and burned fiercely.
Very few passengers or the crew
we're aware of fire until it was too
late. The captain and clerk late last
night claimed in all so persons had
been accounted for, leaving 60 peo-
ole lost or unaccounted for.
Many passengers cllng by finger
lips to the burning boat, with bodies
until overcome by fire or
water they sank to death. Wesley
Seeley, fisherman, rescued two
rom the wheelhouse. One was a
nan and the other woman. The
after clung to the boat until her
iands were burned. The case OF Mrs.
Fannie McCullum is most pitiful.
With her three children she was GO
ng to Caruthersville, Mo-, to join her
husband. She jumped overheard and
anded in the yawl, but her three
children struck the water and she
Jaw them sink from sight. She Is
rantic with grief. The body OF the
OF the little ones was re-
covered opposite Mound City. The
children of Mrs. McCullum, OF Leav-
.nwortb. Kan, are also among the
ost.