The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1904-06-23

been saved, thus cutting the list OF
missing down considerably, as we'll as
the probable mortality list.
Many persons were injured in the
panic that followed the breaking out OF
the flames on the General Slocum. and
at least 200 persons were taken to the
hospitals. Not death has occurred so
far among these, and many of them
have already been discharged.
Perhaps the moss remarkable case in
the many appalling experiences OF
those who were on the Slocum was that
of Miss Clara Hartman. who was pick
eG up for dead towed behind boat for
several miles, wrapped in tarpaulln
and tagged as dead, and then recovered
consciousness at the Alexander avenue
police station. 1t is now believed sha
will recover.
Although many of the bodies taken
TO the morgue were very badly mutt
lated and the clothing in many cases
almost entirely burned off, valuables
lave been taken from them and are
in the keeping of the city officials to
the extent of 5000 1000 or more. Several
OF the men and women had the savings
of lifetime on them when they per-
ished. Much jewelry, it is reported to
the police, has been lost, but an expla-
nation may be found in the fact that 1t
was Destroyed in the firse rather than
stolen by ghouls.
The official investigation into the
cause of the disaster is being vigorously
rushed, and with determination to fix
the responsibility and punish the par
ties charged with the appalling loss OF
life.
Secretary Cortelyou, of the Depart
ment of Commerce and Labor, will per-
sonally undertake the investigation
into the disaster on behalf OF the gov
.ernment; District Attorney Jerome and
his assistants are working energeti-
cally on the case, and officials Of the
coroner's office have made considerable
progress in the way Of gathering evil
dence, which will be presented on Mon
Gay, when the coroner's inquiry will
begin. There is in the coroners pos
session standpipe taken at his direc-
tion by a diver from the submerged
wreck. The valve of the pipe Is closed
tight, showing that no use was made
OF this pipe in fighting the flames on
the Slocum. Statements were made to
the coroner today by several Of the
steamboat employees who will appear as
witnesses at the inquest that the cap
tain Of the Slocum sailed his boat
distance of between three and four
niles after the fire broke out before
beaching her. Several watches show
ed that more than half an hour had
elapsed from the breaking out Of the
fire unit 1.-The boat was run ashore, all
the watches which were taken from
bodies Of the drowned stopping be-
Estimates as to the number Of dead
still vary greatly, and this may be
accounted for by reason Of the failure
to report to the proper authorities on
the part Of many who, though Off
cially registered as missing, were in
reality saved. Already, 539 bodies have
been recovered. of which about so re-
main unidentified. These include 273
children, 243 women and % men.
Thirteen officers of st. Marks church
sre among the dead, one Of them being
a woman The first funeral from
among the victims was held today,
it being that of young girl who is
believed to have died Of hear disease
from fright. No signs of death from
burning or drowning were founo. Her
funeral was followed by score Of
others, which were attended by thou
sands Of persons from the East Side
community, where most of the dead
had lived. Tomorrow there will be
three hundred or more funerals and
tbirty-two unrecognizable bodies now
lying at the morgue will be placed,
each in separate coffin and in a sep
arate hearse, and laid away in the Lu-
tEeran Cemetery, at Middle Village, L.
burial, plot large enough for the in
terment Of $50 bodies having been set
aside in this cemetery. All the un-
known dead will be placed here side
by side.
Many thousands Of dollars have been
subscribed to the relief fund
General Uhler, of Washington, sup
ervising inspector general Of steam
boats, Collector Stranahan, General
Clarkson, the surveyor Of the port, and
Local Supervising Inspector Rode and
Eumont had conference this after
noon and arranged for the inquiry into
the Slocum disaster ordered by Secre-
tary Cortelyou.
The session was secret, but it was
learned that the character of the life
preservers and fire equipment of the
General Slocum received lengthy con-
sideration.