The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-07-24
AnxiOusly Awaiting Arrival OF
the Geo. w. Elder.
MANY ARE MADE GLAD
Others Disappointed by Not
Seeing Their Lost Ones.
The Steamer Crew Saw No
Rats or Life Boats.

long an eager throng awaited on the
dock for the arrival of the steamer
George W. Elder, which had on board
many of the survivors of the illfated
Columbia, which was sunk in a col
lision with the steamer schooner San
Pedro near Shelter Cove, Cal, early
Sunday morning. Hundreds of peo-
pie, relatives, friends of the survivors,
came from Portland and various coast
towns in Oregon and Washington to
greet their loved ones. Patiently
they waited on the docks throughout
the night, huddled in groups, their
faces illumined with happiness and
chatting happily of the reunion of the
morrow
The scene, however, was not with
out its sorrow. Here and there an
expectant wife, a loving father,
brother or a sister. hoping against
hope, sat huddled and disconsolate.
They were waiting news of the miss
ing, perhaps of the dead. 1t was the
presence of the bereaved that held the
throngs in check and here and there
some man or woman more thoughtful
of the rest, endeavored to console the
poor folk whose eyes scanned the sea
SO anxiOusly for a glimpse of the
Elder. At last the lookout at Ham
mond telephoned in that the Elder
was off the bar and at 4:45 o'clock
another message came that the Elder
was almost inside. A great cheer
greeted the news and the watchers
began to pace up and down the pier.
/ nervously scanning the harbor to
= 9tch a glimp pSe of the steamer. When
ct last the Elder finally was discerned
In the glow of the early morning there
was cheer after cheer. Hundreds of
people from all parts of the city were
added to the expectant crowds. Long
before the Elder was within earshot
people on the docks began fusillade
of questions, but it was useless.
Excitement Grew
1t was not long, however, before the
people on the dock recognized or
thought they could recognize their loved
ones and the excitement grew more
tense and demonstra tive.
The scene on the Elder was perhaps
more animated. Crowds of eager people
were gathered on the decks and a long
row OF happy faces shown over the the
rail. Hats were waved and the cheers
of the rescued mingled with those of
the watchers on shore.
Shouts of greeting went back and
forth, the Elder came to her dock
and cries of How are you?' Are you
all right?" and punctured now and then
with the cry of a mother father ap-
appealing for news of loved ones. There
were pftiful scenes when it was learned
that the Elder had picked up none of
the Columbia's life boats or RATS. All
hope had departed for some and they
slipped away from the merrymakers to
hide their sorrow as best they might.
1t was only too true-the Elder had not
sighted any OF the missing RATS or
boats and had picked up none of the
victims after leaving Eureka.
As the gang plank of the Elder was
swung out upon the dock there was a
mad rush to get on board the vessel,
but Captain Jessen, reluctant as he was
to restrain the union of his passengers
and friends and relatives on shore. was
obliged to maintain discipline. When
all was ready, the survivors were per-
mitted to go ashore.
An Odd Looking Crowd.
1t was curious crowd that thronged
down the gang plank. Attired in all
sorts of misf1t garments, the passengers
presented an odd appearance. There were !
some who had fitted out in Eureka, but |
1t was not difficult TO recognize the sur
vivors of the Columbia disaster. The |
scene upon the dock was almost beyond |
words. Everp possible demonstration of |
joy was spent and the hugging and kiss |
ing continued for many minutes. Some |
few were overcome by the excitement /
of the meeting and some women tainted /
but were soon revived. Some of the /
descued were carried off their feet by /
friends. They were taken care of by |
others and made welcome by the good /
people Of Astoria. Flowers were dis |
trIbuted and hot coffee and other good |
things were there for those who needed |
them.
Ninety-three Still Missing.
San Francisco, Cal, July 24.-But few /
lost and saved of the steamer Columbia |
published yesterday. The steamer Off |
cials have been informed that Chew |
Mock of Oakland. a Chinese first class |
traveller. who was reported missing, was |
among the saved. Miss B. Musser was |
also found to be among those saved in
stead of missing as at first reported.
The company has announced that the |
bodies of the victims were being held |
by the coroner's jury at Eureka pending
orders from friends and relatives to
have them shipped to this city and Port
land. The remains of eastern passengers
will be sent home by both routes
A revised list of the passengers shows
los saved and n missing. OF the Off
GERS and crew 40 were saved and 16 are
missing. This makes total of 80 unac-
counted for
Sixteen names were added to the list |
of survivors yesterday. These sixteen
passengers were in a boat which landed L
at Shelter Cove The boat also contain
cd two dead bodies. that of Mrs q. A |
Lewis of Pasadena. Cal, and an un-
known man, presumably sailor.
Ninety-three persons eIe unaccounted
for.
Those added to the lf.t of survivors
are B. B. Kriever of Prescott, Ia: Jacob
dorette, New Bedford. Mass: O. A
Lewis. Pasadena. Cal; Edwin wa1in.
San Francisco; Mrs Winklebock Dunn
Poplar Bluff. Mo-; Mrs. W. H Angels
Oakland, Cal; Miss Blanche W. Musser
Salt Lake City. Utah; Mrs. Ruby Cooper.
Francisco: B. w. Graham, Portland.
Ore
The Missing.
These cabin passengers are missing.
Mrs. R. Anderson.