Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1912-04-20

that any men were fired upon and de-
ciared that only once was revolver dis
| charged.
This was for the purpose OF intimidat-
ing some stserpge passengers.' he said,
"who had tnmbled into boat before II
was prepared for launching. This shot
was fired In the air and when the for
aigners were told that the next would
be directed at them they promptly re-
turned to the deck. There was no con-
fusion and no panic"
Contrary to the general expectation.
there was no jArring impact when the
vessel struck. according TO the army ON
Ger. He was In his berth wSen the YES
sci smashed into the saomerged portion
Of the berg and was aroused BY the jar.
He looked at his watch. he said. and
found II was j'ist midnight. The ship
sank at 80 a. m. for his watch stopped
At that hour.
Hays Predicted Disaster.
before I retired" SAID colonel Oracle.
II had long chat with Charles II. Hays,
president Of the Grand Trunk railroad.
one Of the last things MIR. Hays said
was this;
"'The White Star. the cunard and the
Hamburx-American lines are devoting
their attention and ingenuity 70 vielng
with each other TO gain the supremacy
in luxurious ships and In making speed
records. The time will soon come when
this will be checked by some appalling
disaster. Poor fellow. few hours later
he was dead"
Aston saves Young Vile.
The conduct Of Colonel John Jacob
Astor was deserving Of the highest
praise Colonel Oracle declared The
millionaire New Yorker" he said. de
voted all his energies TO saving his Young
brids. nee Mas Force OF New York. who
was In delicate health.
Colonel Aster helped Us In our efforts
10 gather In the boat" said Colonel
Oracle. Il lifted her into the boat and
a. she took her place Colonel Aston re-
qaested permission OF the second officer
10 90 with her for her own protection.
"'No, sir replied the officer. Not a
man shall so on boat until the women
are all off Colonel Astor then inquired
the number OF the beat, which was be-
Ing lowered away and turned to the work
Of clearing the other boats and in re-
assuring the frightened and nervous
women BY this time the ship began to
list frightfuiiy 10 port. This became 50
dangerous that thu second officer or
dersd everyone 10 rush to starboard.
This we did and We found the crew trying
10 set boat off in that quarter. Tksre
| saw the last Of John D. Thayer ane
George 3. widensr Of Philadelphia
Colonel Oracle said that despite the
warnings Of icebergs no slowing down Of
speed was ordered by the Commander OF
the Titanic, Thare were other warnings.
TOO. he said.
In the tweuty-four hours run ending
the i4th," be said. the ships run was
50 miles. and we were told that the nsxt
twenty-four hours would see even a
better record posted No dimunition Of
speed was Indicated in the run and the
engines kept VI their steady running.
When Sunday evening came We ell
noticed the increased cvld. which gave
plain warning that the ship was In close
proximity TO ieebergs or ic- fields. The
officers. am credioly informed. had
been advised by wireless from other ships
Of the presence OF iceesrgs and dangerous
Toes In that vicinity. The sea was as
smooth as glass and the weather clear,
20 that II seems there was no occasion
| for fear"
Il Consider Accident Joke.
i ssWheu the ve=>sl sfrz,ca. = ue continued