The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-12-13

In steering the boat toward the land, the
moment he was aware of the disaster
there were few people able to make their
escape over the bows of the boat. The
forward staircase was soon enveloped I'm
flames, and the wind drove them and the
smoke in suffocating volumes aft. Thus II
was that so many persons found them
selves compelled to leap from the stern
into the current of the river, where per-
haps it runs with as great rapidity as
in any portion of it's course.
From the information I can gather
and my own recollection, l suppose there
were seven ladies In the cabin and four
or five children. Not one of them was
saved. Their agonizing shrieks and pray
ers yet remain in the ears of all who
heard them. One mother placed her child
on a mattress and vainly endeavored to
breast with 1t the resistless stream but
though aided eventually by the praise
worthy exertions Of the chief mate, she
and the object of her final struggles were
soon buried beneath the waves
"a father (Mr. Thomas CARSON was
drowned in his fruitless efforts to save
his son, though encouraged in his falling
efforts by the heroic boy. A woman.
the wife of a deck passenger, was seen on
her knees enveloped in flames, and was
observed consequently to cast herself
from the buring wreck. -Four persons
were saved by skiff, after having noated
down to Bridgeport ON boards and bar
rels, and five others, two or three miles
below, were seen after the shades Of night
had fallen. exhausted, numbed and
cramped-they had given up all hopes of
rescue. I suppose, from what I have
heard, and from 80 to 10 persons had
persisted.
A large quantity of California gold dust.
ingots and coin, were lost In the trunks
OF passengers, and large amount OF
money and treasures was deposited in
tho strong box, of which, later, there
was some hope of recovery. SO delight
full and all-absorbing is the consideration
of rescued existence, that those who have
in this fatal accident lost all of a life
OF toll, have received with cheerfulness
the congratulations of their friends-and
though deprived of clothing, have pro-
ceeded with thankfulness to their fami-
lies and friends.
That model of the American gentleman.
Colonel Preston of South Carolina, VIII
perhaps not pardon my intruding his
name before the public in recording his
noble proffers OF his princely purse to
destitute sufferers. The neighbors Judge
Bridges and Mr.. Petway. also deserve the
most honorable mention for the liberal
manner In which their Inequalities were
dispensed.
The captain of the boat will not be
denied the sympathy of the public in
this. his terrible misfortune, not only be-
cause he was in nowise responsible for
the occurrence but inasmuch as he felt 1t
Ike child. and endeavored to avert It..
as an officer and man.
The Orline st. John was in command
of Capt Tim Meaher. a man of great
personal courage and sound discretion.
In the issue of the Register from which
the above was taken we find the follow
ing old-timers advertised for the two
rivers. viz:
For the Bigbee river: Lowndes. Robert
Otis; Forest Monarch. Henderson Kenney
Sunny South, Charles Miller. Eliza S. G..
Stone; Clara, ]. NJ Brainard.
For the Alabama river: Farmer, w. r.
James; Daniel Pratt. F. M. Johnson: Isa-
bella, S. c. Burweli; May Clifton, Tom
Adams; Selma, A. II. Johnson; Emperor.
Jesse ]. Cox.
The following week the William Brad
street was announced In place Of the ill.,