Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-07-24
SNIP LISTS, CAUSING PANIC ON BOARD,
AND TURNS OVER in FIVE MINUTES
Strange and Unprecedented Accident Precpitates 5000
Women and Children Excursionists Into Chicago
River Just as They Were Boarding the Boat for al
Days Outing Across the Lake-Hundreds Caught in
the Cabins Like Rats in Cage and Early Tugl
Crews Were Unable to Save Them All.

Of the hull. Every other minute their
assistants were signalled to "pulr' and
another victim was added to the num-
ber Of dead. 1t was the result Of the
divers work that caused the coroner
and police estimates to mount above
1000.
Police and nre tugs organized the
river craft into a rescue feet. Boats
were directed to cruise down the river
and watch for bodies and the sanitary
canal trustees were asked to close the
dam at Lockport, Ill. thus shutting OF
the current of the river in order to aid
in this work.
Rumors Of the disaster spread rapid
ly., Its fun significance was realized
when motor trucks. piled with blank
eted Forms. rolled thru the 'loop- dis
strict to norsuss and Undertaking e.
tsbliihmsats.
''It's worse than the 1roquois," was
the word that went about the streets
and Immediately the city went into
mourning. The American and Federal
baseball games were called on and
many theaters announced their doors
would be closed tonight and the
churches summoned their members to
pray for the dead and offer comfort to
the living.
Bodies Recovered.
Az ~ n'r1nNl ho Y,o1jco ~ <1so$
500 bodies had been recovered. Re-
ports from various places on the river
said that moro bodies were being taken
from the water.
Shortly before II o'clock two divers
descended into the water and began the
work Of taking tho bodies from between
the decks. Tbey were attached to lines
and hauled up at signal. Every other
minute q body would be hauled up.
Emmett Prochall. one Of the eight
divers working on the wreckage Of the
sunken steamer, upon coming to the
surface after being under water for an
hour, stated that he knew there were
at least thirty bodies remaining in the
bow Of the boat alone. During the
latter part Of his submersion he
brought to the surface the bodies Of
five young girls and three babies.
Edward Apkin, employed near the
scene Of the disaster, put out in a
motor boat as soon as the steamer
turned over and succeeded in rescuing
sixteen persons.
Stories of SURVIVORS,.
Mrs. William Peterson, wife Of the
foreman at the Western Electric COM
pany was pulled thru q poft hole Of
the ship to safety.
II was pulled clear under water and
when came to the surface saw two
hands reaching out Of q porthole.-
They pulled mo thru. I don't know
whether my husband. daughter and
sister in-law were saved or not"
Mrs. n. II. Thoyer, 80 years old told
Of clinging to her two children, Harry.
aged z, and Helen. aged s. after they
and her husband william Thoyer. had
pitched into the river. Mrs.. Thoyer
and Harry were rsQcued. She lost her
hold on Helen ana the daughter with
Mr.. Thoyer arc believed to have
drowned.
Mrs. Thoyer was hysterical when she
reached . temporary shelter place.
NY husband and and the children
were standing together on the deck and
all Eel! into the water IN . heap" she
said. Il am q good swimmer. caught
hold OF my son Harry and my little
girl Helen and clung to them and kept
myself up for some time. I don't know
how. / saw men and women ttlmbling
into the water around me. Ny hus.
band disappeared among them. had
Harry with my right and Helen with
my left. seemed 20 lose al strength