The Republican journal., 1916-09-14

on the Simonds, and when opposite Car
rolton, some five or six miles from
the city, were abreast of her and the
boats were only few rods apart, the
Simonds inshore. | was in the forward
end of the saloon and wishing to speak
to the Major walked aft to look for him.
Coming to the open gangway leading out
to the guard, just forward of the wheel
house, saw that it was filled with pas
sengers gazing at the rival steamer. The
Major was not among them, but in the
crowd were two or three colored walters,
and lust then the steward called to them,
"Stand back off the guard" | turned
to 90 forward again and as did so ter
rife explosion took place and the saloon
was filled with steam. On going for
ward found crowd before the bar call
ing for drinks and another crowd before
| the Office demanding the money back
they had paid for passage. 1t was not
of course known then what the damage
was, whether the boat would take fire or
sink Fortunately we escaped both ca
lamities and the Falls City was soon tied
up on the Carrolton shore. A cylinder
head had blown out, and section of the
guard where the group ] had seen was
standing had disappeared and the floors of
some of the adjacent staterooms, includ-
ing the one next ours, had been shatter-
ed. Two bodies were found on the deck
of the Simonds, the others went into the
river, and if not killed by the explosion
were drowned. The galley on the Sim
onds was reached by few steps from
he main deck and the cook, who had
started to come down just as the explo-
sion took place, was thrown to the deck
and had one leg broken. He libelled the
Falls City later and got damages, When
things had quoted down and most of the
passengers had left we learned from the
officers that repairs would be made in
day or two and decided to remain by
the boat. Having made some changes
in costume and arranged for the safety
of our belongings We went ashore and
boarded street car for the city. 1t was
the opera for me, and | did not realize
that an anxious relative would be haunt
ing the newspaper Offices for details of
the disaster.
Repairs completed, the Falls City made
a mother start and reached her destlna-
tion without mishap. There is one ad-
vantage in going up rlver-the boat does
not have to turn and head up stream in
making landing, which involves turn
ing again on departure. The current IS
very strong, but when headed up stream
only bow line is needed, the boat swing
ing in against the bank or levee. At the
! important landings there are wharf
boats, old steamboats, Invested of their
smokestacks, engines and boilers, but
retaining the superstructure, the state
rooms sometimes used for lodgings
while the main deck was used for stor-
age and handling freight. Landings are
made anywhere on call. The bow is
h eaded in to the bank, deckhand or
two go ashore with hawser. which is
made fast to tree. and there you are.
1t was very pleasant travelling on the
big passenger boats in those days. The
able was equal to that of the best no.
tells, there was music, vocal and 1nstru-
mental, by the colored employees, dane
ing in the saloon aft, gambling in the
forward saloon, comfortable chairs on
the guards where you could sit in the
the shade, read, smoke, or watch the
taking off or on of passengers and
freight at the landings.
On arrival at St. Louis we went to the
Planters Hotel, then the leading hostel
ry, and Major Prince. learning that the
start across the Plains would not be
made for some time, depc rted for visit
in the east, and spent six weeks in a
city where had not an acquaintance.
was not long, however, in getting &C.
quainted with the hotel clerks, and
spent my evenings at the theaters, at