Arizona republican., 1916-09-28
MRS. THARA[DSON
 TELLS IF CONGRESS

Declaring that the burning of the Congress was like huge picnic Mrs Phny A. Tharaldson, a passenger on the Ill fated steamer says she thor oughly enjoyed the experience, but it was one she would not care to go through second time.
 Mrs Tharaldson is at present in Bellingham. Washington In a recent interview in the American ReYille she is quoted as follows:
 Tt was just like a big picnic Every body was jolly and good-fatured and even when the flames broke through and the black smoke poured out of the ventilators there wasn't a sign of pan ic or undue excitement" said Mrs Pliny A. Tharaldson, survivor of the steamer Congress, which burned recently. With Mrs. Dan Bronson. Mrs. Tharaldson arrived in Belling- ham Sunday.
 Mrs. Bronson and myself were in our staterooms when the first alarm of fire was given at 3 o'clock in the af- ternoon. said Mrs. Tharaldson last night For some time there had been strange noises overhead-men rushing back and forth and the hauling across the deck of chains and ropes l had made many trips before and l thought 1t was merely fire drill, but Mrs Bron- son. who was making her first coast voyage, became alarmed at the noise and finally we went out to investigate A steward told us that the ship was afire and we went back after our bag gage. It was no use. They told us to put our suitcases back. saying that they were safer there and that we would not be allowed to take them with us on the lifeboats.
 Life Belts Issued
 Life belts were issued to all the passengers and for more than an hour we stood huddled together on the bow while the snapping flames poured 1 through the portholes and the Vessels forged ahead toward shore The crew had to force pillows down the throats of the big ventilators on the bow to prevent the smoke from suffocating us, but even with danger so close there was no panic.
 The cool. collected man on the bridge, with his set face and his calm manner, prevented the passengers from losing their self control and in my estimation prevented the loss of life which so often accompanies fire at sea To Captain Cousins and his crew must go nigh praise for their | conduct in the face of disaster. 1 As we drew into Coos bay the sand | dredge Colonel F. s. Michie which was | at work near the shore si@hted us and 1 blew her whistle With the last pound of steam we answered the signal and l dropped anchor Then without haste or confusion the women and children were loaded into the lifeboats and rowed to the Michie which put out | from shore to meet us.
 l Since the lifeboats on the burning side of the ship could not be used, it was necessary to make several trips with the boats before all of the ships company could be taken to safety.
 Baggage Gone
 | At Marshfield the people of the town took us in and treated us like in vited guests A carnival had just been concluded at the town and the inhabi- tants turned on the illumination which mad been used during it and that night the big panel Welcome" burned for us We were accommodated for the night at private dwellings and the next morning those of us who were short clothing and toilet articles were supplied with them,
 Then we were shipped through to Seattle by special train.
 While I am glad that l had the ex- perience neither Mrs. Bronson or my self would care to go through il again. One fire at sea is enough. Sc
 far as I know all of our personal bag gage was destroyed"
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