Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1918-07-10
MUST FOLLOW AS THE NIGHT THE DAP: THOU CAN
EXCURSION BOAT WRECKED.
Many Lives Lost When Steamer
Struck Log in Sand Bar.

uSShS aHu SdlOOuS Oh INC excursion
steamer Columbia, which sank in the
Illinois river near Peoria shortly af-
ter midnight to-day with 593 persons
aboard. Thirtythree bodies had been
recovered to-day, and 1t seemed cer-
tain that many more lie between the
decks Of the vessel Nearly 100 per-
sons were accounted for.
Judge Jesse Black, chairman of
the Red Gross at Pekin, Illinois, the
home of majority of the victims,
believes the death total was between
SO and rs.
A coroner's jury was empanelled to
investigate the disaster.
Scores of small boats We're circling
about the wreck at noon searching
for victims. Many survivors, some
of them In pitiabIe condition from
injuries and exposure, were taken to
Pekin in automobiles.
The Columbia was carrying the
members of the Pekin Social Club,
homeWard-bound ON q river eXcur-
sion, when she struck O submerged
loG on sand bar in a dense fog.
She listed and sank In five mintues
when scores Of terrified passengers,
who were dancing on deck, rushed to
the port rail.
Sobbing crowds thronged the three
undertaking establishments in Pekin,
where the bodies were removed for
Identification. Men and women, half
crazed by grief. rushed from one lit
tie morgue to another searching for
loved ones.
Half the population of Pekin hur-
ried to Wesley at daylight and gath
cred IN hysterical crowds on the
river bank. Several women col
lapsed. Soldiers from military
camps near Pekin were sent to Wes-
ley and Pekin to preserve order.
Coroner Clary held to his belief that
more than 100 had persisted, but
other officials were certain the death
list Will far exceed that figure.
Death List Grows.
Peoria, July 6.-With G2 bodies
dead tonight estimated at $50 to 200
county officials began searching in
quir1es into the cause of the wreck
Of the excursion steamer Columbia
Friday night.
Survivors have charged the steam
turn trip from Peoria to Pekin, ILL.,,
was driven against sand bank
scarcely ten feet from shore, and
about five miles south Of Peoria dur
ing heavy fog. First reports were
that the craft had struck snag or
submerged log.
play on the dance floor, which proved
q n nf ha
the vessel plunged into deep water,
where it suddenly broke in two and
Immediately sank, with only the pilot
and part Of the superstructure ap-
pearing above water.
Harry Smith, chief Of police of
Pekin, in discussing the disatser,
said
Reports have come to me that
drinking on board the Columbia the
night Of the tragedy was carried to
extremes. This phase Of the case will
receive careful attention after we
have buried our dead. The results
may be amazing"
The Columbia was condemned
eight years ago just before 1t was
purchased and repaired by Capt.
Herman Mehl, according to r. v.
Downes, Federal inspector OF hulls,
Of st. Louis.
When the first shock came the Or
chestra paused, but cry con with
the dance,' caused the musicians to
continue playing until suddenly the
elertclc lights f1ickered out and there
was rush of water through the win
dows on one side.
Carried down the steep incline Of
the deck as the boat listed, the crowd
thrown into struggling heap, be-
came a bowling mob in the darkness
hghting to escape through two mar
row dOorways. Those on the lower
and upper decks had better chance
and most Of them leaped into the
swift current Of the river after sup
plying themselves with life-preserv-
ers. Many persons succeeded in
swimming to shore.
Residents Of the whole country
side turned out as rescuers.
The survivors we're cared for but
the darkness halted the search for
bodies. At daylight divers began the
work OF bringing up bodies.
Excited Talk of Vengeance.
After day spent in recovering
bodies Of the dead from the wreck
ed excursion steamer Columbia,
many citizens, excited by the harrow
ing scenes, tonight threatened to
Wreak vengeance on any of the ships
officers whom they sould find in any
way at fault for the disaster.
precautionary measures against
mob violence were taken by the po-
lice. The closing OF saloons was
threatened II any untoward action
was started.
ConerOss Sunbeams. y
C0ner0sS, July 8,-SDecial: An in