Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-07-07
RIVER WRECK
DEATH TOLL
EXCEEDS 100
Pekin Folk, Exeited by Har'
rowing Experiences, Make
Threats Against Ships
Officers.
By Associated Press.

Peoria, ILL.,, July 6.-With
>63 bodies recovered and the
total number of dead tonight
estimated at 100 to $50 per-
sons, government, state and
county officials began search
ing inquiries into the cause of
the wreck of the excursion
steamer Columbia Friday night.
: Survivors have charged that
the big steamer, carrying 500
passengers on a return trip
from Peoria to Pekin, ILL.,, was
driven against a sandbank
scarcely 10 feet from shore
and about five miles south of
Peoria, during a heavy fog.
First reports were that the
craft had struck a snag or SUBJ
merged log.
= While the orchestra continued to
play OH the dance floor, which proved
death trap to scores of the 200
dancers, the vessel, it was said,
backed into deep water, where it sud-
denly broke in two and Immediately
settled on the bottom Of the river
with only the pilot house and part of
the superstructure appearing above
the water.
Cony vitality Ran to, Extreme.
Harry Smith, chief of police of
Pekin, said:
Reports have come to me that the
drinking on board the Columbia the
night of the tragedy was carried to
extreme. This phase Of the case will
receive rigid attention after we have
buried our dead. The results may be
amazing. "a. ...,... -.9.~e~ ,.s..s. :,
The Columbia was condemned
eight years ago just before il was
purchased and repaired by Captain
Mehl, according to R. V. DoWnes,
federal Inspector of hulls of St. Louis,
and his assistant, G. r. Bowers, who
have begun an investigation OF the
accident. .
It was on the return trip to Pekin
from Peoria Friday night that a
faint jar extending from stem to stem
gave the first intimation of the on
rushing tragedy
The disaster came without warning
when the 500 merrylnakers aboard,
after nights outing at Al Fresco
park, in Peoria, were ending the eve
ning's entertainment with dancing
and concerts by the orchestra.
After the survivors had been cared
Tor, it was found impossible, because
Of the darkness, to continue the search
for bodies and this was halted until
daylight. At sunrise scores of volun-
teer' workers hacked at the wreckage
while two divers began bringing out
the bodies.
Ships Officers Menaced.
Pelin, ILL.,, July 6,-After a day
spent in collecting the dead from
the wrecked excursion steamer Co
lumbia, many citizens, excited by the
narrowing scenes tonight gathered in
saloons and other places and threat.
ened to wreak vengeance on any OF
the ships officers whom they should
find in any way at fault for the sink
ing of the ship with the loss OF a
hundred r more lives.
Precautionary measures against
mob violence were taken by the city
police. Extra patrols were thrown
about the streets, and the closing OF
saloons was threatened if any uri-
toward actions were started.
Although no official inquiry has
been made to determine whether the
fatal accident was due to negligence
of the navigators of the large steam
er bearing some 500 persons down the
Illinois river. relatives of those lost
and others loudly condemned mem
bers of the crew as responsible for
the large loss of life. . .
I'VE have sensed trouble and made
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