The Columbus dispatch. (Columbus, Miss.) 19??-1922, 1919-06-18

Sam Clabaugh, Jr., 5-year-old son
of Postmaster S. F. Clabaugh
James Weir, son of A. S. Weir,
manager for S. H. Kress & Co.
Mrs. Sallie Wilkinson.
Robert Clear, a boy.
Bell Albright, Newton Albright,
adults.
Mrs. Fred Bishop and four children.
Miss Margaret Mcclure.
Mrs. Luther McGehee and child
-. Lindsay, a boy.
Mrs. NJ. L. Waddell and child
Miss Sarah McGifford.
Miss Blanch Buckner.
Miss Grace Shelton.
Joe Sherman, a boy.
Annie Ryan, ID, Holt, Ala
Newton Albright, IA, Tuscaloosa, r.
F. D,
Charles wilkins, Hull, Ala.
Louise Robertson and Justiq 0s-
walt, Tuscaloosa.
TUSCALOOSA, June 15.-Nine-
teen persons are known TO be drowned,
while rescue parties, aided by power
full searchlights are tonight drag
ging the Warrior river near Tusca-
loosa for the bodies of IL others who
are missing from pleasure party of
SO, who were cast into the water at
5:45 o'clock this afternoon when a
gasoline launch turned over in mid
stream near the manufacturing SUI
burb of Holt.
The boat, the MARY Francis" was
owned by Sam Aston, a Tuscaloosa
capitalist, who has been giving week
" boat rides 10 the children Of the
city. Alston was saved after ne had
exhausted himself in the water en-
deavoring to save his guests. Ply
sicians declared tonight that he is in
serious mental condition as a result
of the tragedy
Most of the victims were women
and children, as are practically all the
missing. An overcrowding Of the
launch is given as the cause of the
accident, though the boat was sup
posed to have a passenger carrying
capacity of 60.
Among those who were rescued was
Sam Clabaugh, postmaster of Tusca-
loosa, and former secretary to Con-
gressman-at-Large John w. Aber-
crombie, He was hauled from the
river by three little girls, who were
expert swimmers.
The Mary Francis was commanded
by Captain Antonio. a veteran and
skilful riverman.
Since Mr.. Aston purchased the
launch, declared to be the best on the
Warrior river, he has made it his
practice to share it's pleasures with
his fellow tOwnsmen, particularly the
children, This was the fourth or fifth
Sunday cruise he has given his guests
during his present season. The boat
was equipepd with life preservers and
was considered as safe a launch as
builders could make her.
The tragedy took place about five
miles from Tuscaloosa between Holt
and Riverview. 1t was witnessed by
several persons standing on the banks
Of the river. which is approximately
a quarter of a mile wide at that
point. The Warrior channel there is
about IS feet.
The party started at $3.50 o'clock in
the afternoon from the Tuscaloosa
wharf and ran up and down the river
for more than two hours, with the
spirits Of host and guests running
high with enjoyment. Survivors say
that the launch was not too much
crowded for pleasure, though the
guests had to sit rather close to-
gether.
II was when Mr.. Aston had given
instructions for the return to the Tus-
caioosa wharf that the accident oe-
Cured
I'm going to put about" Captain
Antonio warned the guests. Every
body hold on to something. If you
haven't anything to hold on to, hold
on 70 each other" he instructed.
He gave the wheel . smart whirl
and the launched turned sharply. SO
sharp was the turn that the weight
Of the guests were shifted to the port
side. The launch Immediately listed,
eareened, turned completely over and
its 5S passengers we're sent struggling
into the swift current IN midstream.
The fey swimmers- Struggled