Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 July 1892 — SANK WITH THE FOLSOM [ARTICLE]

SANK WITH THE FOLSOM

DVER A SCORE LOST IN THE PEORIA DISASTER. ManjpPerson* Yet Unaccounted For Believed to in th* Cabin of the Overturned Boat—story of the AccidentThe Storm Came Up with Awful Rapidity. Found Watery Grave*. Twelve bodies have already been recovered from the wrecked steamer Frankie Folsom, and sixteen persons are yet to hear from, telegraphs a Peoria, 111., correspondent. The bodies of the following named persons are recovered: The Rev. J. H. MtjMetn, Benson; Mrs. Fred Fisher; Cora Fisher; John H. Arends, Pekin; Mary Flatt, Pekin; Mrs. Henry Duisdecker, Pekin; Mrs. W. G. Willis, Pekin; Miss Lottie Shade, Shelbyville; Miss Lottie Butler, Pekin; Mrs. Kate Beebe, Pekin; Grant Heppler, Streator; unknown body of a young.glrl. Divers who were sent down near the wreck reported seeing four bodies crushed under the wreckage. These cannot bo gotten at until the boat is righted. Nearly the > whole 'excursion party was composed of the better class of the population of Pekin and Delavan. Never since the Chatsworth disaster has there been any such excitement here. The burst with remarkable suddenness. Above the roar of tlje wind and thunder the cries of the passengers on the Folsom, as they clung to spars, guards, aDd pieces of furniture, could plain’y be heard, while at each succeeding flash of lightning the wreck could be seen by thousands who lined the river bank In the face of the drenching rain.

The storm did not last long. It blew up with rapidity little short of marvelous, and as quickly subsided. The rain continued, but the danger was over, and soon more than a score of rowboats were slowly' bringing passengers to the shore. Everything possible was done by the citizens and officials. Patrol wagons, ambulances, and nearly the entire police force were ordered out to assist In oaring for the rescued. Miss Heppler, of Streator, was rescued in an insensible condition and removed to a house. It is impossible to tell whether she will recover or not. James Thomas is in the hospital. A swinging timber struck him, terribly crushing a leg. The search for bodies was prosecuted all night. Mrs. Kate Beebe, of Pekin, is known to have been lost. She was on deck at the time of the accident and must have been washed overboard. Her father, Fred Zuckweiler, was dragged out of the wa,ter as he was going down the last time. No trace of the daughter has since been found, and all thoughts of finding her alive have been abandoned. John Smith has not been seen since the accident, and he too must have perished. Immediately on the approach of the storm women took refuge in the cabin, a small room, closed the doors and shut the windows. When the boat capsized they were as if in a prison with no means of egress. Was Returning from Lake View Park* The steamer was returning from Lake View Park, where a speotaoular production of the “Last Days of Pompeii” had been given. The crew numbered five. The evening had been pleasant, but during the latter part of the performance there were mutterings of a storm. It burst suddenly with great violence when the boat had gotten out in the middle of the river. Edward Loesch, the captain, was in the pilot house when the storm struck. He attempted to head the boat for the shore, and as he did so the wind caught it and capsized it. Most of those who were on deck rushed to the upper side, and were in this way saved. Capt. Loesch helped all he could to put on life preservers. He pulled up two women who were struggling out of the cabin. When the beat began to sink a whistle was sent up for aid, but in a few moments the boilers were under water. Word was sent to the police station and Mayor Warner ordered out at once all the policemen, the patrol wagon, and ambulance. The Folsom lay about 100 yards from shore in sixteen feet of water, and was about two-thirds under water careened over on the side. There was not an available tug in the city. The Longfellow, which was struggling near the Folsom, made a landing as soon as she could, and hurried her passengers ashore. It was the intention to go to the aid of the sinking boat, but the wheel got caught in some manner, and great difficulty was experienced in getting away. Meanwhile numerous small boats were put out, although the rough condition of the river rendered the mission very perilous. Rain fell in torrents, and the wind blew in fierce gusts. All of the steamer above water was covered by half-drowned passengers clinging to the upper deck, one side of which showed ; ust above the surface. When the first relief boat appeared, men and women leaped from the steamer and swam to the boat. So many attempted this that they had to be driven back with oars in order to keep the little boats from being swamped. Four persons were brought off in the first boat, and after this the work of rescue went on rapidly. Mayor Warner had ordered out a number of hacks, and as fast as the people were brought off the steamer they were placed in hacks and driven to places of shelter. The river is being dragged for the bodies of those that are still missing.