Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 163, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 July 1910 — BOLE SURVIVOR OF A CIVIL WAR. SHIP TRAGEDY. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

BOLE SURVIVOR OF A CIVIL WAR. SHIP TRAGEDY.

Michael S. Brockett of Enfield, 111., Is believed to be the last survivor of the little group of men who escaped from the steamer General Lyon when it was burned off the coast qf North Carolina, March 31, 1865, going down with 480 passengers. The disaster, now almost forgotten, was one of the most appalling of the closing days of the Civil War. Brockett is living in retirement on a farm. He was disabled for life by injuries received when rescued from the wreck of the burning steamer, and was allowed a pension of ?8 per month for twenty-nine years, and ten years ago, by a special act of Congress, this was increased to ?30 a month. The wreck followed four years of service with the Fifty-sixth Illinois Infantry, Brockett and his brother going home on a furlough to recuperate from sickness.