Rensselaer Republican, Volume 25, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 April 1893 — TRAGEDY ON THE TIPPECANOE. [ARTICLE]

TRAGEDY ON THE TIPPECANOE.

Steamer Nellie Bly Demolished by an Explosion. The little passenger steamer Nellie Bly, while making a trip down the river at Winanjac, Sunday afternoon, blew up, seriously injuring eight persons. Those possibly fatally injured are: George Cram, proprietor of the Eagle machine shops, both legs broken and crushed and severely injured Internally; J. F. Fishborn, proprietor of the boat, scalded and hart Internally; Clarence Fishborn, his son, badly scalded; Daniel Rhodes, badly bruised and internally injured; James Long, badly scalded. When the accident occurred the boat was In shallow water. The pilot had discovered that there was something wrong with the machinery and was steering for shore. But for this fact it is probable that every person on board would have lost his life. Dai.iel Rhodes was blown about thirty feet inland and covered with wreckage. His recovery Is doubtful. James Long was blown into the river, and his rescue was accomplished with great difficulty by those who were not seriously injured* The physicians have amputated Crane’s legs, and it is not expected that he will live. The boat was demolished, and sank immediately after the explosion. No person on the steamer escaped injury.