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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (July 25, 1907)
ES WOMAN. SHE SAVES HIIU Phil E. Goslinsky Assists Miss Eva Booker on to a Life Raft. HEROIC FAVOR RETURNED When Almost Exhausted From Swimming Miss Booker Helps the Imperiled Man to Climb on Board. Phil E.'' Goslinsky, of San Francisco, was among those who had- to swim for It. When the crash came and ,the Co lumbia was settling, Goslinsky paused to assist several women into, a life raft, among them being Miss Eva "Booker, of Franklin. Ky. A few minutes later. Miss Booker returned the heroic favor by help ing Goslinsky onto a life raft when he swam 'alongside, all but exhausted by a hard struggle with the brine. He had given his life-preserver to a woman and but for the fact of being an excellent swimmer would have been lost. Mr: Goslinsky appears to have kept his head completely through the ordeal and gives an excellent account of the colll - n i y,a onAnoa that- followed. He was on his way to Seaside to visit with his sister, Mrs. I. N. Flleschner. of Port land, and had a berth on the upper deck. He was awake at the time of the ahock and paid little attention to the mishap until his roommate bustled about saying the vessel might be in danger. "The shock was very slight,,, said Mr. Goslinsky, "I hurried out on deck when my roommate said a serious accident might have occurred. Poor fellow! He died of exposure later in the morning. I do not recall his name but I know his bodv was recovered. There was a full moon and the San Pedro was standing off at a short dis tance. I went to the port rail and looked down. Seeing brooms and buckets floating from the portholes I realized the accident was serious. A moment later all hands were called on deck and the launching of life-boats was commenced. There was a great hurrying about for life-preservers. I got one from my cabin together with my watch and an overcoat which I slipped on over my night clothes, having no time to dress. When I started for my cabin, the life boats were being launched already. I paused to assist several ladies into a boat, among them Miss Booker, who af terwards returned the compliment with Interest. "I had not counted on the vessel settling so quickly. When I got back on deck the water was nearly up to the ral. and all the life-boats were gone. I Jumped overboard at once and . n. tto miiniriv an I could awav from the sinking boat in order to avoid the deadly swirl which I felt must come when she plunged to the bottom. I was tired out by the time I got near a life-boat and could not pull myself aboard. Miss Booker then reached down and helped me climb aboard. "An instant later the Columbia sank. It was an imposing sight, awful as was the occasion. The big steamer plunged forward as her stern dipped undr the surface, therewas & hissing, rumbling sound as she gave the final lurch, and a swirling, wreckage-lit-ered whirlpool marked her grave for many minutes. There was a terrible medley of agonized screams and yell ing as the boat sank. It must have taken scores with it. "From the first, I heard the master of the vessel giving his orders, cool and in even tones. He had every chance to save himself had not .his first care been for the passengers. "We were taken aboard the San Pe dro which was in a sad plight. The water was washing her decks and it was feared she would never reach shore. A frail little woman came up to me and said she had no life-preserver. I offered her mine and she said she would not take it unless I was a good swimmer. When I assured her I could swim if necessary she took the preserver reluctantly and fastened It on." Mr. Goslinsky lost all his effects ex cept his watch and overcoat. He came ashore at Astoria in a rough canvas suit supplied him at Eureka. Mr. and Mrs. Fleischner and Mrs. Goslinsky, his mother, met him at Astoria. EXPRESS THEIR GRATITUDE COLUMBIA SURVIVORS ADOPT RESOLUTIONS. Thank Officers and Men of San Pedro and Elder and Citi zens of Eureka. At a meeting1 of the survivors In the dining hall of the steamer George W. Elder yesterday afternoon, resolutions of appreciation for services rendered from several quarters. were unanimously passed. The resolutions were prepared by a special committee selected by the survivors at an Informal meeting and are as follows: Whereas, Wi bHeve that the h1pht aim in living or dying Is unselfish service of our fellow beings and that noble deeds are wrought in .times of crUis by those only whose natures are true to this high principle, that such natures are schooled through right thinking upon great idea; so that they pon taneously arise in acts of self-torgetfulnesa and therefore all worthy examples of such peaceful following of the highest duty should bs fittingly commemorated; and Whereas. In the perils through which we have passed since the collision of the steam ers Columbia and San Pedro, on Sunday. July 21 1907. we were witnesses , of many gener ous actions performed in disregard of danger or exertion, all for our benefit; and tVhereaa. We desire to express to all m-ho rendered assistance in our distress our abid ing appreciation of their efforts in our be half: therefore be it Resolved, That we acknowledge our appre ciation of th efforts of officers and crew of the Columbia who assisted In- the work of r-scue; through their activities many were tfwisted in adjusting life-preservers; some bnats were launched and passengers were llftr d from the waters. Resolved, That we express our e interest thanks to the officers and crew of the San Pedro, who so promptly cams to our rescue and labored to the point of exhaustion to save the unfortunates who were struggling in the sea. For their generous, heroic effort we will ever remember them with affection. Resolved. That we confess the debt of grat itude which we owe to the officers, crew and passengers of the steamer Geo. W. Elder for- the kindnesses and substantial comforta which were rendered under circumstances most try ing alike to the survivors and the rescuers; especially are we grateful to the stewardess, RESCU 1 hK'- Mrs. Deselle Wood, whose patience and womanly tenderness soothed many an aching heart, and to the physicians who attended the sick and wounded. Resolved, That we extend to the Mayor of the City of Kureka, California, Its relief com mittee, the citizens end Masons and Eiks our heartfelt thanks for the many kindnesses and material favors shown u while In their city. Our memories will fondly cherih the place SISTER OF R. D. CANNON AMONG THE RESCUED. - ;s.: 9, 4 T r i - L- - - o ... . MIra Stella Cannon. The above photograph Is that of Mies Stella Cannon, slater or R. D. Cannon, city editor of The Evening Telegram. Miss Cannon was among the rescued. Her hrother, L. O. Cannon, was also saved, but her mother, Mrs. K. B. Cannon, is among the missing. The latter Jumped from the Columbia with her son and daughter, anoV all sank to gether. When her son and daughter arose to the surface Mrs. Cannon was not to be seen. Miss Cannon ii now In a Eureka hospital wl th a broken rib. where we found a haven and the hearts which answered so feelingly even beyond our real needs. Resolved further. That copies of these reso lutlone be furnished to the Mayor of Eureka, to the captains of the San Pedro and Geo. W. X- r K- s lLL.-jl. -jsSrtiiusatL .: tl Ai. ,?:.4rw n SllllllllW lliiB M - - . Ft cv- ' - X . . This remarkable photograph of the San Pedro was taken by a passenger ' from the bow of the George W. Eider as that steamer approached the San Pedro the morning after the collision. On the deck can be seen the survivors THE MOKXIXG V 8CEXE AT MARTIN'S DOCK. POETLAND, Elder, to the senor surviving officer of the Columbia and to the press. (Signed) J. C. Orr. chairman ; Mrs. Chas. A. Eastman, Geo. L. Hoodenpyl, Joseph P. Eclf. Wm. Hardin Lucas, secretary. All tha survivors spak In high terms of the treatment accorded them at Eureka and aboard the Elder en route to Port land. The majority lost all their effects, escaping In their sleeping garments. Eu reka stores were thrown open and all needing clothes were given suitable ap parel free. In order to accommodate , the ship wrecked passengers on . the Elder, the officers were at their wits' end9 for the staterooms were already occupied by the vessel's regular passengers. However, the problem was solved and those able to stand a little inconvenience in the face of such conditions, were requested to give their berths to the survivors, which they did In most Instances with good grace. The Elder reached the scene of the wreck at about 6:30 A. M. Sunday morn ing. " The San Pedro was seen struggling along with a heavy starboard list with her hurricane deck aft crowded with pas sengers. She at once laid to and Cap tain Jessen launched his small boats and transferred passengers from the San Pedro. He then cruised for some time in search of lifeboats or rafts bearing sur vivors. The body of one dead man was picked up and the Elder then returned to the San Pedro, passed her a line and towed her into Eureka. The departure of the Eflder for Portland was Monday at 7:15 P. M. The vessel was slowed down Tuesday night so as to rech the Columbia River bar at day break yesterday. The steamer loaded at Astoria at 6:35 and remained until 9 A. M., when the voyage to Portland was resumed. She drew alryigside her dock here at :20 P. M., after an uneventful trip up the river. SAW MRS. - SOULS OX DECK But Miss Florence Thompson Then Lost Sight of Her Friend. Miss Florence Thompson, a survivor, who arrived yesterday, was in company with Mrs. William H. Souls on the Columbia during the evening preced ing the collision, said yesterday that she had seen her on deck after the collision. After that Miss Thompson says she saw her no more as they were separated while getting to the boats. Mrs. Souls has not yet been heard of and all hope of her escape has prac tically been abandoned. Divorce Suit Dismissed. Judge Fraier dismissed yesterday the suit of George M. Bradley for a divorce from Kate Bradley. PHOTOGRAPH OF THE SAN .... ... OREGOXIAN, THURSDAY. "A i . h m WHEN THK GEORGE W. ELDER ARRIVED AT 6:20 O'CLOCK LAST NIGHT, MANY ARE DESTITUTE RESCUED PASSENGERS OF CO . LTJSIBIA JLOST HEAVILY. Traveling Funds, Tickets and Bag gage Are Lost Steamship Line Will - Furnish Transportation. Not a few survivors are left in straightened circumstances as a result of losing their money and effects in the wreck. "I do not know where my supper is coming from tonight, I haven't a cent left in the world," said Joseph Rumley, as the Elderneared Portland late in the afternoon. "My purse, my trunk and even my everyday clothes went to the bottom with the Colum bia. All I have is 'this black shirt, which I had on when the wreck oc curred, and these clothej which were furnished me after I' was picked up by a lifeboat." "My travelling fund of $300 and my ticket home are gone. I have nothing in Portland to look forward to, al though I can quickly supply my needs by wire," said 'Miss Emma Griese, of Cleveland, O. "Everything I had with me went down." Others there-were in similar plights. Among the steerage and Second cabin passengers a good percentage had the whole of their worldly possessions with them when they were wrecked. There was much speculation as to whether the steamship company could be held liable for these losses, and if all the suits talked of are filed the courts will be most busily occupied with damage actions for some time to come. An agent of the steamship line boarded the Elder Just outside the port and passed among the survivors, assuring those from distant points that every effort would be made to secure new transportation for them free of charge. LIFEBOAT TIED TO COLUMBIA Before Rope Could Be Cut Passen gers Were Upset. Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Rlggs, of Bloom ington, 111., arrived on the Elder and were met by a dozen or more of the PEDRO AFTER THE COLLISION WITH THE COLUMBIA JULY 25, 1907. in ...r v. fern Illinois colony of this city. Mr. Rigs said: "I had a premonition that something was .going to happen on the trip and re tired half dressed. When the crash came we rushed to the deck and scrambled Into a boat. Just as we were being lowered into the water the Columbia lurched to one side and our boat was upset and be fore the rope could be cut we were up- i Him Maybelle Watson. Who Saved Miss Emma Griese From Drown ing. set and our boat was carried down with thej vessel. I sank for 20 feet or more but my wife did not. When I came to the surface I called to my wife and we got together. As soon as possible we worked ourselves from the spot where the Columbia went down and later found a large plank to which we clung until rescued and taken to the San Pedro. We aue none, the worse for our dreadful ex perience but lost all we had excepting the clothes I had on and the gown my wife wore." George Fraser Guilty. George Fraser pleaded guilty in Judge Frazer's court yesterday to a charge of highway robbery and assault upon E. J. Maxwell on March 17, last, from whom he took 1125. It is prob- l able that he will be sentenced Monday. r f i " t I ' - t 4 " , I ; - i i i ' - c t M it ot tne Columbia. To the right is a liferaft. The plight of the San Pedro with the waves washing over her is plainly apparent. Two lifeboats are approaching the steam schooner. 4 I II LOSES WIFEANDTWO BABIES SILVO STRUGGLES TO SAVE THEM BUT FAILS. Steerage Passenger Coming North "' From Los Angeles In Search of Work Is Bereaved. Possibly the saddest story that comes with the grim reaper's list of Columbia passengers is that of E. Sllvo, who lost his wife and two babies while strug gling to save them. Silvo was In the steerage, and was coming from Log Angeles In search of a new place to make his home. He managed to get his wife and babies on deck, but they were only In time to be drawn down by the sinking ship. In the face of this staggering loss, survivors say he worked with a will In saving others, and not until the confusion was ended did he give up to his grief. Thereafter he was in consolable. He went ashore at Astoria yesterday forenoon, harboring the faint hope that his loved ones might be among those who landed in a life boat at Shelter Cove. Here Is the story of hl overwhelming misfortune which Silvo related to J. Grant Kline, a fel low survivor, while the Elder was at sea the day following the tragedy: "We were in the steerage when I felt the ship list. Having been a sailor for many years In my earlier life, I knew there was something gone wrong. I ran down into the engineroom and saw the water pouring in so fast I knew the ship would go down quick. "I ran back to my wife and put my youngest baby, 2 years old, Into her arms. I took my 6-year-old boy In my own arms, and we went on deck. I saw the boat was about done for. I kissed my wife and baby goodbye Just as she went under. I tried to keep hold of them "but we were washed apart. j. "I came up with the little boy in my arms and looked for my wife and baby. They were not there. I knew I would never see them again. For a long time I held the little boy until some wreck age struck me and I lost my hold. In a flash he was taken under. I hunted and called and dived every way. He was gone. Then It came to me that my wife and my babies were gone and that I would never see them." v- A 2 ' 5', -j. FOG NOT HEAVY AT EOF J. Grant Kline, Survivor, Says Air Was Clear .for Mile. ONLY A SLIGHT JAR FELT Colorado Man and His Wife Put on Life Preservers, Jump Overboard and 'Are Picked Up Censure for One of the Officers. J. Grant Kline, of Sanger, Cal., is among the survivors who assert there was no heavy fog at the time of the colli sion and that the sea was clear for fully a mile in all directions. He likewise is at a loss to understand the reported con fusion of signals. He was awake and partially dressed when the collision oc curred and went on deck immediately, after cautioning Mrs. Kline to slip on a life-preserver. This is his story of the wreck: "I had berth No. B0. next to the purser's cabin, on the upper deck and had not yet retired for the night. It wss the first night out and I was somewhat nervous when the two boats began signaling. Two distinct blasts were given by each toat. I distinctly recall that no other signals of any sort were sounded. "A few moments later oame a gentle Jar. You could hardly call it a Jar, either. It was ao slight. The Columbia re versed her engines before the shock oc curred. Feeling something was wrong I got a life-preserver on my wife, put one on myself and we got out on deck as soon as possible. It was a clear night and I saw the San Pedro lying off at a distance. "The lifeboats had already been manned when Mrs. Kline was prepared to go on deck and fearing that the boat was going to the bottom at once, we Jumped into the water. We were picked up promptly by one of the lifeboats. The Columbia went down with a weird, hissing sound. I do not believe her boilers exploded as there was no report. "The officer In charge of the lifeboat we were in was a disgrace to his calling. He swore, fumed and raved. When we were helping a corpulent woman from the lifeboat onto the San Pedro, this of ficer wanted to leave her till the last be cause she was slow in moving. He raved continually and threatened to knock several people down and throw them Into the sea because they did not act as he thought they should. He re fused to pick up several women, say ing the lifeboat had all it could hold. "The officers and crew of the San Pedro did everything in their power' to help the survivors. Regardless of the precarious condition of the ship, the San Pedro people hustled wearing apparel and served hot coffee to the shivering refugees." HOT ILL THE MEN HEROES MISS PEARL BEEBE IS PUSHED ASIDE BY AX UNKNOWN. In Haste to Save Himself He Refuses Help to Girl Trying to Reach the Deck. That all men in the wreck of the . Columbia, were not of a manly mould is Indicated in a regrettable manner by the experience encountered by Miss Pearl Bebee, of Portland, who was nearly strangled by water in the hold of the San Pedro after having been rescued from the Columbia Water pouring through portholes, flooded the compartment In which Miss Beebe had taken refuge. At tempting to rush on deck, she was ruthlessly pushed aside by an un known male person, who was en grossed in the problem of getting him self out on deck. "Knowing the need of haste, and being unable to get up the stairs quickly I seized his coat from behind as he passed me," Miss Beebe told a party of friends on the Elder yester day forenoon. "Instead of giving me the benefit of this aid, he turned and shook himself free of my hold and sprang on up to the deck." An effort was made by the survivors to locate this precious coward. It was thought he might he aboard the Eldpr on his way to Portland, but Miss Beebe said she doubted if she would be able to recognize the man, even if confronted by him. Men's bathing suits! Price way down! Robinson & Co. General Debility Day in and day out there is that feeling of weakness that makes a burden of itself. Food does not strengthen. Sleep does not refresh. It is hard to do, hard to bear, what should be easy, vitality is on the ebb, aud the whole system suffers. For this condition take Hood's Sarsaparilla It vitalizes the blood and gives vigor and tone to all the organs and functions. In nsual liquid form or In chocolated tablets known as Sarsatabs. 100 doses $1. WEDDING AND VISITING CARDS W.G.SMITB6C0. WASHINGTON BUILDING Fourth and Washington Streets Schilling's Best is sdld in packages only, never in bulk. Your irrocer returns your moner if von don't tike it; we pay him TM WRECK