VOL. LXII. No. 102 . . : . . NEW BERN, N. C, SATURDAY MORNING JANUARY 31,
1914
FIVE CENTS PER COPY
KifiaMM
Ey.fc;i,feiiss
Aire ' UKeeoimted For
Sleepy and Frightened Passengers
and Crew Had no Chance to Fight
in Dense Fog, the Monroe Going
to Bottom in Less than Ten
Minutes After Accident
llllUtllt li aUlt : TUy UIC
Direct Cause of the
Aeeident-tSurviyors
Carried to Norfolk
Three Die Enroute.
A Norfolk, Jan. 30. The steam
r Monroe of the 01dJDomin-
ion Steamship Company sank
near Winter Quarter lightship'
about 2. o'clock this morning n,ght.
following a collision with the The tug boat Apollo was dis
steamer Nantucket of the Mer- patched to the scene this morning
chants and Miners Transpor-' and on board of her were two
tation. Company; At 3:15 physicians. W. H. Ingram of
o'clock this morning the Nan- Sumpter, South Carolina, was
tucket , was still standing by, among those drowned. . His widow
picking up the boats from the
Monroe with passengers ana
crew. The extent of the dam
age to the Nantucket could
not be learned;
y The Monroe "left Norfolk
with passengers and ; freight
for New York, while the Nan
tucket , was ' bound to Norfolk
from Boston with passengers
and freight. E. E. Palen,, as
sistant general manager of
the Old Dominion Steamship
Company, . admitted receiving
word of the collision,' but did
not know , the extent of ; the
damage.
." The revenue cutter Onon
daga and the wrecking tug
J. J. Merritt have started to
the1 Nantucket's assistance.
Norfolk, Jan.-" 30.r-The Old
Dominion Steamship Monroe was
rammed and sunk bytheMerchants
and Miners liner Nantucket off
Hog Island at 1 :40 orcldck his
morning and fifty-four persons
are believed .to ; have perished.
The Monroe sank within twenty
minutes after the collision' Vi '
; Out of a dense impenetrable
fog the wireless early this morning
sparked out the" tale of a tragedy,
dooming along at half speed the
Nantucket struck the Monroe,
cutting her nearly ''half in two.
Boats from the Nantucket picked
rp eighty-five persons, among
them being Captain Johnson of
ir.e I'.ionroe. ine cession took
1 1 je almost direct! e..t of the
I twcnty-uve r.."' 3 to
: '1 cf lie j LL..J g.i t!.e
f ' 1 ?irylani and Vir-
Tm
of those saved are passengers or
crew is not definitely know n.
Immediately after the message
telling of the accident reached
here the revenue cutter Onon
daga started for the scene of the
disaster.
vMrs. T.- J. Woods was the only
Norfolk 'Lady among the list of
passengers. Mrs. Wood left last
night for New York to be at the
bedside , of vher dying husband.
It is known that she w.as rescued
but her husband died during the
and an adopted daughter survive
hfm. Edward. P. Lyon, another
one lost was manager for six
years oft the Colonial- theatre
in this city ,and recently resigned
the , management of 1 the : Lyric
theatre to take charge of another
at Savannah, Ga. '
Every member, it is believed,
of the Macaria Theatrical Com
pany was lost. This company
was sent out by William Wood.
Chrles N. Jelleff of Baltimore,
Miss . Hilda Havihlnd ; of New
York and Joe Lewis . of ; New
York. , The list of those unac
counted v for jvthisi'afternoon con
tained the names of F-J- Kuhn,
wireless operator; Mrs. W. ' L;
Balton, k. Newarkt E.-,' GJ" Brown,
New . York? S, " H. : Biidwig, New
York; W.-L. dausen, Milwaukee;
Liehtenant L. B. Curtis, U. Sr A.;
F. C. Davis, Brooklyn, N. Y.;
J. Edwards, U. S. N.; R. Flanna:
gan,, Brooklyn Y.; Ed. Gor
man, Philadelphia; Mrs. D. Gibson
New York; J. Hassell, Courtjand,
N. Y.; E. Hamburgher; Miss
Haviland,' New York'; T. R. Har
rison and & wife of Bridgeport,
Conn.; ,W. H. Ingram, Sumpter,
$: C; E. P. Lyon, New1 York;
A. F. McNair, Buffalo, N., Y.;
C. Nolan New York; E. J. Newby,
U. S. . N. ; Jame C. Connell,
Washington, - D. C. C. W. Poole
and wife, Gray, Va.; J. F. Ray
land wife, New York; Charles
Lawrence and wife, : Lawrence
ville, Va.; Miss Seville and Miss
Combs of the Macaria Theatric
al Company; J. Okakamato, res
idence unknown; W. Snyder,
York; Rip Van Wi "
V. I'.'v, N. J.; lira. E. J. V.'cjIj,
" ; G. V.7.:.: .1, i;:
non of the Macaria Theatrical
Company; 'steerage passengers
J. Gilbert, Zack Schmidt, M.
Bolen, G Roper, Louise ' Scott,
and I. Wilson, all of New York.
Norfolk, Jan. 30. A dense fog
is accountable for the sinking
of the Old Dominion steamship,
Monroe, early this morning. The
vessell left Norfolk last evening
with her passenger list practically
full and carrying a cargo valued
at half a million dollars.
It was a happy crowd that
waved farewells to their friends
on the dock and in return re
ceived many wishes fro a bon
voyage. Little did they realize
that before the break of day that
another disaster, which is one of
the worst, in many years, would
befall them.
Reports received here tonight
state that the captain of the Mon
roe was "feeling" his way along
at a slow rate of speed and that
the lookouts did not see the Nan
tucket until she was within a
hundred feet of the boat. Out
of the impenetrable fog loomed
the eyes of the Nantucket's giant
searchlights, their rays casting
illumination only a short distance
ahead. A second or two before the
crash occurred the siren whistles
of both vessels rent the air
with a piercing blast.
This awakened many of the pas
sengers and there were a number
awake when the bow of the Nan
tucket crashed into the sides
of "the Monroe. Naturally there
was confusion. The officers of the
Monroe realized that the vessel
was badly damaged and the boats
were ordered lowered as quickly
as possible, m Into these clamored
the! passengers, the unwritten law
of the sea again prevailed and the
women came:1 first. The vessel
sank so-quickly that there was
?aved to secure any of their be
longings from their cabins and
many of them were only half clad.
The Nantucket stood by and her
crew succeeded in ;; picking up
afl those who had been fortunate
enough to get 4nto the ine boats.
Thev Monroe cost five hundred
thousand ' dollars and her cargo
was valued at the same.. The
officers of the company.in a state
ment given out todayr expressed
their regret at the accident and
stated that they stood ready
to. do ! all within their power
for -the survivors. , "
i Norfolk,' Jan. 30. With heavy
canvas awning covering the gap
ing hole in her bow, the steamer
Nantucket bearing the Monroe's
rescued passengers and crew dock
this afternoon. Several thousand
people were on the water front to
watch her pass into the slip
Many of the rescued stood on the
deck of the Nantucket, " wrapped
in blankets as their only garments.
Two of -the rescued had died
These were Mr. Thoma3 Harrington,-
of Norwalk, Conri.,f and
First Lieutenant Legrand B. Cur
tla, second coast artillery, Water
vllct arsenal New York. Mrs.
II :':Tr Eton's body, placed in a
t ccr"n, was borne from
SAFE BLOWERS
MAKF RIH HAIII
i IT
Owner Of Store Robbed Well
-Known Here.
NEPHEW OF, O. MARKS
Cash Was The Only Thing
Taken Or Disturbed
By Thieves.
O. Marks, one of New Bern's
leading wholesale merchants, re
ceived a message yesterday from
a nephew at Norfolk telling of
the robbery by safe blowers of
his place of business in that city
on Wednesday night. The Nor
folk Ledger Dispatch carried the
following account of the robbery
yesterday morning:
for tne nrst time in many
years safe-blowers operated suc
cessfully in Norfolk Wednesday
and M. Marks & Sons, dry goods
merchants on .Main street, were
the victims. While the entire
day's sales were secured by the
robbers, the amount has not been
made known. Cash was the only
thing stolen or disturbed. A ma
chinist's round bit and a flash
light were left in the store.
"As far as the safe-breaking was
concerned the job was a complete
one. One of the doors was blown
off; the inner door was pried open
and the strong box was smashed.
there was not a penny of the cash
left.
"Entrance to the store was
gained through a; second story
window in the rear. The exit
was made through the same wind
ow. Once inside the robbers
Concluded on page 4
the Nantucket With her husband
refusing to leavex it until it had
been- brought ashore. The body
of lieutenant Curtis was identi
fied by a hataderchief found in the
pocket of his pajamas. He had
died after being rescued.
Thomas Harrington, husband
of the dead woman,.. told a thril
ling story of the . experience of
himself and Mrs. Harrington. He
and his wife were long in the water
and he saved Mrs. Harrington
by swimming with her hair be
tween his teeth jrThey were hauled
aboard the Nantucket's rescue
boat, but Mrs. "Harrington died
from- exhaustion : 'after reaching
the Nantucket. ' "
V Every barrier was thrown in
the way of newspapermen when
the Nantucket do'ejeed and it was
difficult to obtain details of the
disaster. -:V
Some of the rescued leaning oy e
the rail of the Nantucket told the
story to waiting reporters. The
Nantucket rammed the Monroe
at 2 o'clock this morning and the
Monroe careened and turned turtle
in ten or twelve minutes, they say
As the . Monroe i turned on her
side the - passengers and crew
crawled over oii the upper . side,
remaining until ' Washedoff when
the steamer plunged to the bottom
But for the fact that had therebeen
time to adjust ? life ; preservers
many more lives would have been
lost. As it was those rescued re
mained in the water from a half
to three-quarters' of an hour be
fore being got out. E. P. Lyons,
first .reported drowned, u was a-
mong the first rescued, and was
among the first ta come ashore,
clad only in pajamas and a bath
robe, r - V)'' ':-ih--:. ;v,:-;
NORFOLK
IB
FOR
OF
Campaign To Get Them Starts
Soon.
MATTER OF INTEREST
Organization Hopes To Al
most Double Present
Membership. 1
It is now time for New Bern to
take its place in the front rank
in the march of progress. A live
Chamber of Commerce can do
much toward the development
of any community, but the
burden of the organization must
not be borne by a few men. To
day there are two hundred and
sixty-five active members in the
organization.
The year 1914 can be a year
of remarkable development in
New Bern, and the Chamber of
Commerce can aid largely in this
development if the organization
is large and strong enough to
carry out the plans of its leaders.
Realizing the need of a stronger
Chamber of Commerce the com
mittee on membership, headed by
W. W. Griffin, has decided to
launch a membership campaign
at the Court House Monday night
Every citizen of New Bern is
invited to be present.
Speeches by some of New Bern's
live wires will make the meeting
live in the memory of all who at
tend. Cigars and refreshments will
be dispensed free to everyone,
and the occasion will be enlivened
with music by the People's Band.
The time will be Monday night
at 8:30. The place will be the
Court House, and the occasion
will be the launching of the
whirlwind membership campaign.
Keith's Vaudeville
at The Athens
Today
The immense crowds attending
the Athens means that we are
giving the people something out
of the ordinary, and that they are
satisfied with our efforts to give
them good clean refined vaude
ville, and a picture program un
excelled. Tonight Smith and
Farmer, in humor and song and
Raphael Gualano, the great ac
cordion soloist close their engage
ment with us. Hear these talen
ted artists for the last time.
Three reels of good assosiation
pictures today as follows:
An Indian Xfnlsl'o C-t -ntr "
A' thrilling Indian drama by
Kalem.
"The Schemers."
A big Vitagraph comedy, fea
turing John Bunny and Flora
Finch.
"The Detectives' Stratagem."
A great detective story by
Biograph.
More Keith vaudeville next
week two big acts.
Matinee daily at ' 3 :45, two
shows at night, first starts at
7 :3f second . at . nine o'clock, v
A big ; surprise at " the Athens
awaits our patrons next week.
WILL SELL CANDY TODAY
. AT NOON. . .
' The Junior Auxiliary class of
Christ Episcopal 1 church will sell
home-made candy at the Parish
House today at noon, the public
is invited to attend and purchase.
CHAMBER
COMMERCE
YOUNG
COUPLE
WERE NOT ON
E
Mr. and Mrs. Kearns Took
Rail Route.
MUCH CONCERN HERE
Friends Feared That They
Were Among Those
Lost.
. News of the marine disaster
in which the steamship Monroe
sank yesterday morning and in
which a large number of persons
lost their lives, was of especial
interest locally on account of
the fact that it was thought that
at least fhree New Bernians were
on board of the ill-fated craft.
Mr. and Mrs. Thurlow Kearns,
who were married here Wednes
day night and who left on the
midnight train for Norfolk and
who were to go to New York,
were known to have stated that
they would make the trip on the
Monroe. There was deep concern
felt here by realtives and friends
until it was learned that they had
decided to make the trip by rail.
The fact that Mr. Kearns
feared the trip by the water
route, probably saved their lives.
Mrs. Kearns, who was formerly
Miss Lizette Hanff, a niece ot
Miss Anna Pearce who resides on
Pollock street, had told friends
that she preferred to make the
trip by boat, and but for the fact
that her husband changed his
mind after arrival at Norfolk,
they might have been numbered
among those missing.
It was also known that Miss
Wilma H crvey, of Far Rockawav,
N. Y., who has been spending
several weeks in New Bern and
who left this city Thursday mofrt-"
ing enroute home, was to have
sailed Thrusday evening. Until
it became known that she had
gone by the Bay Line there was
much concern for her safety.
Among the crew of the Monroe
were Oscar Perkins and Braxton
Haskins, of Oriental. Telegram
received by the Journal were to
the effect that it was believed
the majority y( the crew had lost
their lives and this news was
transmitted to Oriental. Naturally
the citizns of that little town
felt deeply concerned. Telegram
after telegram was sent from that
place to Norfolk in regard to the
safety of these young men, but
not a word had been heard last
night and relatives and friends
feel sure that they were among
those who perished.
Both Perkins and Haskins
were machinists and were of
course, down in the hold of the
vessel which was probably one
of the most dangerous points.
STREET CAR IN AN ACCI
DENT.
Car No. 8 of the New Bern-
Ghent , street railway company,
was slightly damaged in a collie
sion with a freight train at . the
cormer of Pollock' and Hancock '
streets yesterday morning, f. Fail-1
ure of the brakes to properly
manipulate is said to be the cause
of the accident: , l " ' 1
UNDERGOES AN OPERATION
Miss Annie Lane was placed
in Fairview sanatarium yesterday
to" undergo an! operation for ap
pendicitis. Her condition is as
satisfactory as could be expected.
STEAMER
MONRO