NEWSPAPER EXCERPTS.

From the Conneaut Gazette of Nov. 13
Shipwreck and Loss of Life

Shipwreck and loss of Life - At an early hour this morning a hull of a vessel was seen off our harbor, and with the aid of a spy glass, one person was discovered on board; but as the Lake was rough, and the wind to the northward, it was impossible to go out to the vessel.  About 8 o'clock, however, when she had drifted within about thirty rods of the shore, one mile west of the Harbor, two or three individuals plunged into the Lake, and succeeded in getting on board, when a scene of horror and distress presented itself to their view.  The individual before discovered, proved to be the mate, by name Henry Waghorn.  He was unable to help himself much and seemed indifferent about getting on shore, and by his side, lashed to the windlass, were the lifeless bodies of two men, and in the cabin ten more of men, women and children.  The mate was put on shore, and soon after the lifeless bodies of four men, three boys, four girls, and one woman, were taken on shore, and decently interred, in the burying ground attached to the Presbyterian Meeting House.
     After the mate had become revived and able to converse we learned from him the following particulars relative to the accident.  The schooner is the Trader, of and from Otter Creek, Canada, loaded with lumber and bound for Cleveland, with a crew of four, including captain and mate, and ten passengers.  There was a widow lady and six children, name not known, and three gentlemen, one by name of John Richardson.  On Wednesday morning, when between Ashtabula and Grand River, about daylight, a squall struck the schooner, which split all the sails and rendered her unmanageable; and about 11 A.M. two heavy seas struck her in quick succession, which capsized her, and carried away both her masts and bowsprit, and stove a hole in her larboard bow.  At the moment she capsized, all on board were below.  In about five minutes she righted again, when the mate, two of the hands and one passenger (name not known, ) got upon deck, and all succeeded in lashing themselves to the windless, except the passenger, who was swept overboard.  The captain and remainder of the passengers did not attempt to come on deck, but remained in the cabin, about two-thirds filled with water, until they died, which was between 10 o'clock that night and day-light the next morning.  The groans and cries for help continued until about day-light.  The widow was bound for Cleveland, where she has a son residing.

A young man named Orrin Thomas, engineer on the new steamboat Cleaveland, was instantly killed on Monday evening, just as the boat was leaving Conneaut for Detroit.  While engaged in fixing some part of the machinery, his head came in contact with one of the ponderous cranks, by which it was crushed to pieces.  His age was only 18 years.

The Conneaut, Ohio, Gazette, will probably be relieved of its wonder at the course taken by the U. S. District Judge.  It was the only course by which he could detain these injured individuals in jail, to die by inches, or to be delivered over to their Spanish oppressors.  If not detained as criminals, they would have been within reach of a habeas corpus from the State courts.
Source: The Duluth News Tribune
Minnesota
Dec. 14, 1909
Gale on Erie Halts Search for Lost Men
No More Bodies on Car Ferry Victims Are Recovered Four of the Nine Victims.
According to Story Related in Pennsylvania City, Sister of One of Unfortunate Men Saw the Boat Sink While Dreaming Steamer Jesse Spaulding Safe.
ERIE, Pa., Dec. 13 - Four of the nine bodies picked by the Commodore Perry yesterday the first of the remains found of the 38 men who lost their lives when the car ferry Bessemer & Marquette No. 2, foundered on the angry billows of Lake Erie were sent to their homes tonight. The bodies shipped are those of William Ray to Butler, Pa; Thomas Steele to Conneaut, Ohio; George R. Smith to Conneaut, Ohio.
The body believed to be that of J. O'Hagan of London, Ont., was identified as that of Rhines of Port Stanley, Ont.
The Commadore Perry which did such heroic work in bringing the bodies in Sunday afternoon, lay in her slip all day with team up, but the gale that swept over the entire lake region was of such a nature that to venture upon the waters of the lake would have been suicidal. The wind subsided tonight.
According to a story related here, Sarah Clancy, a sister of one of the missing men, saw the car ferry sink while dreaming Tuesday night and since that time she has insisted that her brother is dead and all with him were lost.
Rumor Proves to Be False.
A report was received here this afternoon that another yawl boat had been signed near Westfield, N. Y. This rumor proved false. The south wind which has been blowing all day, would have washed all wreckage and bodies towards the Canadian shore and lake men expect that the next discovery will be made on the other side of the lake.
Following is a corrected list of the men still missing not including all of the passengers: R. R. McLeod, captain, Conneaut; J. C. McLeod, first mate, Courtwright, Ont.; Frank Stone, second mate, Coneaut; Eugene Wood, chief engineer, Conneaut; E. Buckler, first assistant, Conneaut; T. Kennedy, second engineer, Conneaut; W. Wiglesworth, fireman, Conneaut; W. Wilson, Wheeslman, Conneaut; Fred Walker, unknown; Watchman F. Annis, Conneaut; J. Clancy, Cleveland; J. Wirtz, oiler, Detroit; G. Lawrence, cook, Port Stanley; coal passers P. Keith, Conneaut; J. King, Port Stanley; J. Bailey, Canada; F. Barrett, seaman, Wisconsin; E. Harvey, seaman, unknown; P. Hughes, seaman, Conneaut; D. Ball, seaman, unknown; Charles Kreitts, seaman, unknown; Albert J. Weis, passenger, Erie; Christ Johnson, passenger, Erie.
From the Conneaut Gazette.
     The most wonderful part of the whole matter, is the fact that Judge Judson, of the United States District Court, could see any thing in this worthy of holding these men to bail.  In killing the crew or taking whatever life was necessary for the purpose of freeing themselves, was not only one of the clearest dictates of nature, but it was unquestionably in strict conformity with every human code, that is considered of binding validity here, or among nations, and in addition to this, they were most clearly justified by the most enlightened and refined rules of moral conduct.  Can it be possible that at this day a man, merely because it he is from Africa, has no right to the exercise of self-defence?  Must he not only be subject to his master when once rendered to servitude, but must be privilege of defending himself from his captors during the process be denied him?  God forbid.  This dread of southern displeasure will, if allowed to prevail, yet lead, we verily believe to the declaration of war by this government against the African princes, if they refuse to deliver up their people to the demands of Spanish or American rapacity.  - Just reverse the picture, make the crew black and the captives white.  Think ye, they would be called "a ruthless gang of African buccaneers"?  Oh!  Indeed the word African has all the charm.  We say again, these have committed no crime against the law of nations, the least violation of the law of God, or any act which an enlightened conscience will not fully approve.  Thanks to the Providence that directed them to a northern port, where they are to be tried by a northern jury.

The schooner Commercial of Conneaut, with 250 bbls of salt on board, was run into and sunk by the Great Western on Monday night, on Lake Erie - Alb. Dai. Adv.

    We had the pleasure of taking by the hand on Monday, our old friend ALLEN, of the firm of Allen & Rollo, publishers of the Conneaut Reporter, a sterling Whig Journal in the "Western Reserve."  He was on a cruise up the Lakes in the fine brig L. A. Blossom.

     The Brig LADY A. BLOSSOM of Conneaut, Capt. J. L. Wood, came into our port Sunday morning with a large load of freight, - 16 cabin passengers and 40 stearage.
     This fine brig, of which Messrs. Lake and Carpenter of Conneaut are principal owners, was launched at that place last April.  She measures 300 tonage - 24 feet 9 inches beam and 9 feet 1 inches of hold.

LAKE ERIE MAY HAVE CLAIMED 32 MORE LIVES

Big Car Ferry is Latest Toll of Wintry Gale.
Hope That Marquette & Bessemer No. 2 Has Outlived Storm Practically Abandoned by Owners.  Capt. R. R. McLeod of Conneaut and Crew of 31 Probably Lost.
Wives and Children of the Missing Keeping Cheerless Vigil on Wharf Awaiting Return of Tub.  Lifeboat of the Burned Clarion, Containing 13 Men Unreported.
DETROIT, Dec. 10 - All hope that the car ferry Marquette & Bessemer NO. 2 outlived the wintry gale which has made of Lake Erie a watery graveyard during the last 72 hours, has been practically abandoned at the head offices in Walkerville, Ont., of the Marquette & Bessemer Docks & Navigation company, owners of the ill fated vessel.  It is believed that Captain R. R. McLeod of Conneaut, Ohio and his crew of 31 men have gone down to death with the big steamer.
Steamer Sights Wreckage:
     The Marquette & Bessemer NO. 2 left Conneaut, Ohio at 10:25 o'clock Tuesday morning for Port Stanley, Ont. with 30 loaded coal cars and under ordinary conditions should have arrived at her destination at 3 p.m. the same day.  She has not been sighted by other boats.  An empty green yawl boat and some wreckage was seen by the steamer W. B. Davock near Long Point, Ont., in the path which the ferry would have taken.  The yawl boats of the No. 2 are painted green.
List of the Crew:
     The list of the crew as given out by Manager Leslie of the Marquette & Bessemer company follows:
Captain Robert McLeod; first mate, John McLeod; second mate, E. C. F. Stone; purser, R. C. Smith; Wheelsman, J. Clancy; Wheelsman, W. W. Wilson; watchman, F. Walker; chief engineer, E. Wood; first assistant engineer, E. Buchler; second assistant engineer, T. Kennedy; seamen, F. Barret, E. Harvey, P. Hughes, M. Sharp, D. Hall; firemen, J. Olson, W. Wigglesworth, J. Cook, T. Steele; oilers, J. Wirtz, J. Hart, A. Snyder, Charles Allen; coal passers, R. Hine, J. King, C. Couptf; steward, G. R. Smith; second cook, H. Thomas; waiter, J. Swartz; porter, G. Larence, and one other.
Made Homes in Conneaut.
     It is believed that all of the crew lived most of the year in Conneaut.  It is not definitely known whether or not there were any passengers on board.
     The Marquette and Bessemer No. 2 was valued at $350,000 and the cargo at upward of $40,000.  She was built at Cleveland in 1905.  The boat is operated by the Pere Marquette and the Bessemer & Lake Erie roads.  She was of 2,514 gross tons, 1,484 net tons, 241 feet long and with a beam of 54 feet.

WIVES AND CHILDREN WAITING AT WHARF

     CONNEAUT, Ohio, Dec. 10 - The wives and children of the officers and men of the missing car ferry No. 2 of the Bessemer and Marquette line are grouped tonight at the wharf awaiting the return of the tug which left Port Dover this afternoon for Long Point.  If the ferry is not found in shelter, the last hope that she is safe will be gone.
     In case the scattered wreckage reported by the steamer W. B. Davock is actually that of the ferry, the cause of the disaster will be ascribed here in part to the manner in which she was loaded.  A heavy weight of bridge iron piled on top of ordinary freight cars, may have shifted in the heavy seas, placing the craft out of control.

NINE MEN IN YAWL FROZEN TO DEATH
THIRTY-TWO BELIEVED LOST WITH FOUNDERING OF CAR FERRY ON LAKE ERIE
RESCUE COMES TOO LATE
Suite of Clothes Found in Bow Indicates Tragedy That Can Be Only Guessed - Single Overcoat All-Insufficient.

ERIE, Pa.  Dec. 12 - With her flag at half-mast the state fisheries boat, Commodore Perry, Captain Gerry Driscoll, commanding, brought to this port late today the dead bodies of nine of the crew of the Bessemer & Marquette ferry No. 2, which left Conneaut, Ohio, Tuesday morning carrying 32 men.  The ferry has probably foundered in the middle of Lake Erie.
     For 48 hours the Commodore Perry has been scouring Lake Erie for traces of the car ferry, but, until the tiny yawl was sighted 15 miles off this port at 11 o'clock today, the men in the little state fisheries craft had almost given up hope of being able ever to hear even a portion of the story of the fate of the big car ferry.

MEN FROZEN IN BOAT.
     As the Perry came abreast of the drifting and half-water-logged yawl the men on the fishboat saw that they had arrived too late.  The nine occupants of the boat, which was marked "Bessemer & Marquette NO. 4," were frozen stiff.  Taking the yawl in tow, the Perry made all team for this port.
     News of the finding of the bodies had reached the city and thousands of persons swarmed the wharves.  As soon as the fishboat made fast a force of men with tackle set to work raising the bodies to the dock. 
     Conneaut, Ohio, where all but one of the dead men had lived, was notified and relatives and friends came to this city.  They were taken directly to the morgue, where the men were identified as follows:  Thomas, second cook, Port Stanley; William Ray; J. W. Sours, waiter; G. R. Smith, steward; J. Hart, oiler and Charles Allen.
All except Thomas lived in Conneaut.

One Overcoat Among Nine.
     The cook of the car ferry was the only man to wear an overcoat.  The others were dressed in overalls and jumpers, indicating that departure from the car ferry had been hurried.  In the bow of the boat was found complete clothing for one man, and it is believed that the yawl originally contained ten men, and that one became crazed, discarded his clothing and jumped into the lake.
     Albert J. Weis, of this city, treasurer of the Keystone Fish Company and the Bay State Iron Works, was a passenger on the ferry.  His relatives and friends had not given up hope until the yawl containing the nine men was towed into port.  His body has not yet been found.
     Officers of the car ferry company gave up all hope Saturday, and since Thursday every available tug has been searching the lake for news of the wrecked craft.

Believed Lost Last Tuesday
     The ferry was of steel with a capacity of 34 loaded cars.  Last Tuesday morning, with 32 cars of coal aboard and carrying 32 persons, including passengers and crew, she left Conneaut.
     In the terrific storm that followed, in which at least 52 lives were lost on the lakes, the ferry foundered.  It is supposed that the tossing of the ferry in the sea troughs displaced the coal cars and that they pitched through the sides, admitting water to the hold.  It is supposed the vessel went down about Tuesday noon, sinking midway between Conneaut and Port Stanley.

WRECKED CAR FERRY NEAR CONNEAUT SHORTLY BEFORE CATASTROPHE

CONNEAUT, Ohio, Dec. 13. - The field of search for the 23 bodies from the wrecked car ferry No. 2 which are still unfound, was changed today by the discovery that the ferry within a very short time of the disaster was within two miles of the port of Conneaut.  It was from here that the lost Marquette & Bessemer No. 2 put out on her last journey.
     A Pullet, harbor employe, and the captain and engineer of the steamer Black say that they saw the vessel about midnight Wednesday trying to make this harbor.  Evidently Captain McLeod decided that he could not get his boat inside and steered away toward Erie.
     It is now thought that the remaining bodies will be found on the southern shore not far from here or floating some place in the remaining yawls.
     There are three of these which have no been found, the three first launched.  The one that was found with nine of the dead was No. 4 and always the last to be lowered.

Source: The Duluth News Tribune - Minnesota
Dec. 14, 1909
Gale on Erie Halts Search for Lost Men
No More Bodies on Car Ferry Victims Are Recovered Four of the Nine Victims.
     According to Story Related in Pennsylvania City, Sister of One of Unfortunate Men Saw the Boat Sink While Dreaming Steamer Jesse Spaulding Safe.
ERIE, Pa., Dec. 13 - Four of the nine bodies picked by the Commodore Perry yesterday the first of the remains found of the 38 men who lost their lives when the car ferry Bessemer & Marquette No. 2, foundered on the angry billows of Lake Erie were sent to their homes tonight. The bodies shipped are those of William Ray to Butler, Pa; Thomas Steele to Conneaut, Ohio; George R. Smith to Conneaut, Ohio.
     The body believed to be that of J. O'Hagan of London, Ont., was identified as that of Rhines of Port Stanley, Ont.
     The Commadore Perry which did such heroic work in bringing the bodies in Sunday afternoon, lay in her slip all day with team up, but the gale that swept over the entire lake region was of such a nature that to venture upon the waters of the lake would have been suicidal. The wind subsided tonight.
According to a story related here, Sarah Clancy, a sister of one of the missing men, saw the car ferry sink while dreaming Tuesday night and since that time she has insisted that her brother is dead and all with him were lost.
Rumor Proves to Be False.
     A report was received here this afternoon that another yawl boat had been signed near Westfield, N. Y. This rumor proved false. The south wind which has been blowing all day, would have washed all wreckage and bodies towards the Canadian shore and lake men expect that the next discovery will be made on the other side of the lake.
Following is a corrected list of the men still missing not including all of the passengers: R. R. McLeod, captain, Conneaut; J. C. McLeod, first mate, Courtwright, Ont.; Frank Stone, second mate, Conneaut; Eugene Wood, chief engineer, Conneaut; E. Buckler, first assistant, Conneaut; T. Kennedy, second engineer, Conneaut; W. Wiglesworth, fireman, Conneaut; W. Wilson, Wheeslman, Conneaut; Fred Walker, unknown; Watchman F. Annis, Conneaut; J. Clancy, Cleveland; J. Wirtz, oiler, Detroit; G. Lawrence, cook, Port Stanley; coal passers P. Keith, Conneaut; J. King, Port Stanley; J. Bailey, Canada; F. Barrett, seaman, Wisconsin; E. Harvey, seaman, unknown; P. Hughes, seaman, Conneaut; D. Ball, seaman, unknown; Charles Kreitts, seaman, unknown; Albert J. Weis, passenger, Erie; Christ Johnson, passenger, Erie.
From the Conneaut Gazette.
     The most wonderful part of the whole matter, is the fact that Judge Judson, of the United States District Court, could see any thing in this worthy of holding these men to bail.  In killing the crew or taking whatever life was necessary for the purpose of freeing themselves, was not only one of the clearest dictates of nature, but it was unquestionably in strict conformity with every human code, that is considered of binding validity here, or among nations, and in addition to this, they were most clearly justified by the most enlightened and refined rules of moral conduct.  Can it be possible that at this day a man, merely because it he is from Africa, has no right to the exercise of self-defence?  Must he not only be subject to his master when once rendered to servitude, but must be privilege of defending himself from his captors during the process be denied him?  God forbid.  This dread of southern displeasure will, if allowed to prevail, yet lead, we verily believe to the declaration of war by this government against the African princes, if they refuse to deliver up their people to the demands of Spanish or American rapacity.  - Just reverse the picture, make the crew black and the captives white.  Think ye, they would be called "a ruthless gang of African buccaneers"?  Oh!  Indeed the word African has all the charm.  We say again, these have committed no crime against the law of nations, the least violation of the law of God, or any act which an enlightened conscience will not fully approve.  Thanks to the Providence that directed them to a northern port, where they are to be tried by a northern jury.

Gale on Erie Halts Search for Lost Men
No More Bodies on Car Ferry Victims Are Recovered Four of the Nine Victims.
According to Story Related in Pennsylvania City, Sister of One of Unfortunate Men Saw the Boat Sink While Dreaming Steamer Jesse Spaulding Safe.

ERIE, Pa., Dec. 13 - Four of the nine bodies picked by the Commodore Perry yesterday the first of the remains found of the 38 men who lost their lives when the car ferry Bessemer & Marquette No. 2, foundered on the angry billows of Lake Erie were sent to their homes tonight.  The bodies shipped are those of William Ray to Butler, Pa; Thomas Steele to Conneaut, Ohio; George R. Smith to Conneaut, Ohio.
     The body believed to be that of J. O'Hagan of London, Ont., was identified as that of Rhines of Port Stanley, Ont.
     The Commadore Perry which did such heroic work in bringing the bodies in Sunday afternoon, lay in her slip all day with team up, but the gale that swept over the entire lake region was of such a nature that to venture upon the waters of the lake would have been suicidal.  The wind subsided tonight.
     According to a story related here, Sarah Clancy, a sister of one of the missing men, saw the car ferry sink while dreaming Tuesday night and since that time she has insisted that her brother is dead and all with him were lost.

Rumor Proves to Be False.
     A report was received here this afternoon that another yawl boat had been signed near Westfield, N. Y.  This rumor proved false.  The south wind which has been blowing all day, would have washed all wreckage and bodies towards the Canadian shore and lake men expect that the next discovery will be made on the other side of the lake.
     Following is a corrected list of the men still missing not including all of the passengers:  R. R. McLeod, captain, Conneaut; J. C. McLeod, first mate, Courtwright, Ont.; Frank Stone, second mate, Coneaut; Eugene Wood, chief engineer, Conneaut; E. Buckler, first assistant, Conneaut; T. Kennedy, second engineer, Conneaut; W. Wiglesworth, fireman, Conneaut; W. Wilson, Wheeslman, Conneaut; Fred Walker, unknown; Watchman F. Annis, Conneaut; J. Clancy, Cleveland; J. Wirtz, oiler, Detroit; G. Lawrence, cook, Port Stanley; coal passers P. Keith, Conneaut; J. King, Port Stanley; J. Bailey, Canada; F. Barrett, seaman, Wisconsin; E. Harvey, seaman, unknown; P. Hughes, seaman, Conneaut; D. Ball, seaman, unknown; Charles Kreitts, seaman, unknown; Albert J. Weis, passenger, Erie; Christ Johnson, passenger, Erie.

Source: Duluth News-Tribune - Minnesota
Dated: Aug. 25, 1911
BREAKWATERS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED AT CONNEAUT
     CONNEAUT, Aug. 24 - The Gillen Dock, Dredge and Construction company completed the work on the new breakwater today.  It is not known when the contract will be let by the government o when the work will start on the addition to the west breakwater.
     It is thought that August will be the banner month of the season in regard to ore receipts at the local harbor.  At the present time they are within a few thousand tons of the million ton mark.
     The steamer Gratwick cleared today for Fort William with cement.  The steamer Chilli will sail tomorrow for the same place, the vessels carrying 17,000 barrels of cement.

CONESTOGA TO CONNEAUT.
     TOW HARBORS. July 10 - The steamer Conestoga left this morning for Conneaut, Ohio with a cargo of plank, timber and piling from the old dismantled ore dock.  The timber will be sued for erecting an ore trestle at Conneaut.