1886 — Oct 5, La Mascotte boiler flue collapse/explos./fire/stack fall, MS Riv., Crawford Lndg. MO->35

— >35 Blanchard estimated death toll.* (See note below on our attempt at a list comes to 40.)
–>22 Crew (we note “at least” in that we have seen reports that a victim was a
passenger and another report indicating the victim was a member of the crew).
— 17 Passengers.
— 1 Not noted (Charles Ansell; given, though, that he was African-American, as were
a number of the crew, it is probable he was a crewman).

— 35 National Tribune, Washington, DC. “A Steamboat Disaster.” 10-14-1886, p. 7, col. 5.
— >35 The Southern Weekend. “The Ghosts of the Mississippi River.” Accessed 9-25-2020.
— 34 Harpers Encyclopedia of United States History. “Wrecks….Mississippi River.” 1902.
— 34 Way’s Packet Directory, 1848-1994: Passenger Steamboats…Mississippi River. P. 274.
— 32 Supervising Inspector-General of Steam-Vessels, Annual Report… 10-21-1887, p. 15.
–22 crew
–10 passengers
— 31 Poseyville News, IN. “Another La Mascotte Victim.” 10-9-1886, p. 6, col. 4.**
— <30 (nearly 30). Daily Advocate, Clinton, MO. “Ill-Fated Mascotte.” 10-7-1886, p. 2, col. 2. -- 30 Hinchey. “Steamer La Mascot Exploded, 30 Killed.” Missourian, 3-1-1932. -- 30 Philadelphia Inquirer. “La Mascotte.” 10-9-1886, p. 1, col. 2.*** -- 30 Quincy Daily Journal, Quincey, IL. “Terse Telegrams.” 10-9-1886, p. 1, col. 1. -- >30 Wellsboro Agitator, Wellsboro, PA. “General Intelligence.” 10-12-1886, p. 2, col. 4.
— 27 McCarty. The Annual Statistician and Economist, 1888. p. 95.
— 22 Cincinnati Commercial Gazette. “Details of the La Mascotte Explosion…” 10-8-1886, 7.
–18-22 Galveston Daily News, TX. “The Mascotte Explosion,” 10-7-1886, p. 4.
— 21 Decatur Weekly Republican, IL. “A Frightful Steamboat Explosion,” 10-7-1886, p. 4.
— 20 NYT. “Lost on the Mississippi. The Boilers of a Steamer Explode…” 10-6-1886, p1, c4.
— 20 Philadelphia Record Almanac 1885. “General and Local Events, October, 1886,” p. 94
— 11 Newark Daily Advocate, OH. “Steamboat Explosion…La Mascotte…” 10-6-1886, 1.

* Blanchard estimated death-toll. Our own attempt to create a list of those reported as dead or missing/presumed dead comes to forty named or otherwise identified by position (e.g. cabin boy) individuals. However, in that the highest death toll estimates we have seen are 35 from the National Tribune (DC) on 10-14-1886, and “over 35” from The Southern Weekend article on “The Ghosts of the Mississippi River,” we are reluctant to use our tally. It is possible that despite our attempts to be cautious, one or more people reported as dead, were not. If something like forty deaths did occur, this would be still make our designation of “>” (at least) 35 accurate. Though the Supervising Inspector-General of Steam-Vessels reports are usually reliable sources, we have seen too many instances of their death-toll numbers clearly not being accurate, to use this number as the death toll in the face of reports of higher death tolls and our own attempt to create a list.

** Notes the death George S. Davison on Oct 9 brought total to thirty-one.

***The Inquirer, datelines the article our of St. Louis on Oct 8, noting: “Four deaths occurred yesterday among those injured in the Mascotte disaster, making the total number thirty.”

Narrative Information

Supervising Inspector-General of Steam-Vessels, Report of…: October 5, 1886, — Passenger steamer La Mascotte, of 329.69 tons burden, was destroyed by fie at a point on the Mississippi river called Crawford’s Landing, 126 miles below Saint Louis, Mo. This steamer was on a voyage from Cape Girardeau, Mo., to Saint Louis. The cause of this disaster was the collapsing of a flue in the larboard boiler while the boat was under full headway, tearing the flue from the aft boiler-head, letting the steam and water escape from the boiler into the dick-room, thereby disabling the boat. The force of the escaping steam struck the after end of the fire bed, blowing it away from the larboard boiler, allowing the heat and flame from the furnace to rise into the deck-room, setting fire immediately to the cabin floor directly over the after end of the boilers. By this disaster 32 lives were lost – 10 passengers and 22 of the crew. The cause of this accident has been fully investigated by the local board, and it decided that the collapsing of the flue was from an overpressure of steam, greater than was allowed by the certificate of inspection, caused by overloaded safety-valves and faulty iron in flue. Chief Engineer William O’Brien, on duty at the time, was blown overboard and drowned.” (Supervising Inspector-General of Steam-Vessels, Annual Report of the Supervising Inspector-General of Steam-Vessels. 1887, p. 15.)

Way: La Mascotte. Sternwheel wood-hull packet, built in Evansville, IN in 1886, measuring 172 x 32 x 6. “….Built for the St. Louis-Cape Girardeau trade. Exploded or collapsed a flue and burned Oct. 5, 1886, near Crawford’s Landing, Mo., with loss of 34 lives. Among those lost was Royal Perkins, son of C.G. Perkins….” (Way’s Packet Directory, 1848-1994: Passenger Steamboats… Mississippi River. P. 274.)

Newspapers

Oct 6, Galveston Daily News, TX: “St. Louis, October 6. – A special from Cape Girardeau, Mo., on the Mississippi River, 150 miles below here, at a very late hour last night, says one of the most terrible disasters which has occurred on the river for many years, took place at 12 o’clock yesterday at Crawfords, twenty-five miles above here. The steamer Mascotte, Captain J.B. Thompson, exploded her boilers at that point, causing her total loss and destroying many lives. A full list can not yet be obtained, and perhaps never will, as the register was lost, but it is known that from eighteen to twenty-two lives have been lost….

“The boat is said to have been steaming along under 150 pounds of steam, her usual amount, when the explosion suddenly occurred, blowing fire in every direction. The utmost confusion prevailed. The pilot, taking advantage of her headway, turned her toward the shore, but the flames caused him to abandon his post before the stage-plank could be lowered. The current then turned the boat’s bow out into the river. Her stern swung close to the bank, which afforded a means of escape for those who were at that end of the boat. The stage plank was lowered and many were placed upon it, mostly women and children, who would have been save had not the smoke stack fallen squarely across it, and all who were not killed by it were drowned. The boat drifted 200 yards out into the river and across to the Illinois shore, and sank. The only thing now visible is her wheel.

“J. J. Hanlon, the second pilot of La Mascotte, says:

‘The steamer Eagle was near us when the disaster occurred, and could easily have pushed us ashore without much trouble or danger, but I understood the captain did not care to render any assistance whatever. The pilot of the Eagle told me that the captain ordered him not to go near the Mascotte, as he did not wish to endanger his boat. If he had only pushed us ashore not a single person would have been injured, except from scalds and burns.’

“All who witnessed the disaster severely condemn the captain of the Eagle for his heartless desertion of the burning boat.

“A special from Cape Girardeau to the Post-Dispatch states that the wreck of the steamer La Mascotte resulted from the collapse of one of her boiler flues. The explosion spent its force directly backward into the engine-room, and only the crew and roustabouts suffered from being scalded by the escaping steam. Eleven of the latter were so horribly burned that huge scales of flesh peeled from their bodies. Six of them have died….The following deck hands were so severely burned that their lives are despaired of [list of four]….The others known to have been drowned are the following: [list of 16]….

[From update report:] “Lew Adams, second mate; Mach Shearer, deck hand; Albert Rice, roustabout, died to-day from wounds received, and two more are expected to die.

“The total number on board, as far as known, were: Passengers, 19; cabin crew, 25; deck crew, 26. Passengers rescued, 8; drowned and recovered, 3; missing, 8; cabin crew rescued, 19; dead and missing, 9; deck crew rescued uninjured, 10; rescued burned, 11; missing 5.” (Galveston Daily News, TX. “The Mascotte Explosion,” Oct 7, 1886, p. 4.)

Oct 6, Newark Daily Advocate, OH: “St Louis, Oct. 6. – The steamer La Mascotte, plying between this city and Cape Girardeau, Mo., on the Mississippi river, exploded her boilers about noon yesterday at Neely’s Landing, a few miles below Grand Tower, Ill. There being no telegraph or telephone communication with Neely’s Landing nothing was known here of the disaster until 7 o’clock in the evening, when the towboat Eagle arrived at Cape Girardeau with a large number of dead and wounded passengers from the La Mascotte. The boat was owned in Evansville, Ind., and valued at $30,000….

“After the explosion the La Mascotte burned to the water’s edge. The captain of the Eagle says he rescued thirty-five persons, and believes others were saved by people on shore.

“Following are believed to be dead: [a list of 11]…” (Newark Daily Advocate, OH. “Steamboat Explosion. The steamer La Mascotte…” 10-6-1886, p. 1.)

Oct 7, Daily Advocate, Clinton, MO: “Cape Girardeau, Mo., Oct. 7. – The wreck of La Mascotte Tuesday evening resulted from the collapse of one of the boiler flues. The explosion spent its force directly backward into the engine room and only the crew and roustabouts suffered from being scalded by the escaping steam. Eleven of the latter were so horribly burned that huge scales of flesh peeled from their bodies and six of them died. Their names are [we show in separate lines]

George Heywood, Nashville, Tenn.;
Marshall Hoden, Walnut Hills, Tenn.;
Jack Finnegan, St. Louis;
Thomas Lacy, St. Louis;
William Jones, St. Louis;
J. Henry Gordon, Evansville, Ind.

“The following deck hands were so severely burned that their lives are despaired of: [we break into separate lines]

William Davis, Midway, Ky.;
Albert Rice, Cape Girardeau;
Levi Chatham, Paducah, Ky.;
William Spartsell, Evansville, Ind.;
Dallas Webster, Evansville, Ind.

“Other persons known to have been drowned are: [we break into separate lines]

Mrs. William Wheeling and her two young daughters, of Cape Girardeau;
Judge William Hagar, of Cape Girardeau;
a young man, name unknown;
Miss Amelia Kruger, Cape Girardeau;
J. Roy Perkins, first clerk of the La Mascotte;
Miss Julia Robesch, of Cape Girardeau;
the head engineer of La Mascotte;
Mac Shearer, a deck hand;
Two chambermaids;
Lew D. Adams, the second mate;
a lady and two children, supposed to be Mrs. Burnes and her daughters, of Mexico, Mo.;

“D. S. Davidson was so badly burned around the face and throat that he will probably die.

The Killed And Injured

“After the bodies of the killed and injured had been brought ashore they were placed on the steamer Eagle, which brought them to this city [Cape Girardeau], where local and visiting physicians cared for them. The register of the passengers was lost with the vessel, and it is thought that some were drowned or killed whose bodies have not been recovered.

“The pilot, taking advantage of her heading, turned her toward the shore, but the blames caused him to abandon his post before the stage plank could be lowered. The current then turned the boat’s bow out into the river, but her stern hung close to the bank, which afforded means of escape for those who were at that end of the boat. The stage plank was lowered and many were placed upon it, mostly women and children, who would have been saved had not the smokestack fallen squarely across it and all who were not killed by it were drowned. The boat drifted two hundred yards out into the river across to the Illinois shore [to the east] and sank, the only thing now visible being her wheel….

“From interviews with rescued passengers it seems that there is no hope of any of the missing passengers being found alive. The wreck is now lying just below Willard’s landing, with a little of her bow and several feet of her wheel showing. Skiffs returning from the scene of the wreck last evening report no indication of any bodies and they have searched both shores. Deputy Coroner Paar is holding an inquest over all the bodies so far recovered, and has had the crews of both La Mascotte and Eagle testifying. Captain Ebaugh claims he did all in his power to save persons at the wreck. The inquest will probably be concluded to-morrow.

The List of Passengers.

“As far as can be learned the list of passengers on the Mascotte were as follows: [we break into separate lines]

Judge Hager and wife, Cape Girardeau, missing;
Fred Lind, missing;
Mrs. W. H. Wheeler and two children, Daisy and Lillie, Cape Girardeau, missing;
Miss Amelia Krueger, Cape Girardeau, missing;
Miss Julia Rabich, Cape Girardeau, missing;
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Miller and two children, of Shelbyville, Ind., drowned and brought
here last night;
Mr. J. H. Miller, who swam ashore but is badly burned on the head;
Miss Lena Buchermann, of St. Louis, badly hurt on head, hands, arms and back from fire,
but will recover;
Louis Seimers and wife, Cape Girardeau, both saved uninjured;
J. N. Russell, Cape Girardeau, saved but slightly burned;
Mrs. C. Phelps, Cape Girardeau, saved uninjured;
A.J. Howard, Cape Girardeau, saved with slight burns on the head and back.

The Crew.

“The list of the crew so far as known is as follows: [we break into separate lines]

Captain Thompson, uninjured;
J. Roy Perkins, first clerk, missing, home at Evansville;
Son of Captain Perkins, one of the owners of La Mascotte;
Ed Branham, second clerk, uninjured;
Ed. Dougherty, first mate, blown overboard, but saved uninjured;
Lew Adams, second mate, badly scalded and died in the hospital this morning;
James Donoho, pilot, uninjured;\
J. J. Hanlan, pilot, uninjured;
Henry Gearnean, knocked overboard and injured in the right side, but will recover;
Billy O’Brien, first engineer, blown overboard and now missing;
G. S. Davidson, carpenter, severely scalded and at the hospital;
Mac Shearer, deck hand, severely scalded, died at hospital yesterday morning;
Joe Simmons, scrubber, scalded head and right arm, will probably get well;
Charley Vaughan and Clarence Givens, watchmen, slightly burned;
Steve Wells, porter, missing;
Cinderelia Peoples chambermaid, missing;
Maggie Johnson, chambermaid, drowned and the body brought here last night.

“There were also some twenty roustabouts, six of whom are dead.

The Number on Board.

“The total number on board as far as known are: [we break into separate lines]

Passengers, 19;
Cabin crew, 25;
Deck crew, 26.

Passengers, rescued, 8;
drowned and recovered, 3;
missing, 8.
Cabin crew rescued, 19;
dead and missing, 6.
Deck crew rescued, uninjured, 10;
rescued, burned, 11;
missing 5.”

“Albert Rice, one of the roustabouts living here, died at the hospital, and two more are not expected to live.

“The crew on the Eagle, as well as those rescued from the Mascotte, censure the captain of the Eagle for not making greater efforts to save the victims. Captain Thompson, of the Mascotte, and several of the rescued state that the captain of the Eagle refused until he (Thompson) and his crew threatened to take charge of his boat by force to take the rescued and injured to this city, where assistance could be rendered them, but said he would take them to Grand Tower, where little, if any, aid could be given. After getting the injured aboard the Eagle he locked the state-rooms on his boat and refused the use of covers for the wounded. Captain Thompson says the accident was caused by either a flue collapsing or a steam pipe bursting and catching fire from the fire in the furnace. ‘We had,’ he said, ‘150 pounds of steam, according to the fireman on watch who was not injured, and running at a moderate speed. Captain Thompson has made all efforts possible to alleviate the sufferings of his crew and passengers and will remain until all that can possibly be done for their relief has been accomplished.” (Daily Advocate, Clinton, MO. “Ill-Fated Mascotte.” 10-7-1886, p. 2, col. 2.)

Oct 7, Decatur Weekly Republican, IL: “A frightful steamboat explosion took place on the Mississippi River, 25 miles above Cape Girardeau yesterday [was Oct 5]. The steamer La Mascotte exploded her boilers, and 21 persons were killed and a large number wounded.” (Decatur Weekly Republican, IL. 10-7-1886, p. 4.)

Oct 8: “St. Louis, Oct. 8. – The additional deaths which have occurred among those injured in the La Mascotte disaster makes the total number thirty. Captain Thomson and his crew are exonerated from blame by the coroner’s jury, but Captain Elbaugh, of the steamer Eagle, was severely censured for his treatment of the survivors.” (Poseyville News, IN. “The Mascotte Disaster.” 10-9-1886, p. 6.)

Oct 10: “St. Louis, Mo, Oct. 10. – A special from Cape Girardeau, Mo., says the body of Judge Hager was recovered yesterday afternoon about two miles below where the Mascotte exploded. This is the first one of the drowned persons that has been found, except the four brought down on the Eagle. The suffering victims are doing well, except the carpenter, Davidson.” (Philadelphia Inquirer, “La Mascotte’s Victims.” 10—11-1886, p. 4, col. 5.)

Oct 11, NYT: “Cape Girardeau, Mo., Oct. 11. – The bodies of the persons drowned in the Mascotte disaster are now making their appearance. Judge Dagert’s body [Hager] was found about three miles below where the explosion occurred and brought here Saturday night. Last night at dark the bodies of William O’Brien, first engineer, and two roustabouts were caught at Morrison Springs by Daniel Webster, of Willards. Today Nat Hughes, the hero of the disaster, caught the body of Mrs. Wheeler and one other that could not be identified.” (New York Times. “The Mascotte Victims.” 10-12-1886, p. 1, col. 7.)

Oct 11: “Cape Girardeau, Mo., Oct. 11. – The bodies of Mrs. William H. Wheeler, first engineer William O’Brien and a colored roustabout were brought in to-day. Acting Coroner Paar held an inquest with the usual verdict. Matt Hughes, the brave farmer of Bennett’s Landing, came down with the bodies. A correspondent hunted him up, and after considerable persuasion obtained the story of his rescuing the passengers of the Mascotte. Matt, as he is familiarly called, was a resident of Cape Girardeau county until five years ago, when he moved over to Bennett’s Landing. He is a plain man in speech, modest in demeanor, and has a heart much larger than Capt. Ebaugh’s [of the Eagle]. He said:

I was at dinner at my home at Bennett’s Landing on Oct. 5 and saw the steamers Mascotte and Eagle passing up. They were between a quarter and a half mile apart. My wife said to me, ‘I believe that the Eagle is trying to overtake the Mascotte.’ Just then I heard the noise of the explosion, and exclaimed to my wife, ‘The Mascotte is lost and I am going to her.’ She told me not to go, that I might get burned or hurt, but I immediately ran where my skiff was tied, some 300 yards, and started for the boat, a mile and a quarter distant. When I reached within 100 yards of the Mascotte the heat was so intense I could not approach er. I determined to try and reach her bow, which I finally did. I found the stage [plank] was flat in the water, but was held to the burning wreck by wire cables.

I took off on the first trip five persons and landed them on the shore above Hanging Dog. Jack Howard knew me and called me to save him. He is a paralytic and has been living at the poor house in Cape county. I made a second trip and brought off two men and one lady, Mrs. Louis Seimers, and landed them on shore. I then put back and got one lady and two men, names unknown to me. I went back again but I could be of no service to anyone. I saw a young lady with a little child sink about forty feet from me. I could not reach them in time. The child had on red hose, and the young lady had on a life preserver, but it was on wrong.

I saw the derrick and chimneys fall on the stage, and they knocked off a number of people. The Captain of the Eagle could have saved a number of people, if he had done his duty, by sending out his small boats. This I know from the relative position of the boats. I don’t know how many, can’t say, perhaps nine or ten that I got ashore and had to run 300 yards to my skiff, and then row a mile and a quarter to the Mascotte, crossing the river below the Eagle. Ebaugh might have done as much. He turned his boat out and stood away from the wreck.

(Savannah Morning News, GA. A Modest Hero.” 10-15-1886, p. 3, col. 3.)

Fatalities Noted in Sources Above

1. Adams, Louis “Lew” D. Second mate Died in hospital
2. Adams, Mrs. Passenger Mexico, MO (one source has Mrs. Burnes)
3. Adams, daughter 1 of 2 Passenger Mexico, MO
4. Adams, daughter 2 of 2 Passenger Mexico, MO
5. Ansel, Charles (black)
6. Chatman/Chatham, Levi; black; roustabout Paducah KY Died Oct 7.
7. Davis, Will Roustabout (Hinchey. The Missourian, 3-1-1932.)
8. Davison/Davidson, George S. Mascotte carpenter Died Oct 9.
9. Elliott, William Roustabout (Hinchey. The Missourian, 3-1-1932.)
10. Finnegan, Jack Roustabout St. Louis, MO
11. Gordon, J. Henry Crewman Evansville, IN
12. Hager, Judge William, 57 Passenger Cape Girardeau, MO Drowned, body recovered.
13. Hager, Mrs. Frederica, 55 Passenger Cape Girardeau, MO Drowned.
14. Hoden, Marshal Crewman Walnut Hills, TN
15. Johnson, Margaret “Maggie” Chambermaid Drowned
16. Jones, William Crewman St. Louis, MO
17. Jordan, J. Henry Roustabout (Hinchey. The Missourian, 3-1-1932.)
18. Keywood (or Heywood), George. Crewman Nashville, TN
19. Krueger/Kroeger, Miss Amelia. Passenger Cape Girardeau, MO Drowned, missing.
20. Lacy, Thomas or Theo. Roustabout St. Louis, MO. (Hinchey. Missourian, 3-1-1932.)
21. Lind, Fred “Fritz” Henry Passenger Cape Girardeau, MO Drowned, missing.
22. Miller, James. Passenger (Hinchey. The Missourian, 3-1-1932.)
23. Miller, Mrs. Henry Passenger Shelbyville, IN Drowned
24. Miller, Charles, child of Mrs. Miller. Passenger. Shelbyville, IN Drowned
25. Miller, Isaac, child of Mrs. Miller. Passenger. Shelbyville, IN Drowned
26. Muncke, Henry Passenger; Cincinnati; missing. Hinchey. Missourian, 3-1-1932
27. O’Brien, William “Billy” First Engineer. Blown overboard/drowned; body recovered.
28. Peoples, Cinderelia/Cinderella. Chambermaid. Also: Hinchey. Missourian, 3-1-1932.
29. Perkins, J. Roy First Clerk Evansville, IN
30. Rice, Albert; black Roustabout Cape Girardeau, MO Died Oct 7.
31. Robisch/Rabich, Miss Julia Passenger Cape Girardeau, MO
32. Shearer, Mac G. Deck hand Cincinnati, OH Died in hospital Oct 7
33. Thomas, Charles “Charlie” Cabin boy Missing
34. Wade, Marshall; black Roustabout Walnut Hill, TN Died Oct 7.
35. Wells, Steve Porter Missing
36. Wheeling/Wheeler, Mrs. William. Passenger; Cape Girardeau, MO; body recovered/NYT
37. Wheeling/Wheeler, daughter, Daisy. Passenger; Cape Girardeau, MO
38. Wheeling/Wheeler, daughter, Lillie. Passenger; Cape Girardeau, MO
39. Williams, Julius Passenger (Hinchey. The Missourian, 3-1-1932.)
40. Wilson, Joseph Crewman/Passenger? Missing
Unidentified Crewman Body recovered.
Unnamed roustabout, body recovered Oct 10. NYT. “The Mascotte Victims.” 10-12-1886.
Unnamed roustabout, body recovered Oct 10. NYT. “The Mascotte Victims.” 10-12-1886.

Source

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Savannah Morning News, GA. A Modest Hero.” 10-15-1886, p. 3, col. 3. Accessed 9-25-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/savannah-morning-news-oct-15-1886-p-3/

Spillman, Alice Rose. “Steamer LaMascotte Explosion.” June 1981. Accessed at capegenealogy.org on 9-25-2020 at: https://www.capegenealogy.org/resources/resource2_lamascotte.html

Supervising Inspector-General of Steam-Vessels, Annual Report of the Supervising Inspector-General of Steam-Vessels. Washington, DC: Office Supervising Inspector-General of Steam-Vessels, October 21, 1887. Accessed 9-25-2020 at: https://books.google.com/books?id=AD2E0KPaKAcC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

The Cranbury Press, NJ, “Lost on The Mississippi” 10-8-1886, and transcribed by Stu Beitler for gendisasters.com. Accessed 9-25-2020 at: http://www.gendisasters.com/missouri/1093/st-louis-mo-steamer-la-mascotte-explosion-oct-1886

The Southern Weekend. “The Ghosts of the Mississippi River.” Accessed 9-25-2020 at: http://thesouthernweekend.com/ghosts-mississippi-river/

Way, Frederick Jr. (Author and Compiler), Joseph W. Rutter (contributor). Way’s Packet Directory, 1848-1994: Passenger Steamboats of the Mississippi River System Since the Advent of Photography in Mid-Continent America (Revised). Athens OH: Ohio University Press, 1999.

Wellsboro Agitator, Wellsboro, PA. “General Intelligence.” 10-12-1886, p. 2, col. 4. Accessed 9-25-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/wellsboro-agitator-oct-12-1886-p-2/