Resolutions of Respect for the Ouachita Parish Steamboat Buckeye Victims

If you have been following my blog a while, you know several years ago I posted a transcription of Narcissa Grayson Garrett’s experience aboard the steamboat Buckeye when it sank in 1844. Last week, I decided to try once again to find the name of Richard and Laura Hook King’s daughter who died in the sinking. She is the only child of the King’s that I don’t have a name for. Mrs. Garrett mentioned she drowned in her father’s arms. I’ve been looking at national papers who posted accounts of the sinking. No luck yet. So far, they all just say something like, Col. King lost two children…” The little boy that was lost was named eventually (George Theodore King) when the pilot of the DeSoto was sued.

In my searching, I found an article in French on the front page of the Baton Rouge Gazette of March 30, 1844. I typed it out in Google Translate, and here is what it said.

BUCKEYE DISASTER
The following resolutions were adopted at an assembly of citizens of Monroe, Ouachita Parish:

"Resolved that the Legislature, now in session, be asked to pass more effective laws to punish those who operate boats, and especially pilots, in cases similar to the disaster that befell the Buckeye, and that prima facie [latin law term meaning, "Based on the first impression; accepted as correct until proved otherwise."] the occurrence be regarded as evidence of negligence or fault on the part of the pilots of each boat, until proven otherwise.

Resolved that we deplore the loss of so many of our fellow citizens, and particularly with our friends Major King, Dr. Machoncy, and Mr. H.M. Hyams, the profound affliction that has befallen them.

Resolved that the premature death of Colonel Daniel A. Beard, one of the unfortunate victims of the said catastrophe, has deprived this community of one of our most esteemed and beloved fellow citizens, in the midst of of a man who embraced the duties of father, brother, friend, and neighbor, a man who fulfilled the various public and private functions entrusted to him with the loyalty, honor, and fidelity that made him so dear to his friends and fellow citizens, a man whose loss will be long regretted; and that a copy of the minutes of this assembly be sent to the family of the deceased, with the assurance of the general sympathy felt by the entire community in the misfortune that has just befallen them.

Resolved that a copy of these minutes be sent to Major King, Dr. Machonchy, Mr. H.M. Hyams, our senator, and our representatives in the legislature, and that these resolutions be published in the Courier d'Ouachita [Monroe's newspaper at the time].

March 1 1844.

     LEWIS F. LAMY, President.
     R.W. RICHARDSON, Sec.

Basically, the citizens of Monroe are offering their sympathy to those who had lost their children, and the family of Daniel Breard who had last been seen swimming away with his nephew (Maconchy’s son) on his back. Very interesting little historical tidbit. Yesterday was the 182nd anniversary of the sinking.