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Show The Waniissi'll Disaster. Washington, H. Dr. Beckley cspecialagent ofthePostuttice Department, Depart-ment, who was on Uiard the steamer Minnie at the time of the great disaster, dis-aster, has, it is said, prepared a state- j ment under oath in which he says, that when the fire was first discovered discov-ered the engineer was in the bar room and had left his engine to run itself. At the first alarm he made an attempt to reach the engine, but was driven away by the smoke and flames. Mr. Beckley had only a few momcnts previously spoken to the engineer about his absence from his post and the latter replied that his engine was of a kind that would run itself. If the investigation which has been ordered is made minute and thorough, it is now believed that certain cer-tain officers of the steamer will be shown to have been criminally negligent. |