Republican Herald

Madison, Ind., April 23.—From the officers of the steamer Wisconsin, and an eye witness of the burning of the 'Belle of the West,' we gather the following:

At about half-past 12 last evening, the steamer was discovered on fire in the hold and was immediately run ashore near Warsaw, and made fast.

Up to this period the flames had not yet burst forth and the after hatch was opened for the purpose of letting water into the hold, but such was the rapid headway of the flames that all efforts to check them proved wholly fruitless, and in a few minutes the entire boat was a mass of fire. The total number of passengers on board was about 400, among whom were two California companies and 30 families who were removing to the West. From the Register it is ascertained that over 60 have perished, and the probability is that many have been lost whose names were not enrolled therein. Such was the rapid progress of the fire that before the passengers could get out of their state rooms after the first alarm, all communication between the after deck and the forward part of the boat was cut off and all were either compelled to jump into the water, or perish in the flames. At the time of the deck falling in, a lady and gentleman, with a child in his arms, were standing between the chimneys.

There were also on board a large number of horses, which were mostly all burned to death, and those which were not, were so badly burnt that they were obliged to be killed to put them out of misery.