The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1860-01-31 00:00:00

DREADFUL CATASTROPHE.

A very dreadful catastrophe occurred at Lawrence
Massachusetts, on the 10th, which is thus described by
telegrams :
Bosrue, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 6. p.m.—The Pemberton
Mille in Lawrence, in this State, employing between
500 and 600 operatives, fell this afternoon about 5
o'clock, burying nearly every person in the ruins. The
mangled bodies are being taken out by the cartload. It
is supposed that over 3:10 were killed instantly.
LAWRILIICK, MAIL, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 9 p.m.—One of
the most terrible catastrophes on record occurred in this
city this afternoon. The Pemberton Mills fell with a
sudden crash, about 5 o'clock, while some six or seven
hundred operatives were at work. These mills are •
complete wreck. Some 200 or MO persons are supposed I
to be still in the ruins. At present it is impossible to
give anything like a correct statement of the loss of life,
but from the best authority it is believed that at least
200 are dead in the ruins. Eighteen dead bodies have
been already taken out, together with some 24 persons
mortally wounded, besides some 50 in different stages
of mutilation. Mr. Chase, the agent of the mills, and
Mr. Howe, the treasurer, escaped by running (ruin the
falling building. It is iinpossiblv as yet to tell the
cause of the disaster. The scenes at the ruin beggar all
description. Some two or more acres are piled up with
every description of machinery and the fallen building.
Huge bonfires are burning to light some 2,000 or 3,000
persons, who are working as if for their own lives, to
rescue the unfortunate persons' many of whom are still
crying and begging to be released from their tortures.
Every few minutes some poor wretch is dragged from
his or prison, and it is heartrending to hear their cries
I as they are drawn out with legs and arms crusted or
torn. One man, shockingly mangled and partly under
the bricks, deliberately cut his throat to end his agony.
The whole city seems in morning. Many are running
through the streets, and, with frantic cries searching the
ruins. Temoorary,bospitals have been arranged for those
rescued. Many stand by the wreck frigid with despair.
Often • terrible crash, caused by the clearing away,
threatens death to those who may be still alive in the
reins. General H. K. Oliver is conspicuous and active
in directing those persons who are endeavouring to
rescue the victims of the disaster. Gangs of men with
ropes below are constantly dragging out huge pieces of
the wreck which imprisons no many. Some of the
reamers are killed in their humane efforts. Since we
left the scene of disaster reports of more of the dead and
dying are constantly aiming to us. Surgeons are
ing in from all directions, and everything that can be
done, at such a painful moment, is being done for the
suffering victims of the fearful calamity, the mystery
of which will have to be cleared up by an inquest.
Second despatch.—Lawrence, Tuesday, Jan. 11 p.m.
—At about ten minutes to Ave o'clock this afternoon our
citizens were alarmed by the cry of fire, which proceeded
from the Pemberton Mills, about four-fifths of which
had fallen • shapeless mass, without the slightest warn-
ing to the near 900 human beings who were then at
work. The building was never considered to be as
stanch as it ought to have been. It was built about
seven years since, and was then thought • sham. In-
deed, before the machinery was put in, the walls spread
to such a degree that some twenty-two tons of iron
plates were put in to save it from falling by its own
weight. From the best information that can now be
gathered, the building appeared to crumble and fall from
the eastern corner or end towards the Duck Mill. It
fell inwarde, as if powerfully drawn that way. The Are
companies at once repaired to the spot, but there being
no fire they at once set to work with a will to remove
the rubbish. They very soon reached some of the rooms,
so that the dead and wounded were taken out as fast as
they could be reached. 11r. Charles Batchelder helped
to remove scone 26 in various conditions—some still liv-
ing, others dead and terribly mutilated. Messrs. Chase,
Clark, Patterson (or Tatterson), Melvin, and Winn,
overseers and clerks, are safe. Mr. Branch, an over-
seer, has not been found. The city-hall has been con-
verted into a temporary hospital for the dead and
wounded, to remain there until recognized by their
friends, although scores were recognized and taken at
once to their houses. The following wounded are now
at the hall :—Mary Ann Coleman, Ellen Clary, Sarah
Dale, Eliza Ward, Ellen Mahony, Thomas Connor,
Bridget Bradley, Kate Harykee, Joanna Connelry,
Morris Palmer, George Heodalpha, Mrs. Fridler, Robert
Hays, Courtney, Mary York Margaret Hamilton, Mar-
eret Haneykill, Mary Kennedy, Elias Yaw. There are
12 corpses, of which only the following hays been recog-
nixed :—Mary M'Donald, John Dearborn, Bridget Ryan,
Marva-et Sullivan, Milk. O'Brien, and Mrs. Palmer.
Mr. Palmer vu deeply buried in the ruins at the time,
and, thinking there was no prospect of being extricated,
cut his throat to end his sufferings. Still, he was extri-
cated, and lived for some time after arriving at the hall.
One woman in that part of the mill standing became
frightened, and threw her bonnet and shawl out a •
fifth story door and jumped out herself, breaking her
ann and injuring herself so that she cannot recover.
The labouring force of the will 1/111. about 960, and it is
supposed that about 700 human beings were actually
buried in the ruins. A woman has just been rescued
who says there are some 25 more in the vicinity of her
yet alive. About half-past 9 o'clock fire was discovered.
This additional horror, although somewhat appreliendesl,
struck terror to the hearts that had before been hopeful

of saving more lives. Still the work of removal went
briskly on. The form-pinups and all the engines that
were on the ground at once got dreams of water on, and
have been pouring on torrents, so that now)!! 30 p.m.)
although volumes of smoke and steam are rising, yet
the fire does not seem to gain, and it is certainly to be
hoped that it has been stayed. Those near at the break.
ing out of the fire were almost at the point of extricat-
ing • woman not badly hurt, but the flames drove them '
beck, and the woman is supposed to have perished when '
delivery seemed so near. The Mayor has telegraphed
to Lowell for the firemen of that city, who will arrive
here about 1 o'clock. It is estimated that no less than
2,000 able-bodied men have been constantly at work on
the ruins; but, notwithstanding that so many have been
working in • small space, yet no accident. that we can
learn of NIS occurred. The Ruins in Flames. —l2 o'clock
Midnight.--Calaulity succeeds calamity l In 10 minutes
the whole mass of ruins has become one sheet of flame.
The screams and moans of the poor buried creatures can
be distincly heard, but no power can save them. The
flames threaten the destruction of the Washington
Mills and the bridge over the river. Lawrence, Massachusetta, Jan. 11, 1 am—The Pemberton Mills are now
• black, smoking mesa. Brick, mortar, and human
bones are promiscuously mangled. Probably not less
than 200 hunnui beings perished in the flames. The
fire made quick work, burning not only the remains of
the buildings as they lay flat, but extending to the mate-
rial that had in kindness been removed. The Washing-
ton Mills are in great jeopardy. The wind being to-
werda the Duck Mills—the counting-room of which
touches the Pemberton—they may also be destroyed.
Two o'clock am.—Through the almost superhuman ex.
dation& of the firemen the Washington Mills are now
considered to be out of danger. Of the Duck Mills the
prospect is not so good. Everything that can be done is

being done. Fire companies are present from all the
neighbouring towns. Between 40 and 50 physicians are
In attendance at the City.haU and other places, whore
ever the injured need their services. The ruins having
burnt up, it will be many days before • true knowledge
of the killed and wounded can be arrived at. The fire,
which finally sacrificed the blried human beings, CAlllOlt
(without doubt), from a lantern of burning fluid which
was accidently dropped. One fireman dropped down
dead in the street. The streets are filled with a mass
of human beings, everyone eager to do, and see, and
hear. Friends, who before the fire, were alternating
between hope and fear, are now Betiding down in hopeless
despair."