Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1850-05-09
From the 81 Louis Intellisencer.
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From the 81 Louis Inteisencer.
Terrible Accident-Persons Killed, Wounded, &c.
We are called upon to record a most terrible and
heart-rending accident, wherein a number Of our
citizens are known to have been killed, and many
others were so seriously injured to leave but
little hopes Of recovery.
May day party had been announced for Mr. J. n.
Purkitps young scholars to take place on the even
ing Of yesterday, the 1st at the Laclede Saloon
Fifth, between Olive and Locust streets. Invita-
tons had been sent to the friends and parents Of the
children, and accordingly, at the appointed time,
the hall was thrown open and an immense throng
admitted. From several gentlemen present at the
catastrophe, learn that there were not less than
from two hundred ard fifty to three hundred and fifty
participants at the festival.
Some little exhibition which had been prepared
beforehand had commenced, and young lady was
on the floor, delivering an address, when suddenly
loud, creaking noise heard, the rsfters Of the
floor at the North end Of the room gave way, and
simultaneously the joists parted near the centre,
and flooring, joiss, and the multitude Of human be-
ings were precipitated upon the floor underneath.
The catastrophe did not end here. The immense
ana sudden weight upon the second floor started it,
and in another instant the crowd were thrown into
the cellar underneath. The scene is said 10 have
been most appalling. Men, women and children
grasping at every object, shrieking and imploring,
were hurried down, peli mell together. The cellar
happened to be filled with about feet Of water, a
sad circumstance, as one lady, Mrs Pomeroy, who
had been stunned in the fall, thereby drowned.
AS soon as the first shock OF the catastrophe was
over those who had suffered least mme diatey COM
menced to drag out the persons who had been stun
ned and otherwise wounded
part of the upper floor, we should not omit to
state, did not fall, and many persons who happened
at the time to be on that side Of the room escaped
uninjured.
Half or three quarters of an hour ensued before
all the victims were rescued from the ruins. At
the end OF that time, however. and even now while
we write, we have no assurance that there not
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and rubbish. Unfortunately the nature of the case
fayors this idea.
We append list of the killed and wounded. The
time, the excitement which naturally prevailed and
the great confusion, prevent us from attempting to
give full list:
Mrs John Beakey, killed.
Mrs Pomeroy, wife of Mr. Chester w. Pomeroy,
killed.
Miss Mary ABBOTT, dangerously injured by stran-
gulation and wounds.
Miss Gum. niece Of Mr. Jos. Ridgley, danger
ously wounaed on the head.
Mr. Chester Pomeroy, severely wounded but not
dangerously. ~
Miss Johnson, teacher, slightly injured.
MIR p. A. Latue, slightly bruised.
Mrs Malloy, milliner, much bruised, but not dan
gerousy.
Miss Mary Pomeroy, slightly hurt.
Miss Sullivan. slightly injured.
Mrs Emanuel Block, both legs said to have been
broken.
A young daughter of Mr. Willis W. williams
slightly hurt.
One man, name not known, was supposed to have
his back broken.
One child, name not known, said to have been
drowned.
Altogether, we presume that from thirty-fve 10
forty persons were mole or less injured. About ff
teen, we presume, are severely wounded, and prob
ably four dangerously.
We were present when the body of Mrs Beakey
was brought to the house Of Mrs Pool. on Locust
street. For long while it was believed by the
throng to be that of another lady Of this city. After
while Mr. b. arrived, and on being brought to the
body, identified it that of his wife. His feelings
may be imagined.
Immediately after the accident, the street and
neighhoring houses were filed with men, women |
and children, for their parents and friends
One young lady, we perceived, with her hair dis
heveed, her dress torn and soiled, her shoulders
and face streaming with blood. She weeping |
and asking for younger sister, whom she beiev- |
ed dead.
We only mention these cases to give some faint !
idea Of the scene which prevailed. Tomorrow we
can give our readers more correct report Of the
injury sustained.
Since writing the above we hear it stated that
the ground floor gave way first. This is not at all
impr obabe, the second floor, in which the crowd
were, was supported by columns esting on this.