New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-12-02

The fatal panic was not Sho TO be the result of
any known adequate cause. II commenced by
a sCream from large number OF young ladies',
then under the care of Miss Harrison and Miss Nan
Neck IN a room quite IN the rear of the building
they al the instant rushed past their teachers
into Miss SCOTS room None OF the young
ladies who screamed were examined to explain the
cause OF their alarm but their Unexplained screams,
and sudden bursting into another room, was cause OF
alarm TO the fifty girls IN that reom who Immediately
took the panic by sympathy and Joined the rush Tor the
entrance to the stairway Miss Scott hedthe door and
they then escaped througha side door into Miss Ar
nous room OF eighty three glrS, brushing through
that spreading terror there, they and how many
more does not appear, escaped by the fatal stairway
before it fell. This tunul aroused and excited all
the other classes and there appears TO have been
general rush for the stairs, at the foot of which the
door, three fee vide, was open. The numbers pass
ing down the stairs broke away the newell and the
banlstefs, and the awful death of those who stood
below, and others who fell from above upon them
and upon each other was as certain as 1t was sudden
The wonder is that the loss OF life was not much
greater There is no reasonto suppose that so much
as two minutes elapsed between the unfortunate
screams and the final catastrophe. IL is quite
clear that no exertions, within or without, could
have kept the scholars IN their rooms. The prevail
ing apprehension was of fire, but without any cause
That the report carried 10 the street and to the
statiop.h house few rods distant. The police ran TO
the spot but Death had then done his work. passer
by when only few feet from the door, saw the
children running out, walked only some twenty feet,
TO the door, and IN an instant saw the rail- and the
children come down together. There are many IN
cdents but this is all the story Of the accident and
It's cause,
It's no, necessary to remind the Board that when
thus house built, the law placed the construc-
ton of School.HouseS IN the hands of tho Com
missoners and Inspectors Of the Ward, and this
Board exercised no supervision OF the matter
The law OF last July, however. throws upon this
Board hereafter a most important responsibility Tor
the safe building of School Houses
fully agree With the Jury that s;aircascs Of this
construction are dangerous. Life probably would
have been sacrificed If the newell had not given way
for, under circumstances could even one Thousand
children, of all ages and sizes, and or BON sexes
rush down the same staircase without great danger
e. life and limb but there can be no reasonable
doubt that this loss Of. LIE actually occaSloned
by the giving way of the newell, which was the man
support OF this immense weight OF winding osnis
ter l have the fullest confidence IN the conScien-
tious care OF those who supernIended the oulidlns
OF the School-house. They followed IN their plans
an unsupported example as 10 the stairs for the puo
lie buildings OF the City, as such stairs are very
common, but they are nevertheless dangerous. Inc
defect in the newell was not visible I'LL was Torn
away and no one could suspect 50 great an over
sight and none OF the school oihceIs ale III tnas re-
spect chsTgeable With negligence.
The suggestion Of The jury as to separate hIe PROOF
staircaseS, is Of great Importance ana those
for the little children Of the Primary Department
should be exclusive, and adapted 10 thelr shorter
limbs. -,
this size as as smaller ones, If the passages are
sufficiently wide, and the stairs ana dormtories SUI
fclen,lv numerous and wide, andpToperly arranged
and am unable 70 agree with the jury IN tne opL'
ION that the Schoo-House was too hlgn or 100
but too many scholars were allowed to at'enI u,
more than II Is fitted 20 accommodate many Oh i's
rooms are too crowded and the same IS true OF
most Of the later and better built ana
especially those where, as in this case attentive
school officers, and most excellent body OF teac u
ers have established high reputation ior the
Schools
Teachers and Trustees dislike 10 exclude any
one for whom they can find place and thus must
continue to be 50, 81 long as such numbers OF
children are urprovided with School-llouseS IN
which they be properly accommodated, ana
while our School population IS increasing faster sna
our schools
The most important lesson that il should teach us
A., IS that In our Schools prudent cautious, self
control should be daily incuicated as matter OF
nositiyc education and discipline. Had tnis been
done a panic might not hare arisen, at leas' WITH
out cause. - No., .ho 49,
1 would respectfully suggest 70 tae Board the e8-
p,eiency OF appointing a COMMITTEE, 10 "hom thls
suhiec, may be referred. with directions to EXAMINE
all a., Ward School Houses whsus delay ana repof'
he,hcr any alterations are necessary for theu per-
i,C safety md 80 .aye Standing C9nali.iee' Tao>,