Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1851-11-29
From the Phia. Ledger, Of the o9d inst
THE TERRIBLE CATASTROPHE ~ NEW
yORK-MELANCHoLYs SCENES.

THE TERRIBLE CATAsrRoPHE ~ NEW
YoRK-MELANCHoLY SCENES.
The New York Herald, OF yesterday, has
the following account of the origin OF The
terrible catastrophe at the School in Green
wich Avenue, some particulars of which
were published yesterday, in the Ledger:
One of the most lamentable occurrences
that we have aver been called on 10 record, |
took place at Ward school No. %, in Green
wich avenue, opposite Charles street, yesier,.
day afternoon, when nearly fifty children
lost their lives, and many more were Sc
vereiy injured that in all probability they |
will not recover. We will give The facts o
the case as briefly as possible. The school, |
house is magnificent four story edifice,
with a winding staircase from the first floor
10 the upper landing. This stairway is not
spiral, but is formed Of short flights Of stairs
winding round a square well The first or
ground floor is used as a play ground for the
scholars, and is paved with nag-stoncs
The second story Of the binding is occupied
by the primary department Of the institution
in the third story is the female department, |
of the upper school, and in the fourth story |
the male department. The enhance TO each !
of the school-rooms is frsm the landings of
the stairs The outer side of the stairs was
guarded by an ordinary wooden bannis,er of
no great height, and not firmly secured at
the bottom, or where the balusters were con-
nected with the stairs. This description of
the stairway will enable the reader better TO
understand what follows.
About two O'Clock yesterday afternoon,
one Of the teachers in the female depart
men, Miss Harrison, was taken with a
fainting fit, and in order to her recovery, she
was carried out into the passage-way, where
cry was raised of "Waier, Water!' by
one of her companions. This cry was not
understood, or else the scholars thought that
the water was wanted 10 extinguish fire, and
The next moment the cry of Sire ~ was
raised, and spread through the building. In
a moment subordination was at an end. The
children from the primary department rush
ed 10 the stairs, as did also the scholars on
the floor above them. The stairway was
soon filled, and the press against the baius-
ters so gleat that they gave way, precipia-
ting the children over the stairs down 10 the
ground floor. AS the rush increased, so did
the numbers that were hurled over the stairs
into the space below Two Of the female
teachers made an effort TO stop the children;
but so great was the panic that their efforts
were vain, and they were themselves hurried
,lonp with tha ,,l IL -. r.
forts were carried over The stairs into the
space below. In the upper room, the bows
department, Mr.. McNaly took his stand
with his back against the door. and forbade
any one 10 20 out Although the panic per-
vaded his room we'll as the rest OF the
building, yet he stood firm, and thus succeed
ed in saving the lives Of many, perhaps of
hundreds, FOR had the larger boys rushed
upon the stairs, as did the younger children,
Heaven only knows how much more sad
would have been the disaster than il now is.
We learn that some of the boys jumped out
of the windows, and that one of them had
his neck broken by the fall There were al
together in the building but a few short OF
1900 scholars. (l76j we understood 10 be
the number.)
While Mr.. McNully remained firm al his
post, the destruction Of life was going on be.
low. Hundreds on hundreds went over the
stairs, until there was pile of human being:
"a mass Of children eight feet square and
about twelve feet in height. The alarm wa.
now given outside, and the police were soor
at hand an took possession OF the premises
as well as they could, and commenced the
work of handing ont the children from thei
perious position. Those that were on top
were, Of course, but slightly injured, but a
soon as these had been removed, the mos
heart-rendirg spectacle presented itself
Some among the policemen were fathers
whose own children were there. The'
worked manfuIly and deserved all praise
body after body was taken out many OF then
lifecss at first, came 10 hen they once NOR
breahed the fresh air, but many alas wer
beyond aid, and death was but too plainI
marked upon their palid features. Som
were injured BY The fail, and lay wrlhing i
agony; some moaned, while others shrieke
Win pam; anu OlncIS again, when TeeaseO
started off for home, apparently uncor
scious of the awful scene through whic
they had passed.
One policeman, Mr., Seabrng, on going t
the sehool-house was on the instant, greete
by the sight Of his. little girl's face he
head was all that wasvisble, her body bein
covered with these of her companions. NJ
Seabring urged, urged by paterual feelings
Of course directed his efforts al oace 10 tn
release of his daughter, While he was 5
engaged, man came up and laid hold {
him, saying, 4" My child is there" and Ell
deavored 10 take the place on which NJ
Seabrng stood Finding he could not NOV
him, he struck al him, Tins endeavoring
dispiace Mr S, and 10 get in position
work more ellectualy in search of his ow
child. Mr.. s. succeeded in rcscuing
child, who proved TO be but slightly niurel