The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-04-27
SCENES AND INCIDENTS.

Among the melancholy incidents of this disaster, is
the case of John B. O'Donnel Of the members of
Engine Company AZ, and Of Coroner O'Donnel.
ODonnel is about twenty two years Of age and has but
lately joined the Fire Department in which he soon
came remarkable for ntrepdity and daring He was we
are informed, among the first at the fire Tuesday
night and engaged in saving the property with his
brother fremen, when the wall fell and buried him
under its ruins This occurred about e'cock and it
not till the following morning when he extri
Gated. For eight long and painful hours was he lying
under large beam Of timber while the flames threat
ened every moment to him. He was nearly an
hour in this position before his cries for assistance
heard and during that time each minute appeared
age duration. His first intimation that his friends
were near, a slight knocking over his head and
did noise sound more sweet to human
els that near your" said q brother fireman.
No." replied the poor sufferer little further on;
and for heavens sake make haste, or will be sufo-
cated''
'Are we near you nows" said several voices as an
other knock given.
sNot YETI
/" Nowg''
"Yes; you directly me. Quick, quick,
i can't stand this much longer"
A hole cut in the floor over his head, and
through it he could be envelopod in smoke, while
the flames had approached close to him to scorch
his clothes The pipe give me the pipe at once, he
win be burned to death before eyes, said Of the
Gremen seeing his imminent danger. A stream of water
directed upon the advancing flames, and they
driven back at the very moment they to
destroy him. AS il impossible to extinguish the fire.
account Of its position, IL necessary to play
UPON it about in every ten minutes But during
the whole time of his fearful imprisonment the brave
fellow lost his courage, and not word of pain
escaped his lips. As it feared however, that his
strength would give way before he could be rescued, a
hole broken through the wall where he lay
stmulants handed 10 him. His friends could
converse with him without any officially, and they
learned that there were four five dead bodies lying
near him.
I there any one else in there beside yoursels they
asked
Yes four or aye," he replied "and they all dead
can them from where am"
While he was lying here his father and brother, hear
ing Of the disaster hastened the scene and found
hours after the falling of the WALL and
left the spot till he was extreated. We will not
attempt to describe their feelings they saw
him. after the unremit ting exerons he part
the remen taken from the ruins horribly crushed and
mangled He conveyed Immediately to the City
Hospital where he is lying at present in most critical
condition His face and head dreaduy barneJ and
one hand is almost severed from his
Our readers will recognise strong resemblance be-
tween this and that of the heroic lad, Tnda who
| lost his life by the Hague street calamity. We hope,
/ however, that the OF 0'Donne will not have the
same fatal termination
! Alexander Mckay, who was found dead under the ru
ms lost his life in Intellectual attempt to save his
brother When he heard the crash cause by the falling
Of the wall, he rushed into the burning building despite
the attempts Of the Chief Of Police "what am doing
here, while my poor brother is in theres'' said
he, pointing to the ruins. This was the last
that was of him till his dead body was found
horribly mutilated, lying beside the remains of his
brother.
fireman named Craig had most miraculous escare
He was found wedged in between pile OF cloth
some boards and II was found necessary TO tear od a