Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1857-05-04
prom the Lancaster Expre.,, Of April 9otb.l

PANIC IN a CHURCH AT LANcAsrER.-A scene
of the widest excitement occurred last evening
at st. James (EpiScOpaD Church, in this city,
which, for time, threatened to be very serious
in its consequences 1t having becoming gem
orally known that the marriage of two young
ladies, both highly esteemed and enioving an
extensive circle of friends and acqnaintanccs
was to take place in the church, the one at sew
en- and the other at eight o'clock, an unusually
large congregation collected to witness the GER
emonies: Long before the hour named for the
first marriage, the church was crowded to its
utmost capacity. Tho pews, aisles, galleries,
stairwHys, aud veStibule, were packed full of
men, women, and children, and by the time the
bridal party arrived, many persons were unable
to gain admittance, who subsequently collected
at the windows on the street.
The appearance Of Mr.. Fisher and Miss Dill
Ter, at about l-2 o'clock, was the signal for
general and disgraceful scramble for available
positions for witnessing the ceremonies. Many
OF those present appeared to have no regard for
their own decency or the sacred character of the
house. They stood on the seats and even Scrnm-
blcd on the backs of the pcws, the spectacle
presented being more like what is sometimes
seen in theatre than we ever witnessed in
church. Amid this confusion the solemn and
impressive ceremony was commenced by Rev.
Jacob w. DilleT, brother of the happy bride;
but before its conclusion the confusion was re-
newcd in consequence of many persons becom-
ing alarmed by the cracking of a bench in one
of the galleries, which they supposed was the
gallery itself giving way under the great weight
upon it. The ceremony being over, the bridal
party had scarcely retired from the church,
when an old bench, which had been carried into
the organ gallery, gave way under the weight of
frightful panic. Some person in the gallery
cried out that the gallery was falling, and ge-
neral stampede commenced in all parts of the
church. The lower windows were thrown up
and used by many MS a means of exit
One young gentleman was SO terribly frighten-
cd that he quite forgot the lady he had escorted to
the church, and made break through the near
est window, carrying with him the entire lower
section of sash. He was quickly followed by
couple Of ladies, and others were prevented
from leaping out by those on the inside who had
presence of mind sufficient to see that there was
no real danger, except that which arose from the
panic Several ladies got out of one Of tl,e gal
lcry windows. descending on the vestrN rUOf,
and from thence into the church.yarl. a num.
Der of ladies tainted which with the Screa ming
and praying, the rafting of blinds aud broken
glass, presented frightful spectacle. Those
under the gallery supposed it to Detailing, uladc
a rush in the direction Of the pulpit, OYerturn-
ing and slightly damaging the baptismal font
and carrying away the banister in font Of the
chancel.
DIR. Aztec, who had been sent for to attend to
those supposed to be injured, finally somewhat
| Vulleu uie lutuull ny announcing IlAL nOOO1y
was hurt and that there was no real danger
But the crowd still fingered to witness the nup.
tials- of Mr.. Ehler and Miss Calder, until DR.
Bowman announced that the ceremony would
not be performed in the church. Even then
many persons regarded this as a ruse on the part
of the Doctor to get clear of the crowd, and it
was not until the Sexton began to turn of the
gas that the church was cleared. The second
! bridal party repaired to the residence Of the
brides father, where the ceremony WAS perform.
ed by DR.. Bowman, and the happy pair at once
! prepared to start on their Wedding tour in the
evening train.
Exaggerated rumOrs of dreadful eatastro-
phe at the Episcopal Church, spread rapidly
| through the city, and all who had friends there
flocked to the church in state ofiutense excite
meut; but happily their fears were not realiz-
ed-po person having heen injured beyond the
effects Of.a bad fright, or a spruincd ankle, The
rumOrs about the gallery having given way
proved to be unfounded, as it is as Substantial
| as ever The church. however, sustained con-
siderable damage, and the necessary repairs Uilg
not cost less than 500.