American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1857-01-03
A DREADFUL SCENE.

The Loudon papers by tho Canadian
at, Quebec, Furnish the foIIowing par.
liculars, o! the fatal accident at the MI
sic Hall, Surry Gardens, while the Rev.
Mr.. Spurgeon was preaching '''
Before the services commenced the
enthusiasm within and even without
tho building was intense. After the
Preacherhad proceeded for some minutes
on a, a,sudden the hysterical scream aud
subtsequent fain,ing of a female in the
gallery 70 the left, of Mr.. s., and at the
farther end, Of the building, occasioned
commotion, m,
Presently the people at the doors
cried "Fire ~ (there really had been
strong smoll OF fire a few minutes pre-
viously) J. others called out: The build.
ing tho building is falling - end then
all at once, from above, in The gal
leiies, in tho hall, and from all sides,
rose a volley of screams aud shrieks,
which were followed by terrified rush
to the doors.
The preacher paused in terror. View.
ed from the orchestra, the body of the
hall presented the scene of dire confu
sion and agonized excitement. Fortu.
na'eiy from the floor being encumber-
ed 10y seats, moments obstruction was
given tothe rush. That moment saved
the lives of many who would have been
overwhelmed in the Tremendous out
set toward the door aud gave time for
more tranquil observation. E
The preacher recovering himself i'm
plored silence, assured the people of
safety, and while the shreks aud screams
still resounded, aud terribe groans
were beginning to be heard, set up a
hymn, which loudly clanted from the
orchestra, coon spread itself over the
troubled congregation in the hall, who
now seeing the roof still above them,
and the galleries still crowded with lis.
teners, terror stricken yet eagerly hang
ing on the preachers words, thus en-.
conraged joined in the hymn.
Notso in the galleries. There a rush
was made to the winding stair case on
the right side facing the entiance.-
Down this stroam of frightened men.
women and children poured, rushing on
in terror and impeled from behind in
still greater alarm. Turning upsu tho
stairs ofthe second galory, small curve
is made 10y the balosiiades. There, un-
fortunately from the overwhelming pres
sure, the mahogany handrail broke, and
the balusirade gave away, one after the
other for about three yards. Urged by
the crowd above, those below fell over
the sides, down the wall stair case, TO
the stone floor beneath.
The first who tumbed over was
we'll dressed woman who struck upon
her head and died without groan the
second, another respectfully dressed fe-
male, who fell screaming iD agony, with
a child clasped in her arms then camo
another woman, then two men and 9th.
ers followed. Meantime, the crowd
from the end of the hall were rushing
round the passage, forcing their way o.
yer tho dead aud dying. Their groaps
and screams were such as might DO fan.
cied Of Pandemoniutn.
T There are in London 400.
600 who never attend public worship.
10000 habitual drupkards, 10000
open pronigatss, 10000 professed beg.
gars, 10000 gamblers, 80 900 destitute
children. and 10000 receivers of sto.
len goods More than 10000 young
men under eigbteen years Of age are
annually committed for theft in Groat
Bfitaian,
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