The weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1858-1860, 1859-03-22
Awful Calamity ~ OswegO-EOur
Persons Killed and several Injured.


(From the Oswsgs Palladium, March 1o.l
The most awful calamity occurred last even
4 about fifteen minutes after seven O'Clock at
Aarys (Cathclic) Church, that has ever tral
: pired in this city.
A mission was opened at the church ON Su
) day last by missionaries belonging to the orc
OF Redemptories, and the congregations hs
, been immense every evening since, every q
being crowded, and the aisles also, with init
ested listeners of all classes Of citizens. L,
evening another overwhelming audience b
assembled to listen to q discourse on the su
ject Of "The Last Judgment" The church "
literally packed with people. The exercises
the evening bad just commenced, or we
about to commence, when about one third
the door Immediately in front Of the altar ga
way from the immense weight, and fell to q
basement, precipitating about one-third of q
audience in an indiscriminate mass into q
abyss below.
The scene that ensued is beyond the power
language to describe. The groans, shrek
prayers and supplications of the mass of huns
beings thus thrown in a confused heap into Il
chasm below, as we'll as the horror stricken ma
beside, in the other parts Of the edi6ce wei
awful beyond description. Those who were u,
permost IL the precipitated mass struggled ,
escape by climbing over each other, tramplin
under foot those beneath.
| A universal panic seized the whole Of the as
semblage instantly. terrific rush was mad
by those on the part Of the floor not fallen, t
escape from the house, amid the shrieks an
groans OF those being trampled under foot.
Ihe alarm was soon spread by the shouts an
lamentations Of the frantic crowd, and the bell
were rung, supposing it to be FIRE, and tn
fremen all turned out.
AS soon as the mass of the people had LEI
the curch, number of men, together with Nv
Guardet and the Redemptorist Priests, Joel n
Warn and others, rushed to the relief of th
unfortunate people who were lying dying an,
even dead. Many women were taken out o
the church insensible, some with broken limbs
some dead. How many were actually dead o,
how many were seriously injured, it was impos-
slbie to tell last evening, as numbers we're car
rled away by friends and acquaintances o.
whom nothing in particular could be learned
except that several we're known to be in an un-
conscious state, and many seriously injured
Lawrence Murray, brother. in-law of Luke
Rattigan, member Of the Oswego Guard, was
taken out dead Mrs. Mary Carlau and Mrs.
Bridget Langdon, who were conveyed to the
house OF Il. Martin, Esq, opposite, also soon
expired. Another woman, Mrs. Margaret Hen
Messy, was taken to the residence Of Mr.. Kane,
where she also died in short time.
News OF the calamity rapidly spread, and thou
sands OF people speedily assembled at the scene
of the disaster, and hundreds were eagerly and
anxiousy inquirng and looking for their friends
wives, husbands, sisters, brothers, &C., and the
excitement and grief was universal. A general
gloom pervaded the city, wherever the melan-
choly intelligence Of the disaster reached.
Numerous groups were to be seen bearing
their female friends in their arms who were be-
Wildered, in,ing and weeping from fright or
injury, and lamentations were to be heard on
every side in the vicinity.
The furnace was under the fallen floor, and
water had to be brought to sxtinguish the fire
% prevent a confagration. The men then
'ased the ruins to clear them from the furnace
1t was found that portion of the large cross
'eam near the altar was very much decayed in
he centre by dry rot, but to all appearances,
was perfectly sound. This beam
,roke off under the excessive weight thus
'ausing the disaster.
[Telegraphic Core spondence of the Gin, Gsxettel
Washington, March 6.
The investigation ordered by the President,
nto the financial condition of the Post Office
department., exhibits q much worse state of
hings than was anticipated, even upon the i'm
erfect data so far collected. Brown stated the
deficiency to be provided for, at three millions
light hundred thousand. 1t is found to be ac-
ually between FIVE and six. The explanations
lven for the difference are wholly unsatisfac-
Dry.
There was just as much means Of knowing in
december the extent of this deficiency as now,
nd the report then made is either chargeable
nth gross ignorance or culpable suppression.-
a view OF this Development, the President is
ompelled to confront the alternative of an ex-
"a session sooner than has been anticipated, or
aryiDg or the department upon credit, trust
lg to the equity of Congress hereafter. 1t is
ow held that even the receipts cannot be used
ithout an appropriation, although different
obstruction has been given to the law.
The President must decide concerning an ex-
a session before the 18th, to enable his pro-
amation to go to the Pacific by the steamer of
lat day, if be concludes affirmatively.
Denyer's resignation as Commissioner of
,dian Affairs, was meditated some time since,
ut then abandoned. The immediate cause Of
$ taking place now was the appointments of q
otorious gambler as Superintendent of Indian
fairs in California against his protest.
Mix, who was appointed temporarily during |
enyer's mission to Kansas, will probably get
e place permanently. o1 .gas
Siclkes' trial will hardly come on for fort
ght. Keys family have not asked to associate
'ivate counsel with the prosecution. It is
anifest that Sickles must rely for acquttsl
BON circumstsn,ial evidence and popular feel |
&. which has been industriously piled with |
e-sided statements. /
The Democracy are beginning to be alarmed
indications which attend the opening Of the |
nbernatorial campaign in Virginia. The Old
hig spirit is reused, and If, as there ought, an
ganizaton be made, important results may be
heved even in that State.
Land Warrant Decision