Wabash express. [volume] (Terre-Haute, Vigo Co[unty], Ind.) 1841-186?, 1860-01-18
APPALLING CALAMITY!
400 Persons Buried and Burned
A VILLAGE IN MOURNING |
LAWRENCE. Mass, Jan. II

One Oi lne nOsb bcEtloic ou
record occurred In this city this afternoon
The Pemberton Mills fell with a sudden
crash at about 5 o'clock, while some six or
seven hundred operatives were at work.
The mills are a complete wreck.
Some tive or three hundred persons are
supposed to be still in the ruins.
At present it is impossible to give any
thing like correct statement Of the loss
of life, but from the best authority it is be-
lieved that at least 200 are dead in the
ruins. Eighteen dead bodies have already
been taken out. together with some 25 per-
sons mortally wounded, besides some fifty
in different stages of mutilation.
Mr.. Chase, the agent of the mill, and
Mr.. Howe, the treasurer, escaped by run.
ming from the falling building.
1t is impossible yet to tell the cause of
the disaster.
Our reporter has just come from the
ruins, and the sc, ne there beggars all de-
scription. Some two OF more acres Of
ground are piled up with every descrip-
tion of machinery of the fallen building
Huge bonfires are burning to light some
two or three thousand persons who are
working as if for their lives to rescue the
unfortunate persons, many of whom are
still crying and begging to be released from
their tortnres. Every few minutes some
poor wretch is dragged from his prison;
and it is heartrending to hear their cries,
as they are drawn out with legs and arms
crushed and torn. One man, shockingly
mangled. cut his own throat to end his
agony.
The whole city seems to be in mourning.
Many are running through the streets with
frantic cries, searching the ruins for a
missing relative. Temporary hospitals
have been arranged for the rescued. Many
stand by the wreck frigid with despair
terrible crash, caused by the clearing
away, thre atened death TO all who may
still be alive in the ruins.
Gen. II. K. Oliver is conspicuous and &C.
tive in directing those persons who are en-
deavoring to rescue the victims. Gangs Of
men with ropes below are constantly drag
ging out huge pieces of the wreck, which
were killed in their humane efforts.
Since we left the scene of disaster reports
of more of the dead and dying are con-
stantly coming to US. Surgeons are COM
ing in from all directions. Everything
that can be done at such painful moment
is doing for the suffering victims of the ia
tai calamity, the mystery of which will
have to be cleared up by an inquest.
Second Dispatch.
lI:30 p. M.-At about 10 minutes after 5
o'clock this afternoon the alarm of fire
startled our citizens, which proceeded from
the Pembertou Mill, about four-fifths oi
which had fallen shapeless mass, with
out the slightest warning to the nearly 500
human beings who were then at work.
The building was never considered to be
as staunch as it ought to be- 1t was bull
about seven years ago, and was ther
thought sham. Indeed, before the ma
chinery was put in the walls spread tc
such an extent that some twenty-five tons
Of iron stats were put in 10 save it from
falling By its own weight.
From the best information that can b,
gathered the building appeared to crumbl'
and fall from the eastern corner or end. Il
fell inwards.
The fire department at once repaired Il
the spot, but there being no fire, they a
once set to work with a will to remove th
rubbish. They very. soon reached som
rooms, and the dead and wounded wer
taken out as fast as they could be reached
Mr.. Bachelor helped remove some 2
persons in various conditions, some still
living. Mr.. Branch, an overseer, has no
yet been found.
The city hall has been converted into
temporary hospital for the dead and wouu
ded, till recognized.
Mr.. Palmer was deeply buried in tn
ruins all the time; and, thinking there wa
no prospect of being extricated, cut hi
throat, to end his sufferings. Still he wa
taken out, and lived some time.
One woman in the part of the mill sti
standing became frightened, aud thre
herself out of the fifth story door, breakin
an arm, and injuring herself SO that 81
cannot recover.
The laboring force of the mill is abo'
$50, and it is supposed that about 700 h'
man beings were actually buried in u
ruins.
A woman just rescued says there we
some twenty five more in the vicinity
her yet alive.
About 81 a fire was discovered in Il
ruins. This additional horror struck te
e ror to the hearts of those who had befo
been hopeful of saving more lives. st
!. the work of removal went on. The for
pump and engines on the ground were
once got to work. and have been peuril
y torrents on. so that at IL 80 of the clock t
fir did not seem to gain, and hopes We
Q entertained that it would be stayed.
n The Mayor telegraphed for the Low
g firemen, who will arrive at o'clock.
IS MIpSIaHr.-Calamity succeeds calamit
d In ten minutes the whole mass Of ruins h
l. become one sheet Of fame. TIE screa
: and meanings of the poor buried creatul
can be distinctly heard. but no earti
power can save them
Of l:30A M.-The Pemberton Mills are n
Of black smoking mass of bricks, mortar a
ID human beings. promiscuously mingled
Probably not less han 200 beings perish
in the flames. The Washington Mill '
& in gr eat jeopardy. the wind blowing
Z wards the duck mill, whose counting 70
Dr. touches the Pemberton mill.
a. 300 A. M.-Through the almost superl
man exertions Of the fremen, the washi
=. ton mills are now considered out Of dan
J. Of the duck mill. Fire companies are h
from all the neigbboring towns.
Refueep foyfv and fftv rbve;ci m nj