Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-01-17
Awful Calamity.

The telegraph brings Intelligence OF one "
the most appalling catastrophes, attended win
great injury and loss of life under peculiarly
painful circumstances, that has ever snockeu
the country. About o'clock on Tuesday al
ternoon last the Pemberton Mills, at Lawrence,
Massachusetts, fell with tremendous CRASH.
Six or seven hundred operatives were at WORK
in them at the time, and the lowest estimates
state that the number of those buried IN tne ru-
ms was at least three hundred. In the mldst OF
the efforts to extricate the sufferers, ne" nor
ror was added to the scene. 81 Inc ruins TOOK
fire. and before the rapid progress OF the flames
the rescuers were forced to remit their laO0rs
and leave the sufferers to terrible fate. The
whole number of killed and missing is stated at
one hundred and fifteen, and the wounded at
considerably over that number. The calamity
is attributed to the insecure construction OF the
mills. which had previously occasioned doubts
of it's safety. The loss OF property BY the disas7
ter is estimated at half million OF dollars, but
in the presence of the cruel suffering and de-
struction of lite it sinks into insignihoanoe.
The following extracts from telegraphic de-
spatches give vivid idea of the scene
"Our reporter is just come from the ruins; and
the scenes there beggar all description. Some
TWO or more acres Of ground are piled up with
every description of machinery and the fallen
building. Huge bonfres are burning to light
some two or three thousand persons, who are
working, as II for theis own lives, to rescue the
unfortunate persoas, many of whom are still
CRYING and begging to be released from their
torIures. Every few minutes some poor wretch
is dragged from his or her prison, and it is heart
rendiDg to hear their cries as they are drawn
out, with legs and arms crushed or torn.
| .sThe whole city seems in mourning. Many
are running through the streets, and with tranfic
cries searching the ruins. Temporary hospital
have been arranged fer the RESCUED, Many
stand by the wreck, frigid with despair. Often
terrible crash, caused by the cleaning away
threatens death to those who may still be alive
/! in the ruins. Gangs of men, with ropes below
are constantly dragging opt huge PIECES OF tht
wreck which lmprlsons SO many. Some or tht
rescuers are killed in their humane efforts.
about halt past o'clock fire was discovered
to be breaking out amid the ruins, adding add
tlonal horrol to the scene. Although this VIZ
somewhat unprecedented, it struck terror to TIT
hearts of all present, who were before hopefu
of saving more lives. Still the work of remova
went briskly on. Force pumps and fire engine
kept streams Of Yater pOnring into the ruins
but at twelve O'clock the whole mass of rpin
was sheet OF flames! The screams and moan
of the wounded were plainly distinct, but nj
power ON earth could save them.
THE fire caught without Goubt from Lantern
of burning fluid accidentally dropped.
"One OF the tiremen dropped dead in the stree
| from over exertiOn.
'There were $50 operatives employed in th'
factory, portion of them had gone to supper
leaving some six hundred souls in the building.
The latest despatch Oh Wednesday says
There is but little additional to communicate
the dead and missing number Ito, large por
ton OF them were young girls. Many were tn
main support OF their families. There are on
hundred and sixty-iye wounded of those VIII
were rescued from the ruins. The greater par
of this number will survive"
The telegraph reports the following additions
items:
s.i3efors the building caught fire, those i'm
prisOned beneath the ruins cOqid be seen AIT
conversed with. Drinks and refreshments wer
10 some instances passed to them.
"When the fire spread over the ruins, and the.
found escape hopeless, they bid adieu to thei
friends, and in several cases. gave directions a
to the disposition OF their bodies.
"a strong force of canvassers went from hous
to house, thereby ascertaining OF every tamil
what persons were wounded, missing or SAFE
rhis summing up shows 1862 persons missing
Ii embraces ali known as killed, and those Q
whom no tdings have been obtained by thOs
who made the investigation.
"Fifty-two persons are yet inundated in th
sbrlck, mortar, &C., and hundred and thirt
dead bodies have been removed to the City Hall
o. delivered To their friandSn