Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1860-01-12
Many MORE NAxcLpD AND cRrsuEp no DEAFI
MISUNDERSTANDING DETAILS.

LAWRENCE, MASS, Jan. IU.-One OF Tue
most terrible catastrophcs on record, Oc-
CURED in this city, this afternoon. The
Pemberton Mills fell with a sudden crash,
at about o'clock, while some six or sew
en- hundred operatives were at work. The
mills are complete wreck. Some two or
three hundred persons are supposed to be
still in the ruins. At present it is ilnpUs
Sible to give anything like Il correct state
meut of the loss of life, but from the best
authority it is believed that ut least two
hundred are dead in the ruins; eighteen
dead bodies have already been taken out,
together with some 25 persons mortally
wounded, besides some so in different sta
gcs of mutilatiOn. Mr.. Chase, the agent
of the mill and NIr. Howe, the treasurer,
escaped by running IRON the falling build
ing.
1t is impossible, as yet, to tell the cause
of the disaster. Our reporter has just arri
we'd from the ruins and says the scenes there
beggar all description; some two or more
acres of ground are filled up with every
description of machinery of the fallen
buildings. Huge bontircs are burning to
light some two or three thousand persons
who are working as if for their own lives,
to rescue the unfortunate persons, many of
whom are still crying and begging TO be
released from their fortunes. Every few
minutes some poor wretch is dragged from
his prison, and it is heart-rending to hear
their cries as they are drawn out, with
legs and arms crushed and torn out.
The whole city seems to be in mourning.
Many are running through the streets and
with frantic cries searching the ruins
Temporary hospitals have been arrange
for those rescued. Many stand. by the
wreck, frigid with despair, after the terrible
crash, caused by the clearing away of the
ruins, which threatened the death of all
who may still be alive in the ruins.
Gen. II. X. Oliver is conspicuous and ac-
tive in directing those persons who are
cndeavoring to rescue the victims of the
disaster. Gangs of men with ropes are
constantly dragging out huge pieces ofthe
wreck, which imprisOn SO many. Some of
the rcBcuerS were killed in their humane
efforts. Since we left the scene of disas-
ter, reports of more of the dead and dying
are constantly coming to us. Surgeons
are coming in from all directions and ev-
cry thing that can be done at such pain
full moment is doing for the suffering vic
tins of the fatal calamity, the mystery of
which will have to be cleared up by an in
quest.
TsECoND DISPATCH.
1870 p. M.-At about ten minutes after
o'clock this T.. NJ, our citizens were
warned Ivy the cry of fire, which proceed
ed from the PembcrtOn Mills about four
titths of which had fallen in n shapclcsS
mass, without the slightest warning to the
nearly 500 human beings who were then
ut work. The building was never cOnsid-
cred TO be as staunch as it ought to be.
1t WAS built about seven years ago, and
was then thought to be sham. Indeed,
before the machinery was put in, the walls
spread to such an extent that some % tons
Of iron stats were put i'll to save it from
falling by its own weight. From the best
information that can be gathered, the
building appeared to crumblc and fall in
wards. The fire department ut once re-
paired to the spot, but there being no fire,
they ut once set to work with will to re-
move the rubbish. They very soon reach
ed some rooms, 80 that the dead and
wounded were taken out rs fast as they
could be reached. Mr.. Charles Bachelor
helped to remove some 20 III various con-
ditions, some still living. Mr.. Branch, an
oYerscer, has not been found. The City
Hall has been converted into II temporary
hospital for The dead and wounded till
recognized. Mr.. Palmer was deeply bu-
ricd in the ruins all the time, and thinking
there was no prospect of being cXtrlcated,
cut his throat to end his sufterings. Still
One woman in the front part of the mill
still standing, became frightened and
threw herself out of the fifth story door,
breaking an arm and injuring herself so
that she cannot recover. The laboring
force of the. mill is about 96O, and it is
supposed TINT about 700 human beings
were actuauyI buried in the ruins. y wO-
man just rescued says there were some %
more in the vicinity of her yet alive.
About half past nine fire was discover
cd. This additional horror struck terror
to the hearts that had before been hopeful
of saving more lives. Still the work of
removal went on. The force pump and
engines on the ground were Mt once
got to work, and have been pouring
torrents on the fire, SO that at 1890 the
fire does not seem to gain, and hopes are
entertained that it will be stayed. Those
near the breaking out of the fire were al
most on the point of extricating woman
who was not much hurt, but the flames
drove them back, and the woman is sup
posed to have persisted. The Mayor has
tcIcgraphcd for the Lowell fircmeu, who
will arrive about one o'clock.
THIRD DESPATCH.
IL, midnight.-Calamity succeeds ca
lnmity. In ten minutes the whole mass of
ruins has become one sheet of flame. The
screams and meanings of the poor buried
creatures can be distinctly heard, but no
power can save them.
FOURTH DESPATCH.
1870 A. M.-Thc Pemberton Mills are
now black smoking mass of brick, NOR
tar and human bones, promiscuously min
gled. Probably not less than two hundred
beings persisted in the flames. The Wash
ington Mill was in great jeopardy. the wind
blowing towards Duck Mill, whose count
ing room touches the Pcmberton mill.
FIFTH DESPATCH.
o'clock \. M.-Through the almost
superhumon excrtions of fremen, the