Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-01-11
Awful Disaster at Lawrence
IMMENSE LOSS OF LIFE

LAWRENCE, Mass, JAN 10.-The Pember-
ton Mills in this place, which employed from
four hundred to six hundred operatives, fell
suddenly to the ground, this afternoon, bury
ing in the ruins nearly every person employed
there. Mangled bodies are now being taken
out, and carried away by the CARLOAD. 1t is
supposed that over two hundred persons were
killed instantly, besides those who were man
gled and wounded MORALLY.
SECOND DISPATCH
LAWRENCE, Jan. 10, 8 O'Clock P. Mime
of the most horrible catastrophes on record
occurred in this city, this afternoon. The
Pemberton Mills fell with a sudden crash,
about five O'clock while some six hundred or
seven hundred operatives were at work. The
mills are complete wreck, and some two hun
dred or three hundred persons are supposed to
be still buried in the ruins. AT present, it is
impossible to give anything like a correct ac-
count of the loss of life; but, from as careful
inquiry as is possible it is believed that there
are at least two hundred persons dead in the
ruins.
ken out, and also some twenty five that are
MORALLY wounded, besides some fifty that are
in different conditions of mutiIation. The
agent of the mills, Mr.. Chase, and the treas
urer, Mr.. Howe, escaped by running from the
falling building. 1t is impossible, now, to ex-
plain the cause of this disaster.
Our reporter has Just come from the ruins
and the scenes there beggar all description
Some two or more acres of ground are filled
up with every description of machinery and
fragments of the fallen building AT this time,
huge bonfires are burning to light up the
wreck for some two or three thousand persons,
who are working for their lives, to rescue the
unfortunate victims of the catastrophe many
of whom can be heard crying and begging to
be released from their tortures. Every few
minutes, some poor wretch is dragged from
his or her prison, and it is heart-rending to
hear their cries, as they are drawn forth with
legs and arms crushed or torn out One man,
shockingly mangled and partly under the
bricks, deliberately cut his own throat to end
his agony.
ne huUIG CITY ScelhS " Uc III uIlllHS
Many are running wildly through the streets,
and with frantic cries, are searching the ruins.
Temporary hospitals have been arranged for
the wounded who have been taken from The
ruins. Many stand at the ruins, stunned and
silent with despair. Frequently, terrible
crash of falling masses, caused by clearing
away the ruins, threatens death to all who may
be still alive beneath the wreck. Gen. II. X.
Oliver is active and conspicuous in directing
parties who are endeavoring to rescue the vic
tins of the diaster. Gangs of men with ropes
are constantly dragging out huge pieces Of the
wreck which improsn so many; and some of
the rescuers are killed in their humane efforts.
Since we left the scene of the disaster, reports
are constantly coming to US, of more dead and
dying. Surgeons arc coming from every quar-
ter, and everything that can be done at such a
painful moment, is being done for the suffering
victims of this fearful calamity, the mystery of
which will have to be cleared up by an in
quest.