Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1860-01-20
THE LAwRENcE cALAM1TYl
THE RUINS TAKE FIREl
Two Hundred Operatives Burned
km thae Auimsi
HEARTRENDING DETAILS

record occurred in this city this afternoon
The pemberton Mills fell with sudden
crash at about five o'clock, while some six
or seven hundred operatives were at work
The mills are complete wreck. Some
two or three hundred persons are supposed
Ito be still in the ruins. At present it is
impossible to give anything like correct
statement Of the loss of life, but from the
best authority it is believed that at least
two hundred are dead in the ruins Eigh-
teen dead bodies have already been taken
tout, together with some twenty-five per-
sons mortally wounded. and some fifty in
different stages ofmutilation. Mr.. Chase
the Agent Of the mill and Mr.. Howe, the
Treasurer escaped by running from the
falling building. 1t is impossible yet to
get at the cause of the disaster 8, E
Second Dispatch.-Our reporter has just
come ffopl the ruins, and the scenes there
beggar alldiscription, Some two or more
acres Of ground are piled up with every
description of machinery of the fallen
buildings Huge bonfres are burning to
light some two or three thousand persons
who are working as for their own lives to
rescue the unfortunate persons, many of
whom are still crying and begging to be
released from their tortures, Every few
minutes some poor wretch is dragged from
his prison, and it is heart.rending to hear
their cries us they are drawn out with legs
and arms crushed and torn. One man,
shockingly maneled, cut his own throat to
be in mourning. Many are running thro'
the streets, and, with frantic cries, search
ing the ruins. Temporary hospitals have
been arranged for those rescued. Many
stand by the wreck frigid with despair.
A terrible crash, caused by the clearing
away threatened death to all those who
may still be alive in the ruins. General
II X. Oliver is conspicuous and active in
directing the persons who are endeavoring
to rescue the victims of the Disaster
Gangs of men with ropes below are con.
stantly dragging out huge pieces of the
wreck, which mprison 80 many. Some OF
the rescuers were killed in their humane
efforts.
Third Dispatch Since we left the scene
of the disaster reports of more of the dead
and dying are constantly coming to us
Surgeons are coming in from all directions.
Everything that can be done at such q
painful moment is doing for the suffering
victims of the fatal calamity, the mystery
iof which will have to be cleared up by an
Inquest.
Fourth Dipatch-Ten minutes after
10 o'clock to night our citizens were warn
ed by he cry Of fire which proceeded from
the Pemberton Mill, about four fifths OF
which had fallen a shapeless mass without
the slightest warning to the nearly SOC
human beings who were then at work
The building was never considered TO be
as staunch as it ought to be- 1t was built
about seven years ago. 1t was then tho't
a sham; indeed before the machinery was
put in, the walls spread to such an extent
that some twenty two tons of iron straps
were put in to save it from falling by its
own weight, From the best information
that can be gathered the building appeared
to crumble and fall from the eastern cor
ner or end; it fell inwards. The fire de.
partment at once repaired to the spot, but
there being no IRE they at once set to work
with will to remove the rubbish. They
very soon reached some rooms so that the
dead and wounded were taken out as fast
as they could be reached Mr.. Charles
Bachelor helped to remove some twenty
six in various conditions, some still liv.
ing.
Mr. Branch, an overseer, has not been
found The city hall has been converted
into temporary hospital for the dead and
wounded till recognized. Mr.. Palmer was
deeply buried in the ruins all the time, and
thinking there was no prospect of being
eXtrcated, cut his throat to end his suf
: fcrings; still he was taken out and lived
some time. One woman in the part of the
mill still standing became frightened and
threw herself out of the fifth story door
breaking an arm and injuring herself SC
that she cannot recover.
The laboring force of the mill is about
900, aud tits supposed that abaut 700 hu
, man beings were actually buried in the
] ruins. A woman just rescued says ther,
. are some twenty-five more in the vicinity
e of her yet alive.
@ About 81 o'clock fire was discovered
: This additional horror struck terror to thu
f hearts that had before been hopeful Of sa
I wing more lives Still the work of reno
] val went on. The force pumps and en-
5 gincs on the groond were at once got Il
work and have been pouring torrents o
e water on the fire, so that now, ll:3O, T. Nj.
. the fire does not seem to gain, and hopes
2 are entertained that il will be stayed.
g Those near the breaking out of the fir
{ were almost on the point of extricating
J. woman not much hurt, but the flames drov'
them back, and the woman it is supposed
| has perished The mayor has telegraphe'
= for the LEVEL fremen who will arriv
about l o'clock
). \ Fifth Dispqtch.-Midnight.-C Calamit.
succeeds calamity. In IL minutes tn
e whole mass Of ruins has become one shee
e of fame. The screams and meanings o
/. the poor buried creatures can be distinct
@ heard but no power can save them.
g Siah Dipateh.-3 A. M.-The PEN
4 berion Mills are now black smokin
L. Il l.