Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1860-01-18
Horrible Catastrophe.

On the 10th inst. the walls Of the Penn
berton Cotton Mill at Lawrence, Mass. fell,
burying about 700 hundred beings beneath
the ruins. Some four hours after the fall
ing Of the building, while the citizens were
engaged in rescuing the living. and taking
out the bodies Of the dead, a fire broke out
in the ruins, supposed to have caught from
some of the lanterns and lights in the masses
81 cotton, and those whom were still living
were literally roasted. At-least 100 lives
were lost. The details arc most horrible.
The dispatch to the Cleveland Herald
says:
The mill was built about seven years
ago, and was then thought a sham. In
deed, before the machinery was put in. the
walls spread to such an extent that some
twenty-five tons of iron were put in to save
it from falling By its own weight.
From the best information that can now
be gathered, the building appeared to crum-
be and fall from the eastern corner or end.
1t fell inwarls. The fire department at
once repaired to the spot, but there being
no fire, they at once set TO work with 4
viii to remove the rubbish. They very
soon reached some rooms, so that the dead
and wounded were tsken out as they could
be reached. Mr.. Branch, an oyersce-,
has not been found.
The City Hall has been converted into
a temporary hospital for the dead and
wounded until recognized.
Mr.. Palmer was deeply buried IN the
ruins all the time. and thinking there was
no prospect of being cxtricated, cut his
throat to end his suferings. Still, he wa
tlken out and lived some time.
One woman in the part of the mill stand
ing, became frightened and threw herself
out of the 9Th story door, breaking an arm
and injuring herself 50 she cannot recover.
The laboring force of the mill is about
900, and it is supposed that about 200
humans were actually buried in the runs
\ woman Just rescued says there were some
twenty-five more in the vicinity Of her, yet
alive.
About half past nine fire was discovered.
This additional horror struck terror to the
hearts that had before been hopeful Ct
saving more lives Still the work of re-
movai went on. The force pump and en-
gine5 on the ground were at once got to
work, and have bsen pouring torrents on
the ruins, so hat at lI-30 the fire does
not seem to gain, and hopes are entertain
ed that it would be stayed. Those near
the breaking out of the fire were almost
on the point OF cxtrieating a woman, not
much hurt. but the flames drove them back,
and the woman is supposed to have perish
ed. The Mayor has 'telegraphel for the
Lowell Firemen. who viii arrive about one
O'Clock.
l2 M.-Calamity succeeds calamity. In
ten minutes the whole mass of ruins has
become one sheet of fame. The screaming
and meanings of the poor buried creatures
can be distinctly heard; but no power can
save them.
$50 A. M.-The Pemberton Mills are
now a black smoking mass of brick and
and human bones, promiscuously
Probably not less than 200
beings persisted in the flames.
a portion Of the operators had left for
previous to the falling of the build
Ing, about GOO remaining. Tie building was
FIVE stories high, $50 feet long 10y 20 wide,
with a wing On the west side, 10 feet
square, shaped like the letter L. 1t ran
POO spindles, and $50 operators were en-
Before the building caught fire a
number of those imprisoned beneath the
ruins could be seen and conversed with.
Drink and refreshments, in some instan-
ces, were passed to them. When the fire
spread over the ruins they found escape
hopeless and bid adieu to friends, and in
several cases gave directions as to the dis
position of their effects. In one part of the
building a hole was battered through a wall,
and through it could be seen the girls who
said that they were not at all injured
One thrust her arm through the small
aperture and begged to be drawn through
but before the aperture could be made
large enough, tie flames drove the men
away. and the prisoners persisted.