The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-01-18
Great Disaster at Pemberton.
HUNDREDS OF PERSONS KILLED!
LAWRENCE, MASS, January 10.

LAWRENCE, MASS, January 10.
One of the most terrible c~atastrophies
on record occurred in this city this after
noon. The Pemberton Mills fell, with a
sudden crash, at about Eve O'Clock, while
some six or seven hundred operatives we're
at work-the mills are q complete wreck.
Some two or three hundred persons are
supposed TO be still in the ruins. At
present it is impossible to give anything
like a correct statement of the loss of life,
but from the best authority it is believed
that at least two hundred persons are dead
in the ruins. Eighteen dead bodies have
already been taken out. together with
some twenty-five persons MORALLY wound
ed, besides some fifty in different stages
of mutilation. Mr.. Chase, the agent of
the mill, and Mr.. Howe, the treasurer,
escaped by running from the falling build
ing. 1t is impossible, as yet, to tell the
cause of the disaster.
Our reporter has just com from the
ruins. and the scenes there beggar all de-
scription. Some two or more acres of
ground are piled up with every descrip-
ton OF machinery of the fallen buildings.
Huge bonfres are burning to light two
or three thousand persons who are at
work, as if for their own lives, to rescue
the unfortunate persons, many of whom
are still crying and begging to be releas.
ed from their tortures. Every few min
utes some poor wretch is dragged from
mis- prison, and it is heart-rending to hear
their cries as they are drawn out with
legs and arms crushed and torn. One
man. shockingly mangled, cut his throat
to end his agony. The whole city seems
to be in mourning. Many arc running
through the streets and with frantic cries
are searching the ruins. Temporary hos
pitfalls nave been arranged for those res
cued. Many stand by the wreck, fsigid
with despair, after a terrible crash caused
by the clearing away, which threatened
death 10 all who may be alive in the ru.
ms. Gen II. K. Oliver is conspicuous
and active in directing those persons who
are endeavoring to rescue the victims of
the disaster.
Gangs of men with ropes below are
constantly dragging out huge pieces of
tho wreck which imprison SO many. Some
of the rescuers were killed in their hu-
name efforts. Since we left the scene of
disaster, reports of more of the dead and
dying are constantly coming to US. Sur
geons are coming In from all directions,
and everything that can be done at such
a painful moment is doing for the suffer-
ing victims of the fatal calamity, the
mystery of which will have to be cleared
up by an inquest.
! SECOND DISPATCH.
ll:3O P. Nat abou. ten minutes
after five o'clock this afternoon our ci.i-
zens were warned by the cry of Sire"
which proceeded from the Pemberton
mill, about four ffths of which had fallen
o shapeless mass, without the slightest
warning to the nearly eight hundred hu.
man beings who were then at work. The
building was never considered to be as
staunch as it ought to be. 1t was buil'
about seven years ago, and was then
thought a sham; indeed, before the ma
chinery was put in, the walls spread t.
such an extent that some twenty-five tun'
of iron Stats were put in to save it from
falling by its w weight.
From the best information that can b
! gathered, the building appeared to crum
! bic aud fall from the eastern corner o
3 end. 1t fell inward.
The fire department at once repaired I