The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1860-01-16

smoulding ruins to clear away Win ner
hands. The example was enough; hot
word was said but strong hands at once
drew her back, and then there was no lack
of hands to the rope, the beam was drawn
out and at least two sufferers released from
the opening thus made.
Besides those thus saved, large number
of operatives, mostly males, who were In
the weaving room, which is in the lower
story, managed to escape by crawling up
from that room through couple OF low wiz
dows which were not obstructed.
Ho,o they aoere brought out-Horrsd Sights.
The sights and scenes at this period of the
disaster were frightful. One poor girl, alive
and fully conscious, was dragged from the
east end of the fallen mass, with her left arm
torn from the socket, and her body and legs
awfully manglsd. She was taken by her
friends, but could not have survived long
In one place the bodies OF three girls were
found locked in each others arms, but quite
dead. They could mot be removed without
mangling the bodies, and being abandoned
for time the flames broke out before another
attempt was made, and all three persisted.
One Irishman was taken out quite unhurt,
and his first act was to feel in his pocket,
from whence he drew forth sooty "du deem"
and Selling brand from the fire, he lit his
pipe and went his way.
Next from the ruins we saw the dead body
of lad, and following him was borne girl
with one of her ankles burnt to crisp. She
had been confined by one foot between two
beams and only by the utmost exertion was
she recovered.
A young girl was released just before the
flames burst forth, and in answer to que
ton stated that she was unhurt. 1t after
wards appeared that her right arm was bad
ly broken near the wrist, but in the excite
ment of the moment and in the joy Of deliv-
erance from dreadful death, she had not
noticed the hurt.
One woman was found with her head Jam
med between two heavy beams, and pressed
so that it was no thicker than the thickness
of hand. 1t was sickening sight.
One young girl, whose name we have but
do not publish, was confined in narrow
hole, surrounded by broken machinery and
ragged timber and boards, succeeded in get
ting out in the open air, but when sh emery
ed from the ruins she had scarcely an article
Of clothing on her person.
Fabrication of the Bodies.
The news of the disaster went like an cleo
trio shock over the city, and people COM
menced running to the spot. The Washing
ton Mills, near by, were entirely deserted,
and others in the city poured forth in excit-
ed throngs. Those on the street rushed to
the place, stores were deserted, houses left
unprotected, and almost the whole population
gathered around the spot. Those who could
work piled hands and tools briskly, all with
heavy hearts, and spirits saddened by the
frantic cries of some for help, the greans of
the dying, and the disfgured corpses of
those who had been killed. As the bodies of
the wounded, dead and dying were taken out
those which were recognized were delivered
IN osr a
nized were taken to the city hall. In this
way as many as could find room upon the
pile labored unremittingly for hours
Breaking out Of the Fire.
About O'Clock fire broke out from the
engine room at the south end ofthe building,
and soon spread over the whole ruin. The
scene now was notwithstanding, according to
every description. Conscious of the tortur-
ing death which awaited the unfortunates,
whose sufferings had not been ended with
death, the by-standers were unable to afford
them any relief. A few more bodies were
gotten out, but only a few, after the flames
had begun to rage. The groans of the suf-
ferers caused indescribable anguish in the
hearts of all around, and to them were added
the frantic appeals of some who knew they
were gazing on the funeral pile OF relatives
and friends, to whom no succor was possible.
manned the machines, and made every effort
to extinquish the flames. But the copious
streams of water dashing over the Kissing
ruins could only prolong the mlseries OF those
beneath. Though confined within solid brick
walls, assistance had nearly reached them
when the fire broke out.
In one case one of those persons was help
ed to glass of water by parties who were
endeavoring to extricate them. She said
bad ONLY hU oIf lOlA
beams, were six men uninjured. Alas they
were all consumed in the flames, which
spread with great rapidity. How many
were thus burned there is no data for esti.
mating. A person who was at the lire
from its beginning became cognizant OF three
parties of NATURALIZATION four to six in
number who thus persisted. The vicinity of
the mills looks very much like vast charnal
house, as litters, having on them corpes, are
constantly passing through the streets In
that quarter
The Scene at the City Hall.
The hall of tho city government building
was used as a hospital for such of the woun-
ded as it was deemed necessary to convey
thither. Mattresses lined the hall on three
of its sides, and on them were stretched
manglcd bodies and others not dangerously
injured. But suffering from painful wounds
ingly to then, and some whom years of prac-
tice might have excused from sensitiv eness
to the sutferings of others, performed their
offices with fearful eyes, compassionate
eountenances, and all the gentleness OF sym
pathetic natures.
On one pallet lay little girl with bsauti-
full pale countenance, knit with the suffering
she could not conceal, yet unmurmuring.-
She was wat ,hed over by weeping friend,
apparently her father, and my heart was
rejoiced at the announcement by the physi-
clan that she was not dangerously though
severely wounded.
Further on were young Ward and his
wife, fervently thankful for the preserva-
tion of their lives. Still further, ON pal
lot, was young woman groaning WIN
pain, from several broken bones, internal in.
juries and a bruised head. Half dozen dis
conselate friends were about her weeping,
for the physician had said she must die.