The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1860-01-19
FURTHER PARTICULARS
OF
The A,yul Catastrophe at Laurence
LAWRENCE, Mass, Jan. 10, 9 P. M.

LAWRENCE, Mass, Jan. 10, 8 P. NJ.
One Of the most terrible catastrophes
on record occurred in this city this af
ternoon. The Pemberton Mills fell with
a sudden crash at about o'clock, while
some six or seven hundred operators
were at work. The Mills are complete
wreck. Some two or three hundred per.
sons are supposed to be still in the ruins
AT present it is impossible to give any.
thing like correct statement Of the loss
of life, but from the best authority it is
believed that at least two hundred are
dead in tie ruins. Eighteen dead bodies
have already been taken out, together
with some twenty-fv persons mortally
wounded, besides some fifty in different
stages of mutilation.
Mr.. Chase, Agent of the Mills, and
Mr.. Howe, Treasurer. escaped by run
ming from the falling building.
1t is impossible, as yet, to tell the
cause of the disaster. Our reporter has
just come from the ruins, and the scenes
there beggar all description. Some two
hundred acres of ground are filed up
with every description of machinery
from the falling buildings. Huge bon
fires are burning, to light some two or
three thousand persons who are work
ing, as if for their own lives, to rescue
the unfortunate persons, many of whom
are still crying and begging to be re-
leased from their tortures. Every few
minutes some poor wretch is dragged
from his prison. and it is heart rending
to hear their cries as they are drawn out
with legs and arms crushed or torn. One
man, shockingly mangled and partly un
der the wreck, deliberately cut his own
throat to end his agony.
The whole city seems to be in mourn
ing. Many are running through the
streets, and with frantic cries, searching
the ruins. Temporary hospitals have
been arranged for their reception. Ano-
ther terrible crash, caused by the clear
ing away, threatened death to all who
may still be alive in the ruins. Gen. H.
K. Oliver is conspicuous and active in
cheering those persons who are endeav-
oring to rescue the victims of the disas-
ter. Gangs of men with ropes are con-
stantly dragging out large pieces OF the
wreck which imprison so many. Some
of the rescuers were killed in their hu-
name efforts.
Since we left the scene of the disaster,
reports .of more of the dead and dying
are constantly coming to us. Surgeons
are coming from all directions, and ev-
erything that can be done is being done
for the suffering victims of this fearful
calamity, the mystery of which will have
to be cleared by an inquest.
Second Dispatch, 1870 P. M.-At
about ten minutes past FIVE o'clock this
afternoon, our citizens were warned by
the cry Of fire. which proceeded from the
Pemberton Mill-about four fifths OF
which had fallen shapeless mass, with
out the slightest warning to nearly 800
human beings who were there at work
The building was not thought to be safe ;
it was built about seven years ago, and
was then thought to be sham. Indeed,
before the machinery was put in, the
walls spread to such extent that some 22
tons of iron Stats were put in to save the
frame falling by its own weight. From
the best information that can now be
gathered. the building appeared to crum-
BILE and fall from the eastern corner or
end. 1t fell inwarts. The fremen a:
at once repaired to the spot, but there
being no fire, they at once set to work
with a 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.. c.
Batchelder helped remove some 60 in
various conditions-some still living
Mr.. Branch, an overseer, has not been
found.
The City Hall has been converted into
a temporary hospital for the dead and
wounded till recognized. Mr.. Palmer
was buried in the ruins all the time, and
thinking there was no prospect of being
extricated. cut his throat to end his suf-
ferings; still he was taken out, and lived
some time. One woman in the part of
the mill standing, became frightened and
threw herself out Of the fifth story door.
and injured herself so that she cannot re-
cover.
The laboring force OF the mill is about
$50, and it is supposed that about 700
human beings were actually buried in
the ruins. A workman Just rescued
says there are some 25 more in the vcin-
ity yet alive. About half-past 8, a fire
was discovered. This additional horror
struck terror to the friends that before
had been hopeful of saving more lives.
Still the work of removal went on. The
force pump and engines on the ground
were at once got to work, and have been
pouring torrents on it. SO that at 1880
the fire does not seem TO gain, and hopes
are entertained that it will be stayed.-
Those near the breaking out of the fire
were almost on the point of extricating
woman not much hurt, but the flames
drove them back. and the woman is sup
posed to have persisted.
NJ