The penny press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1859-1860, 1860-01-12
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Great Disaster at Pemberton.
HUNDREDS OF PERsONsKIL

0AO0t 0Aodot0A dt 4 I01UUcTCOlls
HUNDREDS OF PERSONS KILLED.
THE WORK OF EXCAVATION
~ .f GOING ON. ,gs .-a ssg,
Horrible SuferingS of the Victims.
FIRE AMONG THE RUINS.
LAWRENCE, MASS, January 1O.-One of the
most terrible catastrophies on record occurred
10 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 COM
plete wreck. Some two or three hundred per-
sons are supposed to, 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 1t Is believed that at least
two hundred are dead in the ruins. Eighteen
dead bodies have already been taken out, to-
gether with some twenty-five persons. NOR
tally wounded, besides some fifty in different
stages of mutilation. Mr.. Chase, the agent Of
the mil, and Mr.. Howe, the treasurer, escaped
by running from, the falling building. It is
impossible as yet to tell the cause of the dis
aster. l.i.s... .,f..,.. XXX.
Our reporter has just come from the ruins,
and the scenes there beggar all description.
Some two or more acres Of ground are piled up
with every description of machinery of the
falling buildings. Huge bcnfres are burning
to light two or three thousand persons who are
at work, as if for their own lives, to rescue the
unfortunate Of uhn,, at;l
crying and begging to be released from their
tortures. Every few minutes some poor
wretch is dragged from his prison, and it is
hsartrendipg to hear their cries as they are
drawn out with legs and arms crushed and
torn. One man shockingly mangled out his
own throat to end his agony. The whole city
seems to be in mourning. Many arc running
through the streets, aud with frantic cries are
searching the ruins. Temporary :. hospitals
have been arranged for those rescued. Many
stand by the wreck frigid with despair, after
terrible crash caused by the clearing away,
threatened death to all who may still be
alive in the ruins. Gen. II. X. Oliver is con-
spicuous and active in directing those persons
who are endeavoring to rescue the victims OF
the disaster. Al. .
Gangs Of men with ropes below are con-
SANITY dragging out huge pieces Of the wreck
which imprison 30 many. Some Of the res
cuers were killed in lAsir humane efforts.
Since we left tie scene Of disaster, reports of
more Of the dead and dying are constantly
coming to us. Surgeons are com ing in from
all directions, and everything hat can be
done at such painful moment is doing for
the suffering victims Of the fatal calamity,
the mystery Of which will have 10 bs cleared
up by an inquest. ,,-sp. ......i ''' .......,
SECOND DIsPATCH,-ll:30 P. M,-At about
ten minutes after five o'clock thi, afternoon
our citizens were warned by tho cry of fire,
which proceeded from the Pemherton Mill,
about fcur-ffths Of which had fal ~ a shape
less mass, without the slightest warning to the
nearly eight hundred human beings who were
then at work. The building was never con-
sidered to be as staunch as it ought to be. 1t
was built about seven years ago, and was then
thought sham; indeed, before the machinery
was put in, the walls spread to such an extent
that some twenty-five tuns of iron slats were
put in to save it from falling by its own
weight. ,o.,'''.'. .''' -,'l -'l'
From the best information that can be gath
cred, the building appeared to crumble and
fall from the eastern corner or end. 1t fell
inward. ~ ,.
The fire department at once repaired to the
spot, but there being no fire, they at once set
to work with will to remove the rubbish.
They very soon reached some rooms, 80 that
tho dead and wounded were taken out as fast
rs they could be reached. Mr.. Charles Bach
elor helped to remove some twenty-six in va
rious conditions, some still living. Mr..
Branch, oversser, has not been found. The
City Hall has been converted into temporary
hospital for the dead and wounded till recog-
nized. Mr.. Palmer was deeply buried in the
ruins all the time, and thinking there was no
prospect of being extricated, cut his throat to
end his suferings, Still he was taken out and
lived some time. j, One woman, in the part of
the mill still standing, became frightened and
threw herself ont of the ffth-story door,
breaking an arm and iDjuring herself SO that
she can not recover. The laboring force OF
the mill is about nine hundred and sixty, and
it is supposed that about seven hundred hu-
man beings were actually buried in the ruins.
A woman just rescued says there are some
twenty five more in the vicinity Of her vet alive,
About half-past nine fire was discovered.
This additional horror struck terror to the
hearts that had before been hopeful of saving
more lives. '- jlumoo ~
Still the work Of removal went on; the force
pump and engines on the grounds were at
once got to work, and have been pouring tor.
rents on, so that at 1850 the fire does not seem
to gain, and hopes are entertained that 1t will
be stayed. TT" 7'I i'3 on.7s t-'3
Those near the breaking out of the fire we're
almost on the point Of extracting woman,
not much hurt, but the flames drove them back,
and the woman, It is supposed, perished, The
Mayor has telegraphed for the Lowell fremsn,
who will arrive here about one O'Clock. 'fi'
IL, Midnight. Calamity succeeds calamity.
In ten minutes the whole mass of ruins has be-
come one sheet Of flames. The screams and
meanings Of the poor creatures can be dis
tinctly heard, but no mower can save them.
1880, A. M.-The Pe.nperton mills are now
a black, smoking mass of brick, mortar and
human beings, promiscuously mingled. Prob
ably not less than two hundred beings in the
flames. The Washington Mill was in great
jeopardy; the wind blowing toward the Duck
Mill, whose counting-room touches the Penn
berton. .."t7N ssf f1 Z.
"a. M.-Through the almost superhuman
exertions Of the fremen, the Washington
Mills are now considered out of danger. OF
tho Duck Mill the prospect is not so good. 'ha
Between forty and fifty physicians are in
attendance at the City Hall and other places,
wherever the injured need their services. q y
The ruins having burnt up, It will be many
days before true knowledge of the killed
and wounded can be arrived st. 3o1 53 o' soi'
The fire, which finally sacrificed the buried
human beings, caught without doubt from a
lantern Of burning fluid, which was accident
ally dropped. I ~. a ,a''Ai-'-l !. ,aI2'h q
One fireman dropped down dead IN the street
from over exertion. H HH2RAhA 'H. 81 taat@
The streets are filled with mass Of human