The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1860-01-18
MELANCHOLY CATAsTROPHE!
Falling of the Pemberton Mills
700 Persons Buried IN the Ruins n
GREAT LOSS OF LIFE!


At about ten minutes after five O'Clock this
afternoon, our citizens were warned by the cry
of fire, which proceeded from the Pemberton
Mil, about our- fihhs Of which had fallen with
ont the slightest warning to nearly 500 human
beings who were then at work. The building
was never considered to be rs stannch as it
ought to he. 1t was built about seven wears
ago and was then thought sham. Indeed be
fore the machinery was put in, the walls spread
to such an extent that some twenty-five tons o T
iron stays were put in to save it from falling by
its own weight. From the best information
that can be gathered the builiing appeared to
crumble and fall from the eastern corner end
1t fell inwardS.
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 so that the dead
and wounded were taken out as fast as thew
could be reached Mr. Charles Bachelor hel
ped to remove some twenty six in various CON
dtions, some still living. Mr.. Branch, an over
seer has not been found The City Hall has
been converted into a temporary hospital for
the dead and wounded till recognized Mr.
Palmer was deeply buried in the ruins all the
time, and suppoSng there was no prospect OF
being extrcated, cut his throat to end his SUI.
fcrings; still he was taken out and lived some
time One woman in the part OF the mill still
standing became frightened and threw herself
out of the fifth story door, breaking an arm and
njuring herself so that she cannot recover
The laboring force of the mill is about 900
and it is supposed that about TOO beings were
actually buried in the ruins. woman Just re :
cued says there are some 25 more in the same
cinitv still alive. About half past nine fire
was discovered. This additional horror struck
terror to the hearts that had he fore been hope
rul of saving more lives; still the work of reno
val went on. The force pump and engine en-
the ground were at once set to work and have
been pumping torrents on, so that at l 80 the
fire does not seem to gain, and hopes are enter
tanned 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 ana the woman
it is supposed perished
The Mayor has telegraphed for the Lowell
firemen who will arrive about one o'clock.
! IL Midnght.--Calamity succeeds calamity.
In teu minutes the whole mass ofruins has be
come one sheet offlame; the screams and moan
ing OF the poor buried creatures can be distinct
| ly heard but no power can save them.
1:40 A. M.-The Pcmberton Mills are now
black smoking mass Of brick mortar and
human bones interminged- Probably not less
than 200 beings perished in the flames. The
Washington Mill was in great jeopardy, the
wind blowing towards Ducks Mill whose count
ing room touches the Pemberton.
"a M.-1hrough the almost superhuman
exertions of tie firemen the Washington Mills
are now considered out Of danger. OF the Duck
Mill the prospect is not so good Everything
/ that can be done is being done Fire companies
are present from all the neghboring towns =
Between forty and fifty physicians are in attan-
dance at the City Hall and other places wher.
ever the injured need their services The ruins
having burned up, it will be many days before
true knowledge Of the killed and wounded
can be arrived at The fire, which finally sac
rifced the buried human beings, caught, with
out doubt, from lantern of burning fluid
which was accidentally dropped. One fireman,
dropped down dead in the street. The streets
are filled with mass Of human beings, every
one eager to do and see and hear Friends
who before the fire were alternating between
hope and fear, are now settling down into
hopeless despair.
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