davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-01-20
A Sister Finds her Brother.

Among the missing first reported, was
James Harry. lie came from Now York
nearly year ago, accompanied by his only
sister-his only relative in America. They
had long lived for each other alone. His
form below the head was found to be perfect
In death, only the tlesh was literally roasted
by the fierce heat. His body was recognized
by q key and portemonnaic in his pocket
added to this evidence, his boot was pulled
of, and upon his stocking was found Ills in
itial letter, which had been carefully thread.
cd there by his dear sister, who now sought
him, and thus found him in her despair
The trunk of the deceased was taken to the
City Hall, and the key found in his pocket
fitted the lock. To add to the grief Of tho
sister, while it proved again that the vilcst
dcpravily can exist among tho most awful
scenes, the trunk was broke open by some
villain while II remained at tho city hall, and
all that was practically valuable, as well rs
all that was highly prizcd Us sacred mcmen-
tos, was stole,.srpm il.
The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-01-20
Auushnnd Finds HIS Wife.

Thomas Nice recognized the body of his
wife by ring she wore Oh her finger. He
had searched anxiously for her body, as she
was found in the listofthc missing. Achar-
red and misshapcn mass brought into the
room Of the dead, he examined, us he exam.
ined all. Upon a bone in the claspcd skcle-
ton of the hand he found ring. Upon it
was engraved his own name. II had been
presented by him to his wife on their happy
bridal day. When he found this sure token,
his sad consolation triumphcd for moment
over his burning sorrow. lie waved his hands
alolt and cried for JOY. When he looked
again upon the blackcncd corpse, his loss
fell us il seemed with dcadening weight up.
on his soul, and all was changed. lie fell
upon his attendants, venting the widest
grief. Nothing could command his atten-
ton beside, and he was borne from the room
Iaving wild rs n maniac, exhibiting a feeling
as strong us could DO pictured by the most
cxtrayacant Imagination.
The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-01-20
Other Incidents.

An incident is related Of young snt;-
beautiful girl employed in one Of tho upper
stories of the mill, who, when the crash came,
was thrown PROSTATE upon the floor by u
piece of shafting which fell across her neck,
preventing her rising. The coupling which
connected the shaft prevented the latter from
s,rangling her; and in her comparative case,
and confident of a speedy delivery. she calm
" watched the efforts made by the rcscuers
to extricato her. She would have been saved
had the fire been stayed but for n few min
utes. But the flames swept over the spot,
claiming and obtaining its victim.
Ono ofthc most constant visitors ut tho
entrance of the dead room. Mt the City Hall.
is q poor woman who worked beside her
daughter in the doomed factory. She heard
the fatal crash, and spnng Involuntary in
to the sink room, then into the privy, where
she was saved. She saw her daughter mo.
mcnt before the alarm, but has not seen her
since, dead or alive, and gazes with dreadful
anxiety depicted in her fearless eyes, upon tho
bodies, as one after another the gricfstrickcn
and the curious filc in and around each new
ly recovered body.
The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-01-20
Recovery of Moro bodies.

Five bodies have been recovered to-day
(Sunday) They were those of Lafayette +,
Branch, Ellen Ahern. Jane Thomas, Gather.
inc Harrigan and Ellen Murphy. Jane
Thomas was found outside of the wall. The
body was not burned at all, but it was terri.
bly, damned and mutlatcd. 1t was identi.
fled by ring on her finger, and by her halr
and dress.
Soyenty.two dead bodies, 50 far, have been
brought to the city Hall. Fiity-one have
been recognized or identified by something
upon their remains. Twelve not identified
were buried on the second day after the nc.
cident, and nine still remain in the dead
room.
The men who have been employed on the
ruins have all been boarded ut No. 8, Penn
bcrton Corporation. The house is kept by
Mrs. Brcck, and her untring efforts have
commended her to particular notice.
Tho gang of laborcrs from Lowell returned
home Saturday evening, having been ut work
since Thursday night. They were provided
with all the necessary appliances fJr the sue
ccssful prosecution OF their task, having sew
eral beacon CRATES, with which to light up
the ruins.
The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-01-20
Gbe Clinton T. gonrnal.
Bldicfori, Me-, Friday Morning, Jan. 20. 1860.
Ir. O'Connor's Letters The Real
Question.


We publish below letter which is attracting
attention throughout the country. It is from
the pen of Charles O'Connor. one OF the ablest
of the democratic leaders in the free States
Mr.. O'Connor was one OF the chief speakers At
the great Union meeting, recently held in New
York city. and in his speech boldly took the
ground that slavery is Fright, properand bench
cent" This letter which is in reply to one al
dressed TO him by New York merchants asserts
the same doctrine, AMI no slys with great can.
dor, that il slavery supjust, as the republicans
contend, then their Efforts to prevent its extern
sion are perfectly justifable. lie denies its in
justice and says the real question to be consd-
cred by the country" Is slavery unjust" II
is unnecessary for us TO say that TO our mind
such views as Mr.. O'Connor puts forth appear
TO be almost impious and arraisus the justice
ofthe Divine Governor Of the world, and we
realso sure that even were his views of the
justice of slavery correct, still its pernioious in
fucnce in retarling the growth and prosperity
Of the nation is such that all good men should
combine to prevent its extension. We do not
however wish to protract remarks on this let
ter. We publish Il because we know that there
are many OF our Democratic friends 1--WE believe
the more honest portion of them) who enter
tain similar views and who perceive that the
party which they support must ultimately,
north as il does now South, plant itself upon
the ground ofthe justice ofslavery, and declare
not only for its extension into the territories,
but for its establishment in the free States
The letter itself as one of our contemporaries OBJ
serves, is an indication Of that rapid current
ofevents By which great political party is
openly and unblushinsly placing itself ON the
idea Of slavery and that alone"
The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-01-20
The scene nj the rims.

There were about two hundred laborcrs n,
work on Saturday, during the night and
yesterday, at the ruins. They progress q,
fast us it could well be expected, and will
now work night and day till the whole
ground has been gone ever. The tall chin
ncy connected with the engine-housc, on the
southwest corner, rs it now stands, leans
somewhat to the west. The brick work oil
the water closet is still standing, though
there are some fears of ts trcacherous con-
dition, as well rs the north west corner,
which isliablc to fall at any moment. Many
thoughtless persons wandered near its base
but were us often warned by n diligcnt officer
to keep away. 1t is astonishing how much
machinery there was in this structure now
that it Is all piled in mass together, it looks
immense.
The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-01-20
Moro Contributions.

Mayor Saunders continues to receive con.
tribunons for the aid of tho wounded sufferers.
There have been received in oil from SIC. 00C
to Sl5 900, besides much more forwarded thai
has not reached the hands of the Mayor. In
addition to the amount given in our paper
of Saturday morning arcS30O from Lothrop,
Luddngton & Co New York; $500 from
tho Boston Corn Exchange, besides Sl6O by
private subscription Of the members; $71s
rom Wilmcrdings & Mount, Now York |;
and $50 from Others sent by Doremuno *
Nickerson New York, S Camp, Cashier oI
the Middlcscx County Bank. Middleton CT.
SO; Edward Harris, Woossockct, Il. l..
500; Jos. Jewell, y. Y, $50; Spraguc q
Tappan, Boston, 800 Naumkeas Encamp
ment of Odd Fellows, Salem, $2j; VIM.
Grey, Boston, $1,000. The following letter
from Mayor Saunders to the Boston Com
mittce, will give some idea ofwhat need there
is of funds:
LAWRENCE, Jan. Is, 1850.
NV Dear Sir,-We as yet know but little
of the hear-rendng that is crushing our
people, Instances are hourly brought to my
notice which make mo long for time ia
weep. have stcclcd my nerves, yet they al
most break.
There are many cases which call for special
aid and sympathy-6O0 people, upon whom
5000 at least were dependent for support are
out of employment. Young children have
lost their parents brothers and sisters, de-
pendent upon Zach other, are separated ;
aged and intirm parents. dependent upon
their children, are now childlcss.
One terrible case came under my personal
observation. A little girl, about fifteen
years of age, who supported her younger
orphan brothers and sisters, was covered in
the ruins, but not injured. We had nearly
extricated her-tcn minutes more and she
would have been saved. but the flames came
You must imagine the rest (; lcannotwrit,
it out. o how leryently our prayers JOINED
with hers to Cod There are many very SAT
cases.. canno. write more it unneryes me
Yours truly, =,
d. SAUNDERS, Jr., Mayor.
Hon NATHAN APPLETON, Boston, Chairman
Committee.
The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-01-20
THE TRAGEDY ar LAWRENCE

The Massachusetts, Papers continue to be
filed with facts and incidents connected with
tho terrible calamity at Lawrence; during all
of last week the excitement continued almost
without abatement. The Boston Atlas OF
Monday, has lists which show tho number
of dead ll3, badly injured 1873, slightly in
jured $50, still missing la. saved 23O.-
Total ascertained 500. Since then more
bodies have been found, probably of persons
comprised In tho list of missing We quote
from the Atlas and Journal the following
additional particulars:
Thirteen more bodies taken from the
Ruins.
During tho day, on Saturday, there were
thirteen bodies and pieces taken from the
ruins. AL of these were so much burned
that recognition was hardly possible. Those
identified were six in number, II, follows;
Mrs. Bctsey Dunn, taken out carly in the
morning, and recognized by her husband.
Her remains were horribly disfgured, and it
seems strange by what means Mr. Dunn was
able to be sure of her identity. Ellen Dinner
was known and taken away by her friends.
During the afternoon charred mass was
brought to the City Hall, which was sup
posed to be the remains of Mr.. Branch, the
only missing oversscr Hope and fear was a,
variance among the friends of the deceased
for upwards OF an hour. when other persons
identified the body az that of James Harty.
A man named Charles Nice had been on
each day anxiously examining the remains
rs they were successfully brought into tho
dead room, for those of his wife, Mary Ann
Nice. His only means of search for
gold ring he had given his wife, on which he
had cut the initials &C. N"
About 3 o'clock on Saturday, few pieces
of what. was once human frame, was
brought into the Hall. Mr.. Nice immediate
ly examined what could be found, and upon
the bone of one of the fingers was the ring.
She was about % years oil Tho mother
of Catherine Sweeney, who has been from
the firstanxiously searching for herdauShter,
was nearly overcome, when she recognized
the mutilatcd body. The mother was car
ried away in condition vcrging on distrac.
ton. The means ofidentity was y cot on
sore finger, and two thimblcs which the
deceased was accustomed to wear. The sixth
and last was Miss Alice Murphy, whose
friends had little trouble in her recognition.
Besides this list there were seven portions OF
bodies whose names it will be impossible ever
to make known.
The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-01-20

bor. the endless groupings in the streets, oil
yshicles. of men crowding and bustling-
nothing could be got up, on PURPOSE h"i' -
entertaining. ,,,.h,1
not only tor tho music. and We wSria wa,N
miles for that, bat 70 watch the eh.Ss VI i.'
and the glitter and excitemens upon tne mot
lev crowd of boys and hall men, that surge
along with II. Another variety OF the same
thinS l. witnessed when strolling organ
grinder takes his stand, lets out his attrac-
lions and draws his curious customers, or re-
pels the too flstidious. BY the way, we
must say kind word for these much-abused
people. Now that better class of organs
are introduced, we think these peripatet'c
musicians should be regarded Us beneiaetors.
We make il point of honor to let no even
moderately good performance pass our door
without a fec; and, even to be encouraged
are those German bands-iour or five instru-
ments-that sometimes cnliven the streets.-
The only way TO have good music abundant
and cheap, is TO excite hunger for it. So
soon as il is regarded, not as a luxury, but u
necessity, il will be furnished. Daintiness
and unwise fastidiousness, which refuse an
ordinary performance because IL is not rayed
and tipped with genius, will prevent the de-
yelopmcnt OF music ut all. We should en-
courage everything not positively bad in
strcet-music.
The finest pictures that one ever sees are
those vanishing ones that never comes twice
alike. The nurse with her group of young
linss Just come forth; the pale, watching
face, that waits at the window, and looks ut
you sadly because you are not the one longed
for; the empty window, even, whose glass
is soiled and spotted in way that tells you
that children have been putting lips and fin
gers omit; thathirest of all sights-a young
mother holding up her gleeful and excited
youngster in the window to clap and crow
Mt the father coming in; the diwning strug'
Gle between the girl and woman, in children;
in short, everything that belongs to children
except their quarrels, what quiet satisfaction
do they afford to any one who has eyes and
heart b,hind them My daily wonder is,
that healthy people arc ever without means
of enjoyment. The range Of simple but ex-
quisite pleasures is boundicSs. But If we
have been perverted in our tastes, and are
seeking to extract pleasure from remote and
difficult sources, or from things coarse and
unworthy, we deserve to lose the flavor of al
those universal bountics of life, without in
heritins in any continuous degree, the salts
factions which we vainly seek in other direc
tions.-H w. Beecher.
The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-01-20

restore to health and strength those now
languishing in pain and suffering; that He
would provide with q fathers caro- for tho
orphan and widow that He would comfort
and support those bcreavcd Of husbands and
wives. parents and children; that He would
so order this signal destruction of property
and life that good may come out Of our great
evil, and that our experience may teach
wisdom throughout the land.
d. SAUNDERS, Jr., Mayor.
Tuesday next being the time set apart by
the Catholic churches of Lawrence for day
of fasting and prayer, the Mayor rightly APP
pointed the same day so that all might act
in conjunction and harmony.
The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-01-20

ADMISSION OF ArroRSIEs. Howard Frost. o
Sanford, and Nathaniel Hobbs, Of South Ber-
wick, were admitted after examination accord.
ing to the Statute. 'to practice in all the courts
of the State" on Wednesday OF last week
Judge Bourne. In behalf ofthe examining com.
mittee stated that the future examinations Of
students would take place in public In the
Court Room on Wednesday evening ofthe sec
ond week Of every term.
The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-01-20

election seems to have given tho most univer-
sal satisfaction all over the State.
The State Temperance Convention and
Board Of Agriculture meet here to-day.
A good story is current here at present Of a
member who addressed the House on a ques-
ton in which his constituents were interest
cd, and prclaced his remarks as follows: :.
Mn. SPEAKER IF my family and constit-
uents were aware that l was about to address
this Hoese, they would DO so overwhelmed
with emotion, that they ,rouid be entirely un-
fitted for the services Of the Sanctuary to-mor-
roir. Yours &c.
OBsEuyEp.
The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-01-20
Recovery of the Body OF Il. r. Branch.

The body Lafayette F. Branch was found
this afternoon outside Of the wall. on the
southeast corner OF the building. The body
was Perfectly natural, there being but few
bruises upon tho head. The fingers were
somewhat mutiatcd, and one Lee was broken.
The body was found lying face upwards, in a
straight and natural position. His watch
was found in his pocket, the crystal unbrok-
en-. Tho watch was stopped at l3 minutes
of o'clock, which was supposed to be the
exact time of the crash. By tho position of
the body, it is believed that he jumped from
the window, but was ovcrtakcn by the falling
walls before he could get away.
Mr.. Branch was u member of tho last city
government, and he was universally respcc-
ted in the community. lie was foreman of
the dressing room in tho fourth story, where
hc was at the time of the accident. lie was
the only oyerscer killed.
The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-01-20
wh,, then remain, 10 he discussed ,

What then remains to be discusscdi
The negro race isupon US. Witha Constitu.
ton which held them in bondage, our Federal
Union might DO preserved; but IL so holding
them in bondage boa thing forbidden by God
and Nature, We cannot lawfully SO hold them
and the Union must perish. A..
This il the inevitable result OF that coniiic'
which has now reached its climax.
Among US at the North, the sole question LOT
reflection. study. aud friendly interchange o,
thought, should be-ls negro slavery UNJUST
The rational and dispassiOnate inquirer wii
find no difficulty in arriving at my conclusion.
Il is fit aud proper; it is, in its own nature, a.
an institution, beneficial to both races; and tho
effect of this assertion is not diminished by our
admitting that many faults are practiced under
II. Is not such the fact in respect to oil human
laws and institutional
i am, gentlemen, with great respect,
CHARLES O'C0NNOR.
The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-01-20
Affecting Scenes at the City Hail.

Some of the most hcart.rcnding scenes
have occurred in the room where the dead
were brought for recognition. OF one there
was nothing but the scalp and shcc, shriv.
oled by the FIRE. 0fanothcr there remained
only a few bones and n small scarf partly
burned.
The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-01-20
why the Fire could not be Extinsuishcd

The appearance Of the ruins on Saturday
evening was such as toimpress the mind with
a sense OF the horrible death which beiell
those who may have survived the shock of tho
demolition of the mill. The floors ut the end
nearest the river retained their original
shape, sufficient to form, MS they rested upon
the arches of the looms, chambers in which
the imprisoned operatives might have moved
about, and while the fat surface above, shed
the water which was poured upon the ruins,
the flames swept in full fury below. This
may account for the failure of tho efforts
made to extinguish the fire. 4.
The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-01-20

The injunction on the Sanford Bank has
been removed, the deficiency in the capital
stock, amounting to thirty-sevcn thousand
dollars, having been paid in. This hank pro-
poses to resume business Immediately.
The present number of Savings Institutions
is eleven. There has been no increase for
several years. The amount due to depositors
is about SS9O,OOO.OO, with accrued profits
amounting to nearly 100000. The NUM-
Der of depositors is about S5'OOO,oOo. The
Commissioners say. of the Trustees and man.
,cers of these institutions that ait Is bclicv-
d they seek no reward or profit other than
hat which arises from consciousness OF
veil doing"
In the House the seat Of G. l.. Clcavcs of
,rid-ton, will be contested on the ground
I. hat there was no article in the warrant in
.sbich tho town meeting was held, calling
,,r the election of Representative.
Tho Hallowell Ga.ettc, in an article speak
~ of the officers of the Legislature, says Of
:. p. Parcher Esq, of Biddcford, tho mes
nscr of the House, that "hc always renders
imsslr popular with tho members, and is al
ays ON hand in season and out of season.
ttentivc, prompt, andalwayr good naturcd."
Ion. Nathan Dane, tho Treasurer elect ar
wed in town last Monday evening. Ills
East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1860-12-06

fathers, 10y the glorics OF the past and by
tho hopes of the future The UnionNbss
alrcady made MS the most prosperous, aud
ere longSwiil, ifpressrsc'l, render uethe
most powerful, nation on tie face ofHtle
earth. In every foreign region offthe
globe the title OF Amierican Ditizen is held
in the highest respect, ami whehfpro-
'petifccd in foreign land, itcauses fhe
hearts of our countrymen to swell with
honest pride. Surely, when we reach
the brink of the yawning abyss, we shall
'rccoit with horror ffom tie fatal plunge.
BY such "a dread catastrophe tho hopes Of
tile ffiends Of freedom lthroughouti the
worry would be destroyed, aud a long
night Of leaden despotism would enshroud
the yatlons Our exmple'for more thhn
eighty years would not only beilost, But
it would be quoted as q conclusive proof
that man is unfit for self governmcnt.3
The slavery question:, like everything
human, will have its day. / firmly bes
iieve Chat it has already reached and
passed the eliminating. point; but if,
in the midst Of the existing excite
mcnt, the Union shall perish, tn. evil
may then become irrepafablc, Congress
can contribute much, to avoid it BY pros
posing. and recommending to the Legis-
latures of the several States the remedy
for existing evils which the constitution
has itsclfprovided for its ownpreservatim.
The President proposes that can ex.
! planatory amendment TO the constitution
be adopted by Congress, for the final set
Element of the true construction of, the
constitution ON three special points: An
express recognition Of the right Of prop
erty in slaves in the States whore it now
exists OR may hereafter exist; the duty OF
protecting this right in all the common
Territories, throughout their Territorial
existence, and until they shall be admit.
ted as States into the Union, with or
without slavery, as their constitutions
may prescribe; a like recognition of the
right of the master ohavc his slave who
escaped from one State to another re-
stored and delivered up to him, and OF the
validity of the fugitive slave law enacted
for this purpose, together with a decla-
ration that all State laws impairing or
defeating this right are violations of the
constitution, and are consequently null
aud void. Such an explanatory amend
ment would, it is believed, forever ter
inmate the existing discussions, and re-
store peace and harmony among the
States.n 90 .l''i'a '.'''.''' -
A resolution that so much Of the mes.
sage as relates to the peculiar condition
ofthe country be referred to a special
committee Of one from each State, to lie.
port at any Time was adopted in the House
by vote Of las to 3S. ....,. ts.{, ..-