The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1864-02-03
TERRIBLE DIS A 5 TER IN
CHILL,
Condagration of the Church
of the Jesuits in Santiago.
Nearly Two Tia ousand Per-
sons Burned to Death.

Inc Stn or december was great trl-
umph for the clergy Of the Jesuits in
Santiago. An enthusiastic audience Tiled
every nook, There were hardly any men
there, but 5000 women, comprising the
flower of the beauty and fashion of the
capital, were at the feet Of the ecclesias-
ties, very many against the will of faith
ers and husbands; but that of course, only
showed forth the power and might of the
Gospel
Never had such pyrotechny been seen
.before-20,000 lights, mostly camphene,
IN long festoons of colored globes, blazed
the church into Hall of Fire.
Butthe performance had not yet begun
when the crescent TO Gre at the foot of
the gigantic image of the Virgin over the
high alter, over flowed, and climbing up
the muslin draperics and pasteboard de-
vices to the wooden root, rcoled torrent
of fame.
The suddenness of the FIRE was aw-
full.
The dense mass of women frightened
out of their senses--numbers fainting, and
all entangled by their long, swelling dres-
ses, rushed as those who knew that death
was at their heels to the one door which
soon became, choked up. Fire was every
where. Streaming along the wooden cell
ing, it flung the parafGne lamps hung in
lows there, among the struggling women.
IN moment the gorgeous church was a
sea of fame. Michael Angelo fearful
picture of He'll was there, but exceeded.
Help was all but impossible. A Her
cules might have strained his strength in
vain to pull one from the seried mass of
frenzied wretchas who, piled one above
another as they climbed over to reach the
air, wildly fastened che gripe of death upon
any one escaping, in order that they might
be dragged out with them. Those who
longel to save them were doomed te see
the most narrowing sight tha. eTer scared
human eyeballs.,
To see mothers, sisters, tender and
titnid women, dying that dreadful death
! that appeals the stoutsst heart of man,
within one yard of salvation, within one
| yard OF man who would have given their
Hives over and over again for them-it
was maddening-the screaming and wiring
ling OF hands far help as the remorseless
flames came on, and then, save when some
already dead with fright, were burnt in
CHASTITY Indifference, their horrible agony
somo tearing their hair aud batterins theiI
faces.
! The FIRE, imprisoned by the immens'
thickness Of tho walls, had devoured ev
erything combustible by 10 o'clock
!, Then, defying the siekening stencil, peo
i pie came to look for their lost ones.
), Oh, what a sight the fair p,aeid moor
looked down upon! Close packed crowd
! ef calcined, distorted forms, wearing tn
fearful expression of the last pang, who's
smile was once Heaven, the ghastl
r phalanx of black statutes twisted in ev
g cry variety Of agony, stretching out thei
arms as if imploring mercy, and then Q
the heap :hat had choked up the door
,nultitudes with the lower parts perfectl
untouched, and some all a shapcless mas:
: but with one arm OR loot unscathed.
The silence, after those piercing scream
> were hushed in death, was horrible.
was the silence of the grave unbroken bu
by the bitter wall or fainting cry.
: Two thousand souls had passed throug
r that ordeal Of FIRE to the judgment seat c
u God.
: Heroic acts of sublime daring have nc
: been wanting. Enduring gratitude ha
: been excited in every Chilian heart by tn
q gallant efforts of Mr.. Nelson, the Mini.
y ter Of the United States, his countrynal
e Mr.. Meiggs, and several other Foreigners
There were generous men who de6ed TIL
fury of the flames to save lives, and sonl
It Of these died martyrs to their mob
!, hearts.