The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-04-19

published Mt Vienna by Mr.. SartOri.
TERRIBLE CALAMITY IN ST. -MARY's
CHURCH, CH1cAGo.--The Chicago Times Of
the 18th inst, furnishes the following:
A figh.ful calamity occurred in this city
last evening at about half past eight o'clock,
| resulting in the loss Of three lives, the pro-
bable death of q fourth, and the serious in
jury of half dozen other persons. The ac-
cident was one of q kind to which all public
assemblies are subject but which, upon after
reflection, seems so utterly uncalled for and
unnecessary, that one is tempted to search
for some person to blame, though it be Ger
tain that no such can be found.
The scene of the calamity was at ST.
Mary's. church, on the corner of Wabash
| avenue and Madison street, where a very
large audience was assembled, celebrating
the evening of Good Friday, according to
the usages of the Catholic church
At about halfpast eight o'clock, as the
beautiful service was being intoned, with
lent and devoted, a crash was heard pro-
ceeding from the centre of the floor, the
abutment under which had settled few
inches, and the strain upon the boards and
jOists produced sound as though the whole
edifice were topping to the earth. Added,
! to the fright consequent upon the crash of
| the flOOr-which in reality, was of no serious
| consequence in itself, as no breakage en-
sued-almost simultaneously was heard
from several voices in the gallery, d cry Of
fire.
The entire assembIage started to their
feet, rendered frantic with fright by the oc-
currence of the second startling event.
Then followed scene frightful to partici
pate in and terrible beyond description. A
general rush was made for the doors. But
trif1ing results ensued among those on the
main floor, the most serious casualties Oc-
:. n n
filled, but not crowded. In s>.s.se Of the
loud and repeated declarations of the clergy
and the calmer portions of those on the floor
below, that the alarm was false, and that
there was no danger to be unprecedented from
fire, the panic increased each second, until
the voices of those endeavoring to restore
quiet were lostin the frantic sllricks of terror
among the occupants of the galleries, who,
composed nearly equally of men and women
were in an instant converted into a seething
struggling mass, whose only effort, only
hope on earth, was to gain the stairways.
The state of things peculiar to panics was
here manifested toa fearful degree. Strong
men leaped upon, bore down, and trod
upon weak women, whose bodies, once
Frustrated, were made a bridge for those
behind them. By some means a condition
of comparative tranquility was restored in
the northern gallery, SO that but few per-
sons descended the stairs In the opposite
gallery all efforts to this end were Ruthless,
and what but a moment before was col
lection of silent and devout worshipers,
seemed suddenly transformed into legion
of mad, wild, despairing men and women,
lost to all sense of judgment or considera-
ton, Indifferent as to human life, and pos
sessed of but one idea that of personal
safety.
Three women were killed outright-their
lives crushed out by the merciless heels of
strong men another, so seriously injured
that her life is despaired OF, while five
women and one man were more or less
bruised.
At last, after the panic had continued for
some minutes with such terrible results,
the fact that no cause existed gradually be-
came appreciated, and comparative order
was once more restored. li
The dead and wounded were conveyed
into the convent adjoining the church. A
large number of physicians were at once on
the spot, and rendered most efficient SER
vice to the sufferers, whose friends, ago
nized with grief and fear, fastened to learn
of their condition. .,--
Decentralization is calm, sweet
realm-hers are the green pastures and the
still waters-hers the ways of pleasantness
and paths OF peace. The garden which she
tills is the human heart, and the seed which
she scatters will bear their fruits in heaven.
Hers are the pOmp of science, the splendor
OF genius, the glitter of wealth, the might
OF armies With her pale fingers she points to
fEfl0 <NEk