, 1873-02-16
FEARFUL ACCIDENT.

FEARFUL ACCIDENT.
Il Falling Wall Cra1ssacs q Dwelling.
1GOuSc to the tsrot:nl--!a Mother and
Two Children Killed By tE.c C1tas-
xroplac.
From, tie Kansas City {,fo.> ;tus, Feb 10.
Yesterday witnessed tbs most horrible calamity
that has ever visited this city.
few weeks since, it will be remembered, the
Ferguson House, ut the northwest corner OF
Twelfth street and Grand avenue, WIS burned
The ruined walls were allowed to stand, and it
was the intention Of tho owner to build On them
ruins, and within the shadow of the walls, stood
small one-story franc dwelling. It consisted
Of only two rooms, and WAS owned BY Pat. Stow
art. At tho time Of tho fire it WIS nntenanted; ;
but about three weeks since Patrick Don1-
5;o,a hoe, a.; pG9r M III, Irish iahorer;; formerly
into it, and obtained work from Mr.
the burned hotel. His family consisted of him
SELF and wife Catherine, two boys, John and
four laughtoEs-Mary, "A years Of ago, aud
Ellen and Katie. twins, 10 years old, and Rosie,
a bright~eyed ittle creature of 2 or 8. Here
they lived peacefully and quietly until yester-
day. While the faraily we're at dinne., q man
was thrown from his wagon, almost in front OF
in carrying him to his home. The eldest boy
had finished his meal and gone down town.
lcaving his mother aud the rest Of the children
at the table, together with Maggie kiley, girl
OF Il, daughter Of q widow livlug in Harlem,
who 'sas visiting them. Just at this moment
the mourning notes Of tho baud announced tho
approach OF the funeral cortqge, converting to
their last reatinS-place the remains OF ono of
our mo5t prominent and best beloved citizens.
Willie, boy~likc, seized Lis cap and rushed out
- ntpJ% !, t,r 44f1r~
hurried to the window.
The head Of the procession, lod By the Knights
Tcmrlar, YVES opposite the house when those in
the vicinity noticed the oyerhaEging wall of tho
old Ferguson House begin to sway to and fro;
for oEly moment it rocked in the strong south
wind. then topping over, fell on tie devoted
building with q crash that was heard squares
away 4 cloud of dust was raised That for mo-
mcnt hid the full extent Of the dire effects, but
some ladies living in the next house screamed
ruins. 70 know that help was needed was
enough. In an instant n hundred strong arms
and willing banda were at work. By direction
Of tho Marshal, Alr. Fred. Mitchell, many Of tho
Knights hestened to the labor of hunen kind
moss. Through aporturea loft by the crushed
while their heartrendiug groans Of suffering and
shrieks for aid filed ali the air about. It was
the work Of only few moments to tear away
the debris, whoncc were taken the bodies. The
Allen gathered her in his arms and bore her to
Nowlou's drug store, across the way. In rapid
succession the other four we're taken out. The
baby. Rosie, was almost uninjured, while dog
that vas in tho house at the ti1no OF t1s catas-
trophe, upon being freed from his imprisonment,
ran yclping away. Maggie vas dead when her
body was taken from under the ruins, though
her heart pulsated for moment Her golden
hair was dabbled with tho life-blool that flowed
from dozen cnts in hor head, and. sickening to
1r%- 4F1 1n&1. Aas. 1
ong, vas jammcd down her throat. Sho had also !
received other Injuries, and it is probabie that
1er death VAS almost instantaneous. Tho |
,orpse with the mother OF tho family Mrs. DON
auue, was also carried TO Newlons, while Katie,
he last Of tho unfortunatcs, was taken to gro !
:ery store q few steps further down the avenue.
Drs. Morrison. Fitzpatrick, Chapman, Nenden-
aall, and others, were quickly OIL hand, and all |
hat could bo done to relieve their suicrings !
7as done. 4 number Of ladies were promptly On |
land to minister to tile sufferers. An exanlina-
ion revealed the fact that Mrs. Doaahoe was
:ady bruised about tho head q number Of ribs
7ere broken: four On tho right side. while there
sas q compound comminuted fracture Of tho left
orc-arm. and of tho left log from the kneo
lovn. The leg and arm wore crushed to a mass
i bruised flesh and bones.
Ellen was bruised about tho head md blood |
YES flowing from her nose. mouth, and ears.
Ter lett arm WAS fractured above the elbow,
nd there was q badly cosnminutcl fracture OF |
llo llpNt l04Hu, VIII CAteua1F9 lULcEual 1ljQ- !
les.
. Katie was the least injured except the baby.
Ter head was considerably bruised left arm frac-
lrad in two pllces, and tho tibia Of tho riglt1eg
roken near tho ankle, She is also supposed to
ave received internal injuries, the extent of
hicl is not yet determined
1t WIS evident to ell that neither Mrs. Dona-
oe nor Ellen could live. Tho child won't first
ho was unconscious from the timo she was
2scucd until her death, which occurred in
bout thrco-quartcrs Of an hour. Just before
he passed. away the elder boy and girl, who
ad been informed Of the sad occurrence, ar
we'd, and their grief seemed uncomfortable.
he father, too, arrived at the scene just in time
, hear tho announcement Of the recovery of all
le sufferers. and around the dead and dying the
ereaved father aud his childroa knelt and gaye
ay to passionate weeping. Little Ellie's re-
3irations grew fainter and fainter, further and
arthcr apart. q slight trcn,or passed over her
anne, and her soul was with Him vino gave it.
The good priest was summoned to give the
st consultations Of religion to tho fatcd moth
:; after the rites had been concluded, ut the
Of the father, the children kuelt
ound tho form OF her who gave them life, and !
essed on her cold lips the last kis5 Of affection
ID love. 4 moment more, and she had ceaaed
live.