The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1873-02-27
Fearful Accident.

Yesterday, February 10th, witnessed
the most horrible calamity that has ever
visited this city. The scene of the catas-
trophe was the corner OF Twelfth and
Grand avenue A few weeks since, it
will be remembered, the Ferguson House.
at the northwest corner of Twelfth street
and Grand avenue was burned. The
ruined walls We're allowed to stand, and
it was the intention of the owner to build
on them again in the spring. A few feet
north of the ruins, and within the shadow
OF the walls, stood Il small one story
frame dwelling. 1t consisted OF but two
rooms. and was owned by Pat Stewart
At the time OF the fire it was untenanted ;
but about three weeks since Patrick Don
ahoe, poor Irish laborer, formerly iv-
ing in Harlem moved his family into
it. His family consisted OF himself
and wife. Catharne, two boys, John
and William, and four ughters-Mary
fourteen years OF age, and Ellen and
Katie, twins, ten years old. and Rosie,
two or three. While the family were at
dinner, man was thrown from his wagon
almost in front of the door, and Donahoe
had gone out to assist in carrying him to
his home The eldest boy had finished
his meal and gone down town, leaving
his mother and the rest of the children
at the table, together with Maggie kiley,
a girl of fourteen, daughter Of a widow
living in Harlem, who was visiting them.
Just at this moment the mourniul notes Of
the band announced the approach of the
funeral cottage, conveying to their rest
ing-place the remains of one of our most
prominent and beloved citizens
Willie, boy-like, seized his cap and rushed
out to watch the procession pass by. The
others hurried to the window 1t was
us. at this moment the crash came.
The head OF the procession, led by the
knights Templar was opposite the house
when those in the vicinity noticed the
overhanging wall OF the old Ferguson
House begin to sway to and fro for only
a moment it rocked to the strong South
wind, then topping over, fell on the de
voted building with crash that was heard
squares away. A cloud of dust was raised
that for a moment hid the full extent OF
the dire effects, but some ladies living in
the next house screamed that there was u
whole family buried under the ruins In
an instant a hundred strong arms and
willing hands were at work By direction
of the Knights FASTENED to the labor Of
human Kindness. The house was crushed
as the field of waving grain before the
tempest's night. Through apertares lett
by the crushed roof and broken sides
could he seen the victims, while their
heartrending oroans filed the ain. 1t
was the work OF only few moments
to tear away the debris whence were
taken the bodies. The first reached was
little Ellen Mr. Thomas +. Allen gath
cred her in his arms and bore her to New
tons drug store, across the way. In rapid
succession the other four We're taken out
The baby, Rosie, was almost uninured
while a dog that was in the house ut the
TIME OF the catastrophe, upon being freed
from his Imprisonment, ran yclping away.
Maggie Riley was dead when her body
was taken from under the ruins. though
her heart pnlsated for a moment 1t is
probable that her death wa almost in
stantaneous. The corpse, with the mother
OF the family, Mrs Donahoe. wa also
carried to Newton'$, while Katie. the last
OF the untortunates, was taken to Il
grocery store a few steps further duwl
the avenue
1t was evident to all that neither Mrs
Donahoe nor Ellen rould live The child
went first. She was unconscious from thu
time she was rescued until her death.
which occurred IN about three-quarter~ OF
an hour. Just before she passed away the
elder boy and girl, who had been toll of
the occurrence, arrived, and their grief
seemed uncomfortable. The father too,
arrived at the scene Just in time 10 hear
the announcement of the recovery Of all
the sufferers, and around the dead and
dying the bereavcl father aud his children
knelt and gave way to passionate weep
ing Little Ellie's respiration grew fainter
and further and iulther apart, a slight
trrmor passed over h2r frame, and her
soul was with Him who gave it Kansas
City News.