Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-09-23
TIE FAIL RIVER DISASTER.

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In our exchanges we find farther par
ticuars in relation to the catastrophe at
Fall River. As has been said, the fire Or
ignated in an uno:led mulehead, from
friction. This mule was in charge OF
Samuel Young. As soon as he discovered
the flames he shrieked fire. and
made his escape from the room. The lint
caught Us powder. and although the spin
ners in the room tried to put out the fire
by breaking the thread in the looms they
were unsuccessful, and it became appar-
ent by the rapid Roadway made by the
flames that an alarm would have to be
sounded. This was done, and, owing to
some unfortunate accident, the department
failed to understand the number of the
box, thereby causing the loss OF much
precious time, water not being thrown on
the mill for eighteen minutes after the
alarm sounded. Before the department
came the hand hose connected with the
building was brought out but the dense,
oily smoke prevented its use. In regard
TO the first few minutes after the alarm
was given there are statements OF those in
position about the mill. Undoubtedly i'm
mediate notice was not given to those in
the spooing room, and the impression is
that the fire could have been stopped 1t
has been stated that the mill doors We're
locked to prevent a panic. This the Off.
GERS deny, saying there was not a lock on
any door in the building save the front one.
The story probably came from William
Harrington who states that he saw the
fire at 6 45 A. NJ, and he then rushed in
to the mill Passing up the first flight OF
stairs, he tried the door of the room, but
found it locked He then FASTENED to the
ground. AT that time the upper story was
in blaze, and the operatives were jumping
from the windows. Johanna ilcaly of l0S
Bedford street supports this story; sac
sprang from the window, and her sister,
who did the same, had her brains dashed
out Isabella Moorhead, who escaped
with few bruises, gives the same account
adding that the overseer reached the
ground long before many OF the women.
Per contra, Mr.. Charles Brett overseer Of
the spinning room, states that he was III
the new mill when the first alarm was Civ
en-. He fastened to mill No. | and met
the operatives rushing out of the tower.
Every door in the mill was open. and
every effort made to get the workgrls out
as speedily as possible The fire started
in No. | mule room, section Is, on the
north end of the mill, and from there
worked upwards, and also to the souther-
ly section, filing the place with smoke so
that parties of spinners who were trying
to extingush the flamesi became almost
suifocated, and finally had to retreat. The
superintendent states that there were no
locks on any of the DOORS as all doors had
been arranged about four weeks ago to
swing both ways. The overseer OF the
spooling-room says that he rushed up to
the room whore the operatives were, but
they were SO panic-stricken that they
were unable to save themselves. He was
on his entrance al once surrounded by the
agonized children, and when rushing to
the staircase he was driven back by the
incoming flames. He then ran to the
elevator, surrounded by the shrieking OPP
eratives, who besOught him not to torsake
them to their fate. He then placed as
many as possible on the elevator, when
he attempted to send il down, but the
gearing was caught and he was powerless
to make the platform descend A number
were then taken off-but still the platform
failed to respond to the belt. wild rush
was then made Tor the windows and some
OF the men in the room began uncoiling
long rope for the purpose OF lowering the
children down. Quite a number were
saved by this means, including the over
seer. The rope then, unfortunately, was
burnt in two and that avenue of escape
was cruelty closed. 1t is also stated that
it was rule Of the companys to have all
the doors locked upon the sounding Of an
alarm, TO prevent panic. They were
all on the spot at the time, and aided
much in doing what was necessary to be
done in the face of snch II great disaster.
At th. sad fire there were spectaces OF
| heroic bravery such as emrnanste only
from natures nobemcn. John n. Bos-
worth is surely the hero OF that
awful morning. BY quiet persistence in
the face OF danger he reached the roof and
told woman who thought her dying hour
had come, To cling to him and he would
save her. Taking a firm hold of the rope
which he held he brought her safely TO the
ground, and returning again boy was
saved. He also took from the burning
floor the trunk Of Il body supposed to be II
woman. He was photographed Saturday
afternoon, and spoken of as the hero OF
the day.
During the descent of some people Oh
ropes the rope gave way, and six women,
four men and ii boy Tell forty feet to the
ground, and were all killed in their fall.
Al the outset OF the fire "A number OF
men idiotically endeavored to save cloth
while many hu4dred human lives were at