The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-09-29
THE FALL RIVER CATAsrRoPHE
SCENES AND INCIDENTS.

THE FALL RIVER CATASTROPHE
SCENES AND INCIDENTS.
PERSONAL NARRATIVES AND EXPERIENCES
THE NARROW ESCAPES FROM DEATH-THE
CASES OF HERoIsM AND DANGER-HEART-
RENDING SCENES.
The New York Herald of the 10th inst.
gives an account of the tragic scenes and In
cidents connected with the Fall River dis
aster. A correspondent says: Only one
person out of all who leaped from the win
dows escaped without being killed or terri
bly, bruised. This was lad about sixteen
years old and, incredible as it may seem
be Jumped from the upper story and landed
on his feet, and was only somewhat Jared
by his terrible leap. Besides those who
were killed by jumping from the windows
how many Is not yet known, as
it is impossible TO examine the
interior of the ruins at this writing. There
were, indeed, numerous scenes of the most
narrowing description. Mothers, fathers,
and thither in wild despair, seeking to
learn the fate of their kindred, and the
ground around was covered with the dead
and wounded. Nearly all were children of
tender years, and the piteous means of the
manned that filled the air were truly agoniZ-
saved, says that her first knowledge of inn
pending danger was from some girls at the
other end of the room running toward her,
shrieking and crying many of them so ter
ror stricken that their limbs be-
came came almost sbs useless; Some ngavn o.
others wildly lsmenting, and others, who
were so para.y zed with fear, stood in mute
agony and seemingly almest unconscious of
their danger. The hero of the calamity is
young fellow named BOsworth, who lowered
one woman on the end OF arope and then
| took another in his arms and descended
safely with her down the same rope to the
ground. moment later and the flames
| had burned the upper end of the rope so
| that it was no longer available. One man,
| being completely cut OIL, made his exit 20
the root by means of the scuttle, and with
rope, lowered himself over the roof to the
ground in safely. When he reached terra
firma be stated that companion who was
Just behind had fallen back suffocated.
JULIA CoFFEE's STORY.
A young girl named Julia Coffes states
that she was first alarmed by the cry of
"F1re!n and at the time heavy columns of
smoke burst through the spool room door.
The oyerseer was surrou nded by a crowd of
little children, and as soon as the alarm was
given he rushed for the staircase, but was
forced back by the incoming flames. He
then rushed for the elevator, still surrounded
by the shrieking, terrified operatives. A
crowd of the children were placed on the
elevator, but when he attempted to send it
down it would not work. A number of the
children were taken off. but even then it
| failed to respond to the belt.
rush was then made for the win
| dow, and number of men in
the terrified crowd to the ground. Quite a
number bad been let down In safety, when
the rope about twenty feet from the ground,
I was burned in two. The overseer had in
the meantime descendedthe line aad reached
the ground with but few injuries. By this
who remained were compelled to crowd 10
the windows for air. many Of them plunging
I head foremost to the ground, and their
brains were scattered around for several
yards. The impression of the young
girl Coffee seems to be that if an attempt
staircase, it would have been successful; but
| when the help saw the overseer fail to at
/ tempt the feat they gave up all hope, and
sought safety at the windows at either end
| of the building. 1t being in the attic, low
| windows were on the side. The girl also
states that she sat for several minutes on the
window sill OF the south end, and by her
side was an elderly man, who, when he
found the rope burned in two, started away,
and disappeared in the smoke. She then
graSp6u the rope anu Sllu down S0Veral lest
after which she lost all consciousness, and
fell to the ground.
Il WHERE WERE THE MEN?
A man named Harrington states that he
saw the fire and rushed into the mill. Pass
ing up the first flight of stairs, he tried the
J door of the room, but found it locked. He
then fastened to the ground. At this time
! the upper story was in blaze and the helE
! were jumping from the windows. Johanns
, Healey corroborates the story, and narrates
. with thrilling effect, the terror of the
: women. She sprung f. om the window, and
} her sister, who did the same thing. had hel
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
} Thomas III. O'Brien, of Providence, saw
} the breaking out of the flames, and the help
jumping from the window and a crowd o.
} men attempting to save cloth. On his order
they turned their labOrs to the saving of life
} Before his eyes six women, one boy, anC
four men dropped to the ground and were
instantly killed. About one hour after tn,
} fire had enveloped the entire story be Low
} the attic, and had worked its way, preeeder
1 by immense volumes of smoke, TO the spoo
room, a young girl was seen to present her