The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1875-06-11

tDIist-N'Tf IFsII'l HASN. = -lGF ZG.-Oilc Ol
the most terrible disasters in the history of
Massachusetts occurred tonight in the
burning of The French Catholic Church.
at South AiOlyOke, during the evening
service. involving the death of sixtv-siX
men, women and children. The exercise
had nearly closed, and a vcsper service
was being sung, when the drarcrieS on the
altar
AUGHT FIR FR0M \ CANDLE,
and the walls being low and the flames
streaming up, The building was set on fire.
The audience numbered about seven
hundred. The people IN the body of the
church escaped, bur on the stairway lead
ing from the gallery, human beings were
dCnSely packed and struggling to reach
the floor. As the flames rushed toward
them, many lcapcd to the 1lo0r beneath
and were trampled to death. The gallery
shirted both sides OF the building with
only one way out from the front.
The scene was fearful while il lasted. for
the whole was over i'll twenty minutes.
Besides
SIXTY-SIX DEAD
there are enough fatally wounded TO run
the total loss OF lie up 10 ~scyentv-five.
The Priests house, which joins the
church Oh the rear, was also burned.
FURTHER PARTICULARS.
The lXrrCINcS had nearly Closed when
the flames from the candle caught the
drapcry around the statue OF the Nirmin
Mary, strcamrd up and caught the build
ING immediately. y panic enSucd AMI the
people rushed for the doors. There was
but one entrance to the gallrry and that
from the front. On the stairway leading
from the gallery the people were packed
in q solid mass. struggling To clear them
selves Is the flames rushed in that diTcc-
ton. and this Don became blocked. rem
dtr.ng exit impossible. Many jumped
over the sides of tie gallery on the crowd
beneath and were trampicd on and killed.
The priests residence joined the church
on the rear. and many escaped through
III entrance Leading To lie house back of
the altar. III" priests excriions to keep
order were fruitlpSS. The screams OF the
living and the means OF tn dying made
dcatcning tumulI above the orders of the
pastor, who worked most ~hcTuicaily, and
was personally Instrumental in saving
many lives. One family of four We're in
the church. and were all killed. Many
We're pulled Out by the arm aH! feet. so
badly burned that they lived but Il few
hours, the flesh pcalin% off on being
touched. Seine We're taken out
with scarcely any flesh remaining on
their bones. The Sisters OF Mercy
from the convent were soon on hand car
ing for the wounded and holding services
over the dying. Father DutTesnc also held
services. His mother was among those
terribly burned. Father DTtr"Sne lost al
most every thing i'll his residence. The
large wooden tenement block Of Joseph
Prcu. near the church. was thrown open
for the reception of the dead and wound
oil artI ..,Iaval 1nlYir I.arrrr.1 ip fhn
building during the night. Several Were
also taken to the New York Mills board
lighthouse, and physicians gave tie wound
ed the best Of medical care. Those who
were too badly burned to recover Were
put under the effects of morDhihe and
passed away without a struggle. While
the exercises were being held over the dy-
ING the most intense GuIet prevailed, amt
the rough lah0rers knelt on the floor with
uncovered heads but ahou- the morIle
anu on the streets the Waiilng OF the multi
tude was pitIiul.
Several members ot one Of the hose CON-
panies were playing ball Hear the church
when the fire broke out. and the relief
steamer was ont for practice, 50 that the
fire department was promptly on TIE spot.
THE SCENES At THE DOORS
were described as terrible. Tncy We're
blocked with struggling people seeking
exit outside. The people clear, = the way
| several timcs, but rs often il would be
blocked up AGAIN. The windows We're
broken open and several escaped in
that way. The last to gcr out
OF the church was said to be a man
with his wife and little Girl. The
father took up his daughter and rushed
win her To 4 place Of safety. Louis Lon
GLOSS. of the Riverside Mills. went in to
fender assistance. when a little GIRL came
tumhIinr down bcfrc the door Under the
feet OF The throno. Though he burned
his hands badly in doing il. he was able to
pull her out, but the little Girl was badly
Injured. \ youn~ woman baar out one OF
the window frames and iuInpcd To the