The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-26
A DEATH SERMON.
st. Andrews Church Crushed by.a
Falling Wall.
ACCOUNTING SCENES.
Five Persons Killed and About
Fifty Wounded.
A d E A T II T r A p.
The MurderOuS Panic---Men, Women
and Children Trampled to Death.
TIE STRUGGLE TO ESCAPE.
Dead and Wounded at the Hospital
and Station House.
WHO is TO BLAME?
The MurderOus Panic---Men, Women
and Children Trampled to Death.
TIE STRUGGLE TO ESCAPE.
Dead and Wounded at the Hospital
and Station House.
WHO is TO BLAME?
pOign ant Grief of the Relatives and Friends
OF the Victims.

terrible and fatal accident occurred last night
at the Catholic Church OF st. Andrew while the
congregation were assembled for the penitental
service OF the Lenten season. In the
midst OF the service the wall Of an
adjacent house tell, crushing IN the roof
Of the church, and killing ana wounding large
number OF the congregation. A panic imme-
diately ensued and, in the wild rush OF the
people to save their lives men. women and chill
dren were trampled to death. From the accounts
We publish IL seems that good deal OF the re-
sponsibility OF this catastrophe must be laid
at the door OF the Department OF Buildings.
Had the oficials done their duty the unsound wall,
which has caused such regrettabe loss Of life,
would have long since have been removed; but
distinguish oficals in this city whose duty ia to
secure the public safety. this wall was allowed
70 stand, with what terrible results we now know.
THE CHURCH
ts an unpretentious brick building situated the
corner of Duane street and CITY Hall place. 1t
nestles in sheer humility beside the tall
building lately occupied by Mr.. J. Shaw. q
dealer in crockery ware. which separates
1t from Sweeny's Hotel Some time ago
this many.storied building caught fire, put appa-
taking down Of the walls absolutely necessary. 1t
1s very probable that the matter was never sum-
GENTLY inquired into; for though the walls APP
peared buged, the reconstruction OF the interior
portions OF the house was proceeded with. The
house remained in an unfinished state up to yes
terday evening, when it was destined to play 50
sad part in the impending tragedy.
At the time the fire occurred in the premises Of
Mr.. Shaw some apprehension existed in the
mind OF the pastor Of the church from the prox-
Unity OF the charred walls, but this feeling OF in
security died away as time progressed, and the
condition Of the neghboring house was for.
gotten. 1t remains to be explained
now the Department Of Buildings SO
failed in their duty as to allow the wall to stand
and the public have right to demand that this
blame put upon che shoulders Of the oficials upon
whose heads must rest the responsibility for the
heavy loss OF life which resulted from their failure
TO perform their duty Last night the congregation
OF st. Andrews assembled for the Lenten exercise
prescribed by the Roman Catholic Church for this
period of contrition and satisfaction. Thirteen
hundred persons OF all ages were gathered in the
humble church, and there was nothing to warn
them of the dread fate that was about to descend
on them.
THE ROSARY OF THE VIRGIN
had been devoutly repeated by the assembled
worsnippers, and Father Carroll, of ST. Stephens.
was engaged exhorting his hearers to repentance
and contrtion. The congregation, reverentially
silent, listened to the impassioned words of the
preacher. Outside the storm came down, and
windy gusts swept over che buildings
OF the city, but within the church all was peace
and quiet The preacher had selected for his
theme solemn subject only too appropriate to
the sad scenes he was destined to witness.
s.Death and the necessity for preparation" bus
theme, and the truth OF his argu-
dng an illustration so terrible that
tho lesson must have startled the teacher.
with iervid eloquence the priest held up to view
the uncertainty Of life and the pressing need there
was to be prepared to meet Judgment. EXAM
ine your conscience" he exclaimed, "for God
alone knows II you are prepared to meet Him."
At that moment heavy gust OF wind struck the
charred, gaunt-looking building that overtops the
church and the weakened wall gave way.
mass OF brick and mortar
FELL WITH CRASH
through the roof OF the church, crushing to death
and terribly woundng number OF people in the
right hand gallery. cry OF terror arose from the
frightened congregation, and, losing all pres
sence Of mind, they rushed from their
seats to escape the impending doom.
Those in the gallery who were near BY where she
mass of brick fell In, rushed for the narrow stair.
way. blocking It No, ana with the madness OF
despair struggled to escape from the building
which their Imagination pictured as about
ruins Others, holder in their frenzy,
Jumped over the baustrads into the pews be-
meath, and 30 the terror was communicated from
one to another until the whole congregation
joined in . Wild stampede. in which the strosg
used their strength to preserve their own lives
with the
SUPREME sRLFrsHN4ss OF HUMANITY.
The majority Of the congregation was composed
Of women and children, and was naturally
AAetSk r AR9alR lAaIEal IN. ~ ~ ~