The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-06-04
A TERRIBLE DISASTER.
BnTnIng Of French Catholic Church
at HOlyOke, Mass. About Seventy.
five Persons Burned and Tramped
to Death,

New YoRK, May 29.-A special from
Holyoke, Mass, gives the latest details
of one of the most appalling disasters
that has occurred in the State for
number of years-the burning Of the
French Catholic church during services
last evening. The audience numbered
about seven hundred people, and the
scene was terrible, while il lasted, for
the fire was not over twenty minutes In
consuming the church, and those in
mates who could not escape.
HOW THE FIRE COMMENCED.
The church service was about closing
when the flames from a candle caught
the drapery around the statue Of the
Virgin Mary and ascended TO the build
ing, setting il on fire. A panic immedi-
ately ensued. and the people rushed 70
the doors. The gallery pkirted both
sides Of the building. and there was but
one entrance from the front. On the
stairway leading from the gallery the
people were packed into solid mass,
struggling to clear themselves as the
flames rushed in that direction, and that
soon became blocked, rendering exit i'm
possible. Many jumped oyer the sides
of the galleries on the crowd beneath
and were trampled on and killed.
MoANs OF THE DYING.
The priests exertions to keep order
we're fruitless. The screams Of the liv-
ing and means of the dying made a
deafening tumnlt above the orders Of
the pastor, who worked naost heroically,
and was personally instrumental in saw
ing many lives. One family Of four
were in the church and all killed. Many
were pulled out by the arms and feet so
badly burned that they lived but few
hours, the flesh peeling off on being
touched. Some were taken out with
scarcely any flesh remaining on their
bones.
THE SCENES AT THE DOORS
are described as terrible. They we're
blocked with struggling people seeking
exit. Outside people cleared the way
several times, but az often il would be-
come blocked up again. Windows were
broken open and several escaped in that
way. The last TO get out ofthe church
was said to be a man with his wife and
little daughter. The father took up his
daughter and rushed with her to place
of safety. Louis Langlors, Of the Riv-
erside mill, went in to render assistance,
when little girl came tumbling down
before the door, under the feet Of the
throng. Though he burned his hands
sadly in doing it, he was able to pull
her out but little injured.
A YOUNG WOMAN
beat out one Of the window frames and
jumped to the ground safely. An old
woman ofsixty went to the same open
ing, and hesitating to jump, she was
pulled inside by the hair bya brutal
fellow. He jumped clear and she fell,
and was seriously injured. or family
Of FIVE, four got ont alive, one little girl
Of twelve years being burned. She was
tearfully sought by her little brother
and at last discovered dead. John
Lynch, a mason, finding the people
pressed in at the bottom Of the church
door, pulled many down who we're on
top, thus saving a dozen lives. One
girl was terribly burned, and was moved
to the house Of Providence. One girl
escaped from the gallery by jumping on
the back of man, who carried her out,
while her sister, who was with her, was
burned.
PILE OF MANoLED AND DTsMEMBEnED
BODIES.
The scenes in the church were horri-
bic and past description. The corner Of
the gallery fell in and was found piled
full of mangIed and dismembered bod.
les. It is probable that the exact num-
ber Of the lost will not be known for
some days. It is estimated that about
seventy-fve persons have perished.
FIFTY-oNE BODIES RECOVERED.
At ten o'clock thirty-six dead bodies
were in Mowatt's store, on Main street,
and twelve at the school house and two
ai another house. The work Of recov-
ering the bodies from the ruins pro-
gressed all night. Atmidnight ffty-one
bodies, mostly women and children, had
been recovered.
The Rev. a. B. Dufreme, pastor, es-
eaped through side door.
CARING FOR THE SUFFERING.
The Sisters Of Mercy were promptly
on hand ministering to the wants Of
wounded and suffering. The large
wooden tenement block Of Joseph Prev
was thrown open for the reception Of the
dead and wounded. Several deaths oc-
CURED in the building. A number we're
also taken to the New York Mills board
ing house, and physicians gave the
wounded the best Of medical care.
Those who were too badly burned 20
recover were put under the effects Of
morphine and passed away without
struggle. While the exercises we're be-
ing held over the dying the most intense
quiet prevailed, and the rough iaborcrs
knelt upon the floor with uncovered
head, but about the morgue and in The
streets the wailing Of the mulIitudes
was pitiful to hear.
An eye witness who saw the fire from
a distance says The whole affair was
over the in fifteen minutes. lie could
plainly see through the blnzing raiters
aud frame the poor people running
about. Large black spots could be seen
in the flames, and half n minute later
these spots went out in a brilliant light,
winch was succeeded by dark fame.
Woman.