New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-05-28
A TERRIBLE DISASTER.
STYLISH LIVES LOST IN A BURNING
CHURCH.

BURNING OF THI FRENCH CATHOLIC CHURCH AT
HoLroxx, MASS. DURING sERvICE-PsoPLx
rRAMPLED AND BURNED TO DEArH-M DEAD
AND wOUSDED-OmGN or THE FIRE.
SPRINGFIELD. Mass, May 27.-The most terrible
disaster in the history of Holyoke. Mass, occurred
tonight in the burning Of the French Catholic
Church at South Holyoke during the evening ser
vice, involving the loss Of 66 men. women. and
children. The exercises had nearly closed. and
vesper service was being sung. when the draperies
on the altar caught on fire from q candle, and
the wall being low, and the flames stream
ing MP, the building was set on fire. The
audience numbered about 700. The people in the
body of tho church escaped, but on the stairway
leading from the gallery human beings were packed
in dense mass struggling to escape as tho flames
rushed toward them. Many leaped to the floor be-
meath, and were tramped to death. The gallery
skirted both sides of the building. with only one
entrance from the front The scene was fearful in
the extreme during tho little while it lasted, for the
whole was over in 20 minutes.
Besides &c dead, there are enough fata y wounded
10 carry the total loss of life up to IS. The recog
nized dead up to this hour a. follows:
THE DEAD.
Mrs Burgess, Faber MORGAN,
Mira Victor Norm. Miss Ida La France,
Mrs Calixtc Larivie, Justine Brissan,
lT: bT'pfT,ilas' wife, aud NaTy J Paaes,le'
Isaac NORM.
The daughters of Augustus COache and Algene
LIST or THOSE BADLY BURNED.
Mrs. Theo Blanchard. Iiermne Laporte
MR. Burbank Henrietta Tlmnur,
Mrs. Dupont. Callxte Dnresne.
TWO PERSONS SLIGHTLY BURNED.
Louise Pugnetie, Louise lerriere.
WOUNDED.
Rosalie Davian. In Pascal Paquette's family
there ia dead and two dying. In the family oi
Francois Derry there are four slightly burned, ana
missing.
The priests honse, which Joins the church on the
rear, was also burned. The bodies were taken to
Peter MOnaits Main-st. store and the Park-st.
-chool-house for temporary deposit. Tie inquest will
BE- held tomorrow at o'clock a. m.
The loss on the church is total but is small, being
sn old structure. There is 100 insurance on 1t and
= 900 on the priests house.
The priests residence joins the church Oh the
rear. and many escaped through an entrance
leading 10 the house, back OF the altar.
The priests exertions to keep order fruitless.
The screams of the living and the means Of the
dying made deafening tumult above the
orders of the pastor. who worked most hero
ically, and was personally instrumental in saving
many lives. One family of four were Ia the
church. and all were killed. Many were pulled
ont by the arms and feet, 50 badly burned
that they lived only few hours the flesh peel
ing off on being touched. Some were taken out
with scarcely any flesh remaining on their bones.
Tho Sisters of Mercy from the convent were soon on
hand caring for the wounded and holding services
over the dying, while Father Dufresne also
held many serX ices over the dying. His mother was
among those terribly burned. Father Dufrcsne lost
almost everything i'll mis- residence 80 rapidly was
the buildings consumed. it being ~ dry III tInder
The large wooden tenament block Of Joseph Prov,
near the burned church. was thrown open for
the reception of the dead and wounded and
several deaths occurred in tho building
during tho night. Several were also taken
10 the New-York Mills clearinghouse. and the
phy,icans gave the wounded the best of medical
care. Those who were too badly burned to recover
were put under the influence Of morphine. and passed
away without struggle While the exercises were
being held over the dying most intense quiet pre-
vailed and the rough labOrs knelt upon the toor
with uncovered heads; but about the MorSie and
in the streets the wailiag of the multudes pitt
ful to hear.
Among tho persons in dying condition
arc Mary Lachance, Mrs. Bridge, the mother
II seven children, ono OF whom Is Miss
Ing and probably among tho dead Bazanth
Briggs, sophia HILBERT. Annie Lapointe,
Laco,ta Cldor; Charles CONNIE, burned badly, but
will recover, as will probably tho brother of Father
Dufresne. 1t is estimated that 20 or 80 were taken
to other houses. some of whom must die.
LArER-Thc following were also seriously burned:
Mary Gadnc. Mary and Lucy Hicks, Louisa
i,.v ,vir
Torrier Lizzie Mercies. aud Lena Blair.
large majority of these must die. Ono girl WAS
terribly burned, and was removed to the House Of
Providence. Drs. Chase and Smith dressed the
wounds OF Of those injured. and four other ply
cians attended from two to four por-0ns each.
SCENES AND INCIDENTS.