The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-30
ADDRESSES OF THE CLERGY.
The Public Mourning and Procession
to the Graves.
Sad and Touching Incidents
at the Fire.
Marvellous Escapes from The Death-CruSh
and the Flames.
HoLYoKE, Mass. NAV %. 1875.

HoLYoKE, Mass, May 90, 1875.
There Is bur little to add 10 the mournful story
OF the HolyoKe church disaster. Many who were
supposed 70 be only slightly burned VIII die from
tuer Injuries, and great many who survive will
be MANNED and disfgured Tor life. The funeral
obsequies took place to-day in the basement OF
the hair finished church which was soon to supply
the place Of the nimsy wooden structure
stroyed. the walls or this church have been built
TO height or only twenty feet, and no moor has
been laid, but rough timbers placed across
the top or the walls to a roof over the
closure. The window frames OF the east side had
been charred by the burning OF the old church,
close TO which IL stood, but, with this exception,
no damage was done to the building, and 1t
hitting that the spot made sacred, as it were,
by the terrible afiliction should be the where
the last acts OF the tragedy should take place. At
the rear end OF the buildings interior rude altar
was constructed OF planks, which were covered
with strips or white and black cambria, and fes-
toons OF the same were carried around on each
side and fastened 10 a hastily erected frame
work. In the centre OF the church was placed
dais three feet high, upon which the collins were
arranged in five rows. At each end Of the struc-
tire were placed twelve sperm candles. At nine
O'Clock the work Of bringing IN the dead began.
Most OF the collins were very plain, and some OF
them hau WreaLhs OF mowers Ialu upon the m.
A RIPPLE or ALARM.
An unfortunate incident happened. when, after
threequarers or an hours work, thirty -four bodies
had been placed upon the das. The weight OF
them proved too mucn for the slender structure,
aud the middle boards gave way, allowing 1t to
sink with the cofns several inches. The church
had meantime become packed with people, rela-
tives and friends Of the deceased, who pressed
about the Gals watching the movements OF the
workmen on and around IL, and when the tmbers
cracked the crash sent q thrill OF horror through
all present. as IL was thought that all the collins
were preclpitated TO the ground. But they were
spared this fresh torture, Tor the timbers only
sank few inches. and the dais was soon repaired
and made more secure. one lady gave neartrend-
Ing scream and was carried out in a falnting 1t.
FoRTY-EIGHT CoFFISs.
The remainder OF the bodies were then brought
In. TIL forty-eight IN all we're there. The candles
At either end were then lighted. Long before the
ceremony was TO begin an immense concourse OF
people OF all natIonaties mad overlooked the
building and sweled into the streets and over the
sandoanks surrounding. The irish Catholics
we're there in force, and very many Americans Of
the city and vicinity. Mayor rearsons was also
present. with the various city officials.
TIE FUNERAL SERVICES.
The exercises. were opened at ten O'Clock By
Father A. b. Dufresne, the pastor, who conducted
the blessing OF the dead.n sprnkng them with
holy water. A select choir at the right OF
the altar then chanted requiem. ana Father
L q. Gagnier, OF this city, conducted the mass.
Rev. Father G. y. Primeau, or Worcester,
next pronounced in French the funeral Grafton or
sermon, taking as his text, "a voice was heard
In Ramah, lamentaton and bitter weeping;
Rachel weeping for her children, refused to be
comforted. because they were not.n He SAID
Il pity this people who have among them heca-
tomb OF worshippers. The exierminating angel
has passed through your midst, and VIII avoid
depicting the scene. Holyoke and Chicopee to-
DAY nav the saddest decoration day or any OF the
towns IN any OF the states. In your presence
feel the friends OF job ielt, who coming 10 CON-
fort MIN In his distress, were three days in his
presence silent, nevertheless. Dear suffering
friends, there are consultations Tor even you.
Flrst-As Christians, you win say, Tne
Lord gave aud the Lord has taken
away secona-rhe place, that IS, the
church, and the day, the feast Of Corpus
Cnrlsti when al these, your dear ones, were har-
vested. 50 then as the Lord gave Himself for us
you gave them 70 Him. II was during the month
OF May when they were all gathered to worship;
therefore we Will ofer them az bouquets 70 the
Mater DOlorOsa. Third-Tne public sympathy
given by the press aud the people, Bishop and
many other clergy OF the diocese, both French
lty and benedcence or the public officers and pe0-
pie Al large which il has been extremely pleasing
70 receive. Fourth-The honorable behavior OF
the people, the heroism o; the wounded, forget
ting themselves for others. Fifth-Your new
church - consecrated ana made sacred forever
During the delivery or his address Father prl
meau read tie GLOWING telegram
CAsADIAN TELEGRAM
WORCESTER, Meg ~ 1916
To har nTrpp
Canadians at orcester, in meeting assembled
send tne'r sympathy 70 ION ana 20 your congfcga.
ton IN your caiamlty, ana are ready assist the
FAMILIES oil the victims u needed.
FERDINAND GAGyOE.
secretary OF the Neehnr
SUSPENSION or BUSINESS
Most Or the stores remained closed au day
WINE many oftncm we're draped hea, III "a mourn.
ing.
FATHER GA6NIER' ADDREs
After Father Primeau's Grafton II .sr Gagrfer
OF Springfield, spoke IN English SOM WORDS
cheer and expressions Of thanks FOR me sympEtny
that had Oecn extended them. ne SAIL tAg tbe
representative Of the Canadians or Tie rutcd
states express the admiration we iesi for and
II snall be our best recollection, tle sympathy
extended to Jon at this time. u Is true We
all belonged 10 one grand family o. COO and NJ
sucn time a. this we feel IL most. WIN not give
expression 70 my ceilings nor dwell lpeu thl as.
sous 81 the calamity. Honor and tltug age die
70 all who have labored through .nA disaster
thanks 70 those in authority. VINO afc nfogeu fa
be the right men IN the right pla ibank .o
those VINO forgot themselves 70 savo .h.ts Ia tat
burning building; thanks 70 the lCeats 1l ias
CITY who have labored with the pstcr' .h4utS
70 the sisters 81 Charity and ofthc H. .Prcsl.
dence; thanks 10 III VINO joined I'M psihy altt
she French Canadians or the comm ity +, tcs-
rby smltten; thanks 10 all aud /. 81 l4b bless.
AnE of God come down upon you TO ltgh8.a
GRIEF or THE MoURNER
During the delivery OF Father Gagr sr's address
che bitter walllngs Of the mourner a..fc most
panisl to hear The people sobbe ns anI
many gave themselves NJ to the wrlt frit.
THE ABsOLurIoN 10 the Dr.
The ceremony Of "Adieux, or ALSO ui.aa lt ne