The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1875-06-14
THE noLYOKE CHURCH DISASTER.
scene. aud Incident. OF the Terrible
Calamity.

Calamity.
As the French Catholics were cele,
brating tho feast Of Corpus Christi at
their church ut South Holyoka, Mnss.,
the altar adOrnments caught fire from d
lamp, and the flames spread with great
rapidity. The church was filed to re.
pletion, and the crowd were Instantly
panic struck and grand rush was made
for the doors, The people piled one
above another until the doors were filed
up, thus preventing egress. A few
escaped by the windows, and few by
the rear entrance. The flames spread
with lightning speed; scores were burned
to death. The alarm was quickly spread
and tho fire department were soon on
the ground; but the church was built Of
wood, and mere shell. II was soon
wrapped in flames, and the poor uniortu-
mates who were notsuiTocated in thepile
that was crowded in the doors were
burned to death. Those nearest the
outside were dragged out, some dead and
others badly burned.
The place where tho greater number
OF deaths occurred wns at the door near
the foot Of the gallery stairs. In coming
down the stairs they pushed with such
force as to throw those in advanced down,
aud Others fell on the top OF them.
Many were taken out from this place
alive. After the firemen had driven
back the flames, the sisters Of charity
were quickly present and did noble work
In caring for the wounded.
Language Is powerless 10 express the
horrible sights disclosedin removing tho
dead and mutilated bodies from tho
building. Bystanders and firemen
worked brayely, bnt the dead bodies re-
moved far oatnumbered the living. A
corner Of the gallery, which fell without
being demolished, wns piled full Of man.
gled and dismembered bodies. On the
grounds and Openspaces surrounding the
church for half q mile in area the scene
was heartrending. Mothers, children
md friends were searching among the
crowd for friends who, il was feared,
were among the lost. All over the
mounds and sandbanks back Of the
church groups Of terror. stricken people
were gathered about some poor moan
ing sufferer. In one'hollow twenty-five
bodies Of tho dead and dying lay to-
gether. Ono poor girl fingered for IN
hour while strangerafter stranger passed
up ptrying to identify her, and at length
brother came in time 10 sec her breathe
her last. Another, who had escaped
from the church, was crying piteoisly
that her father, mother and all Of her
family had perished.
One family OF four were in the church
and all were killed. Many were pulled
out by the arms and feet so badly burned
that they lived but q few hours, the
flesh peeling of on being touched.
Some were taken out with scarcely any
flesh remaining on their bodies. One
girl escaped from the gallery by jump
ing on tho back Of q man, who carried
her out, while her sister who was with
her was burned.
A young woman beat out one Of the
window frames and jumped to the
ground in safety. An old woman Of
sixty went 10 The same opening, and
hesitating TO jump sho was pulled inside
blythe hair by q brutal fellow; he jumped
clear and she fell and was seriously in
jured. OF o family OF five, four got out
alive. One little girl Of twelve years
being burned, was tearfully sought by
her little brother, and ut last discovered
dead. This incident moved many per-
sons. Within short time Of the dis
aster sixty,six bodies were taken from
the building.