The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-03-07
A DEATH SERMON.
ST, Andrew. Church Crushed by a Failing Wall
ACONIZlNC SCENES.
FIVE PERSONS KILLED AND ABOUT rITTX
WOUNDED.
New York Herald, Feb. 2o.l

while the congregation were assembled ior
the penitential service of the Lenten season.
In the midst of the service the wall OF an
adjacent house fell, crushing in the roof OF
the church, and killing and woundihg q
large number of the congregation. panic
imme diately ensued and, in the wild rush
of the people to save their lives, men,
women and children were trampled TO
death. The church is an unpretentloue
brick building, situated on the corner OF
Duane street and City Hall place. ~
nestles in sheer humility beside the tall
building lately occupied by Mr.. j. Shaw,
dealer in crockery ware, which separates IL
from Sweeny's Hotel. Some time ago
(Jan. l2th), this many storied building
caught fire, but apparently was not sum
GENTLY damaged to render the taking down
of the walls absolutely necessary. 1t Is
very probable that the matter was never yer
sufficiently inquired into; for though the
walls appeared bulged, the reconstructlon
of the interior portion of the houee was
proceeded with. The house remained In
an unfinished state up to yesterday evening,
when it was destined to play 80 sad part
in the impending tragedy.
Last night the congregation of st. An
drew's assembled for the Lenten exercises
prescribed by the Roman Catholic Church
| for this period of contritioD 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 BLESSED VIRGIN
had been devoutly repeated by the assem-
bled worshippers, and Father Carroll, OF
| St. Stephens, was engaged exhortlng mis-
hearers to repentance and contrition. Inc
| congregation, reverentially silent, listened
to the impassioncd words of the preacher.
Outside the storm came down, and windy
gusts swept over the buildings of the city,
but within the church all was peace and
quiet. The preacher had selected for his
theme a solemn subject only too appropriate
to the sad scenes he was destined to wit
ness. death and the necessity for prep
Grafton" was his theme, and the truth OF
his argument was on the point of receiving
an illustration so terrible that the lesson
must have startled the teacher. With fervld
eloquence the priest held up to view the
uncertainty of life and the pressing need
there was to be prepared to meet judgment.
Examine your conscience he exclaimed,
"For God alone knows if 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. maze
of brick and mortar
| FELL WITH A CRASH
through the roof of the church, crushing
to death and terribly wouuding number
of people in the right hand gallery. A or!
, of terror arose from the congregation, and
losing all presence of mind, they rushed
3 from their seats to escape the impending
t doom. Those in the gallery who where
f near by where the mass of brick fell in
i rushed for the narrow stairway, blocking i
8 up, and with the madness of despair strug
= gled to escape from the building, whlc
q their imagination pictured as about t
II tumble down and bury all in the ruins
q Others, holder in their frenzy, jumped owe
Y the balustrade into the pews beneath, an
70 and go the terror was communicated frou
IT one to another until the whole congrega
20 ton joined in a wild stampede, in whic
IF the strong used their strength to preserv
e their own lives with the
70 SUPREME sELFIsHNEss OF HUMANITY.
e; The majority of the congregation WI
le composed of women and children, aud WI
d, naturally subject to sudden terror. So
or the list of casualties We find that near
Id two thirds of those Injured are wome
10 with some boys and girls. In the ru'
a from the galleries two women and bc
Ia. were killed-throwp down aud tranpied
d. death by the escaping people. With SUI
nR awful suddenness did these events tran
at pire that even the assistants were scarce
nd conscious how the fright OF how the on
M rush from the church began. The startl
he cries of women and children were u
Of prayer for help UNDECIDED in the blind il
he pulse which urged every human being
i've escape from out of reach of the crumbi
wallis. Women, pale with fear and brear
less with excitement, gasped out pray
w for aid and sank exhausted to be
as TRAMPLEp TO DEATH
no. in the rush of the panic stricken. In vi
zen the devoted priest from the pulpit
or pealed to the people to be calm and Ike
1t: their seats. They heard nothing but {
at. Wild promptings of their fears. Here a
art there the few galIent men that ever +
I" with occasion, exhorted their less Fl
IN brethren to have courage and not to add
TO the horror of the situation by giving W
as to blind fear. These celebrations W
the made in vain, and the mad rush continI
, so with fatal result. Over fifty persons W
ars, crushed by the falling walls or thro
)ect down and trampled upon by the fee
e Is crowd and when the church was clear &c
9 Is the panic-stricken people, the victims W
to thickly strewn about, some with life g
mo; remaining. Others had already passed i
ana the presence of the Being they had asst
the bled to worship. 1t was heartrend
age, sight. Aid was promptly given to
US sufferers, and the priests glided ab
yOne among the wounded. giving