The tribune. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-08-02
THE AYR FIRE.
How Twenty-Five Young Women wero
Burned 80 Death.

How Twenty-Five Young Women wero
Burned 90 Death. -
The Glasgow Nesos gives the follow
ing account of the burning of the mill
at Ayr, Scotland, by which twenty-five
story of the second block Of buildings
from Fort street the fatal spark was
kindled. The operatives resumed work
after breakfast as usual, and all went on
smoothly till the hour indicated above,
when james Barr, laborer in the
worsted department, was alarmed by o
"young lass" Gas he describes herr ex-
claiming in q state Of excitement that
there was fire in the room. The girl
had been working at wool teaser, and
soon it was perceived that the wool had
taken fire, apparently from friction,
Barr Immediately called his neighbors,
who gathered in large numbers. Three
e1tincteurs kept on the establishment
for emergencies of this kind were pro-
duced, and an effort made to subdue
the flames. but without effect. No
sooner was water poured on one corner
than the fire spread to another, defying
the utmost efforts Of all present to keep
it within bounds. Some one at an early
period called for sheet with which to
"smother" the fire; but with such
alarming rapidity did it spread, that
any attempt in that direction would
have been useless or worse than useless.
In few minutes those who had gather
ed round the spot where the fire origi-
mated were compelled to flee for their
lives, leaving portions Of their clothing
aud all they possessed in tie mill, be-
hind. So far all was right in re-
spect that no damage had resulted to
life, but the sequel of the event which
had just been inaugurated was disas-
trous and appalling. In the garret
overhead of the room described, James
Baar, aged fifty years, and father of the
man named above, was working with
twenty-five young women under his
charge, and there the great loss of life
took place
James Barr, it is alleged, on hearing
the screams in the flat beneath, and on
being informed that there was o fire,
made an endeavor to keep the cries Of
those who were apparently terror strick-
department. and causing greater CON-
sternation than was necessary. He
then ran down stairs, saw the imminent
danger of the whole establishment,
rushed up and gave the alarm, but was
too late to effect an escape for himself
| or others, as the staircases were all
''ablaze, and the smoke and fire were
such that no one could pass through
and live. A scene more easily imagined
than described followed. The young
women rushed to the windows and called
for that sid which could not be afforded
them. They gesticulated, and screamed
and sobbed in the presence of death,
and implored those outside to save their
lives. Meanwhile the fire spread rapid
ly, the other buildings one by one were
enveloped, the flames shot high in the
air, and before long the spot where the
helpless females had been vainly seeking
for succor was reduced to ruins, and
those who occupied it were lost beyond
the hope OF recall. Several most pain
with this event. The old man Barr was,
before the fire obliterated everything,
seen at one of the windows waving his
hands, apparently calling for rescue, and
q large number of the girls were hold
ing by him in the last lingering hope of
having their lives spared. One young
woman, named Catherine McKinnon,
jumped from the height of four stories
and fell heavily on the ground beneath.
She was taken up insensible, placed on
a mattress and removed to the Ayr hos
pital. The poor girl, who was sixteen
years of age, fell on her forehead. Her
skull was fractured, her arm broken and
other injuries sustained, SO that all the
skill which could be brought could not
save her life.
Another young girl, named Simpson,
came to a window screaming. Her sis
ter, who happened to be beneath at the
moment, called out: "Jump out, or
you'll be killed." and the little girl in
stantly leaped over. The sister en-
deavored to catch her, but as the height
from which the leap was taken was very
great both came into violent contact and
were thrown down. The sister escaped
unhurt, fact which is marvellous, con-
sidering the whole circumstances, but
the young girl was good deal bruised,
it is feared seriously 80. Her hair was
burned with the flames, which Just be-
fore her leap was devouring all before it.
Those who had found an exit from the
works now made the best Of their good
fortune and ran from danger, while the
unfortunate persons left behind were at
the mercy Of the devouring element.
Mothers appeared on the scene in terror,
asking for their daughters; brothers and
sisters looked everywhere for their rela-
tives, who, alasi could not be saved. It
was impossible to say who were and who
were not among the unfortunate victims
till we'll On in the evening, when the fire
had been subdued. Hoping against
hope, parents expected that their chill
dren might return home at the usual
hour, and waited with eager anxiety their
appearance.
A surgical operation recently per.