The New York herald., 1876-12-09

A STRUGGLING
Without the building the people struggled and
fought positions near the windows and entrances,
and it noticeable that among the crowd were many
laughing young girls and Anticipated young males,
whose greatest object life appeared bc sight of
the charrcd bodies Of the unknown dead But amid
the throng there st those whose hearts beat
fearfuy and whose eyes silently droppln. tears
for the loved they could find II Is hard To
describe that mass OF pushing humanity. IL may
impossible TO believe that there those who
boldly claimed a relative among the dead simply Tor
the entrance 1t gave them to the house OF mourning
that there those who claimed bodies to be theirs
for tho Two poor trinkets that lay gistenins
amid the CHASTITY baokncss the bosoms OF their
dead owners yot, horrible as II appears, there were
several.
rsRRInLE SIGHT
The windows on two sides OF the Morgue were about
feet above the pavement, and on one side were
level with the ground Thcsc windows were covered
penaea from the ,oo' Peoplc-men. women, girls and
boys-crowdcd around and pushed anu struggled so
enectualiy as to break almost an thc gass ~ .ne
ened bodies and looking toward the windows tho
scene was almost unbearabc. There were men whose
faces bore the stamp Of prutaty IN every inc, sruS
gEIs to obtain glance at the horrible scene; there
were women, whose lips were parted with ghouiish
smile, who, helped IRON below, slarcd over The WIN
dow sill at the few bodies within The reach Of their
eyes, there boys that, hanging by their hands.
would draw themselves up anu gaze on the
within with fascination that lett photograph upon
their brains never to be cnacod. The writer saw
young girls struggle up the level OF the window.
give one glancea glance oil terror aud disu ay-and
then sink back out OF sight
ONE or
the curtain of OF tho WINDOWS had fallen
down ana for moment tho crowd without was hid
nom view. moment more ani the writer saw a
small. shapcly hand, upon which sparkled elegant
rings steal inside and quietly prt aside the curtain.
The face that appearcd--a woman's-was refined aud
intellectual At MS BEST but now distorted with
passion TO be painful to look upon. The
eyes shone with light that Is tndescribable; the
drawn apart lips looked hard as stone aud the teeth
CLEANED strangely through them. Sho took u long.
steady gaze us II wishing 10 fix the scene upon her
mind, then sank back Out OF sivht ana the rustlns
her silk heard she hurried over the pavement
OF the The curtain fell back in its plate. but
was soon disturbed again by rougher hands and more
sympathizng iaccs woman who had locked long
and earnestly stopped to heground, and, catching
little girl about Elk years OF age held her up to tho
window The poor little things eyes opened wide
with as,onishmeut at Hrst but she began 10 realize
the Terrible before her the hight of astonishment
gave place OF terror. Wildly her eyes glanced
length she fell back limp and white, upon her mothers
Mamma, mamma. take me away; take me away"
Her little eyes had sight that will haunt her
little brain for years.
In the interior OF the Morguo the horror grows upon
who, like tho writer, has had to pass hour after
hour there. Thought crowded upon thought till the
soul was sick ened well as tho sense Was there
father mother, wife mourning Tor that poor
fragment OF charred flesh that, lying with outstreched
arms, seemed to plead for recognition? HAD that
hcap OF mansled pieces been tho hope, the stay Of
some sorrowing iamiiys All II was pitiiul scene
bodies. No claimed them; no tear was dropped
for them they made ready Tor burial; no silent
prayer will arise IRON stricken hearts as their faces
hidden forever from the gaze of the world.
Late IN the afternoon the Morgue was thrown open,
under proper arrangements and the people were
allowed TO pass through the building The curiosity
seekers many, and during the time three women
tainted at the awful sights and carried by the
soldiers on duty Al this writing there are six un-
recognized bodies, badly burned as to preclude the
possibility of their being recognized, and four which
hnpn haan HAD hn 81 20 n Mt
WHAT MAY SERVE TO IDENTIFY THEM
Corpse No. has with u pcnknifc, with peculiar
checkcred cast iron handle, fifty cents In money and
two cent piece.
Corps No q has two white merino shirts
Corpse No. % hus metal conductors badge and
pocket handkerchief marked ID, NO. ="
AT MARKET
The sorrowfu scenes enacted for two days pre-
viously witnessed yesterday At the Old Market
House. A detachment OF the Thirteenth regiment OF
the Brooklyn militia stood guard around tho building
and aided to keep hack the throng endeavoring TO
make its way toward the entrance. close line
formed across Adams street at either end OF the
building and no unarmed with Off.
cial pass allowed to cross the line enter
the building. Tho smell Of carbolc acid and Of the
charrcd remains Of the poor victims hung heavy on
the air within the building Tho long rows of the
dead broken spots where bodies had been recog
nzed removed and searching friends congrcgated
about in little groups that lay at irregular distances
around the rough and solled boards. Men and women
old and young, were there before seeking to IND
what they most ieared some with fearful eyes weary
Of three days search in vain for the poor COM
tort OF finding the distorted remains OF dear relatives
Others whose fears but recently aroused by the
absence from home OF one OF the household, came in
haste to learn the worst There others, too,
present from that strange curiosity which impels some
people toward scenes OF horror. There were many
hat the wpra ed 10 cle tha
place. time restrict the privilege OF enter
ing to mombers of families seeking their lost
ones Outside tho building line Of undertak-
ers' wagons stood waiting to carry oil tho
bodies fast as identincd and as soon
was brought out and driven or the crowd NIL
ing the streets would iall back and make way Tor It's
passage asking each other. In undertoncs, "Who Is
iiy" The sights within the building, where the already
mourning friends were searching for assurance Of
their cause for sorrow, such to leave lasting
impression on the minds Of all who witnessed them.
Aged mothers examining the garments tho bodies
in tho dread hope OF finding some familiar article by
which 10 identity the remains oi some loved chilu;
sisters searching Tor tho brothers who left them ahc
evening OF the calamity in health and spirits wives
scckiug the husbands they loved well, and to whom
thoy and the little at home look for their daily
bread
ssNo FRIExps'
Here and there was The body OF some poor lad with
label II. bearing his aud the sorrowful words
'No friends" shortly after dark an aged woman came
rushing in the building, crying out IN piteous tones:
where IS number ioursn
AS she came suddenly charred mass OF bodies,
in which the outlines OF human forms barely dis
cernabc she burst nto,ears and staring at tho fear
ful sight she cried OUT
Johnny, my darling, my darling. where are you
My Godl My Godl
From group another she sped rapidly around
the room, seeking her lost son. while her daughter
followed ner. sobbng II her heart would break.
Later IN the evening a number o PLAN collins wcro
brought in and numbered correspond with the pa-
cards the unknown dead. The bodies that be-
yond any chance OF recognition placed in tncm
Others that could no longer be exposed also
closed with as much dccency AS possible.
Later In the evening the WORK OF placing the re-
mains which mad not been claimed. and such ny had
been thoroughly dishgurod To be beyond
recognition, in tho coilins furnished by the
city resumed and continued until midnight.
Soon eleven O'Clock the floor cleared tho
spectators who had called simply out OF curiosity, all
the bodies and parts OF bodies that could be placed IN
coffin without breaking having pcen previously
moved. The msshapcn Strengthened
forcbly and cofined when the undertakers en-
poycd by the city authorities took charge OF
q The only body ldcutliled alter nine y "