The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-12-21

one that battles description. Thousands of
of horror, and pursued by, Jets Of flame, burst
ing from the windows of the ill-fated building.
added million horrors to the cries of the un-
After the scare had somewhat subsidized, 1t
was discovered that the boiler in the establish.
down several persons who were within one
hundred yards OF the spot. and wounded and
MANNED ethers who were nearer.
The widest Excitement Prevailed
and from the upper windows of the burning
building numerous girls working in the estab-
tabltshment were yelling and screaming hyster-
tcally for help, but there was no way or means
to render assistance.
There seemed to be, a long delay in the arrival
OF the flremen, and the flames extended to the
upper floors. and more horrifying scene is
seldom witnessed. One young girl, with long
hair, held her hands beseechingly out Of the
third story window and screamed for help until
she fell from the window and was buried in the
burning cauldron below.
It was now nearly fifteen minutes since the
explosion, alarm having been promptly sound
ed. but yet the fire engines and hook and ladder
companies had not arrived.
The Girls Were now Rendered Frantic
and one girl jumped from a second story win
dow, while three jumped into the burning build
the girls were screaming and jumping from the
windows two officers broke the fall of one and
thus saved her life, although she met with
The fire patrol and engines now began to
Tg9 and had ha streams Of wter G the
iron front Of the building curled up
Like SO Much Paper
and fell right across the street with fearful
thud. striking the houses on the opposite side.
Il was rumored that over one hundred and
pioyed IN the building and that only only about one s
half had escaped. A feeling Of the greatest
horror overspread the great crowd which had
congregated, being attracted by the great light
Several alarms we're sounded for assistance,
as the fire had communicated to the surround
ing buildings, and at the same time ambulaEces
were sent for. Engine Company No. 20 was the
first to arrive, and then followed No s.
A Rescue.
Soon after the latter engine arrived q woman
the Barclay street side Of the building. which has
o front also on College Place. James MCGOWAN,
who was recently awarded the Bennett medal
rescue He was soon on top of the adjoining
building, and, although the feat was at the risk
OF his NE. he succeeded d in fighting the flames
and smoke, reached the woman and passed her
to those below. He just had time to Jump out OF
third story window, when the western wall
fell put McGowan escaped with few bruises.
Another HOrrifyfng Scene
ensued that melted the hearts of the bystanders
a poy ABOUT thirteen years OF age was seen
holding on to the burning shelving until he
iainted, IAN t ana amid groans from the crowd fell
The IRE had now extended to the adjoining
buildings, and the heat was so intense from
burning molasses and sweetmeats that it was vas
with with great difficulty that the fremen could
AT the time of the explosion a man amn1oved
by Adams Express Company was with the ship
ping clerk and two laborers loading one of the
large iar p express tt trucks. q The men were blown
and freight scattered into fragments,
On the opposite side of Barclay street was
store where large quantities Of petroleum were
m ayf Ial oh tl.o4I
It was all the firemen could do to prevent the
flames from crossing the street.
terror Of. the building had fallen In, and buried
beneath Its ruins those who had fled to the roof,
as well as the bodies Of those who had been
A Hundred RumOrs.
filed the air, and it was reported that several
ilremen had been buried, but the report could
not be confirmed; In the meantime the bodies |
MANNED, were carried to the Noake Hotel. in |
Greenwich street. and to Hall 4 Ruckeis drug
store, where the ambulance force were busy
carrying out others to the hospital ''
All the evening the excitement throughout |
Ine CITY was intense, and large crowds congre-
friends swarmed into the police stations seek |
ing for missing ones.
tbe nnmer 81 r Killed and 1t is to state
supposed the loss of life will exceed 100. and #
may be several days before the full extent of
the calamity can be known.
and Searching Tor the Dead.
New YORK. Dec. 20. u p. NIP to this hour. |
midnight, thirty three killed and wounded have |
been carried away from the ruins. No estimate |
can can o pc made OF those buried under the debris,
put IL is belleved by some that the number is |
not very large. as but few persons were in |
quiring for missing. relatives and friends. |
Others think the number buried under the walls |
Is large, and that inquiry is not made for them |
because many Of the employees had no regular |
homes and consequently no friends or relatives |
are on the lookout for them.
A large number of men are now at work re-
moving the debris and searching for the dead
put 1t must be three or four hours before they
can accomplis much in the recovery of bodies
as the buildings were massive five and six story
structures, and the dead are supposed to be at
the bottom of the ruins W @'
Even attnls hour reports vary widely as to the
buildings DESTROYED. and the number of killed
and wounded, 1t was at first reported that there
were 800 employees, and only about fifty we're |
known to have escaped unhurt making the |
killed and wounded as high as $50.
Later reports brought the number of en-
ployes down to $50. and the killed and wounded
to 100 or 150. At this hour people living in the
neighborhood of the scene of destruction nnf mt
the number of employees at $50 to 200. and fhe
killed and wounded at 80 to 100.
1t was hours before anything could be dom in
the way of removing the debris. as the fremen
and assistants had all they could do to confine
the flames to the five buildings burned Had q |
wind prevailed. it Is thought the fire would have
destroyed at least one entire block but the
stayed the flames, after most desperate struo-
gle to bring them under control.
Two or three men lost their lives and several I.