The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-03-09

course was one OF Instruction for women, and II
known a mission or retreat
All hearts were bowed 10 humble submission to the
will OF the Creator, the Dispenser OF ase and death
There were gathered together the mother anc the
daughter to learn the lesson lha, all mus, de.
and that over their heads was swinging the
scythe OF Death even while they prayed
Tor mercy and forg.vnesx There was the ole woman
totcrng her grave, and looking over the brink Of
eternity for the resting place which God has prepared
in the unseen world for those who serve Him
IN this. and young women budding into life
who came 10 learn that al! human
passion must end In the grave Already the services
were drawing TO close and the preacher preparing
10 bring hts exhortatons 10 a close when
In the crowded gallery there suddenly
loud cry from hys,er:cal woman that thrilled
the congregation TO the Startled people
through the audience, and a movement began which
too soon developed into panic
Tue yATAL RUSH.
There was . momen: OF terrible suspense How on
startled ears, rang out the awful cry 'Hre."
..nre!" In an instant all control was lost;
that terrible cry had paralized all power Of
thought and filled the terrified congregation
with frantic desire TO escape from death OF horror.
Like flock OF frightened birds the occu-
pants Of the galleries rose up and fed
toward the stairways which empty into The
vcstibules OF the church. The stairs were almost
Immediately chokcd by tho sudden lnrush OF the
people, Checked in their dght, the occupants Of the
gallery lost all control OF themselves Needless of the
obstruction those in the struggled pass beyond
those In front, and their desperate o.
forts rendered egress more difficult Tho scene
now became hoartrendins. The struggling mass Of
women shreked with pain and dismay, and some, in
an excess OF desperation, throw themselves
over the baustrades and were tramplcd 10 death
by those beneath. At FIRST the panic was
almost wholly confined to The galleries. but the
shrieks of tho struggling crowd Oiled with
the crowd which filled the aisies, and
tho movement to escape became gen.
cral. Gut from tho body of the church began
to pour tho immense congregation which,, meeting in
the vestibue the fleeing occupants OF the gallery.
made new obstruction and effectively blocked all
egress. Then ensued terrible struggle to escape
from an imaginary danger.
TIMELY ALARM
When the panic first declared itself an alarm was
promptly sent 10 Police Headquarters by officer
Ryder who on dusy at the church. Had
1t not been for this prompt action many
more lives would undoubtedly have been sac
ridced In tho meanwhile the struggle
on the gallery stairs continued and the difficulty OF
escape became greater tho terror of the people In
creased and their efforts frantic to get Of the
church. In vain the priests mingled with
the frightened crowd and tried to calm their
tear. They blind to everything but the phan-
tom OF terrible death which had taken possession OF
their souls Out in the street there safety and
hope OF life; Of this only were they con-
sc,ous, and all their energies werc concentrated
on passing beyond the doors that shut
them OF from hope and life. Under such circum-
stances even the potent voice of the priest un.
needed In the struggle women were pushed down
aud trampled 10 death. The news OF the accident
spread with wondrous rapidity, and the
friends of tho worshppers gathered rapidly
in crowds about tho door, Husbands
fathers and sons urged by the wish save their rea-
tives, attempted to enter the church. and added
new difficulty the way Of those who trying to
escape.
CONES
Matters were in this condition when Company No
Fourteen OF tho Fire Brigade camo laundering along
Tho rumbing of tho wheels and tho warning
ding dong OF the nre bell echoed with
CHASTITY significance through The church and
renewed the panic. This effect was partially
ioreseen by the commander of tho Are company, aud
when be arrived within half block Of the church he
halted hts command and ordered his men to take on
their helmets before miLki..s witn the crowa
in order TO avoid increasing tho terror.
These ORDERS were OOeyed, ana the nremcn
advancing tho main entrance Of the church mingled
with the crowd and, forcing back these who wero
wisely attempting 10 enter tho church, succeeded
with some diflculty in making passage Tor tho
congregation. A strong detachment OF police
under The command OF Captain Williams, arrived on
the ground almost simultaneously, and forming
limo held tho excited crowd check The work OF ex.
Treating the people was then pushed vigorously,
and few minutes the church wns
CHARGED Six dead bodies found at the bottom
the stairs where they had been trampled to DEATH One
we'll dressed lady picked up and brought u drug
store Sixth avenue. where she shortly after
ward expired. SIX women and boy were
killed Many persons undoubtedly received slight
INJURIES but in every case they taken by their
friends TO thcir own homes. The cause Of this sad
accident Of such nature that IL could not
be guarded against. The means OF egress provided
in the church seem ample for all ordinary occasions
but tho cmptying Of the whole congregation into a
vestbulc, however spacious, seems to be dangerous
error in construction which should be remedicd as
soon as possible in al. places where II exists
DIAGRAM THE CHURCH.
Sixteenth street.
e