The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1879-10-10
Terrible Accident at Adrian, Mich.

Terrible Accident at Adrian, Mich.
A heartrendng accident occurred on the Lena
wee Fair Grounds, at Adrian, Mich, on the after.
noon of Thursday, Oct q The grounds were
a perfect jam, and the grand stand, newly erect
ed was packed with people to witness the exer-
cises on the track. A class of genIlemen's driv-
ing horses, double teams, had just been sent
around the track, and the band, occupying the
front and center of the grand stand, had just
begun to play while the judges were afiixi3g
pre- mium-ribbons, when, with a terrible crash,
The stand bi oke down. IL gave way fret In the
center then the front fell outward to the track,
and the back fell into the river. AT once en-
sued scene Of indescribable confusion.
Buggies were overturned, horses dashed
franticaly up the track only to meet
crowd of people flocking to the scene OF the dis
aster Those who were only slightly Jured
came crawlngou Of the mass of ruins, showing
numerous contueons, and then began the Work
of dragging from the debris those who were
more severely injured. There were in the
neighborhood of 1000 people on the grand
stand, and large crowd were in the space be-
meath. Six people were taken out dead,
and about 100 others were fatally or
seriously wounded. AS soon as possible the
Opera House was opened, and many OF the dead
aud wounded taken there Many Of the
wounded were carried off by their frantic
friends as soon as they could, aud until night
fall carriages containing injured men, women
and children were noted passing out into the
country.
The excitement in the city immediately sue
ceeding the accident was indescribable Par
ents were franticaliy looking for their children
and children looking for their parents; women
went into hysterics, and strong men cried ON the
streets az they heard the terrible news Many
Of the inju ed are among the bost citizens OF
Adrian.
ADRIAN, Mich, Oct g.
1t is hardly possible YET to appreciate fully
the extent of the appalling calamity which has
fallen on this city and county. The shadow Of
suffering and death resting on 80 many homes
involves the whole community, and nothing is
talked of but the calamity and its victims. The
scene in the fair grounds, when the grand
stand went crashing to the ground, with Its
burden OF men, women, and children, was one
never to be forgotten Every heart stood still
for a moment, and then scores OF men rushed
to release those lying under the heavy roof and
timbers. Nothing that could be done to relieve
the wants Of the suffering was left undoue.
The wounded were carried away, and medical
attendance secured as quickly as possible. The
physicians of the city, and those present from
other parts Of the country, labored like giants.
Men and women Wed in rendering aid wherever
1T was needed. Dry-goods stores gave, without
stint, Of the material necessary for bandages,
while drug -stores for hours resembled field
hospital in general engagement, many of the
minor wounded fockng thither for attention.
The city Is i'll mourning to-day; Grape and
other insignia of sorrow are displayed from
offices, public buildings and every business
house. This morning nearly all the stores
were closed, out of respect to the memory of
those who persisted in the disaster.
Street rumors place the numper OF dead at
from fifteen to twenty. but careful inquiry
among physicians, undcrtskers and frieuds
would prove the following to be a correct state
ment:
J. f. Merck, German, resident of the Sec
ond Ward, 80 years old; died few minutes
after coming out of the ruins.
Mrs. John Hubbard, Jasper; breathed but
few times after being taken out.
David Plumador, Petersburg
William Mulzer, city; aged IL.
Peter Hyde, city; boy II years of age.
John Johnson, German, whose home Is at At
tea, Ohio, and who worked for Dover farmer
named Clemerson.
Ashael Henderson, 20 years Of age; Plum
river 10 Daviess county, Ill.
Christy Esgen, Manchester; II years Of age,
died during the night
Henry Hart died at 5 o'clock this morning
boy manned Willie Hall is reported dead, but
not authenticated.
II. L. Hume, Medina; punctured through the
lungs, died at the Central House.
Irving Poiners, living in the adjoining town
OF Madison; died at half-past 3 o-day.
Reuben Ferguson, of Rome; aged 40, died
this afternoon.
The number OF wounded who have received
medical treatment foots up this evening
to 224, taking no account of the minor
INJURIES and those taken TO their homes
in the country. Over one-half are frac.
lures and dislocations of limbs, and il
will not be matter of surprise if the percent
age of deaths should be doubled inside of forty-
eight hours Thirteen out of sixteen members
Of the band are badly hurt and their instru
ments, bought July 4, are irreparably wrecked.
Public attention is now fixed upon the in
quest, and the people intend that the RESPONSE
bility for building such death-trap shall be
properly located.