Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-11-26
THE EVENING STAR.
:. November 2G, 1874.


WOMEN PAINTING AND TR ,MPIyp UPoN
=, special dispatch to the Baltimore san gives
the particulars of panic which occurred in
the Lutheran church at Wanesboro. PennSvl-
vanla- Monday night. which resulted in serious
TSnr 70 number Of persons Nightly since
place IN the church between Rev. p BergStres-
SCI, Lutheran clergyman, and Elder S. IL.
Bashore, or the German or Tunker Baptists
from Ashland. Ohio the chief topic being
whether immersion or sprinklng was the true
scrlptural form or baptism. The discussion
caused much excitement in the neighbOrhood
and the church on each occasion was crowded
with the friends of the dlsputants Good order
generally prevailed, although on Saturday night.
after Elder BaShOre mad made n remark as to
the position OF the Lutheran church on the
question OF infant baptism, woman in the con-
gregatfon called out, That is not true which
provoked threat from those in charge OF the
meeting that such Interruptions would not be
allowed. Long before the hour appointed for the
discussion to commence Monday night there was
not standing room in the church. which is a brick
building, having seating capacity of about
GOO. and was filled with over eight hundred
people. Both the floor and the galleries were
denSely packed, while scores OF people outside
struggled to gain admittance. Shortly before
seven O'Clock bench in the church broke,
making cracking noise and at once some
one in the congregation called out the build
ing Is falling. A scene of the widest excite
ment followed, the screams OF women and
children mingng with the shouts and eX-
for the doorways which were soon blocked up
by the frightened crowd. and. to add to the ter
ror, the ratings in the front of the gallery gave
way: precipitating the occupants on the heads
OF those below. Finding that egress by the
doors was cut off, the windows at the back OF
the galleries were burst open. and men and
women Jumped to the ground, a distance OF
twenty feet. The trampng of the crowd on
the floors raised crowd of dust through which
the lighted lamps could only be seen dimly
and another cry, 1.-The building is on fire.
caused all TO redouble their efforts to escape.
although the mass of people had by this time
become SO tightly wedged together that move
ment became almost impossible. The ministers
present endeavored to allay the panic by calling
out, For Gods sake keep quiet; there is nothing
wrong;" but their voices could not be heard for
the cries and groans which came from hundreds
OF voices. Strong men seemed TO have lost all
Self-control, and Joined in the mad rush from
fancied danger; women were either trampled
upon or fell falnting from terror, and children
were unthought of in the general melee. Not
until the building had almost been emptied.
and the people realized that at no time had
there been any cause for alarm, did they begin
to think on the effects of the panic, and on an
examination being made it was found that
many were seriously injured, although. fortu-
nately, no lives We're lost. The majority of the
congregation were from the country districts,
and left for home in their carriages as soon as
possible.