The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1880-09-17
DEATH AT THE ALTAR.
Inund alton of an Irish Chapel.
Dublin c.rr. London Times. Aug 10


5s8 Dublin Corr. London Times. Aug. 10
] Details have reached Dublin Of the terri
BILE catastrophe 10 Roman Catholic chapel
at Gweedolen, county Donegal. The church
is sitaated in deep ravine, between two
granite cliffs, which rise as perpendicularly
from the base to the top ss the side walls
walls Of the chapel and gre almost as high
a the latter. The sanFisty side faces the
sea TO the west. Between the side walls
and this cliff an opening Of about SIX feet
had been cut out Of the rock to give walk
ing space around the chapel to the south
east side. The glen opens up toward the
hills, but is not so deep at any place as
where the chapel ID built. In the middle
OF this glen q stream flows, through no
great body Of water fills up its bed except
In winter time, when IL 10 fed by mountain
torrents. This brook flows down under
the south aisle of the chapel, provision be-
ing made for It's passage by au archway
under the walls and floor of the chapel.
The peculiar site of the chapel is attrib-
uted to the difficulty In getting land for the
purpose. From 10 o'clock on Sunday morn
ing rain fell in torrents, accompanied by
terrific thunder and lightning. The stream
came down frsm the moantain side into the
basin Of the rivulet, covered the crops
with debris. washed away bridge north
of the Gweedore Hotel, and csrried gran
ite boulders, over ron weight, for fully a
mile down its bed. On reaching the high
walls surrounding the chapel yard the i'm
petuous torrent bore down all before it and
entered the chapel by the west gable door.
The scared looks of the people, as If at
some unusual thing passing along the floor
toward the altar, first attracted the atten-
tion Of the Rev. James MacF Fadden, parish
communion. The priest and people pre-
served order, but the unceasing roar Of the
torrent outside induced the pastor to ascend
few steps of the altar, when, on looking
down the aisle he saw the water which had
burst open the massive door, rushing in
ward. He deposited the chalice contain
ing the sacrament In the Tabernacle and
locked tha door. Then, turning to the pso
pie, who we're up to their waists in water
be directed and beckoned them to make
their way out, divesting himself Of his
vestments. The water had now reachee
to bis knees, and seeing DO other means O
safety he assembled the top Of the altar aud
made his way from thence to the rederol
behind 1t, and by the aid Of board cross
ed over the vestry to the cbancel window
which he assembled to safe heighth b,
breaking the panes. BY this time the wat
or had closed the eastern door and ther
burst 1t and the door case outwards, carry.
ing vith it several persons The waite
then carried away the remaining boundar.
wall and bridge sixty yards lower down
Meantime, with the water eight feet deep
terrible scene was occurring inside tn
chapel. The seats, bound together at th
bottom, became floating rafts Of which al
who conld availed themselves TO save thei
lives. A large block Of ar wood carried Il
by the water kept afoat all who could si
on 1t or cling to it. Others were saved b
getting hold of a suspended lamp char
and by grasping the window cords ant
breaking the glass. The interior OF th
chapel was almost destroyed and outsid
, everything was carried away but the soil
rock. There were about four hund re
, people in the chapel. Five dead bodie
have been recovered and no more are mi
. sing. James Ferry, aged 16, was foun
dead at the vestry door, which had lose
/ on his arm, preventing his egress. Tt
others who lost their lives are Neil Dol
erty, Connell Boyle, aged 70 d, Grace Nc
Garpan, aged As Gall married) and Hem
Gallagher, aged 10, fa~ +.#.a .-