River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1883-06-07
PANIC ON BROOKLYN BRIDGE.
Twelve Persons Killed ana Many In
jured as a Result of Stupidity I'm
paraIIeled

Shortly after 4 o'clock last Wednesday
afternoon a panic occurred at the most
dangerous point on the footpath of the
great bridge between Brooklyn and New
York, and fourteen persons, men, women
and children, we're tTampled to death in
mad rush that was absolutely needless, or,
as it is believed, was started by pick ,ckets.
The alarm was ct once given in the proper
quarters Ambulalces were sent as speed
lily as possible and reserves of policemen
to the number of nearly 100 were sordered
out from different station houses. Then
the dead and dying were so quickly taken
to the various station houses and
hospitals that before those who
were passing the Brooklyn entrance when
the disaster occurred, had reached the spot
almost every evidence OF it had been re
moved. Quickly as it occurred, however
il cannot be quickly told, nor were all the
details to be learned quickly. One after
one the dead were picked up and tenderly
carried away. The wounded so far as can
lie asceriained were sixteen in number
Besides these there were dozens, probably
scores, who either received injuries too
slish to require hospital attention, or who
were carried away by their fri nds without
giving notice to the police. In the latter
category were certainly considerable NUM-
Der of persons, for many were seen to be
taken away.
From the Sun Extra: There was a crash
at the steps at the New York approach to
the BROOKLYN bridge this afternoon. A
panic followed, and at least fourteen per-
sons were killed and many wounded. The
crush began shortly before 4, and at that
boar there were thousands of people on
the bridge, most of them coming from
Brooklyn. The air was clear and brisk,
and people walking rapidly. As the crowd
approached the short flight OF steps, those
in rront pushed back Tor fear they would
be precipitated over the steps a distance of
about six feet. These pc pie, in drawing
back from the steps, made the nucleus OF
the jam. for thousands behind them pushed
on unheeding. Almost instantly people be-
gan to shout, "Stand backl" and "Give us
rOom!' Meanwhile the crowd from New
York, which was at the foot of the stairs,
got blocked Men at the head of the New
York crowd fought their way back, leaving
clearing space at the head of the steps.
The shouting and crowding from the Brook
lyn siCc increased. 1t was utteraly inexpli-
cable. People in the advance guard of the
Brooklyn throng were pushed in spite of
themselves towards the steps, They seemed
TO have horror OF going over the steps al
though the flight is only tive or six feet
high. They locked arms and pushed furi
ously back against the thous-
ands coming steadily over from
Brooklyn. In few minutes, at point
Just above the steps, there was slow yield
ing to the frighttul pressure from behind,
and the front of the crowd was forced nearer
and nearer to the edge of the steps. Wom-
en- and children were screaming for help,
and men children were shouting confusedly.
Umbrellas, parcels and canes were thrown
over the rails at the side by people who need
ed their hands to fight their way
OUT OF THE DESPERATE CROWD.
At last with a single shrek cutting through
the clamor OF thousands came the voice OF
young girl who lost her footing on the per
ilous edge, and fell headlong. She
struck the pathway at the foot of the
steps. She raised herself on her
hands and would have got up, but
in another moment she was buried four
deep under the bodies of others who fell
over the steps after her. She was dead when
they got her out, more than half an hour
afterward. The men sprang up the
rails at the sides, and waved the crowd back
from both Sides but the people continued
to crowd on toward the steps. No police
were in sight. Every minute the excite
ment grew worse. Men in the crowd lifted
children above their heads to save them
from the crush. People were still paying
their pennies at both gates and swarming
Oh. At last people at the New York
end of the bridge understood what was
happening, the gates were closed. and
word was sent TO Brooklyn to close the
gate there. Messengers were sent to the po-
lice station at Oak street, but before any
outside help came the bridge police, assisted
by citizens, pre- 'sed two grocery wagons
into the ambulance service. They were
loaded with ad and dying AMI driven eff
the bridge, followed by crowds of dis
tracted men and women. AS the wagons
came out into the street they were Obliged to
stop t allow a brilliant, Uniformed band,
playing gay music to pass up chatham
street. Twelve dead bodies had been laid
in the basement of the Chambers street hos
pital at o'clock