The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1883-06-07
PANIC ON BROOKLYN BRIDGE.
Twelve Persons Killed ana Many In
jured as a Result Of Stupidity On
paralleled.

vWelV0 PERSONS AlBl0u anu MANY LII.
jured as a Result Of Stupidity Un.
paralleled.
Shortly after o'clock last Wednesday
afternoon q 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, were trampled to death in
mad rush that was absolutely needless, or,
as it is believed, was started by pickp 'ckets.
The alarm was at once given in the proper
quarters. Ambulancss were sent as speed
lily as possible, and reserves of policemen
to the number of nearly 100 were Iordered
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,
it 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
he ascerjnined were sixteen in number.
Besides these, there were dozens, probably
scores, who either received injuries too
slisht 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 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
hoar there were thousands of people on
Brooklyn. The air was clear and brisk,
and people walking rapidly. As the crowd
approached the short flight of steps, those
in front pushed back for fear they would
be precipitated over the steps distance of
about six feet. These people, 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 back" 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
The shouting and rowling from the Brook
Ign siGc increased. It 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 five 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 frightsul pressure from behind.
and the front of the crowd was forced nearer
and nearer to the edge Of the steps. Won
en- and children were screaming for help,
and men children were shouting confusedly.
Umbrellas, parcels and canes were thrown
over the rails at theside by people who need.
ed their hands to fl ht their way
OUT OF THE DESPERATE CROWD.
At last with single shrek cutting through
the clamor Of thousands came the voice OF 8
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 hel
hands and would have got up, but
in another moment she was buried four
over the steps after her. She was dead when
they got her out, more than half an houl
afterward. The men sprang up tn
rails at the sides, and waved the crowd bach
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 littet
children above their heads to save then
from the crush. People were still payin,
their pennies at both gates and swarminl
on. At last people at the New Yorl
end of tho bridge understood what wa
happening, the gates were closed, and
word was sent to Brooklyn to close tn
gate there. Messengers were sent to the pc
lice station at Oak street. but before an!
er.t~iae-holpou u1c thu brid6o police, assisted
by citizens, pressed two grocery wagons
into the ambulance service They were
loaded with d, ad and dying and driven of
the bridge, followed by crowds of dis
tracted men and women. AS the wagon
came out into the street they were obliged t,
stop t. allow brilliant, Uniformed band
playing gay music to pass up chatham
street. Twelve dead bodies had been lai,
in the basement of the Chambers street hos
pital at o'clock.