Delta chief., 1884-12-24
THE BROOKLYN HORROR.

THE BROOKLYN HORROR.
Burning of the Catholic Orphan Asylum
With Terrible Loss of Life.
NEW YORK, December 1S.-The
Catholic Male Orphan Asylum, at St. Marks
and Albany avenue, Brooklyn, burned this
afternoon, and 1t is feared some of the chill
dren perished in the flames. The sisters in
charge think that all escaped, but they cannot
tell until the roster of the boys is called. The
little fellows are now scattered about in the
care of the residents OF the neighborhood.
The FIRE started in the drying room, which ad-
Joined the southern end OF the main building.
This drying room also contained the boilers
and heating apparatus, with dormitory on
the third floor, In which there were sixty Or
phans suffering from various complaints.
Mother Dechantel and Sister Anthony were
in the office when the FIRE was discovered. They
at once gave the alarm and proceeded to get
the youngsters out Of the building. There
were 7e5 orphans In the main building, which
Is also known as 81. Johns Home. They were
told 70 Leave the Home and seek shelter in any
Of the neiGbboring houses until they were CALI
ed for. There WAS great excitement among
the inmates, and hundreds Of the little fellows
ran out into the falling snow hatless and coat
less. The flames spread with great rspidity,
stroyed.
NEW YORK, December 19-Brooklyn's lat
est horror is another evidence of the sad truth
that no amount Of good intentions can atone
for lack OF proper precaution and vigilance.
Hundreds OF children In the asylum were ten
derly protected against all harm except that
which could have been most easily guarded
against-fre. There was very larpe water
hydrant In the yard with four butts, but there
Ana.x L.
other means Of e1tinguishing q fire, and what
began as a trivial accident, ended in an awful
tragedy.
boys in the Institution were playing In the
the parents Of the children had come to see
them. About thirty children were in the
inhrmary, on the second floor; and, on the
floor above, twenty-five more children, who
under the charge Of Sister Mary ossphine,
who was similarly afflicted. In the laundry
below, were Mrs. Feenev, the laundress, the
assistant lsandress, and Sister Clements. Mrs.
Feeney noticed the smell Of rags In the drying
room, and, on opening its doors, q cloud Of
smoke poured out.
The cry Of fire was raised, and the boys in
the yard took 1t up, and Sister Anthony, who
was In charge OF the sick ones In the ipfirnary.
heard the alarming yell, and soon saw the
black clouds OF smoke coming from the win
dows beneath, and she Immediately signaIed
FOR attention from the little ones by clappipg
her hands. In the room Of which she had
charge seven helpless cripples were in bed.
These she caused the strongest boys to take in
their arms, and having made her charges form
In line, she marched them safely out Of the
burning building.
On the floor above, where the half blind
children to tho number Of twenty-five were
under the charge of Sister Josephine, q scene
OF the most terrible panic ensued. The fear
stricken children ran about the room calling
K,uh bali -taI
the binding smoke, while others, In their
frantic fear, huddled In the corners from
which they were rescued, and others fed 10
the roof. The unfortunate Sister Josephine
were under her charge, and her semi blindness
being intensified by the clouds of smoke that
dlled the stairways and rooms, rushed for safe
~ 70 the roof, where she appeared In the midst
OF the flames and smoke, calling loudly on the
A fireman, while lying prone on the roof Of
the main building, attempted to swing his
overcost to the imperiled sister. The first
and second attempts were unsuccessful, and
on third its edge just touched the buildings
roof. The sister sprang and grasped 1t for q
moment, and It seemed as II her life was saved,
and the crowd cheered Justify. For moment
she swung In the air between the two build
feil to the ground, dying soon sfterward.
1t is yet absolutely impossible to tell where
the inmates Of the institution can be found.
In the station houses, the car stables and in
private houses the wallis found shelter. Late
this afternoon list Of the children WIS made
up and 1913 were unaccounted for. While It
may turn out that not one Of these Is among
the ruins, the fact remains that tons OF burnt
timber, warped iron and fallen bricks which
have not yet been removed may entOmb many
more corpses than have been recovered. The
trustees Of the LONE have hired force OF men
to continue the search until II is settled be-
yond question that there are no more bodies in
the wreck OF the building.
Bishop Lsughlin IL the nominal President Of
the society which has the care Of the orphans.
The sctual officers and "managersn are lay.
men. These laymen evercised control and d.
rection Of matters. There are now many ex-
pressions Of Indignation agsiust this 'mapage-
inent,W which made It possible for s'hoIocaust-
ing to heaven" 20 many little ones who had
been committed 70 their guardianship. The
dead bodies that had been recovered up TO =
late hour this afternoon number thirteen. Bis
ter Mary Josephine, who was killed, was IS
years old, and had belonged to the order for