The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-09-20
BURIEDUNDER TONS OF ROCK
Between Twenty and Fifty People
Killed by a Landslide at Quebec.
Thirteen Dead and Sixteen Injured Taken Out
at 2 O'Clock This Morning. and Many
Others Beneath the Ruins.
epeciai to the Indianapolis J ,urnaI

epecial to the Indianapolis ,urnaE
QUEBEC, Sept. 19.-To-night large por-
tion of Cape Diamond, below the citadel.
became detached and, sliding down, buried
q number of houses beneath mass of rock
and dirt. A number of dead bodies have
been taken from the RUNS but
the total loss of life is not
known. A number of persons,
more or less injured, were quickly rescued.
1t will be hours before any comprehensive
idea of Nbe number of the dead can be ar
rived at, as some of the houses are under
twenty-five feet of debris.
at the foot of the cliff is a narrow street,
which occupies all of the space be-
tween the cape and the river. Along
the river side of this street were
situated the houses which were crushed by
the terrible avalanche of rock. In May,
1s4l. a similar landslide occurred, which
destroyed several buildings and killed
thirty-twO people. From present indica-
tions it is feared the loss of life by to-
nights landslide will be equally as great.
In 1852 another slide caused the
death of several persons about half mile
from the scene of the recent disaster. The
street is entirely filed by the wreckage,
and large force of men is at work clear
ing it away. Several families are known
to have been entombed, and it is feared
that all are dead.
Late estimates place the number killed
outright between twenty-five and thirty.
Up to 11:30 six bodies have been taken
from the ruins-Thomas Farrell and two of
his children; also. two children named
Burke. and one unknown child. Farrelrs
mother-in-law. Mrs. Allen, and her hus-
band are still in the ruins. About twenty
five persons have been removed from
the debris very badly injured. Some have
broken arms and legs, others badly crushed
and mutilated. 1t Is now estimated that
at least fifty persons are yet under the
ruins. The fire brigade and police force
are on the ground rendering valuable as
sistance. All the injured were removed to
the marine and fisheries departments,
where medical men and clergymen looked
after them.
The debris covers the road in solid mass
for over 600 feet in length and from fifteen
to twenty-five in height. 1t is impossible
to say at present how many are dead and
wounded. Every one is working heroically
and under difficulties, as the night is in
tensely dark and the electric lights were
rendered useless by the landslide. Cries of
help" help" are heard from beneath the
debris, but none can be given.
LATER--At 1 A. NJ. very little progress is
being made in recovering bodies owing to
the stupendous mass of rock covering the
ruins. The body of woman named Mrs.
Berrigan has Just been pulled out of the
debris. Tons of rocks are falling, and it is
feared the whole bowlder forming the high
est point of Quebec will give way.
At2 O'Clock this morning thirteen dead
and sixteen badly injured had been taken
recover all. The damage will ex.
ceed 100000. Officers of the
royal school with large force of cavalry
arecOming TO aid in rescuing the injured
Six hundred men are now at work The
blood and dust make mako a sickeninp
spectacle.