The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1895-10-09
A DEATH TRAP.
An Appalling Accident Occurs at
Lorain, o.
Hundreds of People Thrown Into the Base
ment of New Church-One Killed
and More than a Score Injured,
Eleven OF Whom VIII Die-A
Frlghtful Catastrophe.

LoRAIx, O., Oct. IA frightful acci-
dent attended the laying of the corner
stone for the new st. Mary's Catholic
church in this city Sunday morning.
Fully 5000 people were gathered
around the foundation for the new
structure and the priests were aboutto
begin services when platform con-
structed of boards and running en-
tirely across the area, on which there
were about 1000 people, gave way,
precipitating 800 of them into the ex-
cavation A panic ensued which re-
suited in increasing the fatalities.
The foundation for the building ex-
tended about ten feet above the base
ment floor, and on this was erected a
platform where the ceremonies were
held. Over 1000 persons were standing
on the floor when section Of 1t con-
tanning about 800 people sank beneath
its burden and precipitated them into
the pit The section which gave way
vas in two wings, and rs it sank 1t
formed death trap for the people
from which there was no chance TO
escape. The pit resembled an inverted
roof of very steep slant, the ends being
closed up by stone walls, and into this
were crowded men, women and chill
dren in one struggling heap. As the
floor gave way great cry went up
from the multitude, but in another
second it had fallen and carried in its
ruin the lives of several persons.
Those at the top of the mass escaped
easily. but when the pit was partly
cmptied those victims still entrapped
could not Chamber up the steep sides,
and they trampled each other like so
many wild creatures, the strong get
ting on top and the weak being crushed
beneath the great weight. Although
there were thousand people ready to
rush to the rescue, they could render
very little aid to the helpless persons
in the pit and several minutes elapsed
before ropes and ladders could be pro-
cured. When assistance finally reached
the unfortunates, one had already
been trampled to death and others IA
tally injured. The old Catholic church
nearby was turned into hospital and
morgue, Into this was carried those
who were killed and injured. The fol-
lowing is list, so far as ascertained.
Killed:
Mary Weber, 3 years old.
Fatally iniured-Rosa McGee, years old, Of
Lorain skull fractured.
Kate Griffin, = years old, OF Lorain, injured
internally.
Mrs Mary McGrath, of Lorain. left let
crushed and injured internally.
Mrs. John Ensten, aged lady, OF Loraln, lei
leg crushed and chest injured
Mrs Cornelius Sullivan, Of Lorain spine in
jured and left leg crushed.
Mary Sieder, aged lady, OF Lorain, ches
crushed and hurt internally.
Mrs. Nike Keeling OF Lorain injured inter
nally.
John Feldkamp OF Lorain hurt internally
Miss Kate Deidrick of Sheffield, both leg'
broken and hurt internally.
Mrs. Margaret Mackerc, of Lorain, hurt In
ternaly.
Nicholas Wagner, OF Elyria, skull fractured
Seriously injured-Nellie Dollard, OF Lorain
head cut
Leo Theobald. years old back of head cut
Col. W. l. Brown, Of Lorain, right arm AM
left leg bruised.
Mrs John Fox of Sheffield both legs broken
Mrs William Burgett, OF Lorain, hurt inter
nally
Mrs Mary Latimer, OF Carlisle Center, righ
leg crushed.
Mrs Mary OKeefe, OF Lorain, hurt internally
John Martin, of Lorain. left leg broken
John Ensten. OF LOrain. neck hurt
Mrs. l. NJ. Bruce, OF Hoganville, left ankl
broken.
William Ryan, Of Lorain, right leg broken
Mrs. O'Keefe, of Lorain leg crushed wi
have 10 be amputated.
Notwithstanding the shock of the aC
cident, the priests succeeding in quiet
ing the crowd and continued the serv
ices. Very Rev. Boff, of Cleveland, de
livered the sermon. The contractor
are said to be responsible for the acci
dent, poor timbers having been use,
for the support of the platform.