Evening journal., 1897-05-06
THE PARIS DISASTER
Over One Hundred Corpses Have
Been Recovered
TOTAL NUMBER OF DEAD UNKNOWN.
Only One American Perlshed In the Dread
ful Catastrophe-The Remains of the
Duchess dAlencon Identified at
the Temporary Morgue.


the Temporary Morgue.
Paris, May 6.-The terrible fire at the
Grand Bazaar de Charlie, a temporary
wooden structure about 100 yards long
and 80 yards wide erected in the Rue
Jean Goujon for the annual charity
fair, of which all the most prominent
society women of Paris are patronesses
has thrown the French capital into
profound mourning. AS already re-
ported in these dispatches, the disaster
is the most appalling that has ever af-
flicted this city.
Thus far more than 10 corpses have
been recovered. together with u por-
tions of bodies whose identity may
never be established.
Since o'clock yesterday morning
crowds of people have been fiocking to
the Palais de l'Industrie, where many
of the bodies and large number of the
injured were taken.
The search for the dead continues IN
the ruins. Quantities of coins, watches.
rings, necklaces and bracelets have
been picked up in the charred mass Of
burned wood and mud forming the
foundation of the debris.
The body of the Duchess d'Alencon
has been identified among those Of the
victims.
The Duchess dAlencon was the sis
ter Of the empress of Austria and the
wife of Prince Ferdinand OF Orleans.
She was a duchess Of Bavaria and was
born in 1S47.
The duchess daughter, Princess Lou
ise, is married to Prince Alphonse Of
Bavaria, and her son, Prince Philippe,
IS the husband Of Princess Henriette Of
Belgium. The former queen of Naples
is one of her sisters. The duchess was
a woman of great wealth and one Of
the most prominent ladies Of France.
The remains of the duchess We're iden-
titled by her dentist, who examined the
teeth of a charred body which was be-
lieved to be hers. The blackened corpse
was charred almost beyond resem-
blance to anything human, but some Of
the servants Of the household of her
royal highness fancied that they saw in
It something reminding them Of their
mistress, particularly the teeth. The
dentist of the duchess was thereupon
sent for in haste. and he promptly rec
ognized his handiwork in the gold fill
ing Of the teeth.
Since the Disaster.
AS soon as the bodies are claimed by
the anxious relatives and others who
are searching for the missing and who
have been lowering in despair about
this spot since the disaster they are
placed in carriages held -in-waiting and
are taken to their former homes.
The scene last night was a remarka-
BILE one. Long lines Of infantry were
drawn in Gordon around the dreadful
spot The bonfres and torches. electric
lights and gas jets used to illuminate
the scene reflected upon the bayonets
and accourterments of the soldiers and
threw a ghastly illumination upon the
houses Of the vicinity. the windows of
which We're crowded during most of
the night with people watching the
work Of horror.
Every now and then a hearse would
be called from the line of such vehicles
stationed in proximity to the scene OF
the fire. a black mass Of what was but
so recently joyous humanity would be
tenderly lifted into it. and another vic
tim of the confiagration would be taken
20 one OF the temporary morgues in the
Palais de pIndustrie or at the neigh
boring Hospital Beaujon.
Only One American Victim.
Frequently as many as a dozen
hearses were gathered together in the
courtyard Of the Palais de lIndustrle,
and opposite the entrance of that build
ing dozens Of collins of plain white
wood were ranged, ready to receive the
bodies of those who had succumbed to
the flames or to the smoke or who had
been trampled to death i'm that terri
hle stampede and whose bodies had
subsequently been charred beyond rec
ognition.
In response TO inquiry at the British
and American embassies and CONSUL
ates it was emphatically stated that
the only victim Of the bazaar fire Of
American or English nationality was
Mrs. Porges. She was a Miss Weis-
weller. The POrges family belongs in
Vienna. Mile. Porges escaped uninjur-
ed. The rumor that the Comtesse de
Castellane (Anna Could was among
the missing is without foundation.
The unidentifio% bodies as we'll as the
jewels recovered from the debris have
been photographed by the Bertillor
method, and the funeral services of tn,
victims have been fixed for the Cathe
dral Of Notre Dame. NJ. Faure win at
tend, and Pere Richard will probabl,
officiate.
At special session Of the cabinet &
was decided to ask the chamber of den
uties for a special credit in aid of tn,
needy families. The minister of ibs
tice communicated to his colleagues tn,
first results Of his inquiry as to tn,
causes OF the fire. The invest{gatint
magistrate. NJ. Dertolu. reports tha
there was great carelessness and i'm
prudence i'm the principal arrange
ments for the bazaar. NJ. Girard. di
rector Of the municipal laboratory. re
ports that the ether in the lamps use,
for IT, cinematograph set fire 10 IN,
film. the flames then igniting the an
-oaratus.
Coming Meeting of roresters,