Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1902-09-25
MISTAKEN CRY OF FIGHT FOR FIRE
DISASTER OCCURS JUST AS BOOK
Err WASHINGTON CON.
cLUpEs ADDRESS.
1RAMPlfD AND CRUSHED TO DEATH
BODIES OF DEAD NEGROES AeF
STREWN IN EVERY Of.
REcTION.

| Birmingham. Ala, Sept 21.-In an
awful crush OF humanity caused by a
stampede in the Shiloh Negro Ban
tist church at Avenue G and Eish-
,eenth streets last night seyenty-eight
persons were killed and as many more
seriously injured. The catastrophe &C
CURED at s o'clock. just as Booker T.
Washington had concluded his address
TO the national convention of Baptists
and for three hours the scenes around
the church were indescribable Dead
bodies were strewn in every direction.
and the ambulance service OF the city
was utterly incapacita,ed to move
them until after l o'clock.
The church is the largest house of
worship for negroes in Birmingham.
and the pastor says there were at
least 1000 persons in the edifce when
the stampede began. Instructions had
been issued to allow no more TO enter.
but the negroes forced their way in
in every aisle; even the entrance 10
the church
Was Literally Packed.
Just as Booker T. Washington con
Guided his address Judge BiIiou.
negro lawyer from Baltimore. engaged
in an alteration with the choir leader
concerning an unoccupied seat. and il.
is said blow was struck. Some one
il the choir cried fight" Mis5aking
the word fight" for fire" the con
gTesation rose en- nasse and started
for the door. One of the ministers
quickly mounted the rost-um and ao-
Elonished the people to keen ouier.
He repeated the word quiet several
times and motioned to his hearers to-
be seated. But the excited congresa-
ton mistook the word quiet" for
fire. and renewed the struggle to,
reach the door Men and women
crawled over benches. fought their
way into the aisles, and those who
had fallen were trampled under foot
The ministers tried again and again to-
stop the stampede, but no power on
earth apparently could stay the strus-
Cling.
Fighting Mass Of Humanity.
The screams OF women and children
added to the horror OF the scene. and
through mere fright many persons
tainted. and as they fell to the floor
were crushed TO death.
The level OF the floor is about fifteen
feet from the ground and long steps
lead 10 the Sidewalk fro mIhe lobby
just outside the main auditorium.
Brick walls extend on each side of
these steps for six or seven feet. and
this proved a veritable, death trap.
Negroes who had reached the TOD OF
the steps were pushed violently for
ward and many fell. Before they
CCflii move <c;i
IL nTteen minutes persons were piled
upon each other 20 the height OF ten
1eet- This wall Of living beings blocked
me entrance and the weight OF 1850
persons was pushed against il. More
enan twenty persons lying on the steps
underneath the heap OF bodies died
from sutccasion.
Two white men we're in the rear OF
the cnurch when the rush began. and
and. realizing the serious
ness OF the situation. rushed - = cor.
aer near By and
Turned in Fire Alarm.
Inc department came quickly and
The arrival of the wagons served IN
scatter the crowd which had gathered
around the front OF the church. 4
squad OF police was also fastened 10
ne church. and with the freuen. final
) succeeded IN releasing the negroes
rom their piniooed positions in the.
The dead bodies were
quickly removed and the crowd inside
lnoins an outlet came pouring out.
scores OF them lost their footing and
oiled down the long steps 70 the
'avemenr, sustaining broken limbs
nd internal injuries.
IN an hour the church had been
feared and the sight which greeted
ne eyes OF those who had come 10 aid
ne injured was sickening. Down the
Isles and along the outside OF the
ews the dead bodies OF men and
omen were sITewn. and the cries of
ne manned and crippled were heart
encins IN few minutes the work
removing the bodies was begun. At
east fifteen OF those Injured died be-