The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-09-21
POLICEMAN INJURED.


really fully realized until 1 reached
home
POLICEMAN INJURED.
Among the other white men on the
scene at or near the beginning of the
panic were Policemen Elledge and Nor
rell, both of whom were injured. Norrell
was only slightly injured, but Mr.. FL
ledge sustained injuries which forced
him to bed and required the service of
physician. His injuries were about the
limbs and internally. Last night he was
resting easily. and 1t was stated he would
probably soon be able to return to his
work. Mr.. Norrell returned to his duties
yesterday.
Another story of the affair, as seen
from the outside. was told by the Rev.
A. B. Williams, a delegate from Men
din. La. He said:
Il had just stepped outside when Pro-
fessor Washington finished and singing
commenced. Suddenly | noticed a jam
at the entrance, followed by a crowding
out of many men and women. Then
everybody began tumbling down the
steps leading to the landing
Il saw men and women trample on
those who had fallen down in a mad en-
deaver to get to the other steps lead
ing down to the sidewalk. Then the
cries of those fallen rent the air A
voice became hushed almost in an instant
to be taken up by another and another
and another l cried to the people rush
ing on TO stop. Back brothers. back sis
ters, 1 cried out to the people, but it had
~ effect. The crowd grew larger and
stronger and finally there was a conges-
ton of people in that archway which
was very high. I realized In moment
or two that something terrible had hap
pened The moaning and groans Of those
who had been trampled under foot Is
hard to even relate.
1.-The people were desperate In their
efforts TO get out. My voice warning
them to go back and stop had no effect
whatsoever. A minute or two later
would have caught me in that awful
rush 1 must say that the white people
who came to the rescue after the accident
were very very kind and offered all kinds
of sympathy.
L believe that the crowding began a
minute of two before the words fight
and fire were uttered In the church.
Just as soon as Professor Washington
completed his lecture many people be-
gan leaving the building. The rush grew
stronger and stronger every minute. Then
the hollering in the church caused the
awful congestion in that archway."
MAYOR DRENNEN AT WORK.
Mayor Drennen was busy during the
day attending the wants of such sufferers
as called at his office.
He dispensed with all other work during
the day and devoted his entire time to
whatever work of relief or administra-
ton that came to his notice. Dozens Of
kilograms were received by him from
all sections of the country inquiring for
| the safety of relatives and friends who
were attending the convention. All of
| these kilograms were answered promptly,
/ prepaid.
There has been no appeal made to the
city for aid and Mayor Drennen stated
/ yesterday afternoon there had been no
official steps taken up to that time and
| unless there was an appeal for such aid
he would issue no call for a meeting.
Il am doing all that I can possibly do
in the way of relief In this deplorable
and horrible affair" he said. II have
been giving it my entire time and atten-
ton today and shall do so as long as my
aid is desired. l have requested those in
charge OF the convention to come to me
with whatever complaints they have and
with all matters which they could not
handle or did not understand, and 1
would do everything l could for them
PROMINENT MASON.
The Rev j.. r. Price of New Orleans,
whose name appears in the list of dead.
was most worshipful grand master of
the grand lodge of negro Masons of Lou
isiana and Texas and is well known
throughout the United States. DR.. Price
lost his life In an effort to save several
women who were being crushed to death
/ beneath the panic stricken crowd in the
church. Three times he fought his way
into the building and brought out three
! women The fourth time he was caught
/ in the onrush and before he could ex-
/ trcate himself was borne to the floor
! of the church and died of suffocation.
! Sarah Peyton of New Orleans. whose
name also appears in the list of dead.
was well known as an active missionary
worker.
The citizens of Birmingham have start
ed a relief fund to care for the dead and
! injured and over a hundred dollars has
] already been subscribed
! While the work of rescue was being so
attentively and carefully carried forward
/ and the bodies were being removed from
| the stacks into which they were piled,
( an unknown German woman did valiant
/ service She was around among the dead
and crowded bodies directing in as COM
handing and calm manner as any man
OF official on the ground. She seemed to
lose sight of everything and everybody
except those whom she was directing.
She urged them to display their strength
in a heroic manner.
/ At the same time Chief of Police Aus
tin, Captain VIII Weir and many citi-
zens were assisting in removing the bodies
! and taking charge of them.
Among the victims of the deplorable
disaster Friday night at the Shiloh Bap-
/ fist church was Kassougo, the African
boy brought from the Congo Free State
! two years ago by the Rev. S. Phillips
Werner Of Tuscaloosa. Mr.. Werner was
a missionary to the Congo country, and
| had the misfortune to fall into a game
pit and was severely wounded by the
point of poisoned star. Kassougo suck
ed the poison from the wound and saved
/ MT Verner's life The latter brought
him with him on his return to this
country and was educating him at Still
J man institute with view to his retrun-
J ing to Africa as a teacher of his peo-
pie. During the summer vacation he
was working at the Hardie-Tynes ma
chine shops. He was an unusually bright