The Washington times., 1904-06-17
ST. MARKS PARISH
IS DISCONSOLATE
Pail of Grief and Silence
Over Community.
UNDERWRITERS 0VERW0RKED
Funds Being Raised-Sympathy From
Catholics-Pastor Haas I'm
proving.
UNDERTAKES ovERWoRKED

NEW YORK, June 17.-St. Marks
Lutheran parish mourned fits dead yes
terday and would not be cS4nforted.
Within the confines OF a district less
than half a mile square are situated
nine-tenths of all the homes which have
been made desolate by the disaster.
Here live the shattered families.
Over this community hangs a pail of
grief and gloom. unlike any which has
ever rested above a similar area in this
city. The cloud of despair has moved
from the scene of the disaster and dark
ness to st. Marks parish. where the
moUrners are gathered.
Reminders of the Horror.
on all sides are reminders Of the
calamity. II is felt in the hush OF the
crowded tenements, in the unusual quiet
Of the groups OF children in the streets,
who are awe-struck by the absence of
scores Of their little playmates; in the
rumble OF hearses which p,Gs through
the streets in seemingly eo,d.esc process
sion.
Death has overwhelmed tsi1 COM
munity Of homes. There is no quarter
which does not wear its badges Of
mourning. White crepe. telling the
story OF lost children, Is everywhere
in evidence. The entrance OF one house
alone is hung with five of these sym
bols. Back crepe shows here and there,
but the "preponderance of white formed
a striking contrast
Fathers and mothers who had lost
children dragged YEARLY through the
streets after u~navailing search for their
dead. hoping to hear news from some
OF the pathetic little groups gathered
in the streets.
A majority Of the families belong to
a thrifty German element with closely
knit communai ties. Each Is known
more or less intimately TO the other
and for this reason familics mingled
prayers of thankfulness for escape with
suppications for a tightening of the sor-
row OF dear friends who mOurned their
dead.
Silence in Thronged Streets.
1t was no unusual sight to see men
and women with tears streaming down
their cheeks. Around the disconsolate
clustered little groups OF sympathizers.
Poignant outbursts OF grief were not in
frequent. Most marked was the unusual
quiet of the parish. 1t was noticeable
IN the morning and evening hours when
the toilers set forth and ~returned from
their work Silently and with impressive
order the thTongs moved through the
tho~roughfares OF the parish.
Shades We're drawn in the windows of
all the families there. This tribute Of
respect was paid almost without excep-
ton whether or not death was present
in tho house.
Flags were at half-mast throughout
the parish. and the fronts of nearly all
OF the political clubs were draped. Black
ana white were also festooned on many
private houses.
Undertakers Overwhelmed.
With more demands upon them to
take care Of the lead than they dared
promise 20 fulfil the undertakers In that
section of the city found their estab-
lishments besieged by relatives OF the
i victims Of the RgfnufrOnha hrUpf1r -
them that they arrange for the burial
OF Just one more" Turned away by
lone undertaken, another was sought, and
50 on until perhaps a mile from the des-
olate district ar undertaken was found,
one who would be able TO make the ar
rangements.
There are about thirty-hve undertake
ing establishments between Grand
Street on the south and Tenth Street on
the north. and IL was these that were
principally concerned IN the burial OF
the Slocum's dead. Hurrying the bodies
from the morgue as soon as the identi-
hcations We're made and the permits OF
removal issued. they were taken 10 the
various Undertaking Establishments for
preparation for burial. Men who had
Been working all through Wednesday
night were In readiness. and the bodies
were carried away 10 the homes. where
relatives or friends awaited them.
Dead on the Sidewalks.
it was impossible for those whose duty
It is to prepare the dead for burial to
care adequately for all. Thus IT was
that in a few Isolated cases bodies lay
IN rough boxes on the sidewalks until
room could be made within doors for
their accommodation.
With this Unprecedented demand for
their services. the undertakers called for
assistance upon establishments In
brooklyn and throughout Manhattan.
Temporary boxes were all in use early
In the morning. and wagon loads Of them
were brought from Brooklyn and from
the northernmOst part Of the city.
With the funerals which viii begin 90
move through hat part OF the city to-
day. there can be no long line of car
S1.a5 Baltimore and Return, B. & o..
Saturday and Sunday. AL trains both
days, both WAYS. exccpt Rovai I iuft.J