The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-03-21
Father O'Kourke Helps
Save Seven People

One of the first persons on the scene
was the Rev. Father James A. O'Rourke,
pastor of ST. Margaret's Roman Cath
olic Church. whose residence IS directly
opposite the Grover factory. The hero
ism of the priest was one OF the strik-
ing incidents of the tragedy. He told q
dramatic story Of his experience.
Soon after breakfast, as | was seated
at my front window, l was startled by a
terrific explosion The whole roof of the
structure appeared to be lifted fully ter
feet, and then it sank back and the
floors seemed to collapse. The shock was
almost like an earthquake.
Immediately | realized that my scr
| vices as spiritual adviser would be re-
quired, for many OF the men and women
| of my parish were employed at the fac.
tory. Hastily l got my ritual and went
across the street The front wall was
then intact, and men and women were
t leaping from the windows, many Of
them with blood streaming down theil
| faces. Several of those who had es-
capped saw and recognized me.
Dying in Denton Street.
| They are dying out there on Denton
street, they said. this being at the rear
of the factory, where the chaos and The
disaster were greatest. and there l hur-
ried. The cries OF the wounded and
! dying sounded above the din.
Several men had gathered at thu
| spot. We Immediately began the Wort;
! of saving those who were nearest to III.
street. Huge timbers and twisteJ
masses of iron piping, shafting. and ma
chlnery had pinioned men and women
and TO drag these in safety TO the sf-,.1.,
/! 1t was necessary to lift up the weight
by main strength, using our shoulders
! Seven. to my knowledge, wer.
brought TO the street as the result OF
our labors. Then the fire. which was
! IKE roaring furnace, drove us back
The scene was agoniZing In there
amid the ruins. already fuel for the or.
rushing flames, ! could see men aof
women They called to me- many Of
them being my parishioners They
begged me TO give them absolution
Eight men nearest to me wer" -'' n rjl1-ol,
down, and | could see their faces and
hear their voices distinctly.
ITO these and to the unfortunatee
further in. whose cries also reached nv
ears. l gave absolution, asking them
to lift their hearts and their thoughts
to God and pray for His forgiveness
before going into the presence of tho
Almighty.
-'They prayed, many of them. and ms
the fire swept over the ruins | asked fur
them the forgiveness which is for all
and gave them absolution according t.
the ritual of the Roman Catholic Church
provided for these terrible emergencies
When the flames were almost upou
lis and we were about 10 fee for safety
one poor fellow begged that a last effort
be made TO save him. Three of us
grasped the man by the shoulders and
arms and tugged and pulled until sud
denly he cried: My God. my leg is
pulled off,
1T was terrible. especially so because
moment later. with our clothfne
scorched. we were ordered away by tho
chief Of the fire department. and we
were reluctantly compelled to leave the
poor man TO his fate.
Just before leaving | saw at least
fifteen of the imprisoned sufferers. some
already suffering untold agonies from
the flames, which were actually, cooking
their flesh, and others watching with
terror stricken eyes the fate of their
companions, knowing that a moment or
two would bring to them similar suf-
fering-"