The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-03-21
BOILER EXPLOSION SENDS
 SCORES TO AWFUL DEATH
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 standing, the operatives were panic stricken as they sought to escape. Many fled down the stairways and reached the street. others ran to the windows. the fire escapes in many cases having been torn away by the explosion. In despera- tion many of them jumped from the sec ond and third story windows to the ground, and were dangerously injured. The crush on the stairways resulted in umerous minor injuries.
 Scarcely had the rear portion of the structure collapsed when a tongue of flame started up from the boiler pit and reaching out as 1t ascended communi- cated with the splintered wreckage and immediately afterward with the stand ing walls. Soon the entire factory was in flames.
 Many Met Instant Death.
 Instant death was the fate of a ma jority who went down with the floors that collapsed. A large number of men and women who working near the sup ports were alive after the floors and walls fell. From these unfortunates thrilling cries of agony and terror went up. AL most all had been caught between broken timbers, lighter wood en wreckage and heavy pieces of machinery A few per sons succeeded in extricating themselves from the wreckage, but more were roast ed to death.
 By this time nearby citizens had ar- rived to assist the employees who escaped in the rescue of their fellows. This task became momentarily more difficult and perilous for the heat from the fire was almost uncomfortable. By the use of long pieces of timber the rescuers were able to raise parts of the wreekage and there by release some of the imprisoned men and women. and then rushing into the smoke pull them from the ruins
 Dies Hero's Death.
 Then 1t was that acts of sacrifice and heroism were performed. One man. whose legs were caught under an iron beam, cried to the rescuers that they could not extrfeate him and to help the girls behind him. Stretching out his arms he lifted seyera girls, one by one and passed them to the rescuers. Then the fire reached him and he died.
 woman who was entangled in shoe machine cried out that she was dying and commanded the rescuers to attend to others who might live. She begged to be shot. Soon the flames enveloped her.
 Among the first to arrive at the scene was Rev. J. ORourke. curator of St Margaret's Roman Catholic church At the risk of his life he removed seven nersons from the ruins before the fire had reached him and was returning Tor the eighth time when he fainted from the effects of the smoke and shock Father OfRourke administered the last rites of the church to many Catholics, hoth to those who were saved and some who later perlshed.
 Father O'RourFe helped in the work or rescue until his shoulder was dislocated and he fainted from exhaustion
 Father O'RourSe said:
 Father o'Rourke Describes Scene.
 ..Pinned beneath heavy pieces of ma ch.nery, timbers and twisted coils of pipe were many poor men and women suffer- in- terrible agonies.
 Tn order to reach these sufferers we had to crawl tn: ough the debris and with the aid of large timber we raised the wreckage which held fast several men and women. In this manner and by brute strength we pulled out seven employees
 sBy this time the flames were almost upon us and we were about to flee for safety when the poor fellow begged that q last effort be made to save him. Three of us grasped the man by the shoulders and arms and pulled until suddenly he cried My God my leg is pulled off!
 ''It was terrible, especially so because a moment later with out clothing scorched we were ordered away by the chief of the fire department and were compelled to leave the poor man to his fate.
 Just before leaving I saw at least flf- teen of the imprisoned operatives, some already suffering untold agonies from the flames which were 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 suffering and then death"