The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-03-21
PRIEST ONE OF THE HEROES
Father O'Rourke Tells Story of Eolo-
caust and Rescues.

New York Sun Special Service.
Brockton, Mass, March 2l.-Rev. |
Father James A. O'Rourke, for the past
two years curate at St. Margaret's Ro-
man Catholic church, which is directly
opposite the ruined factory of R. B.
Grover y Co., was one OF the: heroes
Of the holocaust yesterday. With a
heroism that commands the admiration
Of the whole city, he assisted in saw
ing the lives Of seven men. lifting them
from amid the wreckage with strength
almost superhuman, and when at last
he was driven back, himself cut and
about thirty-fve men and women for
whom there was no hope. The heroism
of the priest was the dramatic incident
of the tragedy.
Father O'Rourke describes the awful
scene with frank simplicity and the
graphic strength of an eyewitness. He
Shortly after breakfast, while I was
seated at the window, 1 was startled by
the terrific explosion. The whole roof Of
the structure appeared to be lifted fully
ten feet and then it sank back and the
floors seemed to collapse. The shock was
like an earthquake.
Leaping from Windows
Immediately realized that my services
as spiritual adviser would be required, for
many Of the men and women of the parish
were employed at the factory. Hastily
gathered my ritual and went across the
street. The front wall was then intact
and men and women were leaping from
the windows. many Of them with blood
streaming down their faces. Several Of
| those who had escaped saw and recog-
nized me.
They are dying out there on Denton
street." they said, and there I hurried
! The cries Of the wounded and dying
, sounded above the din.
! Several men had gathered at the spot
We Immediately began the work of saw
ing those who were nearest to the street
| Huge timberc and twisted masses of iron
| piping, shafting and machinery had pin
| toned men and women, and to drag these
! in safety to the street 1t was necessary Il
! lift up the weight by main strength. using
! our shoulders. Seven, to my knowledge
were brought to the street as the result o.
our labors. Then the fire, which was LIKE
a roaring furnace. drove us back.
Scene Was Agonizing.
1.-THE scene was agonizing. In there
amid the ruins, already fuel for the on
rushing flames. I could see men and WON
en-. They called to me, many of them be
ing my parishioners. They begged me t.
give them absolution. Eight men neares
to mo were pinned down and I could Sc
their faces and hear their voices dis
tinctly. To these and to the unfortunate
farther in. whose cries also reached m
ears I gave absolution, asking them t
lift their eyes and hearts to God and pra
for His forgiveness before going into tn
presence of the Almighty. They prayed
and as the fire swept over the ruin I aske
for them the forgiveness which Is for a
and gave them dissolution according t
the ritual of the Roman Catholic church
which provides for these terrible eme1
gencies. What did was nothing; merel
my duty as a priest
Priest Face Scorched.
Father O'Rourke remained so nea
the flames that his face was badl
scorched. He dislocated his shoulde
in straining beneath the weight Of tin
bers and metal, that men might /
saved, and he twice risked his life. II
was assisted to the parochial residenc
shortly after and was attended by
physician.
Twice before in his life as a. prie'
has Father O'Rourke absolved men {
sin when there was no time for tt
confession which the Catholic churc
requires, the first being in railroa
accident between Boston and Ston
ham, and the second in a sewer trag
dy in Stoneham, where five men WEI
buried beneath the earth. He is
young man and was an athlete in h
college days.