New-York tribune., 1910-02-18
PANIC IN SCHOOL
WILD RUMOR CAUSE.
Mothers Add to Senseless
Afarm-No One Hurt.

Ihere was wild panic among $500 girls
in Public School 141 at leonard and Nc
kfbben streets. Williamsburg inst before
the assembly of the afternoon session yes
terday. 1t started in the basement play
ground, and was caused by false rumor
that the building was going to no blown up
Before all the teachers who were at their
posts. realized the seriousness of the affair
the children got beyond their control
breaking from the ranks and making mad
scramble to reach the street. Many were
hurt. but none seriously enough to require
the services of a doctor
The school is new, and one of tho largest
in Brooklyn. and is devoted exclusively to
girls who range in age from six to twelve
years. Mrs. Anna VI. Olsen is the principal
few days ago there were rumors around
the school that the building was going to
be blown up. Some of the girls became so
timid that their parents kept them a. home.
The samo rumors were spread among the
boys in the other school. and only yester-
day morning. in order to allay the fears
of the pupils Principal O'Donne1l spoke to
them from the platform. and assured them
that the Black Hand man had been caught
and there was no further need to be fright
ened
Shortly before o'clock, while the girls
were falling into line before assembly TO
march to their classrooms, a Board or
Education wagon drew up IN front OF the
building on the Leonard street side, and a
negro began to carry boxes into the school.
It is thought that the girl who cried out
that the building was going to be blown up
was under the impression in her ignorance
that the boxes contained explosives. She
had hardly uttered the words, "The school
is going to be blown up! when the chli-
dren fell out of line and made Wild rush
for the two doors leading TO the street
The stampede began as the teachers stood
at their posts waiting for the bell. For
moment they were helpless, quickly
had the panic started. Then they MADE
all haste 10 stay the excitement. 1t was
useless for the time being. The children
were packed soidly. and meanwhile many
had fallen and we're trampled on. while
several we're severely scratched and bruised
and their garments torn.
Those children who reached the slde"aik
made all haste to get home, where they
told their mothers and fathers that the
school had been blown UP. The section Is
thicklv populated with Hebrews, ana III d
twinklins frantic mothers and others were
making a rush for the school. Nheh 'heS
got there the children were still hochils
out. while the teachers inside the pullul"s
we're working desperately to restore order'
Patrolman Young. who was on ouiS at
tho school. was unable to cope with the
nrpils. and he got in communication Will
the Stags street police station captain
Post hustled out the reserves in doupIe
o,,ick order, There were about thirty, ana
they ran all the way to Meseroie street
and Bushwick avenue, where they pressed
into service car of the Ridgevood lne'
and had the motorman go ahead at illi
sneed to Leonard street, the rest OF 'he
tourney to the school being made on 1oo''
When the policemen got TO the Scloo'
tho streets were black with spectators. Inc
noIice were obliged to use force 10 'hahe
tho women fall back. While the crown
u..s Getting away from the building zap
tain Post had the doors OF the scioo,
closed. and no more children were Pernli''eu
70 leave They were persuaded to go 10
their classroOms.
ONLY about one-halt of The puphs " a''e''
cd the afternoon session, as few OF ''lo9e
,..ho got out returned. large iofcc ot
notice was kept at the schooi uill ~ ,5o
PpIassoe we're dismissed at ) ciock- - - "l' - :
dreds Of mothers sat on the S.4pp7 ."r
botIses in the neighborhood. "al'iiis io