Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-06-25
HUNDREDS INJURED
IN CRUSH At FINAL
EUCHAR|ST|CR|T
100000 and More Rush to
Trains, Catching Police
Off Guard.
100000 VESTMENTS
RUINED BY DOWNPOUR
Road Barricaded to Keep Those
Front From Being Pushed
on Third Rail.

on Third Rail.
By the Associated Press.
CHICAGO, June 25.-Surging crowds
returning from the concluding Eu-
charistic Congress session at Mum
delein last night overwhelmed police
and railroad officials after a terrific
rain and hail storm swept down on
the vast assemblage, drenching par
ticipants in the ceremonies and the
onlookers and running priestly vest
ments valued at 100000.
In the rush for trains number OF
persons were hurt, but most of the
injuries were slight. More than 100
persons were brought to Chicago on
q special hospital train. Thirty-two
were taken to hospitals on the North
Side, while the others. less seriously
hurt. were sent to their homes. The
most seriously hurt was Mrs. Sarah
Murphy, 60 years old, of Chicago.
with a fractured skull and dislocated
hip. Two other persons suffered frac-
tured ribs.
1000 Others Treated.
More than 900 other pilgrims were
treated during the day at emergency
first aid stations on the grounds
where the ceremonies were held.
Most of the cases were due to faint
ing or to exhaustion.
An army of Worshipers. dedicated
to the ways of peace. but the equiv
alent of a wartime army of 20 di.
visions, made one of the most remark
able pilgrimages in religious history
as the closing scene of the congress.
A crowd estimated to number be-
tween 100000 and 100000 poured
into Mundelein. a quiet university
village 40 miles northwest of Chicago.
for the procession OF the blessed sac
rament and papal benediction. were
drencf1ed by a Commute torrent of
rain and hail and then began a stu
pendous trek back to Chicago that
continued for many hours through
heavily burdened lines of transporta-
ton.
Procession Is Unhalted.
Despite the rain and hail which de-
scended upon worshipers and clergy
the processionists moved magnificent.
ly to their conclusion, as Cardinal
Bonzano, papal legate, deposited the
golden ostensorium on the altar of the
outdoor sanctuary and turning to the
acres Of uplifted faces uttered the
benediction.
The storm. coming after hours of
sultry heat, and sudden movement of
the great throngs of tired. wet and
weary pilgrims toward trains and au-
tomobiles at the conclusion Of the
services created scenes of confusion
and it was some time before the
carefully arranged plan for caring for
the multitude was functioning again.
Scores Of persons overcome by ia
tigue or slightly injured in the crush
were treated in emergency hospitals
or hurried to Chicago.
Arrival Of ambulanceS at q station at
the city limits caused rumors to
spread wildly and thousands Of per-
sons were attracted to the spot. 1t
was found, however, that most of the
emergency cases resulted from ex-
lack Of nourishment.
Police Pinioned i'm Crowd.
The sudden crush at the breakup of
the huge gathering caught transporta-
ton officials off guard for a time. In
a few minutes a crowd of 100000 per.
sons had jammed the roadway be-
tween the main gate of the seminary
grounds and the North Shore electris
station across the street, jammed 1t
as tightly as If they had been poured
into a mold, so tightly that even po.
licemen were held pinioned. 1t was
hours before automobiles could move
through that impenetrable multitude
For half an hour or more the crowd
was out of control and the departure
Of trains was delayed. Then q sem.
biance of order was restored and the
tightly packed electric trains began
to go out on schedule. But the cars
could only be filled to a certain limit
and 1t was past midnight before the
last Of the homeward-b bound pilgrims
had cleared the grounds.
The first great rush came with the
bursting of the storm as the cere
monial procession wound it's way
through the grounds of st. Mary OF
the Lake. AS the torrents fell
thousands of onlookers broke from
their lines and scurried for shelter OF
began to make their way toward the
station.
Road Barricaded for Safety.
After a half-mile journey the mill
| ing throng found that the officials
had closed the barricade gates, fear
| ing a huge casualty total If those in
| front were thrust out on the deadly
| third rail. But the outer edges of the
| crowd pressed forward and the relent
| less pressure from the rear hurled
them against the pickets. The entire
| terminal force was called out. Mer
with megaphones climbed to the ROOT
of the big commissary building and
exhorted the crowds to maintain
| ordot. CarnenterS Slya r.rned to the