Year: 1872

ing 10 ner. Sne was IN the hall, near the
front, probably about to descend the
stairway, when the terrible crash came.
The falling mass passed near her, tear
ing up the floor under her feet. In some
way ore Of her limbs got fast in the debris,
and 1t was impossible for her TO extricate
herself. Joseph Turney and John Dipley
were In the reception room, on the second
floor, trying to save the piano and other
articles of value. Immediately after
the crash they discovered Miss
Walker in her perilous condition, and
made every effort in their power to save
her, Selling bed they shouted to her
to drop herself upon it, not knowing that
she was held fast by the timbers The
stairs had been carried away and II was
impossible to get to her. They took hold
of the other foot, which hung down over
the edge of the chasm, and tried to pull
her down, but without avail. The fire
which had been carried down by the fall
ing tank blazed up through the opening,
and at length, scorched and well nigh
suffocated with the heat and smoke, they
were Obliged to abandon her or inevitably
share the same terrible fate themselves
When they lefther her clothing had taken
fire, and she was quickly enveloped in
flames. The men were in a critical situa-
tiOn, escape by the stairway having been
cut off. Mr. Turney tied some sheets to-
gether, and was about to descend by that
means, when long plank was placed up
to window, and he got down in safety
Mr.. Dipley got out upon the roof of the
verandah, and reached the ground by
sliding down one of the pillars.


1t is also probable that Benjamin Bur-
CESS, of Bedford, lost his life at this time.
He happened to be in the village, and
was among the most active in his efforts
to save life and property. 1t is known
that he was at or near the place where the
tank fell through, and up to evening
nothing more had been seen or heard of
him, 1t is supposed he was crushed by
the fall.


Alfred Brown, aged IA, only son of the
railway station agent at Newburgh, at the
same time received injuries that will, in
all probability, prove fatal. One of his
legs was broken, and he was drenched
with hot water, being literally scalded
from head to foot He was removed to
a neighboring house and medical aid
summoned. He suffered the most ex-
cruciating agony, and it was the opinion
of the physician that he could not long
survive.


William Guy, young man of the viii
lage, was badly bruised and burned, al
though it is believed his injuries will not
prove serious


Elisha Pease, also of Newburgh, was
severely injured, but fatal result is not
feared. -..


Walter Y. Morgan, an attache Of the
Asylum, received an ugly cash in the
forehead, caused by falling timber.


About the grounds the scene was one
of the widest confusion. Hundreds of
people were running into and out of the
building, after the inmates had all been
removed, engaged in saving movable
property. A vast amount of bedding
and furniture of every kind was borne
out and heaped upon the ground. Six
hundred insane men and women were
scattered about, many of them screaming G
and rushing wildly through the crowd.
As long as any were in danger within the
building the only thought was to save
life, and they were suffered to roam at
will outside. AS soon as possible an or
ganized effort was made to gather them
together, and take care of them as well
as possible under the trying circum-
stances. The people of Newburgh did
nobly, throwing open their houses for the
reception of the sick, who had been all
safely carried out on beds, and such Others
as were harmless and could be trusted in
| their charge. They extended every facil'
ity in their power for meeting the terrible
exigencies of the occasion.


The majority of the patients were grad
/ ually collected and removed in wagons ia
| the churches in the village, all of which
were Immediately thrown open to them.
| Considerable difficulty was experienced in
| 10
| had to be forced into the vehicles by main
strength, and it was necessary for attend
ants to accompany every load. Pale
haggard and wild, beating the air and
raving incoherently, moaning and weep
! ing in their distress, uttering maniaca
laughs, or sitting in sullen silence, those
unfortunates presented a spectacle thai
moved the stoutest heart. By O'Clock
all had been removed to the village or the
neighboring houses.


Similar scenes were witnessed at the
churches, where the greater portion were
collected. Few had sufficient reason tC
| comprehend the event of the day
Some crouched down in terror, Others
raved wildly, or INDUCED in singing
laughing crying, shouting, or swearing
the whole uniting to form terrible
chorus that seemed like Pandemouiun
itself. No words can give adequate por
trayal to the scene. Nurses and attend
ants belonging to the asylum were PLACED
in charge of each detachment, and tn
men and women of the village, in fa
greater number than could possibly b.
employed, offered their services to assis
in caring for the needy.


Miss Walker, whose sad death ha
been mentioned, was a most estimabl
lady, about forty years of age. She hat
been connected with the asylum for 81,
years, and was universally held in higl
esteem. Her friends live in Newburgh


Mr.. Burgess was young married ma
living in Bedford. 1t was not know
positively that he was killed, but at dar
his friends had little hope left that he ha
escaped.


1t was thought by some that two @
three of the patients lost their lives, bu
it was the general belief among the of
GERS of the asylum that all were saved.
few of them were scorched, but none 81
riOusly burned. 1t will be impossible fC
several days to know whether any weI
lost. Quite number escaped when the
were released. AS soon as the heat {
the fire has abated search among tn
ruins will develop the extent of the loss {
life.


The loss of the State may be roughl
estimated at $500, 600, on which there wf
no insurance. Of course, prompt mea
ures will be taken TO rebuild the Asylum
as it is an absolute necessity to the Stat
What will be done in the meantime wit
the 600 patients is question not easil
answered.


Later reports show that at least 81
other persons besides Miss Walker an
Mr. Burgess fell victims to the calamit,
Many OF the patients are still missing WI
are thought to have escaped Ctersiar
Herald, September 26.


Minute Mechanism.