Year: 1875

SPRINGFIELD, Mass, May 81.


One of the most terrible disasters in
the history of Massachusetts occurred to-
night, in the burning of the French
Catholic Church at South Holyolze, dur
ing the evening service, involving the
death of siXty-siX men, women and chill
dren. The exercises had nearly closed,
when the flame from candle caught the
drapery around the statue of the Virgin
Mary, streamed up and caught the build
ing. Immediately panic ensued, and
the people rushed for the doors. There
was but one entrance to the gallery, and
that from the front. On the stairway
leading from the gallery the people were
packed in solid mass, struggling to clear
themselves, as the flames rushed in that
direction, and this soon became blocked,
rendering exit impossible. Many jumped
over the sides of the galleries on the
crowd beneath, and were trampled on
| and killed. The priests residence joins
the church on the rear, and many es-
capped through an entrance leading to the
house back of the altar. The priests ex-
ertions to keep order were fruitless.


The screams of the living and means
of the dying made a -deafening tumult
above the orders of the pastor, who
worked most heroically, and was person
ally instrumental in saving many lives.
One family of four were in the church
and all were killed. Many were pulled
out by the arms and feet so badly burned
that they lived but few hours, the flesh
pceling off ON being touched. Some were
taken out with scarcely any flesh re-
naming on their bones.


The Sisters of Mercy from the convent
Iynra COON ON laa1 bo
wounded and holding services over the
dying. Father Dufresne also held serv-
ices. His mother was among those ter
| riblv burned. Father Dufresne lost al
most everything in his residence, so rap
idly was the building consumed.


The Protestant church was thrown
| open for the reception of the dead and
wounded, and several deaths occurred
in the building during the night. Sew
eral were also taken to the New York
Mills boarding house, and physicians
gave the wounded the best medical care.
Those who were too badly burned to re-
cover were put under the effects of NOR
phine, and passed away without strug-
gle.


While the exercises were being held
over the dying the most intense quiet
prevailed, and the rough laborers knelt
upon the floor with uncovered heads.
But about the Morgue and in the streets
the wailing of the multitude was pitiful
to hear


One girl escaped from the gallery by
Jumping on the back of man, who car
ried her out, while her sister, who was
with her, was burned. Several mem
bers of one of the hose companies
were playing ball near the church when
the fire broke out, and u relief steamer
was out for practice, so that the Fire
Department was promptly on the spot


The scenes at the doors are described
as terrible. They were blocked with
struggling people seeking exit. Outside
people cleared the way several times, but
as often it would become blocked IN
again. Windows were broken open ana
several escaped in that way. The last
to get out of the church was said to be
a man with his wife and little girl. The
father took up his daughter and rushed
| TO a place of safety


Lewis Langlars, of the Riverside Mill,
went in to render assistance, when a lit
tie girl came tumbling down before the
door under the feet of the throng.
Though he burned his hands sadly in
doing it, he was able to pull her out but
little injured. A young woman beat out
one of the window frames and jumped %
the ground safely. An old woman of
sixty went to the same opening and,
hesitating to jump, she was pulled inside
by the hair by brutal fellow. He
jumped clear End she fell and was seri-
ously injured.


Of a family of five four got out alive,
one little girl OF twelve years being