Democratic Sentinel, Volume 3, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 October 1879 — Terrible Accident at Adrian, Mich. [ARTICLE]

Terrible Accident at Adrian, Mich.

A heartrending accident occurred on the Lenawee Fair Grounds, at Adrian, Mich., on the afternoon of Thursday, Oct. 2. The grounds were a perfect jam, and the grand s'and, newly erected, was packed with people to witness the exercises on the track. A class of gentlemen’s driving horses, double teams, had just been sent around the track, and the band, occupying the front and center of the grand stand, had just begun to play, while the judges were affixing premium-ribbons, when, with a terrible crash, the stand bioke down. It gave way first in the center, then the front fell outward to the track, and the back fell into the river. At once ensued a scene of indescribable confusion. Buggies were overturned, horses dashed frantically up the track only to meet a crowd of people flocking to the s ene of the disaster. Those who were only slightly injured came crawlingout of themassof ruins, showing numerous contusions, and then began the work of dragging from the debris those who were more severely injured. There were in the neighborhood of 2,000 people on the grand stand, and a large crowd were in the space beneath. Six people were taken out dead, and about 100 others were fatally or seriously wounded. As soon as possible the Opera House was opened, and many of the dead and wounded taken there. Many of the wounded were carried off by their frantic friends as soon as they could, aod until nights fall carriages containing injured men, women and children were noted passing out into the country. The excitement in the city immediately succeeding the accident was indescribable. Parents were frantically looking for their children and children looking for their parents; women went into hysterics, and strongmen cried on the streets as they heard the terrible news. Many of the injured are among the best citizens of Adrian. Adrian, Mich., Oct 3. It is hardly possible yet to appreciate fully the extent of the appalling calamity which has fallen on this city and county. The shadow of suffering and death resting on so many homes involves the whole community, and nothing is talked of but the calamity and its victims. The scene in the fair grounds, when the grand stand went crashing to the ground, with its burden of men, women, and children, was one never to be forgetten. Every heart stood still for a moment, and then scores of men rushed to release those lying under the heavy roof and timbers. Nothing that could be done to relieve the wants of the suffering was left undone. The wounded were carried away, and medical attendance secured as quickly as possible. The physicians of the city, and those present from other parts of the country, labored like giants. Men and women vied in rendering aid wherever it was needed. Dry-goods stores gave, without stint, of the material necessary for bandages, while drug-stores for hours resembled a fieldhospital in a general engagement, many of the minor wounded flocking thither for attention. The city is in mourning to-day; crape and other insignia of sorrow are displayed from offices, public buildings and every’ bus.ne-s house. Tins morning nearly all the ctor s were closed, out of respect to the memoiy of those who perished in the disaster. Street rumors place the number of dead at from fifteen to twenty, but careful inquiry among physicians, undertakers and frieudi would prove the following to be a correct statement: J. F. Merick, a German, resident of the Second Ward, 55 years old; died a few minutes after coming out of the ruins. Mrs. John Hubbard. Jasper; breathed but a few times after being taken out David Plumador, Petersburg. William Mulzer, city; aged 12. Peter Hyde, city; a boy 12 years of age. John Johnson, German, whose home is at Attica, Ohio, and who worked for a Dover farmer named Clemerson. Ashael Henderson, 70 years of age; Plum river, Jo Daviess county, 111. Christy Eagen, Manchester; 12 years of age died during the night. Henry Hart died at 5 o’clock this morning

A boy named Willie Hall is reported dead, but not authenticated. R R Home, Medina; punctured through the lunge, died at the Central House. Irving Powers, living io the adjoining town of Madison; died at half-past 3 to-day. Reuben Ferguson, of Borne; aged 40, died this afternoon. The number of wounded who have received medical treatinent foots up this evening to 224, taking no account of the minor injuries, and those taken to their homes in the country. Over one-half are fractures and dislocations or limbs, and it will not be a matter of surprise if the percentage <rf deaths should be doubled inside of fortyeight hours. Thirteen outbf sixteen members of the band are badly hurt, and their instruments,'bought July 4, are irreparably wrecked. Public attention is now fixed upon the inquest, and the people intend that the responsibility for building such a death-trap shall be properly located.