Rensselaer Union, Volume 8, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 July 1876 — How Twenty-two Young Women Were Burned to Death. [ARTICLE]

How Twenty-two Young Women Were Burned to Death.

The Glasgow Newt gives tlie following account ofc the burning of the mill at Ayr, Scotland, on the 16th of June, by which twenty-two young women perished. Within the third story of the second block of buildings from Fort street the fatal spark was kindled. The operatives resumed work after breakfast, as usual, and all went on smoothly till the hour indicated abovp, when James Barr, a laborer in the worsted department, was alarmed by a “young lass’ 1 * (as he describes her) exclaiming in a state of excitement that there was a fire in the room. The girl had been working at a wool-teaser, and soon it was perceived that tlie wool had taken fire, apparently from friction. Barr immediately called his neighbors, who gathered in large numbers. Three extincteurs, kept on the establishment for emergencies of this kind, were produced, but without effect. No sooner was water poured on one corner than tlie fire spread to another, defying the utmost efforts of all present to keep it within bounds. Some one at an early period called for a sheet with which to “ smother” the tire; but with such alarming rapidity did it. spread, that any attempt in that direction would have been useless, or worse than useless. In a few qiinutes those who had gathered round the spot where the tire originated were compelled to flee for their lives, leaving portions of their clothing and all they possessed in the mill behind. So far ail was right, in respect that no damage had resulted to life, but the sequel of the event which had just been inaugurated Was disastrous and appalling. In the garret overhead of the room described, Janies Barr, aged fifty years, and’ father of the man named above, was working with twenty-five young women under his Charge, and there the.great loss of life took place. James Barr, it is alleged, on hearing the screams in tlie flat beneath, and on being informed that

there was a fire, made an endeavor to keep the cries of those who were apparently terror-stricken beneath from penetrating his own department and causing greater consternation than was necessary. He then ran down stairs, saw the imminent danger of the whole establishment, rushed up again and gave the alarm, twit was too late to effect an escape for himself or others, as the staircases were all ■ “ ablaze,’’ and the smoke and fire were such as no one could pass through and live. A scene more easily imagined than described followed. The young women rushed to the windows and called for that aid which could not be afforded them. They gesticulated and screamed and sobbed in the prospect of death, and implored those outside to save their lives. Meanwhile the fire spread rapidly, the buildings, one by one were enveloped, the flames shot high in the air, and before long the spot where the helpless females had been vainly seeking for succor was reduced to ruin, and those who occupied it were lost beyond hope of recall. Sevpainful incidents are reported in connection with this event. The old man Barr was, before the fire obliterated everything, seen atone of the windows wav. inghis hands, apparently calling for rescue. and a large number of girls were holding by him in the last lingering hope of haring their lives spared., One young woman, named Catherine McKinnon, jumped from the height of four stories, and fell the ground beneath. Se was taken up insensible, placed on a mattress and removed to the Ayr Hospital. She was. alive when the hospital was reached, but expired in a few minutes. The poor girl, who was sixteen

years of age, fell on her forehead. Her skull was fractured, her arm broken, and other injuries sustained, so that all the skill which could be brought to bear could not save herlife. Another young girl, named Biini>son, residing in High street, came to a window screaming. Her sister, who happened to lie beneath at the moment, called out: “Jump out,, or you’ll be killed,” and the little girl instantly leaped over. The sister endeavored to catch Her, but as the height from which the leap was taken was very great, both came into violent contact and were thrown down. The sister escaped unhurt, a fact which is marvelous, considering the whole circumstances, but the voung girl was a good deal bruised, it is feared seriously so. Her hair was burned with the flames, which just before her leap were devouring all liefore them. Those who had found an exit from the works now made the best of their good fortune and ran from danger, while the unfortunate persons left behind were at the mercy of the devouring clement. Mothers appeared on the scene in terror, asking for their daughters; brothers and sisters looked everywliere for their relatives, who, alas! could not be saved. It was impossible to say who were and who were not among the unfortunate victims till well on in tlie evening, when the fire had been subdued. Hoping against hope, parents expected that their children might return home at the usual hour, and watched with eager anxiety their appearance.