finding the children of her department becoming alarmed, placed
herself in the doorway, and exerted her utmost strength to arrest them
as they endeavoured to rush from the room; and although several times
thrown down and trampled upon, she still persisted in her efforts,
until, finally, she was so much injured, as to be compelled to
relinquish the post. So impetuous was the rush, however, that five of
the teachers were forced over the balusters, and fell with the
children into the well. The sterner discipline exercised over the
boys' departments prevented them generally from joining in the rush.
Only three of the pupils in the upper male department were among the
killed. Some of the boys jumped out of the windows, and one of them
had his neck broken by the fall. As soon as they gained admittance,
the police took possession of the premises, and commenced handing out
the children from their perilous position. Those that were on the top
were but slightly injured; but as soon as these had been removed, the
most heart-rending spectacle presented itself. Some among the
policemen were fathers, whose own children were there. They worked
manfully, and body after body was taken out: many of them lifeless at
first, came to when they once more breathed the fresh air; but many
were beyond aid, and death was too plainly marked upon their pallid
features. Some were injured by the fall, and lay writhing in agony;
some moaned; while others shrieked with pain; and others, again, when
released, started off for home, apparently unconscious of the awful
scene through which they had passed. The bodies of the dead and
wounded were mostly taken to the Ninth Ward Station-house, which is
near the school. In a few minutes, news of the accident spread through
the neighbourhood, and mothers came rushing to the scene by scores.
Occasionally, a mother would recognise the lifeless form of a child as
it was lifted from the mass, and then the piercing cry of agony that
would rend the air! One after another, the bodies of the dead were