rious doors. Out of each poured a
flood of children, dashing wildly to the staircase. The torrent jammed
up, and unable to find outlet by the stair, burst the balustrades, and
down like a cataract poured the maddened throng into the central well,
falling on the paved lobby beneath. The scene was appalling. 'Before
the current could be arrested, the well was filled with the bodies of
children to the depth of about eight feet. At this juncture, the alarm
reached the Ninth Ward Station-house, the fire-bell was rung, and a
detachment of the police hurried to the scene. Here a new difficulty
presented itself. The afternoon session of the school having
commenced, the main outer-doors, which open upon the foot of the
stairs, had been closed. Against these the affrighted children were
wedged in masses, and as the doors open inward, it was some time
before relief could be given them. The police fortunately effected an
entrance by a rear-door, but for which timely help, many more of the
children would probably have been suffocated.

'Much commendation is due to the teachers for their presence of mind.
Miss M'Farland, one of the assistants in the primary department,
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
wer