A PANIC AT A FUNERAL.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1037, 16 February 1882, Page 4

A PANIC AT A FUNERAL.

Quincy (Ill.), January s.—During the funeral of Rev. Simon Kuhlenheihoelter at the Salem Evangelical Church, this afternoon, a frightful panic occurred. In the rush for the street some forty persons were injured, six ladies seriously. The church is one of the largest in the city, and was filled with friends of the deceased. The seats were filled, and the standing room in the-aisles, and about the doors were occupied. Soon after the services commenced the panic occurred. It is said that a seat in the gallery broke down. The people thought the gallery was giving way, and the rush commenced. Men, women, ami children poured out of the doors leading from the main floor and gallery into the hall leading to the street. All efforts to stop them were fruitless. They were panic stricken, and would listen to nothing. In less than two minutes the doorway was blocked up, and the scene that followed was indescribable. Women who were caught in the crowd were thrown down and trampled upon. Their shrieks and the shouting of men who seemed to be frightened out of their senses, were fearful. For fully ten minutes the doorway was blocked up, and during this time a number -of women fell or slipped under the feet of the frightened crowd. Some of the men went to work heroically to rescue the women, and succeeded in getting them out after they had been walked over by a large number of persons.

As fast as taken out the victims I were taken to to the adjoining houses ■ and cared for. It was found that I several were seriously and probably | fatally hurt. Mrs Shilker, a married I woman, aged about 45 years, received . internal injuries, and it is supposed ' she will die. Maggie Meyer, a young woman, was bruised in the face by boot heels and was injured internally. Mary Keys, Mary Ann Ritter, Minnie Bundy and Miss Dilkhut all received serious injuries, and their recovery is doubtful. Mrs Doleman, an old lady, Miss Lonman and Mrs Wisemen were badly injured. The Rev. Mr Hollenback, who was caught in the crowd, had a rib broken. Many who were knocked down and but slightly injured were taken home as soon as they escaped, and their names have not been ascertained. There was no occasion for a scare and no cause for a panic. After the excitement, which lasted for half-an-hour, had subsided, the funeral ceremonies were resumed. Up to 8 o’clock this evening the victims were alive, but there is very little hope of Mrs Shilker, Miss Meyer and Miss Bundy.