Terrible Accident in Philadelphia.
The Philadelphia papers devote much space to the recent calamity in that city, by which a large number of the insane inmates of the Beckley Almshouse were either killed or badly injured We copy the following from the Press:‘ The inmates in this part of the institution usually rise about five o'clock and breakfast at six. if the misfortune had been delayed a few minutes there would have been fewer casualties, as many of these unfortunate ones would have been at breakfast in another part of the building.
’ The breakfast bell was just about being rung when the disaster occurred. Three cloud crashes were heard, following each other at intervals.--These three crashes were caused by the falling of the three floors. The floors gave way above the centre pier, and fell in from each side, forming two sides of a triangle. A number of the inmates escaped unhurt by being at the time of the seceded near one of the outside walls. Those in the upper stories were swept along with the contents of the rooms into the cellar, and buried alive in the ruins. The shrieks of the insane were appalling, and the utmost contusion and disorder prevailed for some time. Some of the number managed to work their way out. They were taken charge of, and turned to places of security. The attention of the various officials was soon called to the spot. They immediately set to work getting out the wounded and removing the ruins.
For some time after the fall of the floors, pieces of rafters, large pieces of stone, and other things, continued to fall; the roof, Joists, and all other loose pieces were soon removed. The walls of the building alone remain; the entire structure from cellar to roof being completely gutted. The injured were removed to the surgical ward, and a truly melancholy sight was here presented. Those of the injured who were able to set up in their beds or talk did not seem to understand that they were injured, or what had been going on. And many of them seemed perfectly unconscious that anything unusual had happened. The most perfect order was soon restored and kept throughout the institution. Dr McCoy, Dr Butler, the steward, and Mr Henezey, were unremitting in their labors, and accomplished much in bringing back the usual routine and order in this abode for wrecked and rained minds.
As soon as it was possible, the managers of the institution prepared other rooms perfectly secure, for the accommodation of the patients; but it was impossible to induce them to enter. Some were sullen, others were full of merriment, others again appeared melancholy, while most of them would shudder upon looking at the building. One would take a sort of side glance, and suddenly turn her head away and hide her face in her hands. Though none of them seemed to appreciate the appalling calamity, yep they had a sort of Instinctive dread that something had happened, that made them turn in horror or disgust from the building.
Up to a late hour the poor creatures, or most of them, were in the court yard enjoying themselves as though they were on a plicate excursion. The officers were very kind in their remarks to them. Some replied quite rationally at times, but whenever an invitation was extended to them to enter the building they turned away and exhibited the most decided demonstrations to resist. supper time finally approached, and the party, excepting about twenty five, entered the room and partook of their evening repast as though nothing had happened. The others remained in the yard, because they "did not feel hungry." It will be seen by the above incidents that disordered mental faculties may be successfully appealed to through the medium of the stomach, the same as in certain cases where more fortunate fallow beings are fully endowed with reason.
