All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ =========================================================================== Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. ======================================================================= Alton Evening Telegraph Thursday, January 10, 1884 More About the Belleville Horror BELLEVILLE, Ill., Jan. 10. - Digging in the ruins of the burned convent was pursued all day. The walls of the building in several places pre- sent a very dangerous looking appearance, being cracked and sagged and likely to topple over without a moment's warning. A large crowd is always in the vicinity of the building eager to catch a first glimpse of any corpse recovered, and should the walls fall outward the loss of life would at least equal that occassioned by the burning of the institution. Some of the walls became so unsafe yesterday that Mayor WEBER ordered them torn down, while others just as dangerous were allowed to remain standing. The detail of police which kept the crowds of people the first day after the fire were re- moved as soon as the walls cooled and became really dangerous, the sole responsibility of preventing serious loss of life from falling walls now resting on one old man, who is sta- tioned in the rear of the building where the curiousity seeker never visits. The search for the missing victims was resumed early this morning by Street Commissioner STROM- BERG and a large force of men, but is pro- gressing very slowly. The debris is burning fiercely under the top layer of bricks and mortar, making it a very difficult task for the men to continue the work. A bucket bri- gade, consisting of two men, was formed yes- terday, to temporarily cool the spots at which the men are working. According to the manner in which the work is now being carried on, the building will not be cleared till some time next week. About 11 o'clock, the first and only corpse found to-day, was un- earthed in the cellar of the northwest wing of the building, and consisted of about two handsful of bones, crisp and burned almost to ashes. Some of the convent people now claim there are only two more victims un- accounted for, but the Coroner is certain that ten more bodies are in the building. The search will be continued without inter- mission till 8 o'clock this evening, when it is expected all who perished in the large dormitory will be found. The unclaimed bodies will be removed from the morgue to the church this afternoon, as soon as the coroner's jury conclude their inquiries, and will be in state in the church all night. The church will be illuminated and remain open for all who wish to visit the re- mains before 11 o'clock. The gentlemen of the parish, at a meeting held this morning, de- cided to keep a night watch over the remains, and will remain with them till to-morrow morning, when the funeral services commence. The remains of Mother MARY JEROME have been removed from the morgue to the Orphan Asylum, but will be taken to the church this after- noon with the other bodies. A telegram was received from Bishop BALTES, of Alton, this morning, stating he would arrive in Belle- ville this evening to conduct the funeral services to-morrow morning. ==========================================================================