Gabriel Ryan lived in St. Joseph's all his life. He worked with the Dept. of Highways for many years. He enjoys watching hockey, listening to radio programs and visiting with family. This is his personal account of the Knights of Columbus Fire in 1942.

I left Shamrock Field Militia Barracks to attend the Barn Dance at the Knights of Columbus Hotel. The building was very crowded as everyone was glad of an opportunity to have some fun. I sat and watched the show, anxious to see my brother, Larry, who was dancing on the program.

Shortly after 11:00 p.m., a terrible commotion took place. I had no idea what was happening at first. I saw people running and heard shouts and screams. As I started to follow my friends, I saw smoke and fire coming from the main door. I put my coat over my head and face for protection and tried to get out by the main entrance. It was impossible because of the large crowd. Everyone was trying to get out at the same time. People were being injured from all the pushing and shoving. All of a sudden the lights went out. I was in total darkness because all the windows had blackout shutters.

By some miracle I saw a light coming in through the side door. Holding my breath I ran for the door which some sailors were trying to beat in. I'll never forget the sight of people on fire or the sounds of everyone screaming. We finally got the entrance cleared and began throwing people outside into the snow. I continued this until I couldn't breath from smoke and it was too hot to do anymore. Just as I had decided to get out myself, while I still could, something fell, knocking me to the ground injuring my arm. A sailor grabbed me and pulled me outside. I crawled away as far as I could. I was picked up and put on a Golden Arrow bus to be taken to St. Clare's Hospital. When I got off the bus I was so dazed with pain and shock I began walking away from the hospital and down Patrick Street. I could only think that the Knights of Columbus had been bombed.

Luckily some soldiers returned me to the hospital where I immediately blacked out. My first thought on recovering was to get to my barracks at Shamrock Field. Finally it was arranged and a jeep arrived to pick me up. I had to use a handkerchief for a sling as there were no bandages left at St. Clare's. When the doctors had time, they fixed up my dislocated shoulder. As a result of this injury my shoulder continued to give me problems, and in 1969 I was operated on to repair torn ligaments and cartilage.