The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1828-05-07
From .ae Boston centineI of Saturday last.

From The Boston CentineI Of Saturday last.
DIsrREssINe OCCURRENCE. We have most
melancholy record to make to-day. We'd
nesday forenoon, was assigned for laying the
corners stone ofthe Methodist Episcopal Church,
erecting in North Bennett Street. When the
services were in performance, and nearly clos
ed, part of the flooring gave way, and about two
hundred persons of both sexes, who were attend
ing the ceremonies, were precipitated into the
cellar, distance of about ID feet. The timbers
for the support of the lower floor had been laid,
and covered with rough boards,-and, the build
ing Committee, in anticipation of large audi
ence at the ceremony, made particular lnqulr-
les of the Architect as to the sufiiciency of the
supports of the flooring to prevent accident,
and received satisfactory answer. brick
pier (sixteen inches square) had been erected
under the centre of the main beam or summer,
(more than foot square) for its support. The
end Of the beam rested on the wall The NOR
tar with which the pier was built was green,
and, as far as we could Judge, had not a sufii-
cheney of adhesive materials in its composition.
While the Rev. Mr.. Matfit, was delivering his
address the pier gave way to the extent of SIX
or eight feet, leaving the main beam TO bear a
pressure which it was not strong enough to sus-
tain, and separated like lath. About quar-
ter part of the whole flooring, OH which the
crowd was the most dense, followed, and the
maSSe, into the cellar and from the manuer in
which the flooring separated and fell, like tun-
mel, precipitated many of them headlong. The
scene which ensued we need not say, was most
agonizing and filled every countenance of a
| large assenblago of even those who had escap-
ed the injury with dismay which did not abate
for several hours. The spectators Of the dread
ful accident Immediately made the utmost exer-
tions to extricate the sufferers from their dis
cItn oI,r
wounded, were the following =
Col. Benjamin Hayden formerly of Brain
tree) both legs broken-he was yesterday, we
are happy to learn, more comfortable. Mrs.
George Maxfeld, leg and thigh broken, carried
| to General Hospital. Mr., William Crosby, tai
lor, both legs broken grandchild of Mr..
Daniel Lille, both legs broken-she was on a
| visit from Hallowell A daughter of Mr. Viii
liam Palmer seriously bruised. Mrs Scott,
wife of Capt. s., at sea, leg and back broken.
Mrs Phillips in the S4th year of her age, ankle
bruised. Nurse Woodward, Miss Kirkwood,
each a leg badly bruised if not broken MIR.
| Nathl Woodward, leg broken and head bruis-
ed. AIrs. Kettell, badly wounded by splinter
was easy yesterday, and it is expected she
would recover. Widow Mary Russell, Mr.
/ Johnson, Mrs. VIM. Motley, Capt Thomas
! Goodwin, Mr.. Joseph Leavitt, Mrs Fisher, a
child from Common-street, Mr. J. Wiggin. each
a leg broken. Mr. Edward Sargent, two ribs
broken. Widow Edward Hail. and Widow
Snow, badly bruised Mr. Ephraim O'Bouve.
dangerously bruised. Mrs Sarah wife of Mr..
VIM. Davis, ribs broken Mrs Mountfort, wife
of Mr. Ebenezer NJ head bruised. Miss Sarah
Forsyth, back broken. Widow John B. Barber.
dangerously injured Mrs Lucus and her moth
er-one had ankle sprained, the other foot
bruised. The Lady of Rev. Mr.. Maffit, Mr..
Francis w Baxter, ankle sprained Mr. Joshua
Ellis severely injured and his son Mr. Matthias,
shoulder dslocated. Mr.. Daniel Lilley, Mr..
Joseph King, Miss Agnes Jones, Miss Ann
Howe, Mrs Ward, Mrs Baptiste, Mrs. Grubb,
badly injured. Mr. Bradley Cummings, knee
sprained Mr.. Bracket of Charlestown back
part of head broken Mrs Griswold, thigh
| broken. Miss Spooner, conclusion of the ribs.
Mr.. Alexander, thigh broken