The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1848-07-06
FEARFUL ACCIDENT AND MARROW
ESCAPE

The Boston Wing contains thrilling ac-
count under the above caption, of the sinking
Of the entire inside of large store in the
Dearborn block" of granite buildings, by
the giving way of the brick pillars in the eel
lar, under an immense pressure of packages
in the upper stories, which were occupied by
a firm of Dry Goods Importers. About thir-
ty men were in the store at the moment and
astonishing to relate, not life was lost nor a
single person dangerously injured. We cx-
tract from the Wing the following particu-
lars.
A series of terrific crashes followed in
quick succession. For a short time, dense
cloud of lime dust issued from all the windows
in front, through which at intervals several
men were seen clinging to the window sills
in the fourth story. After the dust had
cleared away, it was found that all the floors
OF the building, with the exception Of a small
portion in 'front.' and the back wall, from the
roof half way down, had fallen in.
After counting up the number of those in
the store, it was soon found that Charles
Pierce, young man Of 1G or II years, a
younger brother Of a member of the firm of
Dutton, Richardson & Co., was missing. 1t
was now difficult to get men to enter the
building, from the impending danger Of the
heavy roof which threatened to fall in. The
CITY Marshal was soon on the spot and led the
way, with q number of his men. On roino
INTO the building groans were heard beneath
the ruins, and to questions asked, answers
were returned. The back walls Of the build
ing, or SO much as remained of them were
Immediately shorcd up, and thirty men went
to work with the greatest diligence for three
or tour hours, during which time several hun
dred cases OF goods were removed, and tim
bers, sawed off, until young Pierce was
reached.
lie was taken out about 8 o'clock in the
evening, having been buried up four hours.
1t was found no bones were broken, and YES
terday we learned, he was doing we'll. He
states that he was in the attic when the floors
gave way, and in his descent, which must
have been from the fifth floor above the
| basement to the second, his sack coat was
taken by the air above his head, and when
ne came to himself, he found he was wedrcd
IN by bales and cases, and in danger of being
Sutiocated form the closeness with which his
coat was drawn over his face. Finding his
arms at liberty, he took his knife from his
pocket and cut away his coat to allow n
chance to breathe. The boxes around him,
and the beams above him, were so disposed as
to preserve him from being crushed to death.
A great crowd had gathered about the
building to learn the result of the efforts to
save his life, and when he was relieved from
his perilous situation, thrill of gratitude ran
through the multitude. Meantime workmen
were engaged in fixing supports for the
front wall of the building on Federal street,
by which it is kept in its position, though a
little strained.
A survey Of the ruins as they appeared
after thesyoung man was removed, disclosed
scene such as we never before beheld.-
Goods and flooring almost solid mass, I'D to
the second story, were closely packed in to-
gcther, so that one could walk upon them
through the whole building. The roofhangs
high overhead, with but narrow strip of the
back wall as a support on that side; should
that give way, the immense weight of the
roof would probably press out the front wall,
carrying destruction in its path clear through
to Atkinson street. The street in front was
closed yesterday, and many of the goods
were removed from the rear, through Theatre
Alley