The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-11-26

The school Ho use Catastrophe.
coNIINrE ED INVESTIGATION BY THE coRoNER-EvI-
pKNcE OF BUILDERS, ETC.
FOURTH DAY.
Yesterday afternoon at O'Clock the jury again
bled in the court room, 10 their lsbo In the
investigation touching the causes which led the fatal
resu ct the school house. Thursday last The names
Of the jury called, and s answering the foreman
and stated that it appeared to be the wish Of several
Of the teachers Of the school, who had not been called TO
give evidence, to be examined and number Of names
had been placed in his baud for that purpose
Justice Bleakey the acting Coroner remarked, in
reply that any testimony touching on the subject
matter ceud derived he would certainly have no Oh.
lection but If nothing could be elected ne ala not
see the utility Of accommodating testimony Upon the
fact the teachers Wishing to exhibit before this
Jury that they did ell in their power to prevent the
children from leaving the rooms, and rushing down
as ,hst ~ and sver measure was taken BY them to
prs vent the fatal result However said the Coroner
win call up Of those young ladies, and AK them
Accordingly. Miss Louisa McFarlain, and several
others, we're called up; but, as their evidence WAS
nothing more than what had already been given, the
Coroner stated the fact to the jury and other witnesses
were called to the stand
TESTIMONY.
Jacob L. Sebrng, sworn, said-I am Assistant Captain
Of the Ninth ward police abou. two O'Clock, Thurs
day last young entered the station house saying
Immediately left the house, and told the TO get
ready coming down the stairs discovered the
who attends to the alarm bell coming down behind us
forthwith hurried to the school house, and the
north of the entrance opsp and the children
buried top Of the other; alarm Of fire
given while ran to the school house assisted in get
ting the children and officer Coffin and others assist
ed in breaking away the other halt Of the door and the
children fell out; up to this time, the 6re bell had not
been struck but datey Afterwards it was officers
remep and citizens hal dsd out the children fast
postible the fremen had caps far the fire.
men are concerned they assisted ali their power
OF the fremen, could observe, did anything that
would in any way alarm cause the children to be
ghened there ladders on the side walls when
/ there did not hear any one 70 up the ladder
and cry out re the life had taken place before
any ladders came; officer Hannigan attended the bell
and ran it, while the bell ringer down after coal
believing there no fire; do not know the young
who into the station and gave the alarm Of
fire.
joseph Nowin being sworn said:-The first notice of
the difficulty at the school house two three boys
jumping the side fence; of the boys said the
school house fire. then took the keys and opened
the south door, and then opened the north door, and
next sndesvored to open door which leads from the
to the play ground my business at the school
keep the building in order the fines Of the furnace
in perfect order after had opened the north door,
went to the centre door and found about dozen children
foer and then the banister fell and the children
fell with it, the boys getting the fence
from ten to sixteen years of age
Robert Henry being sworn said reside at No. 127
Thompson street am carpenter and builder; have
this day visited and examined the school house No 20 in
Green wich avenue did not any defects in par
tcuiar except the newell posts ct the bottom OF the
stairs.
Question by the Jury-From what you have seen, do
you believe the newell post properly recured? A-As
far Judge, the mortice in the step, the tenon
cut o-the newell intended to go into the tenon IL
II had gone the tenor it would have sustained much
pressure; believe that II the newell had not
given away, the banisters would not have fallen
but the newell giving out caused the banisers to fall
the newell It seems was only held by three nails the
stairs about three feet four inches wdeenough for
three children 20 abreast think the stairs strong
enough but do not think the banisters were If any
thing wrong, it was the newell and bsnisters
don't think iron bansters would be strong enough IL
the newell gives away; consider that the defect in
the bad construction Of the newell the newell ON the
back stairs is made in the like but think not
bad the newell, have doubt driven from its
position by the outward pressure.
William McClelland sworn, said--I reside at No 43
King street am builder: have examined the stairs
and would state that the newell post improperly
fastened at the bottom 1t nailed and not properly
fastened II the newell had been properly screwed 1t
would have given away 1t mot much
from the bottom but the tenon the mortice made
the third step OF use 1t should have been made
the second step the railing would not have given
away. If the newell post had remained firm: consider
that the not sufficient for the great number Of
children daily in the habit Of using IL; the stairway
might be made six inches larger, by taking of
corners the banister rails would have been stronger
properly dovetaied and glued but when the newell post
gives way which h the foundation, 1t would assuredy
carry the other with it,
Question by the CoronerIf strong iron railing had
been placed there snd all the stair railing remained
would the number Of children have got out safe! A-No
hey could not.
not have prevented the falling when the newell post
james Harriet, being sworn said:-I reside at No 4
Eighth avenue; am mason; went into the building,
day. with Mr. Henry and Mr. Tucker; have examin-
ed the wall and think the building is strong enough
they WIDER think that the lose Of life might have
been nearly bad II the railing had not fallen although
mot quite =. had think an n1ssn and not stair
William Tucker sworn, said-l reside at No. 2s Mac
dougal street; am master builder; have this day
examined the school house in Greenwich avenue exer
nsly and internally, and from what can see II looks
very we'll speak Of the whole structure except the
newell Of the stairs do not think the egress Of the
building sufHei.nt for the school; have been in the
habit Of erecting public buildings the mode Of hanging
the outer doors is generally TO swing inside but II Is
ouestion-In your opinion, who lie To blame in the
construction Of this tuiidng Al dc not any de-
The ascension oS ,e.o spd the vorSm.n,hp e .bous
good the generality there some better 70 be
do not any one TO blame; the fault find Is in the
stairs the construction OF the building Is taken from
the plans
The foreman Of the Jury here propoed to examine Mr.
getting his opinion and that the names Of parties who
did the carpenter work might b. know 10 the jury AL
thury wanted was TO elicit the truth and II any blame
was to be given why let 1t fall on hose to whom the CEN
Justice Bleakley ruled that the motion was improper
to put persons under examination Who In any
connected with the construction OF the building and
therefore declined the motion
One Of the Jury The Coroner Is aware that We have
the evidence already before the jury Of great want Of
and correct workmanship In the putting up Of the
newell post how do know who the perssns 10
blame In this matter II any when com. 10 make up
verdict We have before Of the carpenters
stair makers; 70 charge John Doe Richard
Roe ! have no doubt there were sub.oontrscts Civ
81 out 49,
Justice Blealey said that tn. evidence Of such facts
could be very easily procured by the jury by other wit
than By putting the stand witnesses per-
sons vho may possibly be implicated In the affair.
Jurymsn-D OF understand the Coroner 10 rule that
cannot examine such witnesses the jury may deem
advisable to get at the facts As for my part shall not
sign the inquison, IL TO be limited in our in.
vestigstion.
Foremsn-Mr Coroner, I cannot undsrstand phy we
cannot examine Mr. Mclean think II Ia due that gen
temen, a. one OF the Commissioner 70 have him make
bis statement before am informed that Mr. Mclean
hiss net been contractor in the building nor IA
penter or mason and think the Jury will arrive at
some fact NJ the evidence
Justice MISREPRESENTATION. you DO not understand
the position have taken cen refer you 10 case In
ralni In tie Law xh.ra Cnrnn.r s.rtltn