The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-04-12
Melancholy Catastrophe al Williamsburg.

Melancholy Catastrophe AZ Williamsburg.
THE FALLING OF HOUSE IN GRAND sTREET--oSTs
PERSON KILLED AND SEVERAL OTHERS BADLY
INJURED.
Yesterday evening fatal accident occurred at No. III
Grand street. Williamsburg caused by the sudden falling
OF building in process of erection instantly killing lad
of twelve years of age by the Of Ives, Of Mr.
George Ives, mason residing in that vicinity, and seri
ousy, if not mortally, njurng Mr. and Mrs. Gibson and
their three children.
1t appears from the facts elected by last night that
Mr. Gibson of the property and resided with
his family in the hoase. 1t frame building and
about three weeks since Mr. Gibson caused the house to
be elevated to the height Of second story for the
purpose of erecting brick store underneath
during which time the family remained in he house
Up to last evening it appeared to be part
OF the wall had been built up, and the whole of the house
rested on blocks the having been taken aud
it was the remark OF many persons that the building
looked very dangerous
Between six and seven o'clock, Mr.. Gibson was
standing talking to another in the front base
ment, when. all at once, he observed the build
ing to totter, and before he could possibly ex
trcate himself from the perilous POSITION the whole
front of the house fell with crash into the street. and
the unfortunate boy being at the tmsexacy in front OF
the house. before he could escape crushed to death
under the ruins Mr. Gibson also buried under the
mbers Mrs. Gibson who at the time of the calamity,
was preparing supper down amid the ruins as did
likewise the three children the youngest being infant
not two years of age.
No sooner had the building fell that general alarm
given which called in the aid of the Fire Department Mr.
Scott. with Hook and Ladder Co. No. The fire depart
Mt aided by number Of citizens worked vigorously
until they extrcated all the parties from the ruins The
child taken from among the timbers with but
apparent slight injury The other two little girls were
badly scalded from the upsetng Of the teakette Of boil
ing water. Mrs. Gibson very seriously wounded
Her thigh was broken and she sustained other bodily
injury Mr collar bone oken, and three
Of his ribs also bruises about his person
The boy when extracted from under the ruins dead
His body was conveyed to the residence Of his parents
Another family, who occupied part of the same house
with Mr. Gibson fortunately absent the loss Of
life would doubt have been greatly increased. They
we're within half block OF the building, their return
home when the house fell. The deceased going on
IN errand for his employer Mr. Meeks, tailor, No. 1O4
Grand street. when just lie opposite the totter.
ing building it fell and crushed him underneath the
sidewalk.
Mr. Gibson states that he cannot tell whether the per-
son to whom he was conversng at the time the building
fell escaped not bur his impression is that he got
away as the iremen unable to find any other
bodies than those above mentioned.
The cause of the house falling not certainly
taned BY ii SAID the blocks gave way others
think the had been elevated too high and not being
sufficiently braced it slipped the blocks and thus
pushed out the front wall bringing the whole building
| with it. An inquest will be held the body of de
ceased by the Coroner day. when possibly SOM
satisfactory account will 30 given touching the
| the fatal calamity.