The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-08-01

proCress of the said building was uaily ON tue
uro1nd and hourly IN consultation with the
eeuperirten6ent, and with the architect, and
snaeavorcd bv ell the means In my power,
by personal observations aud repeated instruc.
tons TO the officers EN- loyed to spare no exoense
Viii. il might be Decesssry to incur TO erect the
works in the strongest and most substantial manner,
was in the bulding yesterday for nearly two 1ours
and left there about one hour before IL ie atnougo
examined as thought, every portion Of the work
which ~ss visible, ! saw no'hng that was not, 10
nv Judgment as perfect as could b. desired to en-
snre general SO urity. am unable to express any
opinion as to tho cause Of the sad accident inc
foundations for the building, ! should think, cost
over $4,000, and the whole work, including the
ground was estimated TO cost, when flushed
Al 600 600. Mr.. Clark awsys expressed his admra
tion Of the skllful manner In which the ironwork
was performed do not think III It any storm couid
have affected the sodity Of tho structure. was in
the habit every day Of examining the whole work
IL progressed.
iames n Wells sworr-Ilive at 2eS West Twenty
second street; am master BUILDER, and have been
engaged in erecting buildings for the Last forty
yesrs; inspected tie design Of the buildings at the
corner Of avenue and Fourteenth street before
they were built, and approved Of the combina.
.ons siritcd the building when IN the course, OF
construction, far as tho mason work; know that
II was done in the best manner under the direction
Of Benjamin NJ. Clark, who was thoroughly compc-
tent to its execution; visited the building again
after s s0G aec and b sa sSnssesed
] had ever inspected; | considered the iron
iasiers there used sufficiently. strong. to bear
the weight placed On them, and considered tho
iron columns were strong enough to support the
weight Of the roof In stating; placing slate In any
quantity on one side more than on another would
rot affect IT, the construction Of the building being
triangular; the sinking Of one Of tue columns four
or Eve inchcs would not have caused the fal OF the
building; when Mr.. Roomc brought the plan oil tho
buildng TO me for my opinion, think ne would
1avc altered It II had suggested any alteration
but did not sec that there Was any necessary.
The inquest was then adjourned until halfpast one
O'Clock this day.
BEFORE separating, the jury consented tina. certi
Gcatee shCnd DO given for tho burial Of the bodies Of
tho deceased, which accordingly was done.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Michael Raleigh being sworn. said--I am assist
ant superintendent Of the CONSTRUCTION OF iron works
in the establishment Of James Beobc & Co., and
have been in this business since 1916 / have care
fully examined the ruins Of tho building which fell
and Of opinion that the causo Of the fall of ths
roof Was the improper construction Of tho iron work
fhe main ribs were not Of proper form or strength
nor were they sufficiently supported by diagonal
braces; think the accident was occasioncd BY the
twisting Of the main ribs, which caased tho roof ia
collapse, and 50 pulling down tho supporters end