, 1859-03-24

Nhosn tho 1tpy paiy Wing March 1a]
A terrible avatauche- from which calamity
our city has been free for many yea1s-oceuf.
red about eight o'clock last evening, involving
the almost entire destruction Of the magnificent
building now in course of erection at the head
Of Washington street, near the base Of Mount
Ida, known Us St. Peter 8 College. The blow is
q crushing one to Father HaTermana and the
many friends Of the institution.
The College was located upon a large p1ateau,
to which the approach was broad flight OF
steps,: 1t was the highest building in that ricin-
ity and nearest the hill Below it, at the base Of
the steps, are numb her Of houses upon Wash
ington street. The building was intended to be
avery large one: 200 feet in length md stories
high, with two towers. Only two stories had
been completed, and the work of construction
was in vigorous prosecution at the time Of the
disaster, By Mr. Mcclure, the mason in charge.
Mount Ida commenced its slope about thirty feet
quite gradually to the summit. An avalanche
was never drenmed Of.
At o'clock last evening the slide took place.
A man who lives close by and was witness to
the catastrophe said the earth slid down with
very little noise till it reached the rear wall Of
the college, Here its progress was stopped for
moment. TIL gathering new st., strength it t% burst
der filled tue building in moment, demo1ish-
ing beams, Gnk-walls and partitions, md cover
ing the entire central part Of the edidce. The
front wall was also crushed in, but it suf6ced to
stay the progress Of the avalanche,
4 large crowd soon assembled ut the scene,
and many Of them risked their lives in rain at-
tempts to explore the ruins and discover the ex-
the bright moonlight, standing upon projecting
masses Of earth, directly under overhanging
bluffs. Although the particulars Of the calamity
cannot be accurately ascertained until to-day, it
is feared that St. Peters College can never be
rebuilt in the same locality. The centre Of the
building is buried up to the depth Of several
feet.
At the south, about one-quarter Of the build
ing is still standing; at the north hardly more
than the end wall remains. 1t is said that from
$4,000 to $l5,0 900 had been lately expended on
the work-the foundation being~ycry solid.
Probably two-thirds Of this amount will be 4
total loss. No workmen had been in the build
ing since the previous day, {St. Patrick's being
4 Holiday, but twenty minutes before the occur
renee, crowd Of boys were playing upon the
beams and walls. The time Of the accident pre-.
vented fearful loss of life, orer one hundred
mechanics being engaged on the building.
1t is conjectured that if the College aud its
terrace had not been constructed, unrestrained
by this barrier, the earth would have reached
the tenement house, and perhaps even destroy
ed the hospital.
The hill is now in a very dangerous state, and
another avalanche may be apprehended at any
moment. The mountain is undermined, and IN
immense mass Of earth has little or no support
The occupants of many houses in the vicinity
hare moved all their household goods to place
Of safety.
The noise of the avalanche was heard all over
the lower part of the city. The event produced
m intense excitement. The fact TINT il resulted
in no loss Of life or limb snould be a source OF
congratulution.