The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-01-13
M Dye House Is still standing.
DETAILED ACCOUNTS OF THE DISASTER.
From the Boston Bee, jan IL
IN FALLING OF TIE BUILDING AND HOW IT ORY0Y-

From the Boston Bee, Jan. l2l
IN FALLING OF TIE BUILDING AND HOW IT 0RIGI-
- nis building = =, already been noted FEN With
saassr until til caas UPON sSsn IN sas isl * sSsnSS
r q s s sas9 vs nd % SSss
Of instant Two scenes Of wider or more painful con-
tast could not be imagined mill in full operation, with
several hundred men, women and children quietly per-
forming their accustomed labor, the side; Its
hsralded destruction producing devastation and the
horrible Of deaths the other Let be thankful tina
sw such scenes ever meet the eye or pain the heart
The origin Of the catastrophe s varousy stated, but
hat which appears the more probatls defect in the
northern portion It is also more than limited that the
walls OF the building were insufficient for 50 heavy
unusually heavy, while the floors were immensely mas
sve, and in this respect presented marked contrast in
proportion TO the walls and foundation. y not i'm,
probable that the action Of the frost the foundation and
walls had something TO do with II, sudden.
H following very cold As before limited, there
Of which reasonable and others are Those above
mentioned 70 far "a our inquiries went are nearest the
Fue ones Tho inquest which 70 be held win be thorough,
and WILL no doubt, bring out the real facts Of the case
DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDING.
The building was erected In 1858, BY the Essex
Company Of Lawrence, for the Pemberton Mills Com
and was eighty four feet eight inches wide and 2s4 feet
length The cost Of the whole machinery included, was
Tss done by The day. and not on Contract. appears
that had been considered by competent judges Of very
light construction for the amount Of heavy machinery,
&c. with which it was filed. The foundation sunk
ten twelve feet, and II supposed to be good
and substantial The walls were about two feet four
ndS sash on
mmns supporters, set ten feet apart one way, and
twenty six the other These columns considered by
many 10 be insufficient supports Over them were placed
double beams. Between the two beams, and resting
Me columns large piece Of IRON, shaped something like
= % S s
upwards into the column in the room above.
There are several Ways of staying these columns, In use
BY builders and Of all others this would appear to be the
most economical Of iron. There have been instances
heretofore where these pnes have been broken and let
th hind would Be very dangerous 70 The building. How
may be In the case N hand, u impossible 70 tell Tho
eAsf VIII
rods The floors were Of three thicnessss nrs three
inch spruce plank, doweled and laid across the beams
plank and finally another flooring Of N inch Southern
pine boards also laid dagonaly the two rst thick
ne0es. This would appear 70 be flooring enough TO sen
The building very thoroughly, - the whole ws well
he building was, y originally constructed nve stories
saade considerable loy building Within few years
tAe southwest corner chimney ll2 feet high was
built ms was built on foundation Of large
was stated that this chimney during heavy gale q
wind long since, swayed several inches from i
ya position and that fears were then entertained FOR It's
sfety. About middle way Of tho west side Of the build
Qua from the main building. On the northeast corner
wing branched OF; this was - by 30 fest The engine
houss, In which were two boilers set, the south
end, and almost distinct from the main factory. The boil
err weighed some fourteen tons each and the whole
ehnery attached was u IKE proportion. Thh gives an
idea cf what the buildings weFe Il hes been stated that
The foundation for the was was we'll id and in fact
This sad ar that required much perseverance, yester
day collect facts sacient 70 form any definite opinion
From the circumstances apparent In the position Of the
ruins when the catastrophe happened would seem al
most conclusive that there defect IN The ounda
ton; then again. after taking into consideration The very
The fact that beeaue necessary on one occasion, mos
more truss and grid the whole building 70 keep To-
gether, who would wonder that Il should crumbe and
IAN. m
me company owning The building Of whom Mr.. J. A.
Lowell the principal stockhoder n 1885, was, during
the financial crisis Of 1S67S compelled 10 suspend and
eventually the proprsorshp changed into the hands q
present members Of the company. II was some tme
about two years ago that accident In the mill, when
the breaking Of one Of The pintles connecting columns,
caused the floor 10 settle considerably. This was soon
Fonedied and nothing more VIZ thought Of q that
time Lately, said, cousderable talk has been made
rupor takes the whoe matter out Of hands, and no
one but The Coroner can gain the facts. seems that
many Of the operatives have been fearful that the ruc-
0ure would not hold together and several have lo for
lhas alone However this may be, there u blame
yestins some party, and who thai one d mogt likely
viii be brought TO hight NsA rh icr g. e 100
TIE PRKeyHT ArPHARAxm on rm xurss. n
e present appearance Of the ruins Ia melapcholy 10
fhe highest degree. ma huge mam Of timbers, brick,