Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-03-07

The Terrible Disaster at 1'ittsfieId.
We find in the Boston Journal OF last eve
ming, the following letter, giving particular
account of the fall of Burbank's block in
Pittsfeld =
PITTsFIELD, Wednesday, March s.
One of the most terrible catastrophes since
the fearful event of the Pemberton Cotton
Mill, at Lawrence, occurred in this town about
noon yesterday. The loss OF life is happily
not so large at Lawrence, but the amount
OF property suddenly destroyed must be nearly
equal, and the escape of so many from serious
injury and outright death, is almost mracu-
lous. The building which Tell was known as
"Burbank old block, was erected about four
teen years ago, and was situated upon North
street, the principal business thoro ghiare of
the town. 1t was occupied by some of the first
class establishments OF western Massachusetts,
and the amount Of destroyed stock and goods
OF the occupants is estimated by thousands of
dollars.
The lower floor was occupied by John Fee
ley, tin and stove dealer; Dodge & Sloan, hat
and cap dealers E. Werden, book dealer;
Adams & Co.'s Express; Grant G. Davis,
crockery dealers James ii. Burbank & Co.,
hardware dealers; S. NJ. Cooley & Co., gro
GERS. On the second floor was DIR. Willard
Coughs office; also Dr. c. L. Halls La.
tayelte Hutier, harness and trunk mamuiac
turer; A. Liffingwel boot and shoe maker;
Abraham VOlk, tailor; and number OF lodg-
ing rooms occupied by the clerks below. The
thlrd floor was occupied exclusively by the
the Berkshire County Eagle Office and Lynes
& Barker's furniture warerooms, the latter
occupying what was formerly known as "Bur.
banks Hall"
The cause of the accident is probably cor
recIly attributed to the unusual pressure of
snow upon the roof, but the building has for
number OF years been considered unsafe by
some of the occupants. The building was
probably two hundred feet long, perhaps
more, and the roof for nearly the entire length
was crushed in, and the side walls and also
those of the north end were thrown down,
nearly filling the north street passageway with
bricNs, timbers, and the contents OF the upper
floors OF the building 1t was at first supposed
that some twenty or thirty were buried in the
ruins and the excitement at the time was sud
ly fearful. Friends of the occupants and of
those known to be in the building were almost
frantic, and the meetings and congratulations
when they were found 10 be safe were too at.
iecting to describe. The citizens and fremen
worked with much energy to extrcate the
dead and wounded, and they were very soon
brought from the ruins.
The two killed were Sidney A. Wright and
MISS FOLLY Barnes. Mr.. Wright was the son
OF Mr. wright Of Lenox, was 80 years old
foreman in Mr.. Feeley' tin shop, and leaves
"He ahu TWO OF three children Miss Barnes
was seventy years old, and was an aunt of
Henry w. Hubbard, in whose dwelling sha
was at the time OF the accident
Mr.. Hubbard occupied small wooden build.
ing at the north end OF the fallen BUILDING
which was entirely demolished by the tallip9,
brick. The upper floor was occupied by MI
Hubbard as a dwelling, and the lower one also
BY Mr., Hubbard as a news office and a TOW
and confectionery store. Besides Miss Barnes.
who was killed instant in this building, a
number were seriously injured. Mr.. Hubbard
himself was very badly bruised, but his recov
is not doubted Miss Ruth Taylor, an assist.
ant ia his store, was badly bruised in the face
and about the head Mrs Hubbard was badly
injured in various parts Of the body; young
son Of Mr.. Chiekering editor Of the Eagle,
who was making purchase in Mr. Hubbard's
store at the time, Was injured about the head
and back
A large number in the fallen building we're