The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-08-09
THE FuRMAM STREET DISASTER.

The investigations into Of the Furman street
disaster by Coroner Lynch yesterday after
noon, at three O'Clock
David Board sworn testifed-Reside at 25s West
Forty third street; a carpenter and builder some
thirty five to forty years; performed some work for
Mr. Merritt built Dey street and one in Full
ton street, did the work Of the houses % and o5 Fuman
street; commenced the carpenter work some time In
May drew sketch of the front OF the building for
Mr. Merritt (plan produced); that is all the plan made
drew these paRs OIL sketch furnished in pencil by
Mr. Merritt; dfew the plans under his (Meritt's) d.
recon as nearly as possible; sometimes draw my own
plans and sometimes they furnished by architects
tue pan was shown to the mason so that he could tell
now 70 bnid the piers and place the openings for the
doors and windows the upper was objected to- and
after got out the stuff for the centres Mr. Bunting said
that nc would NOT put II in and used the stun for the
two main arches; we got orders from
afterwards to put up the upper arch; heard Bunting
say several times that he would not have the arch
put in think heard MIR Merritt say that he would be
responsible for the arch; don't know whether Mr. Mer.
rift and Mr. Bunting had any conversation in relation
this NATTER they often talking together different
parts of the building, but don't know the exact
words; Mr. Mcrritt's reason understood for putting in
the upper arch that would take less dirt MI
roofs; thought that this arch wouh weaken instead OF
strengthening the two main arches; the timbers were
three by twelve inches there one iron column in
the first story Of each building and locust posts in all the
other stories; don't know only from hearsay whether
there were any working the roof at the time Of
the accident.
To ajuror-I had nothing to do with the work
pentcr work; had any conversation with Mr. Mer
rift about the top Arch thought that the small arch
not turned as ought but don't know that II
made any difference after was turned if one had
asked me my opinion about putting up the third arch
would have said that 1t would be better without think
that IL when the small arch was being turned that
nr. Merritt said he 'wOuld be responsible; ~ thought
the arch should nave been eight inches thick instead Of
four my opinion the Judgment OF Mr. Merritt he not
being mechanic would not be a. good in matters Of
this Kind q mechanic who understood the nature aud
strength Of properly g99saTueea i, arch p..,. %.
South First street Eastern district; am constructing
engineers my place of business is now at 90 Furnian
street. was there, at the buildings, few minutes after
they fell; have been several times in the buildings while
they were being erected Ind occupied one of them
No 05-beiee the fire; regards the construction of
those arches, alter the Dire Mr. Merritt and Mr. Bunting
were in conversation about the arches; asked Mr. Mcr
rift If he intended to construct them the old plan he
to the two walls in the CENTRE and that there should be
something very strong there resist the pressure The
said no, that they would put two arches in, the
same as in No 81 | called Mr.. Merrtt's attention
two main arches he told mo that he going to cut
OF the iron beams that had been used In the build
ing and place them tho two walls to support the
principal arches thought that would be strong enough
and said more aboat the natter the four inch arch
not high enough TO get ia the hoist Wheel and sIT
Merritt said would another arch put up above that
10 construct the hoist way In; this WAS weak point in
the roof there arch there TO form an abuncnt
for The main arches.
Mr. Merritt rocaled-I the protector Of this arch;
thought would be likely to strengthen the other
arches; 1 satisfied that IL had not the effect
intended, but think still that strong enough to
support amount of dirt that contemplated 10 be
put the roof; If any competent person had told me
that the arch safe would not have constructed
IT. considered Mr. Bunting and Mr.. Board, or either OF
them, competent persons.
This clos the evidence and Coroner Lynch delivered
the following charge to the jury
GENu EMsS Tmg JURY--We again called upon 10
hold Dquests upon three PERSONS who came 10 their
death by tho falling Of the buildings known Nos Oh
and o. yurman street ON the 4 Of April last nques,s
their death by the falling Of buildings which stood
upon the pr mses, which fire at the time,
and verdict rendered q No 0bame, which
was far could tell vt that time IN accordance
with the evidence; but this time there Is TO
S Ss Alter say e 's , Of Ae Merritt 'G psS
ceeded "a rebuild the buildings and employed Mr. Charles
Bunting as builder and super ntcndent during their
erection and Mr. David Board to- do the carpenter work.
sr BGnting estles that Of the walls (the northery
wall OF The adjoining buildng) was ten feet thick and
the southcriy wall five fest thick He aHo icstiaes
that he built wall adjoining the souhcrrly wall twelve
inches in thickness, and two contre walls which
sixteen inches thick, aud connecting with portion OF
this old val, which left standing alter the ire The
arches sprung about week after the walls
ansh and that hard brick and cement mortar OF the
hesi quality used In their construction. The wit
Further states that i've employed milling
the ysri wh,ch was on tn, roof OF the buildings and
thai the had been employed in wheeling earth upon
the rf Soc shout three ks, and that could
wheel Sloai loads Of earth day. Witness told
NJ aeuti the owner OF the buildings that ths centre
arch strong enough and Mr. Merritt suggested
Mr. ngn ng build another arch order 10 streng en
the arches IN which the witness acquesced The
arch wa. built is only support being the TACT of LIS
resting upon the hips OF the main arches Tie witness
further states that he believes the arch suggested by Mr.
Merritt alter tendency weaken the main arches
than had 10 strengthen them keep them up witness
small crack In the back OF the old wall during tho
complcon'of this work He says that nothing but the
walls supported the arches There about twenty
four inches Of earth upon the top Of the crown OF the
arches IN the valleys between the arches there be-
tween four an 1--WE feet OF earth Witness did think
| that the walls had settled any Win. IL Hazzart n
builder OF sixteen years aand'ng testified That the
falling Of the buildings caused by the faults of
the architectural construct on; that tbs Workmanship
aud materials were good He Is positive that tho npIrr
arch the OF the falling OF the bnidines
Mr. Hazard has described very ntcgenily IT, you the
mode construction Of the buildings and the position OF
the arches, and has explained To- you in his opinion the
cause Of this calamity lie tcsiiGes thai II no,
safe IT, put earth upon those arches, and lurm
he would consider himself responsible TO God and
for the lives OF the men who were Killed James
Lock- another builder icst'iios thai the cause OF the
falling Of the building was the puiting up OF the
\ top centre arch. That the centre waits were not
thick enough for such n building; aud that, instead
OF adding strength 10 the main arches Me upper centre
arch wcakcntd them witness states that 10 make The
buildings safe the centre walls Should have had good
arches between them a, cnch story, and been well an
cborcd together Wi,h iron anchors Patrick Monahan
one Of the aborcrs who "a the roof, aud had lust
co, of with his barrow wliea the accident occurred tcs-
,ilcs that as he wa leaving the roof hc heard crash
and turning around suddenly he saw the centre OF the
building give way, and before The other could cs
cape the whole structure went down. John J. Merritt
the Of the buildings tcstines that lac employcd
Mr. Bunting TO supcrntend the erection Of the sudng
| and that Mr. David Board, carpenter OF New YORK
drew the plans He thinks that the centre arch strength
cncd the two main arches he says thssc as four roe
tncs that II there had been earth put on the root tn
| building would not have fallen Mr.. Bunting stated Il
the wines, that he did not think the four hch ARCH wa
| strong enough witness then spoke TO NJ. Board VIII
Thought strong enough John Murphy states tina
hunting told him that he did not think the small nrc
Vas strong enough 10 hoiup abe anours OF car,h tia
| was being placed upon H. hat could tos say vhcths
Bunting told Merritt VI the or not Bunting tn.d VII
| ness 10 build shc arch Witn.ss thinks. was Mr. ms
| NUS duty, rs owner OF the building, ~. hy
| the earth removed. frosn the roof " he ii
not considesit safe have there. Hut no iie ~
| INN nnl bftI tn m