The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-08-01
BRooE1YH err NEWS.

4
BROOKLYN cTrs NEWS
vs. "a IL z u soJoc.>>~>S- ''-sc---
TIE PuRhAN STREET pIsAsrsR-INvEsrioATion .,
TIN c0R0NBR-THsrIhoNf oS rs S"~~
LAYsR-A SHARP JURrhAN.
Charles J. Bunting, sworn, testined-I reside u ~
Eas. Twelfth street, New York; am builder BY profess
sion since 1885, erected buildings known a. % and %
Furman street, for John J. Merritt, by days work
commenced the building In the ht part Of the month Of
April 1885, the last day the worked there was
on the Oath Instant tho two outside walls we're about
two feet thick on the northery side sprung one Of
the main arches from this wall the southsry side wall
put up twelve inch brick wall put up twelve inch
brick wall against the old wall; the two centre walls
were eighteen inches thick and connected with tho old
WALL the walls were finished sometime before the arches
sprung; think the arches have been sprung about
thirty days; employed about eight or nine men
average working on the walls; two Of the men were
named Wallace, and named Wright, and another
was named Patrick Denna who resided in Second ave.
nue., Seventeenth street; hard bricks and the best
quality OF cement were used in the construction OF the
walls Of the building
The witness here asked by the Coroner he could
tell what brand was on the cement used as he 1.-THE
mason) bad bought It, This the witness know nothing
about He answered that he was not restricted as to
price, but he could not tell what the best quality Of
cement now in use, and did not know what brand Of
cement was used think the plans were made by David
design was made by tho owner, Mr. Merritt, and the
plans think, furnished by the of the build
OF the baldjpg were employed by me; nye men were
employed in dng in the yard on the roof Of the building
the men commenced to put earth on the root Of the
building about three weeks ago
BY the Coroner-You say that i've men were engaged
for three weeks in wheeling dirt the roof OF the build
put on the roof in each dayP A. One man can wheel
seven carloads Of earth each day. the dirt was not all
paid for party and offered two hundred loads
CoronerDid you tell Mr. Merritt that you thought the
arches which supported the roof were strong enough
enough-hat II should be thicker; he replied that he
would put another arch In TO strengthen the building,
which would require less earth TO fill up the chasms be-
tween the arches did not anything give way during
the completion OF the work, except small crack in the
strength to bear tho arches and weight Of earth upon
them; nothing but the walls supported the arches;
as % 6 w %e % sOa %
walls that thought was necessary about i've or ten
feet Of the old wall on the north side fell down with the
walls there dirt the sOutherly side of
the building than the other; there about twenty
four inches Of dirt the top OF the Of the arche
In the valleys between the arches there about from
four to six feet Of dirt.
four reporter stated the 6rst account OF this unforu
nate calamity that several dirt had been placed on
the roof Of these buildings but gentleman who served
term in Fort Lafayette for forge.y la Howard and
Madison, and who is connected with an Insignificant
Brooklyn paper took the liberty to say that report
incorrect The object Of this fragrant falsehood
to draw out reply from the HERALD which would
fortune Our reporter preferred 70 let the official inves
tga,ion bear outthe truth Of his first report knowing
that the intelligent portion OF the people or Brooklyn
knew perfectly the cause of the disaster.
Wtness-Can't tell where the building drst gave way
think the arches must have given way drst think the
inch walls capable Of sustaining doubie
pressure that placed upon them think the extra
arch that put at the suggestion Of Mr. Merritt had
tendency to weaken the others; think that IL had
said to Mr.. Merritt that the work was not
strong enough he would have coincided with
my views; was in New York when the building fell;
called over TO SOC Mr. Merritt had conversation
In regard to the weak point OF the building; do not
know anything else Of definite nature that took place
COroncr-How was the building supported insides A.
There iron column In each building on the FIRST
floor about nine feot from the front wall on the second
floor II supported by locust posts.
Coroncr-What the Dimensions Of these locust
postsi A. They varied from six to nine inches In diane
teri there were no iron columns on any Of the upper
floors there grder on the top door; tho building
Al this stage Of the proceedings, and just a.
the Coroner about TO adjourn the case one OF the
jurors who Is well known in Brooklyn as one Of the first
mechan city stated that he wished TO ask few
questions OF the witness The request granted aud
the juryman asked Mr.. Bunting he had ever built
seen built arch with its foundations resting the
hips Of two other archesf This question seemed TO stag
ger the Witness who after good deal OF ccumocution
Juryman-Whst did you turn these arches on A.
Wooden centres these centres were not removed before
JurymaneDont you think that the green centre walls
settled some A. Mo- think that any wall laid in &C.
ment will not settle.
Jurymau-AI0
these walls had settled do you no. think
that would have weakened the archesY A. Yes: but
| do not think that tho walls settled.
Coroner-If there has been nothing wrong about the
construction Of those buildings will you be kind enough
| TO know myself the cause OF this sad calamity, but
| think the arches were the first TO give way.
The Coroner then adjourned the proceedings till next
Wednesday morning.
The GREENWOOD SUICIDE.
The Corcues OF this county have been busy for the
past few days. that they found II impossible 70 hold az
| inquest yesterday on the body OF Mf Matthew'S In
order 10 clear on number OF miner cases now a the
dead house the investigation OF the Furman street case
has had to be postponed.
| TIE ALLEGED CORRUPTION IN rue CONTRACT sYs
| TEN OF KINGS OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES DisAP
| PEARANcR or DOCUMENTS.
The investigation into the alleged fraudulent award q
the contract for supplying the county institutions will
aour continued yesterday Several witnesses were
l examined, and most OF tho evidence went TO show
very loose way Of doing busness well a. very us
picous alteration in some or the papers offered In svi
dence the suspicious part OF tho anair 10 tn
disappearance Of the original contracts ABOUT wncn tn
ru pus kicked up, the Superintendent OF the Poor
in whose custody they were, Mr.. Delany, repostinI
that they had been and were nowhere 70 DO found
Az hsse documents the hinge on which the whole
affair turns tho Investigating committee will probabl!
| let the matter be FOR the present.
| FATAL ACCIDENT ON rHB WILLIAMSBURG FERRY
About halfpas six O'Clock last evening, - the fsr!
boat Arizona belonging 70 the Peck slip Ferry Company
approaching the slip a the foot Of South Seventh
street. Williamsburg one Of the passengers who hs
mounted 10 the roof Of the cabinatemptsd 10 jump Of
fell into the water between the dock and the boat AM
up late hour last hight his body had not been re
covered although every effort 70 do % was made by to
employees Of the company black silk hat, worn D.
cd no clue 70 bis identity y " y ~
Inf.