Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1865-06-08
4'aiIg Gmpire.
Terrible U@tastrcphy ln CincIn-
NATL


One OF the most terrible catastrophes that
has occurred in this city FOR many years took
place last night by the falling in OF
building used as military armory, on the
north side of Longworth near Park street.
This building originally was occupied as a
riding school, but more latterly by several
companies Of the Seventh Regiment National
Guards, as an armory, they having leased the
same Of Nathaniel Wright, Esq, for Eve years,
the lease commencing 10 January last This
building is fifty-fve feet in front, ssventy.five
in depth and about eighteen feet in hight, the
wall being twelve inches in thickness.
For some time past, several members Of
the companies have been apprehensive that
the building was insecure, and have frequent
ly expressed themselves that the walls we're
not substantial and threatened to give way,
but hoping against fear, they continued their
occupancy. Within few days past, work
men have been employed in erecting over
the building a new roof, which on yesterday
was nearly completed.
Last evening, OF an early hour, fourteen
members Of Company c assembled in the
Armory for drill and The transaction of busi.
ness. A few minutes before eight o'clock a
crack 10 the wall was distinctly heard, and the
gas-lights we're observed to vibrats and shake.
The company Immediately adjourned to the
front steps OF the building, where they we're
seated discussing the character Of the build
ing, when another loud crack was heard, and
the men ran for the street, but the front and
west walls fell outward, and the roof inward,
the front wall burying beneath it several of
the members, while few escaped.
The west wall fell outward toward the resi-
dence of Mr.. Frank FoRderheide, divided
from the Armony building by a FIVE foot al
ley. In this alley, were seated Mrs. Frank
Fonderhede her sister, Miss Josephine Drop.
pleman Mrs Mary Presser, Miss Anna
Presser, and Miss Fanny Presser Miss
Droppleman held on her knee sn infant
child Of Mrs. Fonderhede As coon as the
giving way of the wall was heard, two of the
young ladies, Misses Anna and Fanny Presser
ran round the front Of the building, and es-
capped with only slight juries.
The falling wall, however, caught Mrs.
Mary Presser, an old woman eighty-three
years OF age, who resided at No 26l Third
street, between John and Central Avenue, and
who was visiting Mrs Fonderheide and
spending the evening. Mrs. Presser was
killed instantly Mrs. Fonderheide received
such injuries in the head and on the body,
with breakage Of one of her limbs, that she
died in one hour after the accident.
The infant escaped with only lsHs- slsg 1t
Injuries. Miss DropplemRn had her left arm
badly broken and lacerated. She also receiy
ed three contusions in the head.
Iti mystery how this lady and the child
escaped instant death as they were seated be.
tween the two whose injuries proved fatal.
house only o few weeks since, and had been
i'm oh nha fol
wall smashed in his windows and portion of
the east wall ofhis residence Wa sincerely
condole with our friend in his irreparable ca.
lamity.
OF those who were caught by the falling of
the south, or front wall Mr. Alexander Niche
was the most unfortunate, receiving such in.
uries in the head, body and limbs, that he
died in about an hour and half after the
building fell. Mr. Niche was q clerk in How
ell GsAo & Co.'S, and was q young man of
unexe eptionable character. His father and
brother and family did not learn of the scci-
dent until after AlexRnder's death. They re-
side on Franklin street Lieutenant Robert
T. Dunlap, Payer in Gilmore, Dunlap 4 Cos,
Bank, was badly injured in the head, side,
arms and legs, but his physician does not re-
gard his injuries as necessari ly fatal.
Captain Russell, George W Smith and two
others, whose names we are unable to obtain
received slight injuries, none Of which are
serious.
As soon as il was possible, Drs. Baker
Lawson, McCarty, and Wilson we're sent for,
who Immediately attended to the injuries Of
the unfortunates. The Methodist Church,
on the corner, was thrown open, and was
also several Of the houses in the vicinity, and
every assistance that was possible to be given
to alleviate the sufferings ofthe injured was
promptly rendered.
Coroner Carey was sent for, and after ta'
king possession Of the three deceased bodss,
adjourned the inquests until this morning at
nine o'elock, when rigid and thorough ex.
animation into the causes OF the accident will
be had