The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1869-01-14
The Rochester Catastrophe.
rom the Rochester Chronicle, Jan. 7.

It is with the saddcst feelings that we find
ourselves called upon TO relate the particu-
lars of most appalling accident, which oc-
Cured last night about a quarter past nine
O'Clock. at the schoolhouse of ST. Peters and
Paul's Church. on Maple street An Epi-
phany festival and concert was being held
there for the benefit of the school, and with
out any warning portion of the second
floor, about twenty five feet in length by
forty in width, fell with crash to the floor
beneath. A scene Of the widest excitement
occurred. Many in their excitement jumped
from the windows, and from every door and
means of escape the occupants of the build
ing poured out, as if to escape impending
danger.
1t was estimated that there were fifteen
hundred people in the assemblage At the
time Of the accident there was quite large
audience the floor that fell. listening to
the music. Upon the floor below, or first
floor, the tables were spread, and upon that
portion which received most of the falling
mass, number of ladies' were engaged in
washing dishes but, fortunately. the ends
of the joists hung to the wall sufficiently to
form protection. and most of them escaped
unharmed.
Eight persons were killed outright, as
follows Bernard Dunner and wife, Emma
Reese, aged IA years George Popp, aged
about 60 years Mrs. Bartemay Sperl, Mag
gle Weis, aged about IA years Kate Law
renee, aged about Is years Mrs. George
Rinck.
The above are the names Of the persons
who were killed outright There were three
or!four dangerously, and it is thought fatally,
injured. The wounded are David c. Way,
conclusion of the spine and other injuries,
and his chances for recovery are extremely
,hr, IL
hurt and sustained in jIres in the neck, not
dangerous Mrs. Mehle. leg bruised. A little
daughter of Michael Wolf was quite severely
I injured and was reported dead, hut it is
| thought she will recover. Peter Fuchs and
CathariEe, his wife, We're injured, the latter
so dangerously that it is thought she will die
Catharine Begy was slightly hurt and con-
veyed to her home. Mrs. George Nagle was
severely stunned, and it is feared sustained
internal injuries. Mary Smith, wounded in
the head and leg. A girl living on Brown
street. whose name was not learned had her
shoulder diSlocated. Lena Heisel was slight
iy hurt A sister of Augusta KOeth was
! thrown down and man accidentally step
ped on her breast. She was assisted home,
but is not seriously injured. Mrs Hennican
received internal injuries. She is danger
ously hurt. Julia Hook was slightly hurt
Mrs. Waddle slightly hurt. Joseph
Haungs had his arm bruised aud received
severe confusion of the right eye. Kate
| White had leg hurt.
4 number of others received slight injuries
and made their way to their respective
homes.
A most agonizing scene was caused by the
! frantic demonstrations of John Wells, whose
little daughter was killed. This unfortunate
man had darg ghter burned up in his dwell
ing few years ago.
George Popp was the only person that we
can ascertain was killed on the floor beneath
tie falling debris. lie was carving some
meats when the accident occurred.
The dead.an wounded were conveyed to
the rcighboring houses. Six dead bodies
were lying at the residence of Rev. Father
f. H. st Clair, adjoiuing- Several of the
wounded were also carried into the same
house. The bodies of Emma Reese and Mrs
Sperl were conveyed to the bonse Of John
I Gerber, opposite. There plenty of willing
hands to assist. and everything that could
be done to alleviate their suffering was at
tended to. The alarm of fire last evening
originated from the accident, and Mavor
Fish, who lives at hand. hurried down town
with the news and sent messengers after
physicians. large number Of whom arrived
early on the ground.
/ The first question asked was, "What
! CauScI the accident 81 and as we made
very thorough examination we shall give our
answer. If IN SO doing the responsibility
falls upon any one We cannot be censured.
/ The building is of brick, three stories high,
and is about as large as the largest of our
public schools. The first floor is supported
! by brick piers sixteen inches square. Above
/ these are iron columns sustaining the floors
above. The cause Of the giving way of the
/ floor was the crumbling of one of these light
/ piers, a portion Of the brick of which il was
com posed being soft and calculated to yield
to the pressure Of the superstructure. aug
mented by the weight of people on the flor.
/ The piers were capped with blocks of
/ Lockport stone, and in every other particu-
/ lar the structure is as strong as could be
desired. That the piers were insufficient for
the weight is conclusieely established by
/ this accident. 1t is altogether probable that
/ had the accident not occurred the majority
| of builders would hive estimated that they
were strong enough. The structure is not a
! year old.