The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-10-23
TIE WILLIAMSBURG DISASTER,

Conclusion Of the Csroner's Inauest-Verdict
of the Jury-The Novelty Iron Work, Com.
pany Censured.
Coroner Whitehl last night brought to a
conclusion the inquest In the case of John
LOTUS ana William Nolan, who lost their
lives by the falling OF an ron building
in course OF construction by the Novelty Iron Works
Company for the Peoples Gas Light COMPANY, vii.
amsburg. The disaster occurred OIL the morning
OF the 18th instant The testimony given by the
different witnesses in relation to thecause Of the
accident was somewhat conflicting HE following
evidence was taken last night
John Lawson, sworn, deposed-I WIS enploved
on the building where the accident occurred: waa
In the building when the rafters fell, but escaped
without INJURIES; knew Mr.. Woodruff, he fireman,
SIX days before tue accidents never saw himintoxi.
Gated during that time; never heard any OF the
workmen say that the work was DANGEROUS;
! am still in employ of the Dveity
company; am not much acquainted with tn work
on winch was employed, as / was never eEaged
IN putting up roofs before.
Edward Squlres, sworn, deposed-I was work
on the fallen building az mechanic; was on tie roof
when the accident occurred; fell with the ROT ana
was injured; have been IN the business about we've
years; In my opinion the accident was causd by
rain sackenlng the guys the roof was put up In
the same manner as other MP roofs; am sth EN-.
Dioyed by the Novelty Works Company thiik the
roof was just secure with rs without hip never
saw Mr.. Woodruff In liquor while he had chage OF
the work.
but nothing especial was elected.
Thomas Brown, sworn, deposed-T was employed
on the fallen building M aborer; half way up
the ROOF when 1t fell saved myself by jumhng on
the wall; saw Mr.. woodruff slightly lntoxicaed one
afternoon before the accident; my opinion Is that
the taxing OF block and tackle on Que OF ue guys
caused IL 10 sacken, and the strain the Others
oeng so great they gave way and the rafteu neces-
pany.
w: r. Woodruff, recalled. deposed II wastold by
Mr.. Havens and Mr.. Valentine, since the accident,
tnat they intended to nave competent architects to
examine my work. and told them that wbned an
opportunity 10 explain 1t TO them; the rope alluded
W as having been stolen was only 1T for Lshings,
nos TOT guys The witness explained at ertth the
use VI ,he NIP and the usual manner OF erecting iron
rooisi ne mad no authority from the c0mRny to
purchase necessary appliances told Mr.. vaentlne
tne morning previous to the accident, that i did
working.
VERDICT or THE JURY.
me above testimony was submitted to he Jury
anu near midnight they rendered the following YER
dict:- Wv
we, me jury, IND that the deceased JONI LOTUS
anu Wmhahl Noianl came to their death by he faiis
ing III OF the roof OF building belopgn to tine
reope's Gas Light Company Mt the foot South
lehu sueeti ana we further find that the Gcident
feseReu IRON the failure of the Novelty
IRON WORKS Company 10 supply the proper
materlai 70 the foreman Ia charge; we also gree IN
DnuinH tnat the pr0pretors OF said worH were
guilty OF culpabe neglect In such failure.
| Coroner Whitehi accepted the verdicS md dis.
| charged Mr.. woodruff, who has been unde arrest
! since the morning VI The disaster,