Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-05-05
The Rtchmond Tragedy-Fceling
in the City-The Capitol to be
Abandoned Miraculous
Escapes Noble Con.
duct of Governor
walker.

RICHMOND, April %.
Last night a great meeting of the
Cahoon and Ellison police was held, at
which resolutions of respect to the mem
DRY of their deceased brethren were adopt
ed, and it was agreed that both parties
should join in and participate In the
funeral ceremonies. All day kilograms
were being received from every portion OF
the State and county, inquiring after the
welfare of friends and relatives in this
CITY, and what, with press reports and the
incessant messages sent and received, the
operators here were taxed to their utmost
capacity. To-day business will be sus-
pended, SO that every citizen can devote
himself to the memory of the dead. 1t is
needless to say that no decision has been
rendered in the mayoralty case, and it is
doubtful when it will be delivered. Both
branches of the General Assembly held a
session at the Exchange Hotel, merely
meeting and adjourning until to-day at
~ o'clock to avoid any interruption to
the proceedings. 1t is believed the capitol
will now be abandoned as public insti-
tuition. II was built in 1902 and is now
seventy-eight years old. The burning of
the theatre in 1911, when large number
of persons, including many ladies, per-
ished, is the only disaster in the history
of this city that affords the slightest
parallel to the terrible calamity of this
long to-be-remembered day.
Among the miraculous escapes are
those of the reporters of the Wing, Dis
patch and State Journal, all of whom were
seated Immediately on the edge of the
parting floor, poor Brock being SO far back
that he fell into the fearful abyss and lost
his life. Several others grabbed or rather
clutched hold of doors, windows and
benches, and saved themselves by extra
ordinary exertions and the interposition
of Providence Gov. Walker, whose Of
fee joins the court room, when the ealam-
/ ty occurred had narrow escape. By
his untiring exertions during the day he
was instrumental in relieving the wound
ed and having the dead bodies removed
much sooner than would otherwise have
been the case. With great promptitude
the Governor commanded the capitol to-
be closed, and prevented the crowd rush
ing upon destruction when it was certain
their presence could only embarrass pro-
ceedings. Some men disputed the way,
II N J
single-handed barred the way, keeping
them back until assistance arrived. Dur
ing the day he was constantly on the
scene, giving directions and by his pres
ence stimulating those who were working
to further exertions in releasing the suf- |
fering and dead. Among those of the |
wounded whose condition was the most
doubtful were ex-Gov. Wells, James Nee
son, Thomas 5. Brown and William @.
Durham, agent of the Old Dominion
Steamship Company. The first were re-
ported better last night, but Durham is
not expected to live. The calamity ap-
pears worse and worse. Now the appa-
rent number OF killed and wounded is far
larger than at first reported. The killed
will reach at least sixty-hve, and the
wounded are known to be over two
hundred.
To-day all houses of business continue
closed, having Grape on the doors and the
same inscription "elosed in consequence
of the calamity at tho capitol" The !
streets are filled with funerals. In the
funerals of the dead policemen, both sets
of police Joined. All the late political
feeling seems to have been forgotten.
The bells Of the city have tolled all day
and the streets look like Sunday. A
crowd of about seven thousand people are
now assembled in the Park hearing adj
dresses of coincidence from Governor
Walker, Judge Orr, Judge Crump, Cover
nor Wise, and others, delivered from the
southern portico of the capitol. Thomas
S. Baldwin, one of the injured died to-
day. He was from Newark, n. j., aud
owned large clothing house here. Both
houses of the legislature held an informal
meeting this morning and agreed to unite
with the citizens in any general funeral
procedure. The body of the colored Sem
ator Bland was sent home this morning,
the hearse being followed by the white
and oolored members of the Senate to the
Depot. Ex-Governor Wells is better to-
day.
Business is almost entirely suspended
to-day, bells are tolling and the day is OBJ
served So one of general mourning. The
citizens are nearly all attending funerals
of victims of the appalling disaster.
Durham is better and there are hopes of
his recovery. Thos. Dalwin is dead ex-
Gov. Wells is better but his condition is
still critical kilograms of sympathy and
Offering aid for the afflicted are coming
from all parts of the country.
An experienced architect, who has re-
viewed the plan of the Capitol building,
says the girder which gave way was com
posed of two pieces Of timber bolted to-
gether, making, when combined, one area
Is by 90. 1t was formerly supported by |
columns which were subsequently, remov-
ed to improve appearance of the hall of
delegates. In the centre of the girder was
a mortice, which reduced the average
strength to 81 by 90 inches. The fatal
error wassin making the interior changes
without examining the giraers with refer
ence to their capacity tc endure the new
stress placed upon them.
EVENING. |
There have been about twenty-five ad-
ditional funerals this evening. Hearses
could not be obtained for all of them, and
furniture wagons, appropriately draped,
had to be used. The general assembly at
tended the funeral of young Turner in a
body. The pages of the houses acted as
pail bearers, and the scene was very af- |
fecting.
At the meeting held to-day it was re-
solved that the 4th Of May be observed rs
. . hunt +ior, ,,ravsr and ra.li lam