The New York herald., 1870-08-12
FEARFUL ACCIDENT TO CaELDREE.
Fni, Of ScaffOld in Mechanics Hall, Wor-
cester-One Hundred and Fifty Children Pre-
cipitated 10 The EiO0r--Thriy Children In.
lrrom the Worcester Spy, August lol


Iron the Worcester Spy August lo.l
An accident happened in Mechanics Hall yester-
day morning which, though not SERIOUS In its
results might nave been expected was one that
cannot be allowed TO pass without calling attention
10 the tDeXcusabe carelessness that was the cause
OF the fall. The hall was open for the practising
the children under the direction Of Mr.. Harley New
comb. OF Boston, who has for some time past been
drilling them for series OF concerts, the first to he
given last night. The chorus platform was a slen-
der scafolding seventeen feet high IN the rear and
soplg down past the front OF the stage where
IT. ir rested @ on small posts, win n tiers Of seats
seated. about 150 Of them, cracking noise was
heard and Mr.. Newconb went around to the rear Of
the structure ID see what made the noise. He looked
up Just In time TO see the framework parting, and
before he could get back TO the 'front.' that half Of
the scaold on which the children were seated fell
with a crash, bringing the children and broken
boards AID sticks 10 the foor in mass. 1t was ut
first thought that several were killed, and the
slriekS or the wounded and frightened made it a
scene Of confusion that Immediately called together
\ crowd or people, who extrlcated the boys and
girls, dnding none OF them dangerously hurt but
some with broken bones and many OF them more or
less injured. Had the Mlilbury chorus, numbering
100, been seated on the platform, the result would
nave been much more serious
The platform was slinpsy, miserably constructed
affair and any one who would send Ii out from the
shop for the purpose ol supporting children seven
teen feet from the ground, deserves TO be severely
censured, and 1t also seems strange that any one
conid place the children upon 1t, il they gave
thought 10 It's weak and insufficient construction.
Mr. Newcomb says that he did feel uneasy about 1t,
but II stood The pressure OF 800 children in Provi-
nehCe, on tne occhsio OF MS EVlDB concert there
anew days since; and, being assured by the build
ers that itwas amply strong, he felt that he could
rely upon IL Tor the Worcester concerts, after which
ne intended 10 send 1t back 10 the bUilders-Mo
Chesley, oi Boston, whom he had told that IL was
not sucn one as he had ordered. 1t was built at
cost OF S225 ana was intended for use In fifty or
seVenty1ve concerts had It's strength been sufficient
10 slt Nj. Newcomb, who says that ne gave direc-
tions Tor much stronger structure. He personally
visited those most injured, yesterday afternoon,
though he rs himself very lame from the Druse re.
ceived IN the accident and win do all in his power TO
alleviate their sunerngs; having told the parents
tbat he viii pay for all medical attendance.
Below are the names OF those injured but few OF
Them seriously ana several OF them slightly:-George
Henry Ellis hfteen years Old living at No. 2 High
land court, had both bones of one leg broken, the
Taylor daughter OF Samuel Taylor, No. 3 carroll
street. spine badly injured ny concussiOn but no
bones broken; Miss Bean, No. 81 Mulberry street,
had her foot badly bruised, but escaped without
breaking any bones; Jizzie Winch, ankle badly
sprained; Annie Cooper, arm badly spralned and
slde OF lace bruised and swelled; Annie Flint daugh
Yer OF D. II. Flint, policeman, side brused Miss
wallace. OF Boston, Dadly injured In the shoulder;
Bertie Bliss, No. 10 John street hurt In Jaw;
Laura a. Tyler, corner Of Main and Austin
streets, hurt in the shoulder; Ella AbercromDie,
Grafton street, hurt on The head Eta Cut
ting lnwood place, shoulder bruised: Robert Hunt,
blsmarcK street back, leg and collar bone injured:
Etta tisher, NO. Bartlett place, head hurt Fannie
IL. whitney. 50 Peasant street. rendered uncon-
scious, but round to be slightly iajured daughter
OF Henry /. Geer, rs Summer street. was Badly
stunned by injuries on the head Jennie Magoun rib
broken and hip injured; Eva Harris, limo bruised;
Anna Hunt. lip hurt: Minnie Swan foot bruised:
Alice Briggs back injured: Jennie Gale, hurt or,
forehead; Fannie Ward, hurt on head and Clara
Ward doth OF Leel hurt on back; Cora BeIns, in
shoulder; Waiter Sheldon, Alice Austin, John Day,
Ella Blxby Ellis Lane and Lille Woods, each
slightly. DR.. Martin attended the Ellis boy, whose
leg Is broken. and Dr. George Bates the TAYLOR girl
VINO is suffering considerably with ner spine.