The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-12-16
ANOTHER BUILDING MURDER.
A Piano Factory Falls to the
Ground.
Four Persons Killed and Several Wounded-Ago-
nizing Scene-A Tenement House rushed
to Pieces-How the Catastrophe Was
Brought About-The Inquest

Another frightful chapter added to the chronicle
OF murderan0ther text for those who say our local
government Is corrupt Cold-blooded slayers OF
their fellows arragned at the bar OF justice, tried,
condemned and punished, may well laugh at an
administration which, though CONCERNING them,
permits through It's criminal inaction, the whole
sale slaughter OF innocent people And the citizens
generally will agree that the shocking tragedy OF
yesterday calls for swift and condgn punishment OF
those whose criminal neglect brought about. 1t Is
story OF the
MURDER OF FOUR HUMAN BEINGS
by parties yet to be identified, and is soon told.
Some time ago Mr.. Joseph p. Hale conceived the
Idea OF erecting O building for the manufacture Of
pianos. The ground lying between Thirty-nfth and
Thirty-sixth streets and Tenth and Eleventh ave-
nues was purchased and set apart for 1t. An ar
rangement was made with Mr.. Samuel Cochran, of
154 West Fftythird street. who agreed 10 erect tho
building required tor certain specified sum. Work
was commenced at once, aud after twenty three
working days 1t was covered and nearly completed.
1t Is said that
THE PRICE OF LIME HAD ADVANCED
considerably after the contract between Mr.. Hale
and the builder was signed. The dimensions OF the
building were rs fonows-195 feet long, so feet
high, 26 feet wide the walls OF brick, 10 inches
In width 10 the height OF AZ feet ana IL inches from
that distance TO the roof. The foundation was solid
rock. In front of the building were two smaller
sructures-near the Tnrty-sixth street end black.
smith shop; directly In front. tenement house. two
story brick, owned by Matthew Cairns, ruckman,
In which lived four families and at the end near
Ihify-nlth street, coal yard the property OF Mr..
Hale.
FALL OF THE BUILDING.
yesterday morning, at the usual hour, the work
men engaged IN the work OF completing the manu-
factory observed that the hlgn wind blowing at the
left before the dreadful event which occurred soon
alter: John Donnely, the engineer however, was
less iortunate ne remained TO get up steam in the
boiler OF the stationary engine In the building. At
twenty minutes past nine O'Clock the gale blew
| strongest; fierce gust OF WIND swept over the
| streets and many houses. though securely built,
felt IFS weight. The unfinished piano factory reeled
beneath 1t and fell with tremendous crash toward
! Tenth avenue, burying beneath its ruins three
houses and number or unfortunate people in them.
THE TENEMENT HOUSE.
the biacksmith shop and coal shed all disappeared
| tory, facing Thrty-sixth street, alone remained
standing, Heartrendng cnes went up from the
| and the widest excitement ana confusion pre-
vailed. In short time platoon OF police under
station house, arrived at the scene and
after force of tiremen These went to work with a
| Will 10 rescue tho unfortunate
| PEOPLE BENEATH THE RUINS
ana after great exertion succeeded in dragging out
| TO light and life q numper Of persons.
The tenement house was occupied, as has been
said. by four famiiles-Matthew Cairns and wife.
John McCafrerty, wife and three children. and Pat
under heap OF dust and brick. but were taken oui
| alive. They were both injured about the head and
body. McCanerty. fortunately Tor him. was at worA
! ut 248 Washington street as porter at the time
Annie, his wife, thirty years OF age, was badly
injured about the body, and was removed to Belle
Lizzie, two ana q half years old, and william, Sin
| months old-had MIST miraculous escape from
| BURIED DEEP UNDER THE DEBRIS
but were taken out alive. having received but q
few inslgnlncant scratches. one hour and nall
J. McCa1erty, four and half years OF age q fine
chubby-faced. intelligent boy. was less fortunate
crushed IN his abdomen and killed him instantly
He was taken out about an hour after his death
WORK .. SIX O'Clock HIS wife. ms Mary Rs,ll S now
ever, was in the house busiy engaged in ner dali
From the position she was in when discovered
appeared that she was alarmed and was in the ~
Of Tying from the door when overtaken. The poo
woman was frlghtfuy mutilated She was twenty
eight years OF age. The other BODY discovered We!
years old. Her husband was away from the hous
at work. The body, with that OF the others Killed
TAKEN TO THE POLICE STATION,
at quarter OF two T. M. In The blacksmith sho
James Benson was at work shoeing horse
head, caused by falling brick. The hors
he was shOsing and another, both the property Q
John Donney, Is yet under the ruins. Very strann
to relate, the man is the same who blown up ii
Thlrty.t6lrd street, between Tenth aud Eleventh
avenues, last winter. He had just gone to work fo
the first time after that accident but only to NEE
his death. He was engaged to run the hoistng ma
chine on the first floor on the east side. The body
Is supposed to be under the runs twenty-five fee
from Thrtydfth street. IN the front Of the building
VERY PAINFUL SCENE
| took place In the station house when the dead
bodies were brought In. The relatives and friends
| OF the deceased crowded into the office and clam
ored for permission to see the mangled remains
This, however, was not allowed them. Drs. Otis
and Frazer attended the injured people A large
| number Of gentlemen OF the neighborhood visited
the station house during the day to tender their
Slstance to the sufferers. Coroner keenan, empan.
elled Jury, but 1t afterwards decided 10 post
pone the inquest until O more convenient occasion.
| STRONG EXPRESSIONS
| were uttered by many who inspected the ruins
| against the builder and the Inspector OF Public
Buildings, the insecure condition OF the ILL fated
| tory being the theme OF comment in the neighbour
| hood for some tlme The "mortar' used IN the
building was OF the very worst kind and seemed to
| contain but small proportion OF lime The result
OF the inquest VIII show beyond all doubt that the
| death Of these four persons was brought about by
| too rigid economy In lime-at least this was the
opinion OF many persons At the scene OF the disaster
| yesterday.