The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-05-29
THE HERALD'S SHAFT BREAKS,
Great Excitement Among the People Of New
York and the NeighbOring Cities.
Feeling Of Dismay Because the
Herald Does Not Arrive.
Fifty Thousand Copies, Small Portion Of the
Edition, Successfully Struck 0R-The In
jury Repaired and the People
Breathe Freer Once More.


is nine O'Clock already, and there must be some
thing wrong or II not, the paper would be here by
this timen remarked neookng old gentleman
to his Waterman on q brown stone stoop, In Fifth
avenue, yesterday morning
al can't tell what is the matter, SIR. am sure
our carrier has not been here, for looked every
where for him, and he did not pass the house. I've
been down to the corner to talk to the man who,
keeps the news stand, and he thinks It's too rough
that he has been kept waiting all the morning and
he has not been able to sell his other papers. He
says that they told him at the ONCE that the con-
Meeting shaft OF the presses was broken and that
they would be able to get only half their edition Of
to-day's HERALD" answered the gorgeous nunky
"Wen, John, 1t is very disagreeabe to be deprived
| OF the HERALD-very disagreeable, John, very dis
gushing, repeat" continued the plethorlc old gen.
tleman, but just as he was about to go into his
comfortable but late breakfast OF potted herring,
J0te 0ras, poached eggs and some beautiful
| shad thanked by nicely done mutton
chop and o pot Of smoking hot tea, which
was washed down ny pint OF Chateau Laitte, just
then the HERALD came. 1t came like harbinger
of light and messenger OF Joy to many thousands
in the crowded city, who have become so used to
this journal that 1t seems as II they were wrecked
a desert island by foul play when tho paper Is
delayed
Many people were astonished that the economy
continent should be disturbed by the breaking OF
shaft. But the entire working of the paper
and Its enormous edition were stopped by
the accident, But $4,000 copies Of the HERALD
were printed yesterdays mere fraction OF the
issue Of the paper-and these were only struck Off
| by the kindness OF the HERALDs contemporaries
| who volunteered their services. The want Of the
paper was felt everywhere, and was discussed with
blind cropping in the dark which is usual to those
| w ho haa fapd Inv an
caught In the lava which streams suddenly down
the torn sides OF vesuvius.
| 1t annoying to not be able to tell how the
accident happened, and as no one knew how 1t
occurred speculation was rife, and all manner OF
suggestions and opinions were preached. In the
horse cars restaurants the ferryboats, ut the
breakfast table, on trains coming and going to and
from the city, there remark, anxious
questioning showing very clearly how very much
| welded the American people have become
to the luxury Of the HERALD every
morning. ~ wonder what have happenedf'
| 'Isnt 1t strange that our paper has not comes'
| aud like sayings were heard Of In oil places. 1t
seemed q day Of grief and mourning, as II some
national calamity had beallen the country, and the
disaster was canvassed by every person who could
get word in edgeways. Strong proof Of the
power ana greatness OF the HERALD was yesterday
given in many home and many public resort
or commercial mart.
In Wall street it was amusing to witness the
unhappiness of the brokers and the desolate look
and outward mien OF the great moneyed men OF
that locality who were not fortunate enough to be
among the lucky ones who had received the
HERALD. Stocks and gold were forgotten in the
anxiety, but all persons seemed gratihed that the
accident had not deprived them OF the HERALD's
financial comments, though they were not procur-
able until a late hour OF the morning.
| oil tha UppA = N had cofu ~
ming gear, and If one bust the other would work."
growled sun-dried old fellow, whose nose peeped
| from out a tangled mass OF ir0n-gray hair.
'Taint the bier, it's the shaft as has given
down. Iron won't wear forever"
| This sage remark was volunteered by a seedy
| bystander, whose dshy eyes told tale OF hard
night.
The facts of the are simply these AT fifteen
minutes after six p. NJ. on Monday, the large shaft
which works the numerous presses that daily dis
tribute copies Of the HERALD, snapped short or just
outside the main bearings. 1t Is almost impossible
to assign any cause for this sudden and untmely
disaster, by promising that 1t originated in
the capitalization OF the iron, which was
wrought Of the best material. Iron, ice and
all other brittle substances liable to
freaks Of this nature and, therefore, the feeling
of disgust generated in the bosoms OF disappointed
news-seekers yesterday ought at the best to be
| very cVHneSCenu NOUOuy pcTIcCt-uldlu bhdItS III
particular.
In Brooklyn the lack Of the HERALD was severely
felt and the trip the city universally
voted to be the slowest record.
"Give me HERALD said well-dressed gentle
man, who produced a most pleth0ric pocketbo0k.
"HERALD sir,r bandly responded the dealer, as
he passed beared sheet OF printed matter to the
purchaser.
"HERALDl HERALD! that's not the HERALD"
Moderated the buyer. "Don't seem like 1t. What
in thunder's the matter"
.Presses broke down, sir.n
"En ahl That's sop All right. Presses broke
down BY Joyem And he walked away smiling.
IN the Gold Room the bulls and bears and others
OF the happy family were rampant. Couldn't un-
derstand how such thing an accident to the
HERALD could possibly occur.
'Broke her shaft, chr Well, It's what we must all
come to-" moaned one Of the most lachrymose Of
| the bOvines.
mot such bad paper, after ALL" lisped the Mark
Tapley Of the Exchange. "Cant expect q thing to
run forever. Guess article or two less don't
much matter, so long as we get the important
news, and reckon that's all there, same as usual"
The Herald's Mishap with its Machinery.
/ TRENTON, May 2s, 1872.
There were many inquiries at the news stands
yesterday morning for the HERALD, and the news
men had to make hundreds OF statements as 10 Tue
reason for the ateness OF the HERALDs appearance.
The inquiries and remarks showed that the HERALD
Is held In high esteem in Trenton. NO other paper
could satisfy the want, and buyers saiu 'hey woua
wait. They felt sure the HERALD wouo .one' anu'
the EXPLANATION AZ to Its delay being perfectly satis
factory TO the readers they wished happy termi-
nation TO the trouble that had given rise to the de-
Law in the always punctual HERALD.
Amenities OF journalism.
from the Evening MAIL May 2s.l
1ost night a shaft In the HERALDpress room 81 oke
down and the great printing establishment was as
helpless for the time steamer at sea with dis
abled screw. Fortunately such calamities bring tc
light the better traits OF rival newspaper men, anS
so the HERALD was able to print an edition this
morning through the cid Of the World, the tribune,