The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-07-31
THE ERIE FIRE.
Second Day OF the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
pOrtant Testimony by Ex-Chicf Engi-

Second Day Of the Invcstigati0n-Im.
portant Testimony by Ex-Chicf Engi-
neer Coyle, A. X. Brown and the In-
turcd Man Magic.
The Jersey City Fire Commissioners resumed the
investigation yesterday into the conduct Of Chief
Engineer Farrier at the late fire.
William M. Beach testified that he was misunder-
stood as to the language used by him concerning
the Chief when he related the conversation to re-
porter OF the Standard; Mr. Wilson'S evidence con-
veyed the language correctly. i
John Coyle, ex-Chief Engineer testiied-l was at
the fire in the Erie building; observed closely the
wall that fell before it fell; expressed the opinion
to several persons around me that the wall was
dangerous; did not give any warning to any per-
son in authority because could find none; when
saw No. engine put there knew it was very
dangerous position, and started to find some one
in authority to have that engine taken away; met
Fire Commissioner Drayt0n and told him that en-
CINE ought to be taken away Immediately; before
anything could be done after that the wall had
fallen. -at fn
p. Did you since the fire, say that Chief Engineer
Farrier was responsible for the death OF Mccarthy ?
A. can't say positively; may have said that IL he
ordered that engine there he was responsible
@. If you were in authority there would you have
ordered that engine to the place A. would not
q. Is il usual for sixteen-inch wall fifteen feet
placed that engine there under any circumstances
when saw that wall In danger of falling
are IN Provost street when MCCARTHY was Killed
I was standing just opposite him remarked that
the wall was dangerous one stated to several
| there under any circumstances; saw the wall
| tremble and toppe before 1t fell; several persons
turned his head when he heard the sho::.ing and
looked ,;p TO Zee what the hQlloinS was about the
wall fell in a solid mass; Mccarthy was covered up
O. Do you think there is any culpabty attach
ing to any ones A. can't say that. TWAS dan.
gerous place to go.
but We can make them dangerous; saw nom the
unsupported position Of that wall that II IL should
n e ths s south and my
with Mccarthy at the hydrant when the shout Went
down felt positive that the two men were covered
| with the bricks when the dust passed away saw
| persons helping of one OF the men.
Charles Naglc the stoker, who was with McCar-
thy was called up. He limped on two sticks to
the witness chair and betrayed In his countenance
He detailed clearly and infinitely the circumstances
attending the accident, and the part he and McCar-
ty pysG are ~ as were on Prospect
street when Mccarthy told me that we had orders
to back up: don't know who gave the order; when When
both connections with the engine and the
hydranD; Mccarthy was holding. up the sue.
fell was thrown against the wheel OF the engine
and was half covered with Dicks; got up myself;
looked and t wnem aa s not see I'D
slider the wall dangerous heard the shout from the
SIDEWALK NOT Sam more e 'San a saw tSe cha
front OF the engine about minute before the wall
| fell. -. ,,.-.--,u-,. -.
| called hut he refused TO be sworn, on the ground
that his recent conviction and sentence disqualified