The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-01-09
THE CENTRE STREET HORROR.

HOW BOyS TnroW BcnZ1no About the
Floor-several swear They Were AFRAID
OF 1t Falling. 81 "0Affw ~
Coroner Hermann yesterday renewed the inyes-
tgation into the cause Of the death Of the victims
or the Centre street fire. The evidence given was
of rather an interesting character.
FraIfcis Bigeow, half brother of Jane Stewart,
who was burned, testified that he was at work for
Anderson, Archer Co., and made his exit by the
stairs. In May last he noticed considerable shaking
Of the building and last Summer his sister told him
it was not safe.
Mary Hopkins worker in the building, testified
that when the alarm was given she ran down stairs
with another girl; on reaching the fourth floor
some one told them to 60 back, and they did SO.
to find the room full of smoke; she escaped by the
Leonard street fire escape by jumping q distance;
witness had always had fear on account OF the
rocking and shaking, and this feeling was shared
by all the girls, forty or fifty in number. -V
Ann Hopkins, sister OF last Witness testified that
she, too, had to jump from the fire escape to the
shed, and was assisted by a man on the shed; had
always been afraid Of the building falling owing to
the rocking Of 1t.
Ida Grimm, worker in the building, testified
that on hearing the alarm she ran down two pair
OF stairs. and was told by some one to go back;
she returned to the bindery and got out by the
fire escape and by dropping upon Gallaghers
ing shook great deal at all times.
George Boyle, bo0kbinder for Anderson, Archer
escape; they had to slide down over the shutters
and Jump to the shed; witness had been employed
oy t6e ArcRe eSn CO. When IN Reaae street
their old building, but witness never mentioned
the fact to his employers.
that at 1--WE minutes before five O'Clock boy ran
into the station house and gave the alarm; witness
hurried to the fire and saw several girls who were
hal
past tive within twenty or twenty-five minutes of
the alarm being given) three years ago the build
ing caugnt nre' ana witness considered the build
Clara Hopkins one Of the girls who escaped, ties.
tilted, but her evidence was unimportant. ~ OFF
John D0ugherty, assistant foreman Of Hook and
Ladder Company No. l, testified that they re.
ceved the alarm eighteen or nineteen, minutes
some one said the IRE was In Centre street, saw
flames come out of third, fourth and fifth stories;
q ladder up with aid Of citizens; the ladder was
not put up right, owing to the excitement OF the
citizens, and 1t was rghted and one girl escaped
Howe's building, when they noticed names be-
tween the bricks; the ladder was put up, but when
away and r just as they aid 20 the w iD
took the company two minutes to reach the fire,
and It had then been burning, he should Judge,
about fifteen minutes; witness had attended many
large fres; never knew building to fall in SO
Daniel Dempsey, fireman OF Engine No. 81. testi-
Gilbert McGloin testified that when he saw the
blaze on the third story window he ran up to that
floor; saw girls hesltating how to act witness told
them to go back and he got out on the fire escape,
but could not get down; the girls were assisted
down the fire escape to the third story, and from
have seen this building on fire three times; one OF
the fires occurred through boy throwing benzine
on the noor In 1869; there was another fire on the
same day. and the building was gutted inside; wit
Ad0lph Lam0ze, an engineer, who had charge
OF the engine in the building, testified that month
ago IRE occurred by paper catching IRE; six
presses; Mr.. Hopkins was notified, and he said
they would have to see about the fire escapes; wit
ness had told Hopkins that II the boys were not
more careful with the benzine the bindery would
burn down; Mr.. Archer spoke to Payer about 1t,
and was told to mind his own business, as they
were allowed by the insurance companies to use
benzine. -. $4,000 KS - >
Edward McGIoln testified as to the manner In
which the girls were rescued: the walls Tell within
twenty minutes alter the fire broke out; have
attended many fires, and never knew building to
Robert Cra1ghead the owner of the bindery tes-
tilted that he owned the property since 1866, when
he erected itfor the especial purpose for which 1t is
now used; ne had mad the Orders and foundation
built especially for that purpose; he had iron
shades put on as protection In case Of IRE and
placed the boilers outside Tor the same purpose
had an estimate made by an architect as to the
that 1t would hold as much as could be put In;
witness occupied 1t himself and considered u safe
1t was 80 considered by the insurance 01tcers who
than on any other buildings used for the same pur
pose; the second moor was built TO hold fourteen
presses. and the New York Printing Company had
The Coroner announce that the inquest viii
close to-day, and he requests any citizen who can
thrown any light upon the condition OF the build
ing or the cause ~ the accident to appear this
morning at half.past ten O'Clock and testify.