The New York herald., 1873-09-10
STARTLING ACCIDENT IN WILLIAMSBURG.
Eighty Persons Prscipitated to the Pavement BY
q Falling Balcony-A Possible Fatality
Two Young Ladies Very Seriously
Hurt and Their Lives in the Bal
ance Of Uncsrtainty-Thir-
ty Persons Injured
by the Shock

On Monday evening the Seventy-frst regiment, N.
G. s. N Y, Colonel Rose, visited the Forty-seventh.
Colonel Austen, at Williamsburg. After charming
the people OF the Eastern Brooklyn district By
marching through several of their principal streets.
beneath waving banners and amid q continuous
discharge OF pyrOtcchnIcs and display Of Chinese
lanterns, the warriors were entertained through
the evening at the armory of their hosts. About
one O'Clock yesterday morning line was formed
for the return home, the Forty-seventh
escorting their guests on the way along Fourth
street, proposing TO 60 with them to the South
Seventh street ferry. As the column marched the
drumbeat brought to sidewalks, windows and bal
comics the entire population OF the neighborhood.
who greeted the military with fireworks and loud
huzzas. In the route, at No. 1876 Fourth street. il
situated the EckiOrd Club House, having billiard
saloon and barroom, kept by E. Ii. Roy, on the first
floor. This house was Illuminated, and the guests
Of the evening were invited to partake of its
hospitality The club rooms were filed with
gay throng Of ladies and gentlemen, who were
enjoying the occasion In the mazy dance. The
house next south is occupied by the Apollo Har-
monte Club above, and below by the restaurant OF
Aaron Van Name This also was decorated, open,
and filed with mirthful guests OF both sexes.
A TREACHER0Us BALCONY
Along the front Of both houses, level with the
second floor, ran light iron balcony, three feet
wide, the front being formed by top and bottom
M Of By se
rested on bars OF wrought iron inserted IN the
wall, projecting the width or the balcony. This
inches wide and is much rustsd 1t was supported
by slight cast iron open-work brackets, resting
tween the two houses railing similar to the 'front.'
one separated the two balconies, 1t beng fastened
to the 'front.' rail and very lightly attached to the
front OF the house next north, and similar one IL
attached to the building next southerly, which Is
the Eastern District Hospital.
FEARFUL CRASH.
When the military pageant had nearly passed
those two balconies were crowded to their utmost
over the low railing, while behind them were the
husbands, lovers and brothers, all craning their
ing handkerchiefs and firing rockets suddenly
sound is heard Of the discharge of pistol vol
slender cast iron brackets beneath the iraii baco
Mes As soon as one gave way the strain was
thrown excessively upon Ihe supports next II right
ana left and In second the whole line OF the front
railing began to meve outward, while the front
edge VI the floor sunk.
Instantly shrek Of frightened women and men
rang through the night air which overmastered the
seventy to a hundred people stood on that falling
balcony, while others, none the less excited,
tnronged the windows which led Leo to them. . Next @
ing upon the stone hagging, carrying its human
irelght who were piled upon one another III
women. For moment silence as OF the grave
APPALLED,, MUTE AND MorroNIEss
In another moment the command sounded,
"Hati' and directly the two rear companies Of the
Seventy first formed Gordon round the scene Of
the disaster to prevent disorder and confusion.
Assistance was at once given to the injured who
must nave numbered thirty, but Of whom the great
majority were only shocked by the conclusion or
iron, and were quickly able to convey themselves
home without serious hurt marveOusy small
proportion were in need OF surgical attendance,
whose names, so tar as reported, are given be-
LADIES DANGEROUSLY INJURED
Those whose cases were most serious were Miss
Sarah Van Dyke, Miss Isabella Williams and Mrs.
Catharine Grifith, all OF North T I'd street ana
living in three adjoining houses. Miss Williams and
Miss Van Dyke were carried into Van SI Names's
where both presented indications of fracture at
the base OF the skull, with proiuse bleeding from
the ear Miss Van Dyke 70 Ssr ha%s s
while Miss Williams remains at the
hospital DIR. Brady, Police Surgeon, who has
alarming symptoms, but said that time only could
determine the extent OF the injury, which is very
serious certainly In both cases, and may perhaps
MIS- Mrs. Griiih sustained Collis fracture of the
wrist very painful and intricate injury, entailing
tedious treatment. She was also badly cut over
the eye. She was taken home after having the
fracture set and wounds dressed at the hospital.
The others named as hurt are as iollows:-
William vose, badly cut in the right temple and
bruised about the body
Lieutenant David Brewer, Of the Forty seventh
regiment, severely bruised.
Mrs. T0pher, badly cut about the head.
Miss Wilson, Of North Third street, hurt BY
shock.
william Dill, severely bruised.
Ray, Mrs. Cox, Mrs. Thetord William Williams.
Mr.. Riggs, Samuel Cutler Mr. Austin. David Brown
and James Bergart were more or less cut and
bruised, but none OF them very seriously as far
as could be learned last evening.