The New York herald., 1873-12-07
THE PASSAIC CATASTROPHE.
Coroner's Inaucst Yesterday Afternoon
Undeninbie Proof of the Building =
Unsafety.

Coroner's lnquest Yesterday Anernooa-
Undeninbie Proof Of the Buildings
Unsafety.
The inquest on the bodies CT william Barclay
and George Mclean, who were killed on Thurs
day by the iall of balding IN Passaic, n j.,
owned by Alfred Speey was commenced yesterday
afternoon by Coroner Sproull and a jury OF Il
OF the best citizens OF Passaic. The case excited
intense interest, and the Town Hall, where the
investigation was held, was fllled with spectators.
Mr. Thomas Moore, a Passsic lawyer, appeared as
counsel for the State in the place OF County Prose-
cutor Hopper, who was unavoldably absent Mr..
Albert Coms,oek, Paterson lawyer, appeared Is
counsel for Alfred Speer the owner OF the wrecked
building, while a dgnhed elderly gentleman,
quietly jotting down notes on piece OF blottng
paper, was said to be Mr.. Isaac Dayton, a New
York lawyer, appearing as counsel for Mr.. William
Barclays zone Of the yictims) friends, the rumor
being that If there Is any chance suit vii. be
brought lor heavy damages against Speer. II is
said that Mr.. McLeans friends entertain similar n-
tentions
Mr.. Jacob +. Van 0rden, Mr.. Jacob I. Van 0rden
and Edward Mcdonald testified that they were
looking the building when 1t fell, and described
1t In manner similar to that which has been al
ready published in the herald. Mr. Mcdonald
testified that he saw Mr. Mclean step back and
he could move he was covered with the ruins. 1t
was not over three seconds from the time of the
first crack to the time wnen the whole building lay
a complete wreck in the cellar.
DR.. Richard A. Ternune testified to examining
the bodies after their removal from the runs.
Both were dead and their deaths were caused
by the injuries sustained from the falling building.
The most important witness yesterday was
James II. Carpenter, the architect. He said
about year ago he drew plan for building for
Mr. Alfred Speer to be erected on the site OF the
one which had just fallen. He was not
engaged to superintend the erection OF
which Mr.. speer did build, was like the plans
he drew. HIS plans had been Ior two
story ana French roof whereas Mr.. Speer, using
the same ideas IN many other respects, made IL
three story and French roof-oDe more story than
had been intended IN Mr.. Carpenters plans And this
was done without increasing the size of the lower
timbers, they snoud have oeen, to support the
additional weight OF another story. The witness
had noticed the absence of foundation wall
running through the centre OF the cellar which the
plans called Tor In place OF this there was nothing
but row OF posts OF light scantng. The plans also
called ior row of posts In the centre Of the build
ing, which should have rested upon the centre wall
Teerred to and extended one row above the other
to the top OF the building, to hold up the root.
None OF these appeared to have been in place. The
man grders OF the building were placed cross
wise instead OF lengthwlse OF the building, as the
plans called Tor, ana this greatly lessened the
strength of the structure. The tlmbers
used in many cases were much smaller
than those called Tor in the plans, and IN
other details there had been changes much esSen-
ing the general strength OF the building. Had tue
partitions been put in the lower doors they would
have strengthened the building, and would per-
haps have made 1t sale enough. 1t Is usual to put
up the main partitions at the time the frame Is
erected, but MIR. Speer had not fully decided into
what shape the lower moor would be divided, and
the partitions had been left out. Under all these
clrcuns tances IN the witness opinion the build.
ing was decidedly unsafe.
Mr.. Edward Morren, the carpenter who had
charge OF the building a portion OF the time, test-
fled that he was working at days work under Mr..
speer's direction He testified that the timber on
the first hoor was not good; that 1t had been
posed too long to the weather before being used.
He also testified that the partitions would
have made the building secure had they
speer mad, IN compliance with his sugges-
tlons, put in one principal timber much
larger than that called for in the plans. The build
ing was fastened temporarily with diagonal braces,
theory Is that the high wind which prevailed at
the time, caused the vibration OF the building,
oosenlng these braces and. there being nothing lett
TO support IT, IL collapsed. witness testified that
ne knew from oeing on the top OF nelgnboring
building.
At the conclusion Of Mr. Merrell's testimony the
inquest was adjourned until tuesday night.
Mr.. McLean's funeral service will be held Mt
three O'Clock this afternoon, from the st. Georges
Methodist church. The body Will subsequently he
returned 10 the hOnsc and tomorrow will be taken
to Greenwood Cemetery where IL will be Inferred.
Mr Mclean was member OF the City Council,
when met on Friday night, passed suitable reso.
Fire Department Will also turn out. The entire
iront OF the City Ha is draped In festoons OF
white and black and the whole place Is filed with
sympathy over the death OF 50 popular citizen.