The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-01-08
THE CENTRE STREET HORROR.

Continuation of the Investigation by
the COroner-The Fire Escapes Out of
Order-Thc Building shaky and Dam
gerous-Reports OF It's Condemnation
Benzine Thrown Around In the Press
Room.
Coroner Herman yesterday morning resumed
the inquiry into the Centre street catastrophe and
examined number Of witnesses, much of the ties.
timony being OF but little Importance.
c. G. Meservey, Of So Clinton place, deposed that
he occupied the second floor since October last as
the New York Newspaper Union; the stairway
leading to the second story was about four
feet wide; knew there was fire escape in the
building; never saw it, as escape easy from the
second floor; never allowed benzine to be used in
the nor sa use e I've ana on ao
handled; had a conversation with Mr.. Archer, who
said ne thought it would be dangerous In case Of
fire to escape from the building,
Patrick Gallagher, of 66 Carmine street, testified
that he did business at 81 Centre street, was in the
building at the time of the fire; got ladder and
assisted the girls to escape; was present when the
walls fell In have noticed the fire escape and con-
sidered 1t useless there was no ladder on it; 1t
put up three or four years ago; have often re-
marked that the fire escape was useless
william Z. Crysler, Of as Tenth street, Williams
burg, testified that he was In the employ OF Dun,
Barlow h Co. was at work at time OF the fire in
the press-reom; with the foreman threw wetting-
board on the flames; noticed taat when the ma
chinery was In motion the building vibrated more
than in other buildings in which he had worked.
Wm, +. Hays, Captain of 81 Engine was at the fire
In Centre street. with his men; after being in the
building fell in with crash; have never before
seen building come down so quick as this, except
building In State street, IN 1865; the northeast
wall was firm; the building fell In fifteen minutes
after the notice of the fire was received; In the
opinion OF Captain Hays the cause of the falling in
OF the walls was the amount OF printing ink on
the floor OF the building; 1t burned away, and the
walls fell In in consequence; the elevator was d.
recty in the rear OF The stairs, and owing to the
current Of air through them, increased the flames
In case OF fire. according to law elevators and
hatchways are required to be covered at all times
when not used.
John Dalton, q fireman, OF engine No. 81, testi-
ned that the force had a stream on the third floor
In four minutes alter leaving the engine house (;
saw three or four girls come out OF the second
floor, and was informed by one that others were
driven back by the flames; II the alarm had been
given sooner the building, In his opinion, might
have been saved.
Andrew J. McKilvey and John McGloin, fremen,
testified to the efforts made to put out the fire
and secure the girls.
Hezekian Archer, one Of the firm who occupied
the three upper doors, testified that when they
leased last May they examined the building care
fully, and he had not considered 1t unsafe II the
IRE had not occurred right by the stairs ell would
have got out about fifteen or twenty went out by
the fre escapes he had gone to keso as often as
four times per day to know what to do, and to the
Fire Marshal, but they said 1t was the landlords
business and not ours; we never told kelso we
would not dig out the bodies because our lease had
expired.
John Donoho, brother of the Donoho sisters
who were among the Victims testified that the
girls went away at eight A. M. and returned
usually at seven; that morning they told their
night; they told mother that the boss had taken
Lheir names and residence that II there was a
fire they could send word home.
me inquest was adjourned until half-past ten A..