New-York tribune., 1874-04-27
LOCAL MISCELLANY.
REBUILDING IN HASTE.
THE DANGEROUS WALL OF THE STEVENS HoUsE-THE
BROOKLYN ACCIDENT

THE DANGEROUS WALL OF THE STEVENS HoUsE-TuE
BROOKLYN ACCIDENT
About two weeks ago the Department of
Buildings reported the superintendent of the Stevens
Apartment House. the immense nnestory structure on
Twentyseventh-st., Fifth-1ve. aud Broadway, that
rent in brick pier the Fifth-ave front was more
dangerous than 1t seemed, and that the substitution OF
some stronger support necessary at once. The
superintendent immediately directed Mr. Weeks. the
builder to replace the whole Ffthave front OF what is
called the Old building OF the house, the new build
ing two lots adjoining showing no evidence
OF weakness. Mr.. Weeks, on Tuseday last pro-
ceedcd to work, and supported the heavy wall with
immense timbers In order to take away the iron col
umns and brick piers deemed Objectionable. He CON
cuded from close examination, that the cracked brick
pile might crumble dnder the heavy weight above H.
but unable to discover other detect The work
going on and has gwen rise report that the
house is in danger OF falling and that the families in 1t
have moved out The latter part OF she assertion ap
pears to be untrue The front OF Brewsters carriage
store the ground floor has been boarded in for the
convenience the wOrkmen and the front the
first second and third floors have been vacated the fur
nure has been removed and the occupants have been
given other quarters in the house in order that the
wOrkmen may have free ngress these apartments but
the superintendent states positively that has
yet removed from the house account OF tho re-
ported danger largo number OF people gathered
in the neghborhood yesterday TO inspect the flaw and
the dangerous wall aud "a number of friends OF the
proprietor and the occupants called TO inform them
selves abont the safety OF the building. Tho
flaw in the column has been observed by the Super
nendent for months, and he waiting only for
the usual departure of his guests the approach OF
Summer 10 begin repairing the front. when the order
OF the Department OF Buildings compelled him to enter
upon the work at once.
The fan of the building which was rebuilding in
sockon-st., Brooklyn attracted general attention
Saturday. Another victim Of the accident has died at
the City Hospital Thomas LedwIth crushed by the
fall OF the building being dug of the ruins,
was removed in an ambulance to the hospital. He was
unconscious when he arrived there, and examination
revealed that eight OF the right side had been
broken. Three persous are known to have been killed
10y the fall Of the building Tho Captain OF the sixth
spbPrecnct stated yesterday afternoon that he had dis
cOyeIed the missing laDOrer lie was IN the rear OF tue
building when tell and thus escaped without Injury
Although O +. Murdock the mason, is suffering consid
cradle Din from his fractured and the wounds in
the head he considered out OF danger. Mayor Hunter
Is endeavorng TO fnd ont where tne Responsibility OF
the disaster rests and 10 that end held conference WIN
Mr. Phraner General Inspector OF Buildings on satnr-
day. He said that there no inspector III the district
in which the accident occurred and as no application
had been made for permit he dld not Know that
any such work was in progress: III appeared III
the course Of the interview that last September the
CITY And.t,0r refused TO AUDIT the ply-rolls OF Tue
eight inspectors who acting under Mr fhflner on
the ground they not practical Dudefs as the
new charter requires The inspectors were tbereupou
discharged, ana new appointments nave sluce Dcth
made. As matters stand at present. tnvIcloe, .po ny ,
Of citizens may be endangered at any time by the eec
ton OF trail cheap buildings, without proper precautions
being TO strengthen support the walls OF struc
lures. Tie Mayor thinks the department OF fIre ana
Buildings is responsible. Coroner Whitehill has an
that the inquest will be held today at p IN.
number OF builders aud architects have been sum
witnesses The funerals of Moses u. Osborn,
master masOD aud Thomas Byrnes plumber took place
yesterday