The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-04-25
FALL OF A HOUSE.
Fall Of . Building in Stockton Street. Brook
lyn-Three Men Killed and Six Injured.


A shocking calamity occurred In Brooklyn yes
terday, involving loss of lie and the manning OF
several poor workmen. The casualty In attributed
to the lack OF proper skill In the construction OF
an old three story frame building. The structure
originally stood on Myrtle avenue near Marcy,
where It was erected twenty years ago. and was
occupied as a liquor saloon and dwelling house.
1t was moved about five years ago to the lot
NO. lSs Stockton street, between Marcy
and Tompkins avenues. Recently the owner
Mr.. John Brown, decided upon raising the
building and remodelling 1t, in order that 1t might
yield larger income by accommodating greater
number Of tenants. He first put story under
meath and then aided another at the top. In
making this alteration he appears TO have been
sadly deficient IN Judgment as 1t would appear the
supports were not adequate to sustain the weight.
There were no central upright supports in the
cellar, the building resting entirely upon the outer
foundation walls.
Yesterday morning, at seven O'Clock, the work
men gathered as usual and entered upon their
daily labor. continuing to work until about half
past nine O'Clock, when, without any marked pre-
monition, the structure fell in with crash bury
ing the unfortunate wOrkmen in the ruins.
In an instant the greatest excitement prevailed
throughout the neghborhood, and in q short time
uuHuicuo vi uucu, WOlucu anu CuiiuIcu were Us
sempled IN the vicinity. The fire alarm bells were
rung and the police of the Sixth SUBJ precinct the
Fourth and Ninth precincts under command oil
superintendent Folk and Captain Craft, aud the
fremen OF the Eastern and Western districts came
quickly to the scene of the disaster. The work OF
rescuing those who had not been killed outright
was commenced by the police and fremen, who
labored with commendable zeal to assist their fell
low beings in distress.
KILLED AND INJURED.
Matthias Hulshart, carpenter, was taken out
from between the beams considerably bruised. He
said there was no Indication but what the build
ing was perfectly sound, and the first thing he
knew he was pitching head foremost by the house
sinking beneath him. How he escaped being
crushed he Is unable to say.
John Z. Walters, plumber, who escaped with
several slight bruises said that he saw the walls
cracking and heard the timpers swapping He
called the attention OF his boss, Thomas Burns to
the facts, and the latter said he was q fool. He
began to be frightened and attempted to get ont
He was half way out OF the basement window when
the structure came down. Walters thinks that
Burns was on his way up stairs, as he heard him
call out to Osborn, the boss mason, to come down
at that moment.
Burns BODY was subsequently taken from the
ruins IN crushed ana INITIATED condition. He
resided at No. 34 Fulton street. where he leaves
| wife and family.
Moses Osborn mason, was probably on his way
down stairs IN answer to the summons of Burns
when he met his death. HIS body was found in q
shocklngly dishgured state. He was fifty years O.
age, anu leaves q vile aud family residing at No
/ 10 Bushwick avenue. The bodies OF these two
men were conveyed TO their homes.
An unknown aborer, who was at work in the
! cellar. was also killed, and his remains mad not
been recovered up to last evening. He was EN-
ployed that morning. and his name was not taken
boy whose name Is not known Is also believed
to have been killed. His cap was iound among
| the RUNS.
Thomas Ledwith, mason, residing at No. 81.
! De Kab avenue, had his ankle broken and RIBS dis
o. P. Murdoch, mason, of No. 81 Ryerson street
| had his lett arm fractured. and was severel
| wounded about the head. Both these men wer,
| removed in ambulances to the Eastern Distric
Hospital.
Samuel Davis OF Lexington avenue, corner O
Stuyvesant street, was taken to his home. FL
was injured internally. ana 1t is feared cannot re
cover.
william Hogan escaped with some serious seal
wounds He was taken TO his home in Koscusk
street.
Thomas Tibbens escaped with Slight Injuries.
| KINDNESS TO THE SUFFERERS.
Emcient among those who rendered assistanc
to the sufferers were Drs. ]. r. Fowler !. q. HAM
ton, Police Surgeon Brady and J. T. Burdck, M. 1
The lady residents OF the neighborhood furnisne
did all IN their power to alleviate the suerings
the unfortunate people.
WHO WAS TO BLAME9
The Inspector OF Buildings, Fire COMMISSIONS
Mark Phraner and Coroner Whitehill will il
vestigate the cause OF the disaster as early n
blame should Iall. The Coroner summoned the 70
lowing gentlemen to serve on the jury:-J. Ballard
7. Brown, NJ. +. Murphy, John Meyer, r. A. Monroe
J. II. King and John CLARK.