New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-03-03
INVESTIGATING THE ST.. ANDREW'S DIS
ASTER
CONTINUATION or THE INQUEST TESTIMONY on
THE OWNER or THE SHAW BUILDING.
Tho innnnst in the st. Andrews Church dis

CONTINUATION OF THE INQUEST TESTIMONY VI
THE OWNER or THE SHAW BUILDING.
The inauest in the st. Andrews Church dis
aster was continued by Coroner Eickhon yesterday
John j. Donohue Of No. 10 City Hallpace, one OF tno
wounded persons testified that he was IN the east
gallery when the wall fell In sitting next 10 michael
McCarty, who was killed, and near James Quinn VINO
til remains I'm Park Hospital severely injured he de-
scrbed the scene a the the walls fell In, and SAID
that he had been afraid the wall might faii at any
moment after the fire in Shsws store. Lydia uhien
Of No. q Parks, who appeared with her face ana pe"o
banda ged and Sarah Il. Reddcan OF No. ~ DuiHcs''
told similar stories.
James NJ Shaw Of No 1870 East sixtethst, proprietor
of the building at No. Is Duanest, the wall OF which
fell on the church. testified that the building took hre
on the morning OF Jan. II. After the hre WAS eA'h
guishcd he noticed that the west wall was cracked in
three places between the windows OF the s&tn s'ory
and the roof lie noticed no buging OF the VANS Inc
other walls apparently In good conditioh' "i'n'
went to his architect Mr. Shook, the next day' "no
him 10 take entire charge and do whatever was
necessary as witness knew nothing about building ana
his mind was In disturbed state In consequence oi ehe
fire. Mr. Shook took charge. and everything was oone
by his direction. Brown Adams, firm OF CONTRACTOR
were directed shore up everything according 10 the
direction Of the Inspectors Of Buildings witness re-
ceyed notice from the superintendent or BUILDINGS vi
Jan. IA, dated JAN IS. 1t was sent to Mr. shooN
The same day. and witness again urged ana
authorized him to do whatever was necessary
in the matter. Witness thought Mr. SHOOK nau
employed Brown & Adams to shore up INC "a'S
before he sent his to the superintendent Men
whom the witness considered competent had assured
him that the work of STRENGTHENING and repairing was
going on all night. The insurance authorizes haa
charge Of the building from the time OF the hre until
eer jan &c or Jan g. The witness had two or three
interviews with the officers of the companies IN winch
he was insured In regard to the amount OF damage
What had been done before these interviews was done
with view make the building safe until II had been
decided whether the companies or the witness would
rebuild According tho specifications OF the new
contract the rebuilding OF the store. three stories
we're to come down. The contract was given by MI
Shook to Mr.. Titus. who had originally erected tHe
ness thought would have been afraid to sleep I'D
the church, If had been his dwelling house, but during
linz AT the time the walls fell work going on ac
corling TO the contract. New beams were oeing
taxing - down the wall. The wall next to
sweeny's Hotel had been cut for the new
three stories OF tue wall tie building nad 10 oe ao
very strong Tue goods 10 be stored in 1t were very
was scarcely 10 store another package III IL; WIZ
ness felt unwilling to trust any wall WHICH had Deeh
subjected to such great heat as his had been lie nid
never heard 1t stated that the walls were not thick
enough The wall which fell was perfect ~ every re-
Mas found to be perfect. The witness had had com
nncaion with the Fire Department at the time OF the
the authorities from the Department or buildings.
Witness aid not give any personal directions 10 brown
e. Adams about snoring. They were never UNITED 10
any amount expenditures. they were WORKING alto
gether under Mr.. Snooks directions IN the early part
OF February Mr.. Titus. the builder who was then ap-
plying for the contract said that he ala not IKE tne
looks of the walls Since then he had had charge OF H.
Witness the building daily since the fre with MS
son. and the connected with the store working TO
save what they could Of the damaged goods lie pre-
ferred rebuilding at his own cost, although the est
ma ties made by the insurance. companies amounted 70
90 or less than the sum he was 10 pay. lie
thought iL would be rebuilt better and stronger II lie
had control OF the work himself instead VI the nsur-
ance companies. - ~, ,
FrancIs Burko foreman Of Engine Company No. T.
testified that lie Ia the church immediately aiter
disaster. He made his entrance tbrousn tue Cny
Hall place SIDE and saw the crowd rushing toward the
front entrance. He climbed into the gallery aud pulled
several persons from the rubbish winch had fallen
on them Hugh Bonner Chiei OF Battalion or inc FIRE
Department, gave substantially the same testimony
He SAID that the safeguard OF the stairway was taken
down by Capt Reoy and his men, aud the people VINO
were jnmed In the stairs were then enaDeu W STEP
into the vestbule. A number OF them were oouptess
thus eayed rom being crushed 10 death
The inquest was then adjourned until this morning