The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-09-04

into shapeless mass. He was en- his
knees near The western wall OF the
house. Quigley was working for Mr..
Coughlan, but formerly had been en-
ployed by the Gas Company. His re-
mains were placed on door aud taken
to Habig's, where they were washet.
They were atterward taken to the home
OF his uncle, No. 5l8 West Eighth street..
Mr.. Quisley was skilled laborer, in the
prime OF his life, and unmarried.
THE LAST VICTIM.
Darkness now began 10 set in and It
was necessary TO light fires in order to
go on with the work. A calcium light
placed on the roof Of house opposite
the ruins aided che men considerably.
After two hours of hard work, the men
came upon the body Of John Finnigan,
foreman for MIR. Coughlan. A trench
had been dug throush the middle OF the
debris, about eight feet wide, and down
to the bottom of the cellar. Patrick
Flaherty had indicated a spot where
Finnigan had been standing. and at this
place the body was found, ami taken to
Hablg's.
This ended the work OF tho rescueYs
and weary and covered with dirt thay
left the horrible death trap.
ANu lICo, Ou0 VI tB0 ulaIGS. anu
her friend johnson, from Greensburg.
Ind, had long before goL out o the ruins
unhurt. The latter, who had Lost his
clothes, about $3.50 in money and his gold
watch, renamed on the scene until mis-
Valuables were unearthed and restored
to him.
negro woman named Speckmaa.
who had occupied the basement, had
been warned i'll the morning of the an
security OF the building, aud acting on the
advice TO move out, did so, thereby es-
Gaping certain aud horrible death.
The otner inmates had also been
warned, but recklessly remained In fan
cied security until they were buried ia
The ruins.
THE INQUEST.
Coroner Stitch arrived after the recoT-
cry OF the bodies and impaueled the
following jury: M. II. Bird, q. II.
Menke, NJ. b. Hirst, John Doyle, rhos.
Carey and Joseph L. Smith.
This morning the ruins were visited
by large mass Of idle and inquisitve
citizens, ANXIOUS to get glimpse OF ths
death-trap.
The ruins present the same appear.
ance as they did last night. The Kitchen
in the rear OF the fallen building ts still
standing, although portion OF it has
bulged out nearly eighteen inches. This
part, which is above the hallway, viii
be torn out to-day.
At III O'Clock the inquest was begun
at the Coronel's Office.
Thomas Coughlan, the houso-raiser,
testineu mat work was commenced
yesterday morning at the place of the
accident. he had been there last about
O'CLOCK, when the men had flushed
one hole In the wall about twelve fsst
from the front. The dirt had been
dug away about FIVE feet below tue
foundation. He gave proper instruc-
lions TO his mon, and did not think that
there was any danger OF the building
falling. he found the wall to be eight
inches thick from the first floor up, and
twelve inches from the basement TO tue
first floor. John Flanagan was his tore
man tor ten years. and never had an ac-
cldent. The accident happened about
half-past O'clock.
PAT. FLAHERrY's EXPERIENCE.
Pat. Flaherty was sworn: live at No.
142 Water street; was working Tor Thos.
Coughlan in raising the house; about
3 O'Clock Finnigan told us to
hurry up and get a "needle" into the
hole to protect the wall; we started 10
work, and while putting in the timber
the building came down; Pat. Boyle,
Hugh Quigley, Chas. Leyden and Mr..
Finnlgan were near me; was standing
near the stone steps; when l heard
the noise l croucued beneath them
and was soon completely incIosed by
the tumblins ruins; l was struck
on the mead, above the right eye, BY
some OF the bricks and Knocked
senseless; the dust choked me for
time. and when l recovered | drew
out my clasp-knffe and began to detaci
the bricks and mortar in front Of me-.
While working could plainly hear one
of tue men saying that a man must be
under the steps. l thought it no use to
holler much, and after few
erie. cries , ior @ help, stopped and
at the distractions; at the same time
heard the men picking away above me,
and we soon had a hole made
about eighteen inches wide,
through wuIch l crawled out.
| had my full senses all the time, ANA
my whole object Was TO get out. must
have been in the darkness for over an
hour.
This is the hero who, when taken out
and after having been baudaged up, re-
sulned work in rescuing MS fellow
huu SIayeu tnefe Until the lnsL
victim was taken out.
John Larkin, sanitary policeman,
happened along at the time ol tue acc
dent, but knew nothing OF the partiou-
lars. He merely staid arouud amt saw
Two Of the wounded brou sht out OF The
ruins.
Pat. Boyle, another laborer, testified
as TO the manner in which the building
lad been propped up.
James King, a cousin OF Hugh Q Iig-
ley, who Was Killed, knew nothing o. tne
accident Whatever.
Robert kaam, moder, and husband
Of Susie L. Keam, who was the
irst one taken out dead, testified
that he had asked the Contractors
whether the building was in danger.
DE was told that 1t was not. His vile
was twenty-nine years old and " as beru
n This city. He was at work AZ lhs
lime OF the accident.
Coroner Stlch and the jury will meet
It halt past 8 O'clock tomorrow at the
scene OF the disastrous accident to ex-
mime the walls.
Announcements.