The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-06-23
CRUSHED TO DEATH.

MARTIN NETzcER MANGLxD BY THE FALL OF
MOTT sTREEr--NARRow ESCAPES OF OTHER
PEOPLE.
People residing in the neighborhood Of Mott ana
Broome streets startled yesterday morning by
loud, rumblng uoiss which was soon followed by
thick OF smoke II was apparent that disaster
OF mad taken place. ana an alarm Of Are was
sounded, bringing q prompt response from tho Fire
Department Captain lyman, Of the Fourteenth pre-
cinct a squad Of men, also quickly arrived and
drove back the crowd OF excited people II was then
that the seventh floor had fallen through
10 the six h floor Of No. 100 Mott street, order
having broken. The widest excitement prevailed
among the spectators whose relatives aud
friends employed IN the building. IL was wildly
circulated that eight or ten men were buried In she
ruins This gained IRON the TACT that
about i've hundred men we're employed In toe build
Ing, and that loss snan twenty HANDS were work.
Ing the sixth floor making bureaus Ut tho time Of
the falling OF the door above
II considered extremely hazardous tor tho po-
lice TO venture the iu,erior Of the building fears
entertained that tho flooring on which the heavy
weight he'd been preciptasod might ~ any moment
give way and crush those who mad the temerity 70
enter. The police, led by Captain lyman. assembled
the stairs to sixth hoor aud there They found he
crushed and lieless form OF Martin Melxger, OF No.
giraer ana the aoor Alter considerable difficulty
they managed 10 extrcats his mauplod remains, aud
lance The sight OF Mezger carried out OF the build
ing dead, the arms oil tho police, intensified the
excitement among ths constantly insress,ng spec
into Tue structure IN search oi supposed missing
friends. thorough survey Of tho premises satisfied
the police that BODIES wero inside, and TINS
intelligence was communicated 70 the crowd asd qui-
eted their alarms.
MIRACULOUS ESCAPES
Two men, had mlr0cul OuS
escape. MetZgcr's son. Nicholas anu another work
man, Peter Bush, were standing quite close TO de-
ceased when the oorlng above was precpitated upon
them. They fortunately escaped with few bruises.
ANA got out OF the bulldLg before the police mad
rivod. IL thought at irst that they mad per-
ishcd, but they were subsequently found at their
homes, well enough in body but badly frightened.
The building Was occupied Wy II. Herman as cabi-
net factory ard cxtendsi from No la 10 No. 1914
Mott street Al the time OF the accde ut about nvs
hundred hands were employed IN the building. Nos.
$780, 1872 ana 1914 Mott iron frouted struc
lure which was erected IN 1855, aud had been the
USED as their factory tor twenty years Two years
ago The premises were leased TO Mr. Herman, wnerc
he carried on the manufacture ol furniture,
using asoa portion VI The building Tor storage pur
poses The seven story iron fronted structure WAS
principally Tor the latter purpose ana nas been
crowded with large STOCK OF goods Tor = long time
past Particularly this the with the fourth
ana NTH floors, where the furniture was packed as
man uiuciured. he building was not consid-
cred any sense but was looked upon par
ticuarly dangerous IN case oil Are. IL was noticed
that when tue heavy machinery was put Ia motion
that the floors would vibraie, and tho result
would follow when ~ workman would walk rapidly
across the floor The last inspection madc OF the
buidn g oy Tho department VI Pubic Buildings WAS
1876 and II tnen pronounced secure enough 10
pass muster "a receptacle tor over I'VE nupdIod
lives with the doors constantly weighted down with
heavy machinery, furniture and large stock Of luln
ber
WHAT CAUSED THE ACCIDENT
The theory OF the accident - that tho building
under seventh floor collapsed under the weight OF
the iron beams. The floor, too, over~ eighted
with furniture. TINS caused u strain upon the sup
porting airder, which II was not capable OF enduriug
ana SO the crash brought about. TIE weight Of
the order, work ana debris that el upon the
sixth floor estimated Al about Jour TONS ana IT was
surprise 10 those who Inspected the building alter
the accident now the sixth door withstood such u
crash. As soon practicable iaborers were put 10
work prop up The graers which supported the noor
that fell
Inspector Hughes, Of the Building Department. Wis
oi the accident, and alter carefully
specting tho building gave u as MS OPINION that IT
overM eguted. The ironfronted building. he
SAID, was never oJndemn.d, and II supposed 70
be generally secure. superintendent Adams ordered
that survey ana Inspection made Of tho premises
tomorrow Tor the purpose OF asceraining II the sup
ports 10 The hoor.ng were desciIvs or II the weight
OF the furniture stored ON the premises exceeded the
STRAIN the flooring was calculated to endure.
Coroner Ellipser Will investigate The cause OF Motz
ar's faafh