The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-05-25
BURIED THEMSELVES.

woRKMEN IN TEARING DOWN BROADWAY
BUILDING FORCE THE FLOOR PROM BENEATH
THEIR OWN FEEr-oNE KILLED AND SEW
ERAL INJURED.
workmen have been engaged for some days past 10
tearing down the two buildings Nos sos and sos
Broadway, few doors below the ST. NicnOlas Hotel
The buildings the roar which faced Mercer street,
had already been demolished, and the work on The
Broadway side had progressed as tar down as the
second story OF the building. About ten men
were at work yesterday afternoon on the
end Of the second story OF building No.
sos when The flooring beneath them gave
and they preciptated 10 the door below aud
buried from sight in a OF dust and debris Those
who witnessed the occurrence ran in haste to notify
the police, before any Investigation Of the truth
could DO made the story bad circulated that everv Que
OF the men had been killed, their number being varl-
ouaIy estimated a. from to twenty. The ambu-
lances quick arrive and curry on the njure cd
men as fast as their fellow workmen could extricate
them from the fallen Of timbers bricks and NOR
tar. Several wore found 10 be seriously injured and
one killed. An immense crowd gathered around the
Msrcer street sde wnere tae bodies Of the men we're
carried out, and time before tho OF
the accident could be learned. The work OF tearing
down building was directed by Richard Dewes, oil
No. 243 East street, and the removal OF The
WOODWORK was in charge Of Thomas Tripler, OF No.
SOL avenue b. There were about nity IN ali ON.
piOyeu IN WOIk, duu mons Va tucu1 WeIe uiicu
CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT
The accident. as explained by the foreman OF the
work aud also by SOME ot the work men, one thnt
could have been oreseen, and Is accounted Tor
ioiows:-At some time IN the history OF the building
which old one, there WAS u stairway III The
northwest OF the second door. This I'D been
removed and the opening doored over. 1t was here
that the al work pushing out an IRON girder
which from wall to wall across tho rear end OF
the building 10 do this II would have been perfectly
sale had IN. flooring upon which tho workmen stood
M i
beams running from wall 10 WALL Where inc stairs
had been removed, however, tho tail beams rested
upon cross piece, supported at ono end by an iron
bridle and at tho other by the nangs Of
the iron grder they were pushing out. The door
above, and also burdcned with the weight OF the men
whom the cross piecc shipped from the flangc Of the
giroer, and all together tell with crash 70 the hoor
below. The tail beams were secured in the south
wall Of the building, aud when the support on tho
north side was removed their failing weight acted as
Il lever ana toppled over several feet OF the wall
above, which was then standing. Tho name oil the
man VINO was killed is Fitzgerald, laboror IN the
employ OF Tripler. s4tts
LIST OF INJURED.
Following is u list OF the iujured-
Peter Roich OF No. 80 Sheriff street; badly bruised
on the back aud about the hips. Removed 10 Cham
bsrs Street Hospital by ambulance. ,
Mcnasi Herman, OF No. 424 East Thirteenth street
slightly injured about the head ana body Removed
TO Chambers Street Hospital.
Frederick Broisacher, of No 1So Forsyth street !;
slight cuts on leg and forehead. Walked nomc
John Herbert, OF No 426 East Sixteenth street;
slight injure&
George MullBan, OIL NO. 20 MARION street: slightly
cut about the head aud bruised ABOUT the body.
Taken home.
Patrick Hart, OF No. COS East Fifteenth street;
bruised about the body Taken home.
Jamos McD0nough, OF No. $40 East Tn irteenth
street, bruised about tho legs lett shoulder and head
The injured men had scarcely been removed from
tho ruin when the remaining workmen renewed opera
tons. HERALD reporter remained the spot and
watched them Tor low moments and astonisned
the essness displayed by them shortly after
the terrible occurrence The attention OF a Ean who
appeared 10 have something TO do wit directing the
work called to the TACT. In response he sad-
'There's no use talking to them. Wo tell them 10
be careful, but they will act recklcssy.' To tho
porter IL looked as though the men were working
under q pressure that did allow Of time con-
slider the danger OF tho undertaking
henry j. Dudley, Deputy Superintondent Of the
Department oil Buildings visited the OF the dis
aslcr- He said that In removing old buildings the
greatest care WAS necessary to avoid accidents In
the present Case, unfortunately the death trap
concealed and tho men could not foresoe their
yer. The old cylinder stairs had been removed and
tho cross beams consequently had sub
stantial hold when the girder was displaced
The did not understand this, and
all their exertious were concentrated the heavy
cross truss, where every stroke hastened thor
structon tlti true" Mr.. Dudley said, "tnat reck-
lessness common in the removal Of old buildings;
than any BODY else. They seem TO have idea Of
danger or fear, ana no matter how often they arc
cautioned will dash ahead OF
Gu the whole Mr.. Dudley thought that the present
cdont necessarily unforeseen and consequently,
unavoidable. The flooring 10 all appearances was
substantial enough but the difficulty lay In the
that the beams did not rest upon wall foundation.