The New York herald., 1879-09-30
FALL OF A BUILDING.

SEVERAL PERSONS NARROWLY ESCAPE INSTANT
DEAru-AN EXCITING SCENE IN EAST SIX
TIETH STREET.
The too frequent recklessness displayed in the
moving and raising of frame dwellings resulted yes
terday afternoon in what came very causing the
death of whole family and seriously injured the
proprietor of the premises. The latter, Timothy
Duggan by name, resides at No. 410 East Sixtieth
street. Ho owns three story frame building. which
is located in the rear of his dwelling. which oc
cupied by three families Mrs. Mahony lived on
the ground floor, Mr.. O'Donnell and family on the
foor ard John Flynn, with his wife and Ave
children. resided the third floor. For the last
weeks workmen have been employed raising the
frame dwelling for the purpose OF building brick
basement. The contractor, NJ. +. Chadburn, and his
assistants had tho house raised about eight feet. In
this position it supported ON q number Of
beams and jacks while the workmen were pursuing
their labors beneath. It appears that there had
been doubts about the security of tho crippled
structure. but no one supposed that such q sudden
collapse would follow.
FALLS.
At quarter to five yesterday afternoon the Jacks
situated at the OF tho house gave way and the
building toppled over. falling on ten-foot stone
wall. and resting in that position ut angle
ty-fvo degrees. At this moment Mr.. Duggan, the
proprietor; Mr. Chadburn tho contractor. and a few
workinen were employed beneath the building.
Fortunately the high stone wall in tho prevented
the shaky concern from tumbling to the ground.
and those beneath escaped unnjured, with the
exception of Mr.. Duggan. who was crushed
about the back and Is otherwise suffer-
ing from shock. Ho was extricated from his
pcrilous position and removed to his home in the
front building In the meantime the most appalling
screams CAME from tho crushed and terrified in
were imprisoned on tho top floor. and were crying
aloud for assistance. Ofhcer Wade. OF the Twenty.
street and had his eye on the building at the time Of
the accident. He and a few Of tho laborers
esesS mrs. 'Sy noass snsy
hold wares were thrown promscuously
about. while that affrghtcd matron herself was
pinned to the wall by numerous articles of Gull
nary nature. Her crockory was all demolished, and
the stove had taken an excursion into the sitting
room. She was conveyed to tho street in q dis
trscted frame OF mind, not knowing for the moment
but general earthquake had taken place. The frail
structure was wrcnched in all its parts. The doors
were loosened on their hinges and tho stairs were
snapped asunder.
ladder had to be procured to reach Mrs. Flynn
and her Ave children on the top floor. When access
WAS gained to them they discovered lying
about In different places with the furniture piled
on top of them Two of the children were severely
injured; Norah, six years, and john four years OF
age. were badly bruised and were the first to
escaping any serious bodily injury, is suf-
fering from shock, which. in her particular ply
steal condition. may prove dangerous. Here. also,
the furniture was all disarranged, IL having been
dashed to that side Of the house which foil backward
on tho brick wall. 1t is miracle how the place es-
capped being set fire. as the stoves followed tho
flight Of the tables and chairs and tho slightest spark
would have been sufficient to set the inhammabc
teria OF which the shanty is composed In blaze.
Mr.. Flynn says that lie complained to Mr.. Duggan OF
the dangerous character OF the improvements taxi
ing place, and offered an opinion that the
house not safe place to 1.-Two in but Mr.. Duggan
reassured him. The latter said that the contractor
the best and safest in the business and that
nothing wrong would happen. Captain Gunner,
with section OF men, kept back tho excited throngs
of people that soon congregated around the fallen
building and had tho injured parties removed to .
place Of safety, whore they received medical attend
Ance.