The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-06-17
HURLED FROM A CHIMNEY.
TWO MEMS TERRJBLE ADTENTURE IN
| SUNDAYS JHUNDLRS1ORM
One whiried 10 his Death, and In Other Len
Clinging 115 Feet in The Afr. Hair smoth-
erred by Gnses, Intn Rescued by SAILORS.

One vhIried 10 his Death. and In Other Len
CItngipR f15 Feet IN The AIr. Hair smoth-
cred by Gnses, Cntn Rescued by sailors.
Coroner Jamos Davrcn OF Long Island City
began mn investigation yesterday in tho case OF
Philip Lynch. laborcr. who met with tragic
death in the thunderstorm on Sunday after
noon. For some timo pnst nasons and lahorers
have been employed in erecting n large brick
chimney for the Empire oil Company. I'm their
yard foot Of Eleventh street. Hunters Point.
The work was being done under the supervision
Of Mr.. John Woodruff. who had tho contract
for the work. On Saturday the brick work was
completed. and on Sunday workmen were en-
ployod in placing in position the four heavy
iron sides. which formed tho caps Of the chim-
ney. These were swung into their places at n
height of about 10 feet from the ground. They
had just been put in position when the violent
storm Of Sunday burst. Joseph PenderRrnss.
the foreman. wns on the topmost tier OF the
scafoldlng. and Lynch was just below him.
Pendcrgrass saw the black cloud that accompa-
MED the storm settle over New York. but did
not think that danger was so near. In few
minutes the storm surRed across the East River
ana struck the lofty chimney on which the men
were porched with tremendous force. The frail
scai1olding 10 which Lynch cung began to sway
back and forth. cracking and straining PEN
dergrass. seeing the danger. hugged the
brick work OF the chimney. As the storm
swaycd tho scarIoldng from it's fnsten-
ings. Lynch WIS either unable to obtain
a secure hold on the chimney or too much
confused 70 mnke the nitempt Suddenly the
upper part OF the scai1uld Euve WY with
crush. and WAS hurled to The ground. "A tangled
mass Of poles. plHnks. and Splinters. Lynch
fell with the sonflOld. while Pcndcrgrass. with
a desperate cfluit. sprang upou tho top OF the
chimney. and was len hanging on the narrow
edge Of prick. ll5 feet from the ground. Lynchs
mnngled body was picked up by some Of his
tfl"w wurkmen, ana carried tu the 'liiac pi the
comp1uy He was not vet dead. and DR.. Bur
hfokon' and Rnr 81 The broken r. had pierced
his lungs. There was also u terrible wound
across his forehead. Lynch lived for three
hours after the Incident. His home was in
West Fourth street. near 10y.
,IendetErnss IN ihe mean, time remained
storm swirled about him sccmine To- threaten
the overthrow o' the chimney. He succeeded
IN finding partial protection from the hurricane
hy crou'htug on some pieces ot blanks that had
been placed inside tho mouth ~ tho chimney TO
md IN Us erection, He says thut when he felt
spTang Tor the chimney cap he called 10 Lynch
l. follow him. Lynch made a desperate effort
10 gain the top Of tho structure. tut lost his
footing and tumhl"d headlong tn the bottom.
striking. in his descent. cyery tier of the lower
portion Of the scafroldng which did not fall.
But another danger besrt pcndergr0ss. A
fire. had been n few minutes before started in
the furnace below to test the drawing qualities
Of the new chimney. The smoke and gases
from this fire had begun 10 pour up through
the chimney, and they almos, snuthered Pen
dergrass, who dared not quit the place whore
ho crouched. from fear of being blown from the
chimney top 10y the gale TINT howed over his
head with increasing violence, while the fumes
from the chimney almost took away his breath.
] saw my danger. P~nlergrass said last
night to n reporter for THE SUN. and gave up
all hope Of being rescued. But lust then | saw
some men below mo doing all they could 10 re-
lieye me- and my heart bounded with hope"
These were some sailors whose names could
not be ascertaincd. They courageousy volun-
fltmnpy.
NJ the frail poles and panks that remained
cinglnS " Qne SIDE n IL ih'S s,-.-f, -,
ground Pend 'rcrnss. whose nervous system
had undergone a terrible strain. tainted in the
arms of bis r,scucr-. Last night hs was sui
fering from tho n cts of the Ens md smoke
that had penetrated his lungs and eyes. but no
serious results are Hpurchrnicd.
Thomns Hrif 'rn. another lahorer was on the
seafioldnG at % low point nj the time. tut he
cs 'npei hy falling 20 The next tirr below. which
remaincd intact. and thence made asaic dcs ,cnt
10 the ground.