The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-05-24
CHILDREN BURIED ALIVE.
Covered by Failing DebrIs-Rescued Joseph
DonOvnn's Fatal Injuries.

st. Matthews Lutheran Church, at Eliza
OF its church. 1872 Elizabeth street from which
old buildings are being removed for the pur-
pose Of erecting school. Workmen. under
the direction OF Contractor Johnston. have been
busy several days in the task OF demolition.
They had entirely removed an old wooden
building on the front Of the lot without acc-
dent A two-story brick building on the rear
Of the lot had also been torn down. leaving only
the walls OF the first story standing. Most Of
the debris was piled on the floor on a level with
the street when the workmen left. about 8
O'Clock yesterday afternoon. The children Of
the neighborhood who have had n harvest Of
kindlng wood and also made playground Of
the ruins, were. ~ usual. congregated in the
vicinity. Some of them were inside the old
brick building playing on the heap ol rubbish.
Joseph Donovan. a stout boy OF Is. living at l49
Elizabeth street. was Juggling away gt n big
timber. trying To- loosen Il. and other boys were
helping him. About half past 3 part ot the
flooring gave way. and an immense heap Of
bricks. mortar. and beams wont crashing
20 the cellar, taking the children along with IT,
Some who were on the edges clambered out
safely But four were completely buried in the
ruins. though fortunately three Of them were
near the top and screamed Justify for help.
The densely populated neighborhood was soon
wild with excitement, and in few minutes
hundreds OF wai!ing mothers were rushing 10
the scene. frantic with grief. SO many children
had been in the habit OF playing there that the
first impression was Of NJ least q dozen Killed.
Sexton Ernst happened 10 be passing. and. in
company with dozen willing men. hurried to
extricRte the unfortunates. The workers were
soon joined by a platoon OF police under Capt.
Brogan. and subsequently by the hremen.
Little Jimmy Shaughnessy. aged 6 years.
OF 1872 Elizabeth street. was the first one got
out He pretty well anchored in the
bricks. but in an hour after being taken home
was running about happily. having received
but slight contusiOns. Willie Fctterer. aged 6.
of l54 Elizabeth street. was equally for
tunate getting of with scratches on his
head and body. Jimmy Newhall of 1sl Eliza
beth street was also got out with little delay.
and was not seriously injured. But Joseph
Donovan was too deeply buried TO be rescued
soon. and too badly hurt 10 direct the searchers
by loud cries. The men walked and worked
over him without knowing whore he was. His
companions knew he was there, and gave
directions for the search, but about half an hour
elapsed before he could he reached Then "A
large amount Of rubbish had to be removed
before he could be lifted out. As his limp and
inanimate body was borne to the ambulance
the report ran rapidly among the crowd that he
was dead. II was thought that his injuries
were fatal. The lad was taken to Bellevue
Hospital.
Some Of tho neghbors complain that the
premises were not fenced in. and that the work
OF demolition was carelessly performed. When
the accident occurred the children were in the
ruins alone. and none OF the workmen were
present