New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-05-08
CLOSING THE INVESTIGATION.

The investigation of the calamity at Madi-
top souaie Garden which has engaged the attention Of
Coroner Brady and jury for eight days, was closed
Yesterday The FIST witness was Michael McGrath,
carpenter and builder who testified that lie had In
spected the runs and Of the opinion that the acc
cent was due to the vibration caused by the dancing In
the ballroom.
Andrew Owens chief OF the Bureau OF Violations
and Applications OF the Building Department was
the next witness. and stated that he thought
the building erected in accordance with the building
law He had 1t before it examined by the in
spector and since the accident. part of the old wall
was formerly fence surrounding the Harlem Railroad
Depot II the structure had been new one he would
not have allowed 12-nch wall TO he built He ola not
know the depth Of the foundations and had no per
sona knowledge that they could sustain wall "a ieet
high he had not dug down. Cracks were ionnd
In the Will before the alterations, but they were taken
out.
superintendent Dudley was recalled, ana stateu posi-
lively that Mr. Curtis tue engineer OF the ROAD ana
architect OF the alterations, mad called onhim TWICE. ana
had finally consented to make changes III the plahS
which were submitted.
Frederick Draper the Deputy superintendent OF
Buildings said he thought IT was safe enough 10 Duhd
the wall of Madison Square Garden according to the
plans.
al know nothing about the actual place where my
wife receiyed her wounds was with her five minutes
begore the Incident at table No. B. Wnere my
mother was. My mother asked her TO go 10
the rcfresbment aud my wife fepned thaC she
couldn't for she home to the baby was about
TO go around the table TO JOIN her, when director o
tho company of which counsel asked me question
about business and stopped few minutes 10 explain
TO him. Watched my wife, and saw her stop to speak
TO lady, and also her pass through the centre OF
the bnldiug followed after her. but could not see
her, aud not knowing where she was turned
TO 60 to the entrance, when tho crash
came I stood there time ana tried
TO suppress the panic, wch very great at the mo-
mcnt. people brought down stairs covered WIN
plaster. In few minutes 1 made inquiries about my
wife, and my said he her go through the en-
france Invent home expectug her there. 10 say
10 her that was safe. Beforehand 1 went to my
mother and found her agtated as she had been told
that my wife had been Injured Ipacied her and then
went home When found my wife had not arrived L
went back the Garden, and seeing an ambulance just
driving away followed IT. asked the surgeon VINO
was injured, and he said it WAS q lady about thirty
years old When the ambulance arrived at the hospital
Recognized the lady as my vito
az saw five or six ladies brought down stairs
inseusble but do not think Of them was nv Wife
NV idea was when I saw them, that the Plaster had
fallen and bruised the people One OF the maids In my
house usually went TO the Garden every night to bring
home bundle in which Mrs. Hegeman carried her &C
counts. That was the bag that found in the grip
OF the maid. When last saw the maid she was stand
ing n ty feet from the entrance"
Have you any Wy Of telling lin where your wife was
MY opinion is in favor OF the theory that she was on
the sidewalk THere was not particle OF plaster IN her
hair or on her dress, which peculiarly made with
ilOupces while brick dust and mortar were found IN
great quantities The character Of the wounds seems 10
indicate that they were made with timbeTs saw Al
the people brought down stairs, and think II my vile
had been among them would have recognized her." .
Dr. Racfle, Coroncr's deputy then read the medt
cal testimony, giving In detail @ description oil the
wounds found on each Of tho dead persons. Coroner
Brady announced that all the testimony had been taken
and addressed the Jury In part as follows:
1t has been proven 10 evidence that the building law
has been violated If the jurors think from the evidence
that such the fact, II will be their duty to find accord
inRly as the laws and the public demand That they
must have safe buildings for places OF amusement!
The Jurors retired Ais and deliberated for an
hour and twenty-five minutes They then returned, ana
Michael Gehcgan the fCreman, said that they had all
agreed on the following verdict:
&c We, the undersigned Jurors, hereby find that Mrs
Annie Willetts, Mrs Annie b. G. Hegeman, Mary Ann
Connolly ard William H. TeStOn came TO their death by
Injuries received April d. $780, by the falling OF the
west wall OF the bui ding known as Madison Square
Garden situated IN Madison and FOurtGavos, between
TWenty-sixth and Twent yseventhstR., w5cb was due
70 the faulty construction of the said building And we
hereby ceIEure the Harlem Railroad Company for en-
plOy1g civil engineer to act as an architect who not
cOnveTsan with the construction Of buildings We also
censure the Department Of Buildings for negligence
in their duty In allowing the aforesaid addition to be
erected contrary to law aud in faulty manner And
we that the entire building be taken down.
deem II dangerous and unfit for the purposes OF