Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1882-05-29

The dimensions of the building ar;
about SOx5O feet. ABB one Of fou
At each end each stringer was we'll faSten
ed with iron rods. Between each stringel
parallel to the plates which extenC
iengthwise, and at right angles will
tie stringers are two gi rC!crs. Each ger
der was joined to the stringer at joint:
like c. Each mortiso in the tic measures
in all and close by each mortise is a hole
two inches in diameter, through which goes
an iron rod to be fastened to the truss. 1t
is plain that the stringers were much
weakened by the hole and mOrtise. Be.
sides that the stringers are OF hcmlock OF
i poor quality. These stringers were each
supported by two temporary props OF
hemlock, which had done service before in
other buildings. 1t is estimated that EOt
less than fifty men were at one end on this
frame engaged at putting up the truss.
The weight was too heavy and the props
not strong enough to keepup tho weakened
stripgers. The first space first gave way and
the next followed falling OH the group of
men who were prccipitated, some to the
first floor and others clear through to the
basement.
Opinions Of builders.
A master mechanic who was out to the
scene of the disaster after inspecting the
building remarked "That he never saw
such dumb way Of putting up build
ing
We showed the plan of construction to
Sol. Strock, of Bainbridge, who is at home
on frame. He has superintended the
erection of no less than As mills in his time
and he certainly knows when building
is put up in I: right way. lie said the
plan Of construction is wrong and that it
is great pity that a want of intelligent
construction should cause 80 much pain
and misery. He said there is no need of
sectional girders to weaken the cords.
There should have been more cords tho
joists should have been placed lengthwise
instead of crosswise and the frame would
have been much stronger. The custom is
to put up part of the framework and
then the trusses and not finish tho Frame
work before strengthening it with some Of
the trusseS.
Every one who knows Mr.. Grcincr, the
boss carpenter speaks OF him in high terms
as q mechanic. He has put up many barns
and houses in that vicinity and has always
made satisfactory work. They attach no
blame to him in this case, but it is quite
clear that he was carrying out poor plan
in constructing this building. There is 10
one who more deeply regrets tho eccur-
renee of the sad affair than he. When it
took place he was standing Oh L ladder
putting the nut on the rod that runs
through the truss he fell through to the
floor in the basement, and is very much
bruised, but not seriously.
The site of tho calamity was formerly
occupied by a stone structure, built about
twenty five years ago. In it the members.
who are Dunkards of the older branch of
that denomination, have worshipped there
during that time until early this spring.
Then it was decided, but not without pro-
test, to erect . new but larger building in
its stead. Its location is short distance
back from the road leading from Milton
Grove to MastersOnville, about eight miles
north of this borough. 1t is i quiet,
place. hemmed in on three
sides by woodland thinly set with trees.
In tho rear is the churchyartl, where lie
buried many of the former inhabitants of
that locality. There is full view in one
only to the eastward, but it is
such as affords magnificent scene. This
building differs materially from the ordi,
nary church buildings. 1t is designed to
worship in, and it was expected that the
first services wonld be held there shortly
after harvest. There is q basement below
and rooms above next to the roof, to ac-
dodgers, when the love feasts
are held. These, which take place an
nually, draw together large crowds, and
they arc fed with food prepared in the
basement of the church building.
The Sceno Yesterday.
All day Sunday hundreds Of mei,
and children in vehicles and on
foot came from all directions to visit the
wrecked building.
Ever since the first news of tho acci-
lent reached this borough tho citizens
have been eager to learn particulars.
Some have relatives and friends among
he victims and this made the anxiety all
;he greater. The roads are in a bad con-
litiOn, otherwise the number who went
'ut from town woul!l have been greater.
Tho Disaster Ascribed to Providence.
Unfortunately thcro is division of Opin-
on among tho members of the church.
some wanted the church rebuilt anil q
'maIl faction as strongly opposed the rc-
This condition Of things makes
he affair all the moro unfortunate and
many arc superstitiOus enough to look
lpOn the accident rs an act of Godespecially
designed to justify the position that the
Inti builders took. One old gentleman in
this view in broken Pennsylya-
Tia Dutch said "You may say what you
will GIeiner is good carpenter and knows
lis business. Some of the members did
Iot want to build it. Its no ones fault
'ut the Lords. He did it, and ell do it
gain too"
The side frames arc still in position.
Nothing but about twO-t thirds of the floor
epresented by the diagram is down. The
imber is badly broken, and much of it
annot be used in it again. 1t will be some
ime before the work on the building will
70 continued. There will be much trouble
0 get help to raise it again, and it will be
difficult job to complete the structure.