Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-04-20
A FEARFUL CATASTROPHE.
sAgEaEa HALL CRUSHED BY FALLING
WALL.
Between Twenty and Thirty Men Buried
in the Debris-List Of the Killed
and wounded

GCbWCA 46CAtJ a44 Ao@4s Nun D0kAC0
in the Debris-List Of the Killed
and Wounded
About u o'clock last night fire broke out
in the kitchen of the Campi Restaurant, on
the north side Of K street, between Fifth
and Sixth streets, and under Grand Army
Hall. A few minutes afterward the
western wall of the hall fell
outward, falling on the roof of
q ons-story building occupied by Ziegler &
Hitzenberger as saloon, and known as
" Saeugsr Halle which caused the roof to
fall in, carrying everything into the base
ment. This place has always been a resort
for musicians, and a large crowd, including
many members OF the First Artillery band,
were in the saloon. The number is variousIy
estimated az from twenty to forty. The FIRE
department. responded promptly to the alarm
of fire. and after extipguishing the fire turned
their attention to rescuing those buried
in the debris. Many of those who were
standing near to the wall on either side were
removed with but little difficulty; some Is or
Is were taken out in this way more or less
injured. Near the center of the building the
debris fell clear to the ground, and from here
the first removed vas the dead body of John
Hitzenberger, one Of the propriators of the
saloon. The second body removed was that
of an elderly man about go years of age, re.
specially dressed, but his head and face were
crushed so that be could not be recognized.
He had short chin vhiskers and mustache,
both grey. On the body was found gold
watch and chain.
Following is list Of those injured, as
fully as could be obtained before the
RECORD. UNION went to press this morning
William Meyers, mail agent on Folsom
railroad, seriously injured about the head
and otherwise bruised; Herbert Bilse, sew
eral scalp-wounds and hurt in the back !;
James Lambert, injuries on head; Charles
Evans, hurt on head and otherwise bruised /;
James McNulty, hurt on the head; Frank
Bragg Divy"l, substitute fireman. cut in
jaw and neck 8; L. w. Lucas, back bruised
and other injuries ]. Woodbridge, hurt
about the head and arm badly injured; Jo-
seph Reddy, severely injured about head and
generally; John Higgins, hurt on head and
in leg; John Sullivan. scalp wound-not
serious; George Loder, Of Washington, seri-
ously bruised Jno. McAllissor, scalp wounds,
but not serious.
fbaco al ahovya fhara tUa
several others who were removed vita but
few scratches and slight bruises.
At about 2:30 A. NJ. the walls upon either
side of the building threatened to fall in, and
searching for the bodies was suspended until
the walls could be propped up.
Henry HOPPE and man named Sweitzer
were known TO have been in the saloon
shortly before the accident occurred, and
were not found afterwards.
AS fast as the men were removed from the
debris they were taken to the livery stable
directly across the street. a number of ply.
sicians were at hand as soon as they could be
summoned, and everything possible was done
to relieve the sufferers. Both of the dead
bodies were removed to the Coroner's office.
Almost as soon as the building had fallen
there was large force Of volunteers at work
extricating the injured from the ruins. Much
credit is due to the members of the fire de-
partment and to the police officers.
Chief Engineer Sullivan was just III the
door of the saloon, in the act of entering,
when the building fell.
There is 10 particular reason assigned for
But it was only an inch brick wall, and has
been considered unsafe for some time. Only
Last Friday evening there was a social enter
tsinment given there, and on Sunday evening
the Land League held their regular meeting
there. On Friday evening word was sent to
the hall not 60 allow dancing on account of
the dangerous condition of The build
ing. There are many who think they
heard an explosion moment before
the crash came, but it is supposed to have
been the sound caussd by tbs wall in falling.
A theory was advanced that the beiler con-
nected with the stove in the restaurant
kitchen had exploded, but it was found 20 be
unfounded. AS the wall was but an S-inch
one. and very old the conclusion caused by
the fremen and others probably broke the
slender thread which held it.
The hall was owned by Mrs. ]. Gregory,
and occupied by the restaurant and by Chas.
Flohr, the gunsmith. the owner of the
fallen building was Mrs. Il, r. Hernosills.
The falling of the saloon building caused the
wall of the building on the west side
to break near the top. and it leaned
towards the fallen building considerably,
and it was from this wall that the danger was
apprehended which caused the work of re-
moving the debris TO stop. Men were put to
work at once bringing timbers to propup this
wall, after which the work of removing the
ruins was resumed. The latter building is
owned by Chris. Weisel, and is occupied by
Wilcox, Powers & Co.
Mr.. Hi.zsnberger, who was killed, was 8
member Of the First Artillery band. about q
years Of age, and Sclavonisn. The other
man who was taken frcm the
ruins in an unacceptable condition
il was nscertaiHed about half-past
three this morning was merchant. Thomas
G. Brelsford was found in his pocket on pa
pers and letters addressed to the Union
House, this city.