New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-02-22
THE SCHOOL CALAMITY.
THE NUMBER OF VICTIMS FIFTEEN.

THE NUMBER OF VICTIMS FIFTEEN.
ACTION BY THE coRoNER-MEAsUREs LOOKING TO
SAFETY IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The number of children killed by the disas.
ter on Tuesday in the FOurth-st German
Catholic school connected with the Church OF
the Most Holy Redeemer was found yesterday
to be fifteen. The funeral services will take
place to-day A Coroner's jury inspected the
school building yesterday The Board OF
Education passed resolutions in regard to Sc
curing safety from fire IN the public schools.
Inspector Esterbrook says that the disaster is
in no way attributable to neglect on his part
INVESTIGATING THE DISASTER.
The mistake In the number of victims OF the dis
aster arose from incomplete Investigation by the
police. On Tuesday night they stated the number
of Theresa Kostner, of No. 17s East
Third-st., and Of Oracle Getzner, Of
No. 1877 East ThIrd-st The two were identical, and
the name proved to be Theresa Koetzner aud the
residence Me- 17S East fhird-st. The name Of
Frances Muttenmuth, or Muttermuth. of No. %
Clinton-st, also given. Inquiry yesterday
showed that the only name approaching these was
that of Jerome W9hlgemuth. He attended the
school, but escaped in safety. This left the number
of the dead fourteen. At late hour last nigh Katie
Gerlach died, and Louise Floren, it was thought,
could not survive. Tie other injured children were
considered out of danger.
The parents of the dead children received sympa-
thy from many sources yesterday. The
Sisters Of the Convent of Notre Dame visited
them, left cards and other floral tributes for the
cofius, and gave more practical aid; many friends
called and even strangers left money with the fam
lies most of whom were too poor to bear the ex-
penses of the burial Of their children The scenes
at these homes were very sad. Mothers told the
story of the disaster with tremu.o lips and friends
stood around in tears Many of the rooms where
the dead lay were small poverty-sricken apart
ments, some of them Ia rear tenement houses.
Investig cations were begun by Coroner Levy and
by Inspector Esterbrook, of the Buildings Bureau,
to determine. if possible, the responsibility for the
loss of life. Mr. Esterbrook summoned John
Riley, the examiner Of the district in which
the school building is situated. and gave him a
written order to make a thorough examination Of
the building He also directed Riley TO explain
why the building had not been examined before.
Coroner Levy summoned jury to hold an inquest
Among the jurymen are Oswald Otteudorfer and
Commissioner James Lynch. The 1urymen
met at D. m. In the Fifth-st. police
station, and the coroner took them to
the school building. A general examination was
made Of the stairways and exits and some measure
ments were taken. Some of the priests in tho
Church of the Most Holy Redeemer were questioned
informally about the management OF the school.
The coroner then announced that the examination
othe witnesses would begin at the coroners office on
Monday at p. m. few Of the jurymen afterwards
accompanied Coroner Levy to houses where the
bodies Of the dead girls lay. At each house Deputy
Coroner Donlin made out certificates of death and
Mr.. Levy signed them.
Long streamers of black and white Grape hung
from the ceiling in front of the altar of the Church
of the Most Holy Redeemer, which the funeral of
the fourteen children will be held to-day at o
o'clock. Black and white Grape had been twined
around four columns behind the altar and these
blems of mourning covered the sides OF the
chancel During the early hours of the
morning friends and relatives of the dead
children fockeJ to the church to view the prcpara-
tions. Father Lammel, of St. Patricks Cathedral,
will conduct the funeral services. Owing TO the be-
reavement of Mr.. Fisher the regular organst of the
church. whose daughter one OF the victims tho
music will be furnished by Mr.. Marks the organist
of another Catholic church. Fifty policemen will
be present TO preserve order in the street. The
funeral expenses of those parents who are too poor
to pay will be paid by the church.
Rumors were aaoat in the neighborhood OF the
school yesterday that some of the children who
were injured during the panic had died at
their homes, but investigation proved that
the stories were without foundation Reports
were received by the police in the afternoon that
children not revousy known TO have bsen hurt
were suffering at their homes Joseph Weinmann,
eight years old, of No. 1874 Rvington-st, had his
leg broken badly. Lena Linden, of No. 214 Second
st.. had her knee dislocated. Rudolph Mantel, Of
No. 92 First-st., was suffering from the effects or
bruises He as in sensible when he was carried TO
his home but he was recovering yesterday. Lena
Senft Of No. $40 Fifth-st lay In bed suffering from
serious bruises, but her recovery was regarded 40
certain. -,
Katie Gerlaoh lay on a lounge in a squalid room
on the first floor OF the tenement at No 2l9
East Thrd-st when reporter entered the place.
She is seven years old. When she was taken un-
conscious from the crush and passed out OF the
window her mother, who was standing III tne
pyc6 nv child! My siodl Give me my child" The child
was handed to her and she hurried home. she
watched by the child all night, but Yesterday the
doctor told her il must die. The little girls lungs
were crushed in. She bTeathed with the greatest
difficulty and the sorrowing FANNY We're watcnins
for the end to come. Inc I5tner OF hale ars
Gerlach supports her husbani and SIX children oy
doing washing. The ragged clio hing that covered
Among those injured, who were doing we'll yester.
day, were Mary Bessell, ag3 ttirteen, OF No. 5oo
Eas. Tenths GaISe Bst1 age SevYn ns g, No S no.
3s7 East Houston-s George jaeger age seven, OF
No. % Avenue-C; Katie smith. age nine, OF No.
04 Avenue-B. who was taken out une9nsei3Sas
Tnl,f TnIla-st'; 'ita Hnsust s HaSan,cht age nine
OF No. 1856 East hird-st.; Katie Anon OF No. 22S
aud len, of No. 633 Flfth-st.; Annie Smith. age
eIeven, of No. 2I0 Avenue-C; Andrew Becker age
eigh, of NJ. 80 Avenue-A Gr tchen heal, OF NO:
lJI East Fourth-st., and aiaTy Smith, age eignt Ok
No. 1915 East Fourth-st.
THE VICTIMS.