Daily Republican., 1885-07-31
Tho Rolling MIL Accident.

1
Council chamber this morning at 10 O.
clock. The Jury was composed O
James Bradford, chairman ; I. Elwoot
Singley, secretary Milton Lackey, ,Johl
Pyle, Edward T. Bsllah. K. Tatnal
Warner, Edward Belts, George w
Stone aud Thomas w. McClary.
/, The jury, whis b was appointed yes
terday by Deputy Coroner Smith, wen
in the evening to the late residence O
the deceased men, Wilbur H. Jone
and George w. Ely, and were sworr
over the bodies of each.
This morning they visited the plac,
Of the accident and viewed the ruin
and surroundings, 30 that they coulG
act intelligently in the case.
John W. Pyle testified that few
minutes before 20 clock on Wednesday
he stood outside the building talking
with Wilbur Jones. The wind began
TO blow and blew somc chips off of the
building. We went inside to get cleal
of the chips. While In the build.
ing, 1 said to Jones suppose this
building blows over Jones said, nc
danger of that, it is too strong. just
then more chips fell, and looking up
saw the roof moving over towards
Claymont street. Jones said, "there
she goes, look out"
started to run straight out, bu,
Jones ran diagonally across. crawled
out OF the ruins about 10 feet from the
end. Eo not know that tho wind would
have blown down the building. Mr.
Jones said there were too many open
iDRs in the wall for the wind to blow /,
down.
Deputy coroner Smith stated that De
putty Attorney General BigRs had at.
rived and was ready to answer any
questions that the Jury might see pro
per to ask him.
At the request of several jurors, Mr..
Biggs brit fly stated the province of the
jury, which was to diligently inquire
into the case to see II the death of any
person resulted through the negligence
of others.
of the Diamond State Iron Company,
being called, stated that the mill was
being built to finish iron OF long length,
this design being made by Mr.. Menden
hall and Mr.. Dsvis, and Mr.. Jones, the
deceased, in his draught merely carried
out the design as given to him. The
shaftipg and shears. All the heavy
trains of rolls rested upon the solid
groun1.
The bricks for the building were fur.
nished by Mr.. Forrest. Mr.. Simpson
was contractor for the brick work and
Mr.. Fon'k for the carpenter work.
Mr.. Todd said his impression was that
the building was an uuusually strong
one and all who were conversant with
such buildings were of the same opin.
ION. They had some trouble with other
build 'ngs with weak walls. The object
in building the now mill was to have II
stronger. The princ'pal object of the
firm in building brick wall was to in.
sure the privacy of their workmen, who
had TO work with very little clothing on.
The south end of the building was
partially oren. Tho wind enteripp
Tho building struck the wall obliQuely
aud reaching ths roof raised it from
the wall. There we're II pilasters. 1s
by u inche. A plate ran the whole
Length of the wall and the rafters were
DOTTED down through the plate into the
wall
F. c. Simpson had contrac. for the
brick wall. He dug the foundation 80
inches deep and 81 inches thick, wall
was 81 feet high. Brick, were of good
quality, bats all taken cut River sand
was used. The hot weather had TO
effect, sand was very sharp used an
unusually large quantity of lime.
having about 25 bushela more than the
usual proportion. Do not know that
wetting the brick would bs of any
benefit.
J. f~11 \
1t was able TO hold double the weight
that was intended. In conversation
with building inspector Chandler they
both agree that the wall wRs amplv
strong for any purpose unless heavy ma
chinery was attached 10 1t. and he wae
assured that the only pressure from ma
chinery would be or the length of it
Green mortar will not adhere to brick
In answer TO a question from Deputy
Coroner Smith, Mr.. Simpson stated tina,
q wall 800 feet long 81 feet high and &
Inches thicg could not stand alone, bu,
with the girders on 1t il was strong
enough for any ordinary purpose.
When he finished the wall he called
Mr.. Davis and told him to keep the
W. i well shored until ;be tinbers
were put on. Had there been a wall
on both sides the building could
not have been stronger. Frequeptlv
built walls of this kind. MoLear & Ken
dali's fcoach shop walls. and jackson
~ Sharp's walls are Of this character
There was nothing unusual in the con.
struction Of the building Was there
hut once when the building in
spector was present, bnt he may have
heen there torty lines and he n OF know
il.
We we're Of tho same impression that
the walls were strong enough. We
were both Of the impression that the
walls were not strong enough to bear
ire rock of heavy machinery.
Henry Lape sworn had exanin.
ed tha building. Had no interest nor
relationship with the building. Believe
me wall waa too light In the fret place.
and yet If tna building had been closed
III to Keep tl4e wind ont, il would have
stood. The STATE roof would have helned
10 ho!d the hniidiDg. TIE mortar u as
good. No difference would bavo bean
made had the lower courses OF brirk
ben laid in cement
The building would have heen "a fe II
closed in. Beiave that if the wall lad
been dry it would have stooi all the
pressure, ye. had ne built the wall he
wonid have male the wall stronger:
think the BUILDING would have stood
petter had it either been all frame or
all brick.
John M. Enos, ,bricklayer, was epeag-
ed In building the wall; :he material
was hfst class espncia.ly tho line and
ssnd' The wall was perfectly safe
Siter the girGers vera on it.
". ii. Foulk contractor and builder
LOOK contract for wood work according
TO plans and specifications. Pursued
the usual course in the erection of tbs
building; thought cure the timhers