Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-08-08
POLICE IN DEEP PIT.
COLLAPSE OF a SIDEWALK ON MADl-
SON STREET.
Midnight Plunge OF Two Worthy Po-
lice Observation-Disclosures of
Queer Accident.

It was a frightful fall Police Officers Jo-
seph II. McMullen and Logan s. Robins
had between u and O'Clock night before
last, brief mention Of which was made in
this paper yesterday.
That either one of them came out Of the
pit alive is a wonder. Down they went a
depth of fourteen feet and down upon
them came a great heap Of earth and
bricks.
Yesterday both were in bed; both were
sore. greatly bruised, and strained by ex-
citement physical suffering. but luckily
with no broken bones or permanent In
luries.
HOW IT OCCURRED.
At Il o'clock midnight the morning re-
lief came from the Third statiOn-hOuse aud
Mr.. McMullen and Mr. Fore were relieved
in the neighborhOod Of Broad street and
Brook avenue. and together they proceeded
towards their homes IN the southwestern
section of the city. At the southeast
corner of Madison and Main streets Mr..
McMullen felt the brick sidewalk sinking
under his feet. In an instant he had gone
down perpendicularly out of sight of his
companion, who bv good luck and great
activity escaped TO firm ground.
THR GULF.
At the point where Mr. McMullen sank
culyert passes under the street and runs
throu0h the old Penitentiary- Spring lot.
This cUlveTt drains a considerable pOr-
tion Of Franklin and Grace streets AMI
was built many years ago. and 10 would
seem TO have been faulty constructed. In
this instance the culyert had broken and
worked out a great body of earth G. made
"A. I . -
when Mr. McMulen stepped on the side
walk it was held in place only by 4 thin
crust Of earth The weight of the two
men crushed il in.
ANOTHER MAN FALLS N.
Mr. McMullen shouted to Mr. Fore for
assistance, and told him to get a ladder.
Mr.. Fore went promptly 10 work. He
showed calmnees and sagacity. He gave
the distress rap, which brought other Oiii-
GERS up, and az once went IN search OF a
ladder.
Officer Yarbrough responded in q few
seconds. aud Acting Sergeant Robins soon
came rushing up. soon many policemen
had assembled.
ONE OF THE INJURED.
Said Mr.. Robins yesterday
- was near Monroe Park when heard
the rapping, and ran down 20 Madison
McMullen had fallen into the culyert, and
/ soon heard Mac's cries for help. He told
rs to get ladder. Meanwhile | thought
to help him by using my gum coat as
rope. ! accordingly prepared 10 extend
il to him, when the earth under my feet
gave way. and went headlOng In the hole.
| suppose fell about fifteen feet, and the
bricks and dirt came tumbling down upon
nc. was wedged in and couldn't move,
4 L.. j, afr ha hnuI htr "a
| think | retained my consciousness; but
II was awful looking up and seeing the
ground over my head arched and ready TO
fall A. any moment Finally a ladder was
gotten from Mr.. Holzgreve's across the
street, and Mr.. McMullen and l were
helped out.'
INJURIES.
Mr. McMullen was placed in n carriage
and carried 20 his residence, on Beverley
street near the penitentiary.
Mr. Robins, after giving some directions
about barricadlng the hole, went to the
Thiid station-hOuse. He had lost his hat
and club. but SAID that he was not much
hurt. He was. howey r, mistaken. Dr.
Brock thinks he is worse hurt than Mr..
McMullen, though he does not consider
that either has any injuries which tow
days of rest and nursing Will not cure,
though they are both apt TO be sore tor
some time 10 come.
TOO CLOSE.
Mr.. McMullen said yesterday that while
in tho hole 10 was a. much rs he could do
/ bV Decslng and entreatlng to prevent inc
crowd OF people who soon assembled from
buryug him alive. In their anxiety 10
help they would gather around the opening,
and whenever they did so there was a fresh
fall of earth. and he began to fear the curb
stone would come down upon him and kill
him.
TIE CULYERT.
Assistant-City-Engine Bolton said yes
terday that the culyert was 3Xi feet, and
was built of stone.
The place where the break occurred some
years ago was not in this culvert, but IN a
connection of 1t.
Men were set TO work Yesterday TO repair
the damage done, and the sewer will then
be stronger aud better than 1t was when
first built. and the public need not have
any apprehension as TO It's safety.