The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-02-18
COLLAPSE OF A BUILDING.
Chicago Structure Falls to Pieces, and Its
Fourteen Stories Are Pile of Wreckage.

CHICAGO, Feb. H-One of the tallest
Office buildings in America collapsed this
morning. A number of workmen rushed
out just In time to escape kc:ng crushed
under the mountain of wreckage. The
Owings Block is the ruin. 1t was beauti-
full gothic structure, fourteen stories high,
situated at the corner of Dearborn and
Adams streets, just opposite the postoffice,
in the center of the business district. The
ten lower stories fell In, one after another,
leaving the walls and four upper floors and
the roof standing in decidedly shaky
condition. In the tenth story the tile floor
ing was defective, or was damaged by the
natural settling of the building. With
out the slightest warning the great
mass of tiles and giRders forming the in
jured floors crashed to the story below. and
the two together, acting like a huge pile
driver, pounded a way for themselves to
the bottom. About 125 workmen have been
steadily engaged onthe building, but to-day
being Sunday less than dozen were on hand.
All were In the basement, when, at half
mendOus crash was heard. No one stopped
to inquire the cause, but rushed pell-meu
into the streets. They were not moment
tool soon. A succession of thundcrous re-
each scurrying, trembling workman was
dust and broken plaster. Gradually the air
cleared, and a few of the harder spirits
ventured back inside Where before story
rose above story, east of the central sky
light, in mathematical precision and with
every appearance of colossal strength and
durability, was fantastic heap of debris,
while the space 130 feet above was empty,
save for bent and distorted iron beams that
here and there projected from the walls.
The superintendent and contractors were
summoned. and took a survey of the wreck.
Neither seemed to have any idea of the
cause Of the accident, or, if he had any, he
carefully kept his opinions to himself and
joined In the self-cOngratulations of the
workmen that the accident did not happen
the preceding day, when scores Of men
were at work. Chief Sweeney, of
SCENE, as and md after looking over the % Structure s
decided that it would not be necessary to
pull down the walls at once, as. though
they seemed to be out of1plumb, there was
no immediate danger of their falling in.
The building, which was rapidly approach
ing completion, is considered one of the
finest in the city, from the stand points of
convenience, strength and architectural
magnificence. Its upper stories were of
pressed brick, the three lower of stone.
The roof was completed about three weeks
ago. The interior was entirely OF tile. sup
ported in place by massive iron girders.
Work has been pushed as rapidly as posi-
BILE; and the contractors have at times lit
men. Yesterday. three iron tanks,
intended to hold water for the ele-
yator power. arrived at the build
ing. One of these, weighing 2,20O pounds,
was hoisted to the twelfth story. while an
was placed in position to be elevated to-
morrow. To the east of the shaft, extend
ing through the center of the building. the
walls and floor of tile had been completed,
and work had been begun on the iron stair
was. undoubtedly the giving way OF the
tile flooring at the tenth story. This, the
ruins show, fell to the floor below, knocking
out more tiling. which fell through, gaining
in weight until the fifth story was reached,
when the falling mass tore away the iron
beams on this and the floors below, bending
them out of shape and shaking the walls of
the foundation. 1t is presumed that the
first fSsais break. ca The tiles ' Of which
the floors are made fit together like
key-stOnes, and depend on each other for
support. Any extension of the space con-
fning them would tend to allow the entire
mass to drop out: It's displacement from
plumb is not particularly noticeable to the
inexperienced eye, but great cracks run off
from the center like strands in gigantic
spider-web.
There was much comment among business
men and others who congregated after the
wreck. The very fact that the accident
was entirely unforeseen seemed to be
generally considered the most serious
phase of it. Suppose" said one specta-
tor, ''that it had not happened for a
month or two, when the building was fully
occupiedp Notwithstanding the great
height of the building, the land on which
it stands is not more than fifty feet square.
The design was to utilize every inch. Sew
en- stories has. until lately, been about the
average in that neighbOrhood, and the ta-
pering. sky-piercing gable and graceful
Impressive and picturesque sight, towering
over the surrounding roofs. The exterior
still looks as beautiful and commanding
as ever, the shell showing absolutely moth
ing TO indicate that within is Jagged hole
twenty-five feet square, reaching UP
through story after story +. X. Owings O
Boston capitalist, is the owner. !.