Huntsville gazette., 1889-02-09
UNDER FALLING WALLS.

Sad Work Done by the Falling Walls of
Burned Building at Omaha-A Heavy
Gale Sends Them Crashing Through Ad-
Joining Structures, Causing Death and
Manning to Many Persons-List of the
Victims So Far as Known.
OMAHA Neb., Feb. 5.-Max Meyers
three-story building at Farnam and
Eleventh streets, occupied by Darrow &
Logan, Max Myers 6. Company's branch
store, and S. Seligman was burned out
about a fortnight ago. The roofiess walls
remained standing and it was intended to
repair them and add q fourth story.
Yesterday the wind blowed gale, and at
two O'Clock it caught the east wall and
blew down portion of it on the buildings
adjoining with tremendous crash. The
structure which calght the brunt of the
wreck was Max Meyers two-story brick,
No. 101S Farnam street. 1t was occupied
in the main floor by P. Doyer's safe store,
and in the second story by D. G. Dunbar's
engraving and printing house. Adjoin-
ing on the east was an old one-story frame
occupied as clothing store by E. Olson.
| There was a warning-a white puff of
crumbling mortar, the rafting Of few
bits of plaster-and the crash of the wall
followed in quick succession.
When the cloud of dust blew away it re-
vealed Dunbar's Office crushed fat. The
roof, walls and stock of Olsen's store
were crushed to the ground. A shanty in
the rear, occupied by Mrs. Hengen, was
also wrecked.
A fire alarm was sent in and the force
was called to the scene. The iremen
with ropes sought to pull down the walls
fI,a oh -TJ 10 TO
who were imprisoned. The street soon
filled with curious people who did not re-
alize that any one was hurt until they saw
men and women crawling out of the
debris and others, cut and limping,
brought out by the firemen.
The scenes were heart-rending, and
those who had friends in the wreck could
hardly be kept back. Means and tears
were heard and seen as the bodies of the
dead and wounded were brought out. The
ruins were crowded with business men
and men in all conditions Of life who
worked earnestly, when they found an
opening, to save the lives of the unfortu-
mates.
When the rescuers first arrived at the
scene, the cries of Olsen were heard in
the northwest corner Of the ruins. The
rescuers went to work TO save the unfor-
tunate man. Every cry from the dying
man brought new hands to the work Of
rescue. 1t required too much time, and
gradually the cries subsided. When they
reached him Olsen was dead.
The body Of Mike Martin, Dunbar's fire.
man, was taken out from the ruins in the
vicinity of the boiler. The body was
roasted and mutilated, and presented a
| shocking appearance.
Miss Emma Oliver, the stenographer foz
Dunbar, was found about half-past two
| O'Clock, half an hour after the wreck, "
! ing between the safe and the walls. One
leg was broken, and she was severely
bruised and sustained a serious concus-
| sion Of the brain. She will die.
Tom Houston, of Dunbar's stereotyping
department, was found lying up near the
| boiler. His body was horribly burned
| from head to foot and his screams could
| be heard for blocks. He will probably
| die
| John Jackson, aged seventeen years,
was rescued with broken leg and other
! injuries.
Daniels, the driver for Halls Safe
| agency, was taken out badly bruised and
| injured internally, but will survive.
1 Two girls employed Dy DunDaf Ieli
| from the second story and were severely
| bruised.
Mrs. Hengen, who lived in the cottage
| in the rear Of Olsen's store, was buried
under her own roof, but was eXtricated
after sustaining broken rib.
| Charles Caesar, engraver, sustained a
broken leg just below the right knee.
a list Of the killed rescued up to eight
O'Clock:
Mike Martin, fireman Of Dunbar's.
P. Boyer, agent Hal's Safe and Lock
Company.
E. Olsen, clothier.
- Lombard, book-keeper.
Rudolph Mitchell, agent Equitable In
surance Company.
The work is still going on, and it is ex-
pected that other bodies will be brought
to light.