Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-04-28
THE POLICE.

The Police were promptly on hand at the
fire and did good service. The men were
firm in keeping back the crowds and pre-.
venting interference with the firemen.
They were noticeably active and through
out all the excitement served as quieting
and effective influence.
AN ACCIDENT.
A Sidewalk Gives way-A Panic-The
Injured.
Just after the flames burst out of the
front OF the oil store, followed by columns
of smoke SO dense and heavy that they
sank to the ground, terrible crash was
heard nearly opposite, on the west side of
Second street, about midway of the Sazerac
building. The sidewalk had given way
and precipitated nearly half a hundred
people into the pit ten feet beneath.
As the cries and shrieks of the unfortu-
mates went up there was q panic-stricken
rush along the street and the people
surged around into street struggling and
shouting, the majority believing that an
explosion had taken place. Police officers
and volunteers hastily formed q line about
the wreck and the work of extricating those
beneath the plane of the walk began. There
was insufficient light to see what was the
real condition of affairs. Corporation moon.
light prevailed. which means darkness, so
moon is up. The people could be heard in
the pit struggling with each other, Shrek
ing and groaning. They evidently believed
that an explosion had taken place and
were panic. stricken in consequence. Some
men made themselve heard
from above, however, and commanded the
terrified ones below to remain quiet and
cease struggling. A moment later some
one came with lantern, and one by one
the people down the ruins of the walk
were pulled up. Among the number were
three women.
1t was miraculous that no one was killed
and no bones were broken. Several men
were bruised about the body, number
had cuts and bruises about the head; two
or three were stunned and unable to real.
ize what had happened. A young man
named Peterson was pretty badly hurt in
the back. Others had severe Commissions
about the legs and feet, and some were cut
by splinters and pierced by nails in the
hands and legs. But so far as could be
ascertained in the fearful confusion, no one
was seriously injured.
When the last person had been lifted or
pulled out, a Chinaman named All Souey
walked into the pit, the lantern having
been temporarily removed. He fell
heavily, and sustained compound fracture
OF the right leg just above the ankle, the
broken bones being driven through the
flesh and protruding. Candles were pro-
cured and the man taken out and convened
to the Receiving Hospital, where his
wound was dressed.
thorough examination of the ruins
was then made to ascertain if any human
beings might be beneath the broken TIM
oers but none were found. The sidewalk
appears to have given way about two-thirds
Of the way from its outer line. The people
were thus precipitated into narrow i.Vo
shaped space, and were thrown and packed
upon each other.
SAMPLE OF MANY.
There were no central supports to tie
sidewalk to be seen, the timbers stretch.
ng the entire sixteen-foot span evidently.
rhe walk is an old one, and should long
ago have been replaced by substantial
structure. A close examination of the
imbers could not be made last night, but
hey appeared to be insufficient in size, as
veil as decayed and inadequateIy supported.
t is understood that the property along
which the sidewalk ruDs is owned by DR..
q. w. Hardness, Of San Francisco. The
RECORD UNION has repeatedly called atten-
ion to this class of walks as not only eve
Iores, but traps, and has urged that
borough inspection of all old walks be
made from below, but there is every reason
% believe it has not been done.
The walk that fell in last night had not
Upon it at the time more people than
night be expected to be standing upon il
IN any such occasion as a campaign meet
ng, the moving of large procession in the
treet, or on the occasion of q public re.
'eption. 1t is upon one of the fist bust.
less streets of the city and at one of the
busiest corners of the business section.
That walk-way incapable of holding up
sfely all the people who can get upon it
mould have been SO long tolerated is a dis.
race to the city and reproach to the
authorities. But there are scores of such
walks. Even last night all along ] street,
rom Second half way up to Third on the
forth side, the police warned the people to
cave the sidewalks and take to the streets,
hough on none of them on ] street was
here at any time any considerable crowd.
1t is worthy of note also that when the
walk gave way on Second street the people
we're not moving about, but standing still,
the firemen at work across the
treet. Had there been any running or
umping upon the structure so severe crit.
ism might not be justified, but under the
the maintenance and tolera-
ion of sidewalk such as that was next
o criminal negligence or stubbornness.
walk ought to be so supported and of
uch strength as to uphold all people who
AN obtain footing upon it. It is supposed
0 be laid for that very purpose-to resist
he strain liable to be put upon it at any
ime in case Of fires, professions, celebra-
ions, etc.
When it is considered that many walks
ire heavily loaded with merchandise, and
n addition are liable at any moment to be
crowded with people, it is wonder that
more of the old rattle-traps on our street
ines do not give way. That there were
lot dozen human lives sacrificed last
light by reason of maintenance of walk
way of insufficient strength, was not due to
he rigor of our sidewalk ordinances or the
of the officers whose duty it is to
Zee that people are not exposed to undue
'isk by use of the sidewalks.
One man last evening, who was stranger
n the city, possibly a nonresident prop
srty-owner, after the first excitement
Of the accident had subsidized, re-
marked to the crowd that the
would not have fallen if the peo-
pie had not stood SO thickly upon it, and
that they must expect such accidents if
hey overload the walks. II remained for
! spirited woman to reply: You think so,
10 you? Why, sidewalks are made for the
people to stand upon, aren't they? No one
person can occupy more than given space
upon walk, can he? How are people to
know that walk will not sustain all who
IL l. =
have stood on this walk that has Just fallen
ID several occasions, at celebrations and
meetings, when it was Just as full as it was
tonight. What do you think people are
made for, anhow?" There was no reply
made to indignant lady. None could be
made, for she was right in saying walk
way should be able to hold as many as can
stand upon it to the square yard.
JONES, OWENS s CO.
Wire Goods Firm on Street Also