The morning call., 1890-09-19
CRUSHED TO DEATH.
Charles Meyers Meets With a
Horrible Fate.
While experimenting Work on the New City
Hall He Is Killed by Falling Der
riek-The Third Life.

Charles Meyers OF the firm of Simmons &
Meyers. riggers, II Howard street. met with
dreadful death yesterday afternoon while
engaged in his work at the McAllister-street
wing OF the City Hall, now in course of con-
structlon. A portion OF derrick fell upon
his head and he died almost instantly.
Intense excitement was created by the ac-
cident in and around the building. rumors
were started that one man had lost his life
and others were dying. In the first uncer-
taihty of the news large crowds quickly
gathered at the scene Of the fatal accident,
anxious 10 hear more of what had happened,
and several policemen were required to pre-
serve order among the throng and keep
people from pressing forward TO view the
dead body. Business in the Offices was
temporarily suspended, and workmen on
the unfinished wings ceased their labors for
time, being too excited to do anything un-
I'll they knew every particular Of the sad
affair.
Meyers had superintende the erection Of
derrick for the purpose of hosting iron
girders to the secoBd-stOry floors and had
exercised usual precautions for its proper
support and anchorage. Heavy guy ropes
had been stretched IN different directions
frem the top of the derrick to posts driven
into the ground, and when all seemed secure
the work of hosting proceeded without de-
lay. His own riggers had made all
stanchlonS and spices. He never suspected
weak point in the contrivance. But
massive iron glrder proved too heavy
weight for 1t yesterday afternoon at
O'clock, and the result was Meyers lost his
life.
GUY-RoPE GAVE WAY.
The unfortunate man was acting as fore
man of the riggers yesterday while they
We're engaged in lifting grderS to the top
story. Everything appeared TO be in excel
lent working order, bat suddenly guy-rope
gave way aud allowed the derrick mast TO
tip over. Meyers Was then standing beside
the mast at its base on the brickwork and
Immediately under the boom or arm extend
ing from it and holding the girder sus-
pended. The boom came down upon his
head with terrible force, accelerated by its
heavy apDendage crushed his skull and
held him where he fell.
Before the big timber beam could be re-
moved from over his body Meyers was dead.
DIR. Wilson, whose office is opposite the
new wing, was beside Meyers bOIy in a few
minutes after the accident, but he could do
nothing, for Meyers was then virtually dead.
Only the convulSiye gaSpS of the dying man
showed that there was life in the victim of
the sad affair, and before ten minutes had
passed all that was left OF the sturdy rlgger
was mangled and bloody corpse.
In tho excitement telephone message was
sent TO police headquarters IN the old City
Hall for the patrol wagon. The information
was added that a terrible accident had hap
pened and surgical aid was required at once,
as there were several patients for the Re
celVlng Hospital lying III the unfinished
structure. The new wagon was at that mo-
ment undergoing some slight re- airs TO an
axle and was not ready until thirty minutes
later. But when it started off from the cor
ner OF Merchant street not a second was lost
while 1t tore uptown to bring aid to the Sup
pOseQ injured men.
THE PATROL WAGON LATE.
The time required for the gallop up Kear-
ny, Market and McAlister streets seemed
incredibly Short for nothing on the way
| caused stop. Street-cars and vehicles
we're passed at a furious pace and pedes-
TRANS looked at the flying patrol in sur
prise, but after all the run was unneces-
sary, and the Morgue wagon followed at a
slow pace for the dead.
A boy was slightly injured in the accident,
but lac was taken to drugstore and then
sent home, more frightened than hurt. One
OF the w0TkmeD had his toe crushed. Many
men had remarkable escape from death,
and the injured couple were thankful that
their fate was not as terrible as that Of their
employer
Meyers was native of Spornhohn. Den
mark, and 4S years of age. In his early
years he followed seaiaflng life, then be-
came ship-rigger, at which he worked in
this city since 1860 He had been in part
rership with Simmons for several years
and bore an excellent reputation.
He leaves widow and four children. De-
ceased was a member Of the X. of F., A. o.
u. w. and Vice + esident of the Master
Mariners Association, and lived on Guy
place, off First street.
Already there have been three fatal acct
dents on the Larkin-street wing OF the City
Hail. A workman fell from one of the walls
into the basement aud died from his injuries.
A teamster While helping to unload steel
girder from his truck had his legs horribly
crushed by the girder slipping and holding
him down upon the ground. He died few
hours later in the Receiving Hospital.