Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-13
PLACING THE BLAME.
The COrOner's Verdict in the Elba
Iron Works Accident.
CRIMINALC ESSNESs CHARGED
The Removal of the Guy Ropes Caused the
Tall Smoke Stacks to Fall.
A MODEL OF THE BUILDING EXHIBITED

The inquest in the cases of Kartik Bal
ent, Stephen Dobak and Andrew Zidik, the
three men killed by the falling of smoke
stacks and the collapse of q new iron build
ing at the Elba Iron Works July %, was
concluded yesterday and the verdict created
great surprise, involving, as it did, the
responsibility for the accident.
Most of the testimony in this important
case was taken on the day after the acci-
dent, while number of the wounded men
were yet unable to appear and testify. On
this account and the sickness of Coroner
Mcdowell the case was continued until yes
terday. The testimony, condensed report
of which is herewith published, is very
contradictory, showing that the employees
of both the Elba works and Ritter &
Conley were not in touch when it came to
points placing the responsibility. The i'm
portance of the verdict, which charges the
Elba Company with gross carelessness and
neglect, is fully appreciated from the fact
that it opens the way for innumerable dam
age suits.
A MODEL SHOWN IN EVIDENCE
Messrs. Ritter & Conley, in order to make
matters clear, produced tin model of the
structure they had been erecting 1t showed
how the building was erected and secured,
and the plates and fastenings, and that it
was substantial enough for all ordinary pur-
poses.
Among the witnesses present yesterday
was Joseph P. Farrell. He was faborer at
the iron works. On the day of the accident
he said he knew something and wanted to
tell 1t. He said he had been told to get out
off tfnrxyT hITt 70 do aals
to the office of a newspaper and had himself
interviewed. He was SubpPnaed at the in
quest at his own request, bu5 when
the time came he did not appear
The Coroner issued a process for him
and he was arrested and brought in yester-
day. When placed on the stand he immedi-
ately proceeded to retract all he had said.
He said he knew nothing, and did not know
why he had talked as he had. He was closely
questioned, and it was made apparent that
he knew nothing. Coroner Mcdowell then
gave him severe reprfmand for talking too
much and sent him home.
John Saeger, an engineer at the Elba Iron
Works, was placed on the stand. He did
not see the building fall He noticed that
the fourth truss of the building was out of
plumb and leaned toward Second avenue.
The stacks were inside the trusses. He was
ut his engine when the crash came. He said
he saw some men at a line attached to the
truss pulling at it.
Philip Sutton, also an engineer at the iron
works, testified to having seen a line put on
the truss. he hearQ the crash ana ran out
of the building. The fourth truss had fallen
and caused the fourth stack to fall. 1t
brought the other stacks, and the building,
he thought, fell before the stacks.
William Bros, machinist at the iron
works, testified to having seen men pulling
on girder, then the building and stacks
fell. He WAS afraid to go in the building the
day before as he had not thought it safe.
George Lemon said the farthest stack fell
first and the others followed.
COULDN'T HAVE BEEN PULLED.
Thomas Allen corroborated this testimony.
He also worked for Ritter & Conley. The
trusses could not have been pulled down,
he said.
william NJ Simmons. a bridge builder, also
testified that the stack fell first and caused
the building to fall.
William Meyers and Christ Rodgers, both
bridge BUILDERS, also testified to the security
of the building, and that the accident was
caused by the stack.
= After some further testimony the inquest
closed, and the jury rendered its verdict.
The jury, after finding that the,men came to
their deaths by the accidents, further found
"that the said building falling was due to
said stacks not being supported by guy lines
properly and jar causing them to fall upon
said building they were top heavy, and
further find that there was gross negligence
on the part of said Elba Iron Works car en-
ployees in not properly securing said stacks;
and we recommend more care and caution
on the part of all builders at such buildings
as are described in this accident, for the
safety of lives of the public and employees"