St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-08-10

p0Sed damage. suits to be commenced
against the city, growing out of the disas-
ter were on hand in the interests of their
clients. Before the first witness was
called City Attorney Lawler addressed
the coroner and jury and explained
that the desire of the city authorities
was to have thorough and impartial
investigation. He questioned whether
this could be done from the fact that
some of the jurymen had personal feel
ingS In the matter. and had expressed
opinions as to the causes leading to the
accident. In view of these facts, he
asked that the present jury be dis
charged and new one empaneled.
Deputy Coroner Darling explained
that it would be impossible to discharge
the jury, they having been sworn in
over the body of Frederick Kreger,
which had been inferred. County At
torney O'Brien said there was no law
providing for the discharge of a cor
oner's jury after the jurymen had been
sworn IN, and the taking of testimony
was commenced, Mr.. O'Brien conduct
ing the examination of the witnesses.
Robert Morris testified as to the posi-
tlon of the box drain or culvert. The
last time he noticed the box it
Was Filled Up.
Water had been accumulating i'm
the pond for some time. He first no.
ticed it four or FIVE weeks before any
men were put to work at the place. A
day OF so after the big storm he saw
men working there. There were proba-
bly, half dozen men in the crew. The
men worked during the day and all day
Sunday after the storm, aud he thought
part of one night. The break had Oc-
Cured, he thought, near the drain box.
The box he had never known to be
clear of sand.
Mr.. GosS testified that he had been
around the place for days prior to the
accident. He first saw men at work
there the day before the big storm.
They came back day or so afterward.
He had formed all opinion that the
bank would give away unless the water
was drawn off. but did not remember
saying so to any of the workmen. The
box drain or culyert was, he thought,
filled up in the spring with sand, but he
did not know very much abont it.
Attorney Charles Butts asked permis-
sion to examine the witness i'm the in
terests of his clients, but was informed
by Mr.. OBrlen that it would not be
allowed. Mr.. O'Brien agreed that anv
suggestions made by Mr.. Butts would
be received.
Jacob Kirkham described the body of
water, the embankment OF fill of Page
street which held it back, and the ma
terial of which the fill was made. AS
far as he could judge the fill was chiefly
of sand and gravel.
q. Bergen, civil engineer said he
knew the fill had been carried away By
the flood. There was natural drain at
that point. but it had been covered by
the fill Lsn did thinIy
make a fill of such kind without large
Drain or Culvert.
He was of the opinion that the culvert
should have been situated where the
natural drain was.
City Engineer Rundlett said he was
engineer at the time Page street had
been graded. He could not describe the
nature of the soil, as his assistants had
supervision of the work. The NIL was
made by dirt obtained from cuts along
the same street. After the storm of
July 26 the water had backed there in
large quantities. July he had been
notified that water was gathering there.
He had notified Mr.. Stanley and Mr..
Mccoy. On the 2Tth he went over
there with MI. Stanley and told
him to start in full force
and drain the water by means of ST.
phons and sluice boxes. Mr.. Shanley
started in to get the water out, and quite
force of men were at work. Thought
he was there few moments on FRIDAY
when the water was being drained. Sat
urday morning Mr. Stanley reported
there had been some trouble. On Sat
urday afternoon he visited the place and
found the work nearly completed.
Those in charge of the work could ex-
plain better as to the difficulties. Late
SundSy afternoon the watchman was
there, but no other men working. Shan
ley had informed him the men had
been working. Thought he was there
Sunday afternoon. Mr.. Stanley said
the water would certainly be going by
the siphons on Tuesday. The boxes
were put in SO as to prevent the wash