The morning call., 1892-12-01
BLEW OUT THE FRONT.
Inmates of a Tenement on First
Street Narrowly Escape
With Their Lives.

During the height of the storm between
and 5 O'clock yesterday morning two
families living at 1872 and 134 First street.
between Minna aud Natoma. had an almost
miraculous escape from serious injury if
not death.
The house is a double tenement and is n
most flimsy structure. The lower fiat is oc-
cupied by j. II. Marrett, grocer and pro-
vision dealer. and John Balfrey, shoemaker /;
south part of the upper fiat by Mr.. and Mrs.
Dunn and the latter's brother, and the
north part by Mrs. Natenstedt, a widow,
and her three children and brother.
Mr.. and Mrs. Dunn and Mrs. Natenstedt
and her children slept in the rooms facing
First street, and the others in the rear.
The front of the upper part of the house
projected above the house proper and was
what is known as false front.
Between and o'clock the sleeping in
mates were rudely awakened by the whole
front being blown out and falling on the
street. making tremendous crash that was
heard for blocks away. They were left
completely exposed to the fury OF the storm,
and hastily made their way TO the rear
rooms where they were in measure under
shelter.
The wind blew pictures. curtains and
other miscellaneous articles into the street,
and what was left was almost entirely
destroyed by water.
One OF Mrs. Natenstedts children, Louis
years Of age, whose couch was leaning for
support against the front, was following the
example OF the front, when his mother
realizing his danger. grabbed him just in
time.
Mr.. Dunn said to a CALL reporter yester-
day: MY wife and had been hunting for
a big rat and had got back to bed and were
just doing off again when the front OF the
building went crashing into tue street
WAS / scared? You can bet | was. We
got Into the bedroom OF my wife's brother
and as soon as we got dressed we began
removing what was left Of our furniture to
another house.
Il estimate the loss / have sustained 1t
about $50, and i am thankful that we
escaped with our lives"
Mrs. Natenstedt was standing 10 the
midst Of the wreck when The CALL re.
porter saw her. The carpets, bedding and
everything in the front room were utterly
ruined by the rain. She com mplained bitterly
OF her loss, which will amount to about 500.
as she has no means at her disposal to re-
place the damaged articles.
Il thought" she said, "when the front
went that we would all be swept into the
street, and Louis had narrow escape. We
the awful crash
Il don't know what to do, she paintively
added. "as / have nowhere else to 60 to.
and we cant all sleep in the small bedroom
shdt ~ ltlt.
j. II. Merrett who slept In the center
room OF his flat, said he was wakened by
the fearful noise. He jumped out of bed.
and ran to the rear. calling out if those in
the upper fat were safe.
got the reassuring answer" he said.
that they were all right. Ny stock Is con-
slderably. damaged by water, which kept
pouring down from the upper fiat, and what
want to know Is. who is going to pay for
all this damage?
The building was not In a fit condition
Tor human beings 10 live in. and the agent
you'd never do anything to fix things up.
now you can see the consequences. My
Joss IS about SIO0. My store was completely
Hooded. The owners Of the building are
Newman d Samuel, Market street"
The debris was cleared away during the
day. and stored In the rear of the premises.
Police Officer Patrick Kelly had a narrow
escape from being crushed by the falling
iimoers. lie was within a few yards of the
building when the front fell, and would
nave been In line with il mad not G. +.
Broneer. Proprietor If tho adjoining restau-
rant, stopped him To consult about taking
down his sign, which was in danger of fall
Ing from the force of the gale.