The state chronicle., 1893-06-11

The cave in took place about 9
DOT from where he was sitting and
t was like an earthquake. There
vas absolutely no warning what
aver.
The floor fell in and carried with
it a score of human beings. The
clerks who remained in the building
stood speechless and with blanched
cheeks.
It was only moment, however,
and then, like one man, the remain
ing clerks, numbering about seven
ty-fve, rushed for their lives to the |
rear of the building and escaped
over the adjoining roof.
MARVELLOUS ESCAPES.
Some of the escapes have been
marvellous. Men have been taken
out from under piles OF heavy tim
bers who have seemingly received
only external cuts, some heavy gir-
der saving them from worse injury.
A RELIEF MEETING.
Outside of the building just be-
fore noon the Commissioners held
an informal meeting. A numbe, of
prominent citizens We're present, in
Guiding S. W. Woodward, John Joy
Edison and other members OF the
board OF trade.
At the suggestion of Mr. Wood
ward the Commissioner decided to
call public relief meeting.
The Evening Star has started the
| citizens fund with contribution OF
5000.
THE CAUSE OF TEE DISASTER.
During the morning, while tbs
heroic work Of rescue was going Oh,
the officials paid little attention to
the causes which led to the horrible
disaster. No one could say exactly
at that time where the blame lay CT
the fault rested. So far as could be
learned the building, though a very
old one, had never been condemned,
nor had any orders been issued to
have it strengthened. Though Of
6cials connected with the building
are not inclined to SO state, and de-
clare that they cannot understand
the reason for the fall, there seems
| but little doubt that the primary
cause was some excsvating which
was being done under the front
wall. A subcellar vas being dug
| to give more room and at the same
! time afford a means of ventilation
| In order that this should be accom-
| plished there was considerable un-
derpinning. The contractor for this
work was Mr.. George Dant, while
the digging in connection with the
job was being done by Mr.. P. r
Pullman.
MIR. P1LLMANs g STATEMENT.
The latter appeared at the scene
shortly after the accident and sale
} to Star reporter that he could nc
explain why the floors should have
caved in. ''Ti,e work in the cellar,
he said, "was about completed, ant
it vas only yesterday that I wal
looking at it. Twas congratulatins
myself that the work was almost 8
; an end and thst the danger wa
passed. The crash commenced O,
the third floor, SO that the under
} pining could not have been tn
| cause. The work was most CAREFUL,
! done, and only few bricks war
taken out at time.
/ CHIEF PARIS SUGGESTIONS
$ Chief Paris of the fire department
had not had an opportunity t.
/ make even superficial exar ins
s ton of the building, and said tha
+ from a glance he would say that tn
. girders which supported the foo
must have weakened.
Y HOW THE FLOORS WERE CONSTRUCTED
Il From view Of the interior of tn
r building it would appear that tn
Q floors between the joists were file
g in with about one foot of brio
and mortar. On top Of this We
|, laid the thing. Each floor was cup
|. ported by iron girders and iron ar
q rights. It was the general opinio
Il OF those who came from the build
ing, and who were acquainted wit
g the work that was being done i
o the cellar that the front wall mus
l. have settled or sprung sufficient
# to have loosened the girders. Thi
7. caused pulling apart Of the iro
g work in the center of the buildin
d and the crash followed. The pos
!. ton of the girders and the appea
d ance Of the walls would seem to i,
Q dicate this cause.
WHAT BUILDING INSPECTOR ENTwIsI
It SAID.
I Building Inspector Entwisie, wit
e his two assistants, was on han
shortly after the the cave-in o.
It cured
n The cause of the whole affair,
r said,, was undoubtedly due to tt
underpinning. The workmen du
under the heavy upright column
t, which support the building and th
IS collapse followed.
c. CLERKS LEFT ON THE FLOORS.
'e AS has been stated, the large pr
d portion Of the clerks on the thrt
floors occupied the sections in Il
is rear OF the building. This portic
IS was larger and the light was bs
$ ter. 1t may be imaged when IL
y crash came what a rush was mao
q for the windows on the second ar
third floors. The majority shove