Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-06-09

brought out groans and outcries arose on all
hands. The surrounding houses, drug stores
and business places were filed In short time
by bleeding and groaning men.
As a mangled body was brought out in nine
cases out Of ten he would be surrounded by
weeping friends. The persons who were evil
IDENTIFY dead were laid aside while those who
possessed life were brought out
Hundreds of volunteers worked with feyerish
anxiety, dragging over the piles Of timbers.
According to the best information, from 400 to
500 men were on the three floors. Volunteer
surgeons and doctors were on hand at once.
DR.. Hammett took his station at the corner
drug store and did all that was possible.
No Warning Was Given.
All who have yet been brought out testify
that no warning was given in any way. All
they know is that crash came and the floors
gave way.
Perfect Wreck.
The building inside was a perfect wreck.
tween the roof and the basement.
Dust filed the air almost to the suffocstine
point This did not interfere with the firemen.
who got to work clearing away the debris and
and hunting for bodies.
1t was $40 when the first alarm rang and be-
fore 10 the first bodies had been removed from
the building
1t was estimated that there were about 500 men
and women in the building. The building fell
without the slightest warning.
1t is impossible at this writing to tell how
many people are killed and injured, but they
were carrying the bodies away BY the score.
An Historic Building.
The building is the historic old Ford's Opera
House, where President Lincoln was assassi.
mated. 1t is now used as the records pensions
bureau, and about 500 clerks are employed
there. 1t is estimated that $50 clerks were in
the main section which fell
THE FIRE ALARM.
When the crash came an alarm Of fire was
turned In and was Immediately followed by
general alarm. which brought the entire fire
department. to the spot. The frsmen set he
roically to work excavating the men pinioned
beneath the tons Of brick and iron.
At the same time all the smbulances were
brought into service and the police department
also lent their aid.
Many citizens did splendid work. The dying
men, cut and crushed almost beyond recogni-
ton, were carried out to the surroundino
residences and every house was temporarily
hospital Many were carried to the regular
hospitals.
THE EXPERIENCE OF MIR. \. Il. GILLIAN.
One Of the first to reach the outside of tho
demolished building was Mr.. R. H. Gillian.
He was on the top floor. He said to q star
reporter that the first intimstion he had was
the crash and the floor sank beneath his feet
Mr.. Gillian was not seriously hurt He was
was taken to Evans drug store on street Just
around the corner from 10th street. where Aid
was given him.
SOME OF THE vrcrrMs
moment later c. E. Mclaughlin and o. W.
Hathaway were brought to the same place.
The latter was badly cut and apparently de-
irious. Mr.. Mclaughlin, though having his
face and neck gashed and his head bruised,
was perfectly conscious.
From the back Of the building Mr.. G. A.
Hoopar vas ~ rr;od Ont hu xbo .-oox.. ry.
residence is 2Os2 northwest. He was unable
to walk, and apparently was hurt internally.
His face was horribly disHgured. He was
taken to 1908 street temporarily.
CAPT. KRAUsE's ExPER1xNcE
Capt. c. A. Krause had his head badly cut.
He was on the first floor. He heard crash.
looked up and it seemed Is il the building was
coming down.
He started to leave and was struck. He
found the door closed by debris and was con-
fined there till the debris was cleared way.
His head was quickly dressed and he started
for his home
At $50 general alarm was turned in and all
the engines in the city were soon on the spot
doing wonderful work in getting at the injured.
The main floors went The parts of the
building that are on either side Of it were not
injured.
From the staircases the doors that led
into the center building now looked direct into
the scene of the catastrophe. From any floor
one might step of into the basement below.
1t was but q few moments before willing
hands were at work rescuing those who were
beneath the fallen walls
The First Dead Body.
R. L. Dietrich, young man, was the first
one whose dead body was found. 1t was found
at the north side Of the building.
Henry 8. Miller, about thirty-eight years old.
Leaves wife and one child.
Not Identified.
Another dead body had also been found, but
IL had not hoao ;danf;6a1