The record-union., 1893-11-24
ANDY LARSEE'S DEATH.
Coroner Clark Holds an Inquest or
the Body.
The Jury Finds Death Was Due tC
the Negligence of Contractors
and Employees.

Coroner Clark. held an inquest last
night on the body of Andy Larsen, who
was killed on Tuesday afternoon by the
falling of the roof of the new receiving
vault in the city cemetery.
Jesse Slaughter testified that deceased
had roomed with him for some weeks.
n. Harvey testified that he and his
partner, L. Kruzberger. had taken con-
tract to do the brickwork on the vault,
under the contract OF James Carr with
the CITY. The inside measurement of the
arch was sixteen feet nine inches by
twenty-five feet two inches. The walls
were twenty-five inches thick. Larsen,
Charles Gallagher, Thomas Fitzgerald
and man named Mallen were engaged
on the work the day of the accident.
There were l0,0j0 brick, weighing thirty
tons, in the arch. Mr.. Boyd was super
intendent OF the work. Witness never
eaw the plans and specifications.
L. Kruzberger testified that he and his
partner were contractors on the work.
He was there on Monday and saw the
arch, which was finished on the previous
Wednesday or Thursday. He was there
when the woodwork of the supports was
sort of charge OF the work when he was
not there. Witness gave no orders to
take out the supports. He had had eX
perience in all sorts OF work. Some
times they took out the supports OF an
arch in twenty-four hours after finishing
it, as in the case OF sidewalks. The con-
tract was sublet to his firm by Mr.. Carr.
Their contract called for the brickwork
and concrete. Carr had the stonework
and ironwork. There were three anchor
rods, besides the hog chains which ran
lengthwise. He hardly thought the three
rods We're enough. lie spoke to some
body about not thinking tney had not
made it strong enough. Tie rods were
heavy enough if there had been more of
them. He was not present When the
accident occurred but heard Of il. AS
soon as he ascertained that it was so he
went out.
The witness said that a part of the side
wall had fallen. The specifications called
for one-fourth cement, or four barrels in
twenty, which was used Not being
there when the accident occurred, he
could not give an opinion as to the reason
of it.
]. D. Young, Clerk of the Board of
Trustees, said that James Carr was the
successful bidder on the contract Tor the
vault. He identified the Specifications,
which he read. The mortar was to be of
Oil6 part ilIH6s buIt6 DditS SaidI y IINCI
sand and one part English Portland
cement.
j. c. Boyds testimony was that he was
asked by the Mayor to oversee the con
struction. 1t was not properly part of
his duties. He was out there at the be-
ginning of the arch. There were no rods
mentioned in the plans, and at his sug-
gestion to the Mayor. three rods were put
in. He was not out there after the arch
was begun, till after the accident. Wit
ness had been very busy with other mat
ters, but on going out and talking with
Mr.. Carr, he told him to put in three
rods, none being mentioned in the plans.
He considered that the three rods were
amply sufficient. He examined the
building and satisfied himself that the
mortar had not had a chance to set. The
supports should not have been taken out
for week or ten days. The mortar was
too green and had no cohesion.
" itness brought and exhibited brick
with the mortar still adhering to it. In
answer 10 a question by juror, he stated
that he thought that perhaps there was
not quite as much as called for in the
specifications, which were very rich in
cement. lie would have forbidden the
removal OF the supports for week or
ten days longer, had he been present
when it was done, as he did not con-
slider it safe TO do so. The strength of the
mortar u6D6nu6u OH LD6 way Oh llilAlll8.
James Carr, in his testimony said he
had no experience in building vaults.
lie did not know when the arch was be-
gun or finished. lie only did the stone
work.
John Carlaw said he made the specifica-
tions and iron rods were omitted, being
forgotten. II g considered rods necessary
for safety, and should have mentioned
them if MIR. Boyd had not said that they
hoi5 mt IN o haH ng nril 1on.
in building vaults. In his opinion the
cause OF the accident was removing the
supports too soon. He felt the mortar
and found it was wet and not set well.
James 4. Seadler testified that he was
not familiar with the vault, having paid
no attention to it. He had heard the tes-
timony, and thought the rods were heavy
enough, if put in the right place.
In his opinion they were not in the
right place, but should have been put
foot or two higher. He did not think
that even then they would have held the
arch, as the mortar was too green. The
supports ought not TO have been removed
under ten or fifteen days.
The witness examined a specimen of
the mortar and considered it very good.
Charles 4. Gallagher had been work
ing for the contractors on the vault.
and was at work there on Tuesday. The
arch was begun two weeks ago. and the
last course put on on 1ueSGay morn
ing. The next thing to do WAS To finish the
side walls. The back wall could not be
finished very well till the wood work was
taken out. He started himself TO take
out the supports in the morning, and
Larsen and Fitzgerald came to help him.
Nobody told him to take them out. He
had never built so large an arch.
The witness described the positions of
Larsen and Fitzgerald when the crash
came and buried them. He himself was
on the back wall and was thrown III on
the bricks. he did not ask Larsen to
help take down the supports but he
came voluntarily.
In answer 10 a question by juror as to
whether he thought at the time it was
safe to take the arch down, he said that
he did, and went in himself To do it.
Thomas Fitzgerald said he was at work
on the arch all the time. He had built
arches, but never so large q one. He was
in the arch when it went down and was
buried by the bricks.
Joseph Bailey said he was bricklayer
OF many years experience. he had ex-
anliDed the mortar Of the vault and con-
sldered 1t good mortar. II was a little
wet. lie did not know whether the rods
were strong enough to hold it. 1t was
not customary to remove the supports OF
they We're removed too soon, and that
caused the accident.
John Mallen was at work on the vault.