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


The Horrible Scene Presented when the
Building Collapsed.
Mr.. N. e. Sabin Was one of those who e.
capped from the third floor. Fortunately for
him he was seated in the rear part Of the build
ing, but whom the crash came he looked to the
front Of the building and witnessed sicksning
sight.
In the midst Of the volumes of dust that
arose no saw men crawling on their hands and
knees up the steep incline Of the fitting floor to
the blessed region Of safety.
How many escaped he did not know, but he
thinks not more than ten went down with the
floor. He with the others escaped from the
windows by meaus Of ladders which had been
hurriedly run up from the outside.
A thrilling story Is told BY Capt Troutmsn,
who occupied desk near the south wall on the
first floor in the wrecked area He was. he says.
engaged In looking at the case Of John CASTLE
Of the ono hundred and fortieth Indiana, when
he heard noise, and the next minute he
WAS enveloped .....-
~ was on the lower floor in the hallway
when the crash came" aid Mr.. Thos. Adams,
who Was in charge Of the hall II heard what
sounded like an explosion, and the door
slammed together and was so tightly closed
that could not open it Then came the bricks,
timbers and mortar. When the noise was IN
ishsd / could hear the groans Of the injured,
and those who were not injured we're screaming
for assistance.
A Thrilling Scene.
One Of the most thrilling scenes Of the whole
affair was the sight Of dozen men who were
left in corner Of the third story clambsring
down hose pipe to the ground.
One Of these men and the first to get down
was Mr.. E. Baier, who worked in the center OF
the third floor. The story can best be told in
his own words.
Twas At my desk" he said, "when heard
. great roar. There was no premonitory
trembling or any kind of warning; Just q
roar and crash, and the desks and tables seemed
to raise up in tho center Of the door and then
disappear in binding cloud Of white dust.
II sprang for the rear window and called to
my companions to follow. Those who were
right near me did 30, and We gained safe
place ct the rear Of the building near the win
dows.
I'VE were completely isolated, however, with
| no way to get down. The floor had sunk be-
meath us in front and the building was still
trembling from the shock.
eve did not know what minute the rear Of
the structure would 60 down, and stood there
almost frantic. Then thought Of . reel of
fire hose that I knew was near by. We CROPPED
through the binding dust to this and quickly
unwound it until the end touched the ground.
Then caught hold Of the hose and slid down
it, alighting safely on the ground.
at was terrible slide down that hose from
the third story, and I thought would never
get to the bottom. .-.......--. -,,......
when my companions saw that was all right
they started down also. and every man in that
corner came down on the hose"
How . Crippled Clerk Escaped.
Capt Griffith Of 427 10th street, Q crippled
clerk, was at work at his desk when he heard
the crash. Looking up quickly, he at once
dropped on the floor and crawled under .
table.
Then the crash came, the debris Just grazing
him. Leaving his canes behind. which he is
accustomed touse in walking, he crawled toward
the back alley, where friend found and took
him homo
Mr.. Hammond Smiled.
When at l045 o'clock the workmen came 70
Nh. Hammond, . clerk, residing on 18th street,