Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-06-10
FORD'S THEATRE
At Washington, Filled With
Nearly 500 Clerks,
Collapsed Friday Forenoon--list Of
Dead Now Numbered %.
Many Others Injured Eseapss-
uadssminsd Wall Caussd Disastsr.


WAsHINGroN, June 9.-Ford's old
theatre, in which Abraham Lincoln was
sssssssinated. used by the government for
many years AS part Of the office Of the
surgeon general of the arms, collapsed this
morning shortly after $50 O'Clock with
terrible result in loss of life and injurs.
The building stood on Tenth street,
northwest, between + and + streets, not
far from Pennsylvania Avenue. II was
condemed years ago, but has been repaired
propped up, renovated from year to year.
Four hundred and seventy-fve persons,
government clerks were employed in the
building. Nearly all were at work when
the building fell
An excavation for an electric light plant
was being made in the cellar of the struc-
ture which WAS a three story affair. Ac-
coriing to the best information obtsinable
the workmen this morning had dug
beneath the foundation supports in front
of the building, weakening them TO such
extent that the walls gave away before
they could be lacked.
This explanation is the only one ad-
yanced. Ii seems somewhat strange, how
ever, in view of the fact that the top floor
gave way first.
Men who were in the building say that
the crash came without warning. Those
on the top floor were suddenly precipitsted
to the floor below. The weight of falling
timber and furniture carried the second and
first floors with it. Fortunatelylonly the
forward half Of the floors gave way. The
outer ends of the floors and the rear of the
structure remained intact. The walls did
not fall.
The news spread with lightning-like rap
idity and very soon Tenth street and the
adjacent thoroughfares were crowded with
anxious people. The general fire alarm
was turned IN a few minutes after the crash
summoned as quickly as possible. The po-
lice and firemen formed reserve brigade
and ready hands assisted them to take out
the killed and wounded.
In less than an hour about % people
were taken out, and every few minutes
thereafter some still form would be borne
out on stretcher from the building. Po-
lice and army ambulances. cabs, carriages
and vehicles of every description were
pressed into service for carrying away the
dead and injured. All the hospitals in the
city were utilized in caring for the injured,
and scores of physicians volunteered their
services for this work.
The commissioners of the District of Co
lumbia took possession of the building and
vicinity in person, and helped to direct the
police and rescuers. Owing to the excel
lent police regulations the rescuers were
not hindered in their work by anxious
crowds, and it was not long before the de-
brs was cleared away to such an extent
that the work of rescue could be carried on
without hindrance.
Both the military and naval authorities
took prompt action. General Schofeld or
dered two troops of cavalry from Fort
Meyer and two companies of infantry from
the Arsenal to the scene of the disaster.
The secretary of the navy ordered out all
the naval medical officers stationed here
and opened the naval hospital to receive
the injured. The commandant of the navy
yard was ordered to render all the assist
ance in his power.
None of those who escaped injury could
tell which of the floors first gave way. By
the occupants of each floor there was but
one crash heard and instantly the whole
building was filed with binding lime dust
Running directly through all the floors in
the middle of the building, was lightwell,
10 feet or more long. The fatal area was
in front of this, leaving a space 6 or Z feet
in width. undisturbed on either side and
entire back part of the building containing
more than half of the floor space, remained
intact.
There were many very narrow escapes
A unp,har Of ,,tarls hns
desks rested directly upon the line where
while the desks at which they sat were pre-
cip,tated down the awful chasm. Others
walking across the room heard an Omlnous
sound and stopped just at the very TIRES
hold of depth.
No omen were employed in the building.
Three men reached the hospital SO badly in
jured that they were taken from the dress
ing room and sent to the Morgue were they
shortly afterwads expired.
The main duty of the soldiers was to
guard the Rebellion records stored in the
building. The clerks who escaped went
willingly to work removing bundles of val
liable documents.
Every few minutes during the first two
hours after the accident dead and wounded
men were taken out of the ruins. All the
carts and workmen that could be secured
were pressed into service to clear away the
debris.
The hair breadth escapes narrated by the
survivors were numberless. One of the
most thrilling scenes of the whole affair v as
the sight of a dozen men left in the corner
Of the third story, clambering down the
hose pipe TO the ground. Another man
saved himself by jumping from the window
into an awning of tobacco store next
door.
S. s. Baker escaped with bad scalp
wound. He was at his desk on the third
floor front. Half stunned and dazed he
found himself in the cellar pinned down bv
the debris and covered with plaster, furni-
ture, chairs, etc. He extrica,,d himself
and crawled ou. of one of the windows neal
the front door. 1t was fully half an houi
before he recovered himself and even now
he can hardly account for his escape.
The hremen rescued all from the build
ing who had not escaped by jumping from
the windows. The last man taken out oi
the building alive up to 123 30 was Capt
Dowd of Indiana. lie was found near tbs
southyes corner Of the building, being GOV
plfu Two Ot three ittt WIN
| mortar He had lain there three hours. >
falling beam having lodged near him in sugf
| a position as to break the fall of the hrich
and timber in the interior.
Desks are seen half topping over tht
brink Of the broken floor. others stand up
right, but a chair which stood beside 1t and
the occupant went down with crash.
Records and papers are scattered every
~aere, and as fast a. possible they are be
ing gathered mp and saveI. Many ar'
spotted with blood and all are more or les
obIiterated.
The President was informed of the saf
event Just a. he reached the entrance Of
| the White House. He at once interestet
himself in relief measures. Gen. Gran
says the rolls shox ed the full force en-
ployed in the building numbered 5li per
| sons a number Of these were absent oi
leave or because of illness, 90 probably no
more than 400 or $50 persons were in th'
buil5ing when the crash came.
| As only half Of the floors fell, the mum
Der of persons went down is further re
bucet, and Of those who actually fell
many escaped with slight injuries, OF
without harm.
Shortly after midday Major Moore
chief of police. notified the surgeon II
| charge that all those taken from the ruin
| from that time forward would be sent Il
| United States naval hospital, where thres
wards were prepared to receive the in
| iuYed. DR.. Shannon Of the personal stat