Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-06-15
TWENTY-0NE DEAD
And 46 Injured Men Thus Far
Removed.
EXca vations in the Cellar Caused
the Catastrophe.

WASHINGTON, June 9.-Ford's old thea
tire, the building in which Abraham Lincoln
was assassinated and used by the govern
ment for many years as part of the office of
this morning shortly after $50 o'clock with
terrible result in loss of life and injury.
The building stood on 10th street. north
west, between E and F streets and not far
condemned years ago, some claim about Is
or 20, and had been repaired, propped up
and renovated from year to year. There
were ATS persons, mostly government
clerks, employed in the building and near
" ell of these were at work when the build
ing fell
An excavation for an electric light plant
was being made in the cellar of the struc-
ture, three story affair, and according to
The best information obtainable the work
men this morning had dug beneath the
foundation supports In the front Of the
building, weakening them to such an extent
that the walls gave away before they could
DO lacked
This explanation OF the cause Of the &C
cident is the only one advanced, but it seems
somewhat strange in view OF the fact that
the top floor gave way first Men who were
IL the building say the crash came without
warning. Those on the top floor were sud
pit cd 10 tbo baIo ,-hi oI,
BY the weight of falling tmbers and fur
niture carried the
Second and First Floors with It.
Fortunately only the forward half of the
floors gave way The outer ends Of the
floors and the rear part OF the structure re-
manned intact The walls did not fall. The
news that the building had fallen spread
with Lightning rapidity and soon 10th street
and ad jacent thoroughfsres were crowded
with people. Within an hour the news was
made known all over Washington and hun
dreds of anxious relatives and friends
warmed TO the vicinity OF the old theatre
A general fire alarm was turned in a few
minutes after the crash and then all the am
balances in the city were summoned.
As quickly as possible the police and fire.
men formed reserve brigade and ready
hands assisted them to take out the killed
and wounded In less than an hour about
20 people had been taken ont, and every
few minutes thereafter some still form
would be borne on a stretcher from the
building. Police and army ambulances,
cabs, carriages and vehicles of every de
scription were pressed into service for
Carrying Away tho 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. Tho commissioners OF the Dis
trict of Columbia took possession OF the
building and vicinity in person and helped
direct the police and the rescuers.
Owing to excellent police regulations the
rescuers were not Numbered in their work by
the anxious crowds, and it was not long be-
fore the debris had been cleared away to
such an extent that the work Of rescue
could be carried on without hindrance.
Both the military and naval authorize:
took prompt action.
Gen. Scbolald ordered two troops of cav
airy from Fort Meyer, just across the river
and two companies Of infantry from thu
arsenal to tue scene Of the disaster.
The secretary Of the navy ordered out al
the naval medical officers stationed here
rnd also opened the naval hospital to receive
the injured. The commandant OF the navy
ward was ordered to render all assistance il
hi1 po"sr.
None OF those who escaped injury coulC
ell which of the floors drsc gave way. b,
tho occupants of each floor there was bu
one crash heard, and instantly the Who'll
hni!diag was
FILLED with Binding Lime Dust.
Running directly through ali Of the floor
nnl IA the middle Of the building was
.ight-wsll, 10 fest or mare long. The fata
uea was in front Of this, leaving spac
Of six or seven feet in width undlsturbed Of
si.hsr side. tbs entire back part OF tn