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


As mangied body was brought out in nine
cases out Of ten he would be surrounded by
weeping friends. The persons who were eyis
IDENTIFY dead were laid aside while those who
possessed life were brought out.
Hundreds Of volunteers worked with feverish
anxiety, dragging over the piles Of timbers.
according to the best information. from 400 20
ooo men were on the three floors. Volunteer
surgeons and doctors were on hand at once.
Dr. Hammett took bis 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 vay. An
they know is that crash came and the door.
gave way.
Apers.e, wr... -,
The building inside was perfect wreck.
There was MOI single floor left standing be-
tween the roof and the basement
Dust filed the air almost to TIE susfocstins
point This did not interfere with the fremen
who got to work clearing away the debris and
-
1t was $40 when the first alarm rang and he
fore 10 the first bodies had been removed from
the building.
1t twasestimated that there were about 500 men
and women in the building. The building fell
without the slightest warning.
tbs 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 Fords opers
House, where President Lincoln WINS .ss.ss,-
mated. II is now used as the records pensions
bureau, and about 500 clerks are employed
there. 1t is estimated that l5o clerks were i'm
the main section which fell.
THE FIRE ALARm.
when the crash came an alarm OF fire was
turned in and was Immediately followed by q
general alarm, which brought the entire FIRE
department to the spot The firsmen set he
roicaiiy to work eKcavsting the men pinioned
beneath the tons of brick and iron.
At the same time all the ambulances were
brought into service and the police department
also lent their aid.
Many citizens did splendid work The diving
men, cut and crushed almost beyond recopni-
ton, were carried out to the surrounding
residences and every house was temporarily a
hospital Many were carried to the regular
hospitals
THE EXPERIENCE OF MR. r. H. GILLIAN
one OF the first TO reach the outside Of the
demolished building was Mr.. b. II. Gillian.
de was on the top hoor. Ie said 10 |. sr.n
reporter that the first intimation he hal was
the crash and the floor sank beneath bis feet
Mr.. Gillian was not seriously hurt He was
was taken to Evans drug store on f street just
around the corner from 10th street vhers Aid
was given him.
SOME OF TIE VICTIMS
A moment later c. E. Mclaughlin ana o. W.
Hathaway were brought to the same place.
The latter was badly cut and apparently de-
hrious- Mr.. Mclaughlin, though having bis
face and neck gsshed and his head bruised.
was perfectly conscious.
From the back Of the building Mr.. @. A.
Hooper was c~rried out by the spectators. His
residence is 2032 northwest. He was unable
to walk, and apparently wss hurt internally.
His face was horribly disfgured. he vss
taken to 1908 street temporarily.
CAPT. KRAUsE's ExPERIExcE
Capt c. A. Krause had his head badly cut
He was on the first floor. He heard a crash.
looked up and it seemed ss 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 wsy.
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
II was but 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. Ii was found
at the north side Of the bnilding
Henry S. Miller, about thirty eight years old
Leaves wife and one child.
Not Identified.
Another dead body had also been found, but
it had not been identified.
soldiers Ordered Out.
The Secretary Of War telephoned MAJ Moore
that he would send company of artillery from
the Washington barracks TO lend aid in case
they were needed. The message stated that
the company would report for duty at PennsyI-
vania avenue and 10th street.