The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1895-07-12
NO ElKS HAVE DIED
Otherwise the Accident at At
lantic City Was as Bad
as Reported.
NUMBER INJURED NEARLY 200
Thought Extremely Fortunate
Half the Number We're
Not Killed.

ATLANTIC CITY, N. J., July 12.-No
deaths have yet resulted from the dis.
aster at the Casino, although in all re-
spects the details of the occurrence
have not been exaggerated. A conser.
vative estimate places the number OF
wounded at close to 200. or these the
only one in Immediate danger OF death
is Frederick Claperoth Of Jennings
band, Camden, N. J. The report that
both Claperoth and Mrs. Jennie Rock.
we'll of Philadelphia were dead is un'
true. All night the doors Of the hos.
pital were beseiged by anxious inquir.
ers, but before daybreak all OF the in
jured had been located at the hotels
and hospitals. The accident was
caused by the collapse of the second
floor Immediately over refreshment
pavilion. Just previous to the crash
Jennings band had begun to play for
the Elks and the majority OF the peo-
pie were thus attracted to the upper
floor. But for this there would have
been great loss of life.
Building Old and Dilapitated.
The Casino building was old and dilap-
idated. 1t frolvts the ocean from the
board walk at the head of Baltic av-
enue. 1t is frame 2-story structure,
built about two years ago by the Casino
Amusement company. 1t has been un-
occupied for the past two seasons.
The affair is being investigated at the
meeting of the Elks. The accident oc-
Cured shortly before 10 o'clock.
James A. Armstrong, the New York
theatrical agent, had finished all ad-
dresss, and Grad Exalted Ruler Det-
wiler had arisen to introduce another
speaker, when there was cracking
sound, the pillars supporting the upper
floor gave way and the floor collapsed
into
A Funnel Shaped Gap,
| forming "V" open at the apex to the
lower floor which fortunately stood
the shock. Those sitting in the mid.
die Of the room were at the bottom o1
| the heap Of humanity which filed the
space. Cries of women and shouts o1
men added to the confusion. As soor
as possible willing hands assisted in
the work of rescue and the injured
were conveyed to hospitals, residences
| and hotels.
Every house was thrown open fol
the reception of the injured and every
available conveyance was pressed into
service to carry them to hotels. Mean
while physicians were on the scene and
were doing everything in their power
aid the unfortunates who had been
caught in the crash. As quickly as the
unconscious form of victim was
taken from the ruins willing
hands bore it to the nearest resting
place and everything that surgical skill
could do to alleviate suffering was done
The people injured were those who
were unfortunate enough to fall under.
meath the mass.
| We're Remar ably Fortunate.
| The scene of the casualty is being
visited by thousands, who declare it re-
markable that at least one-half of those
in the structure at the time were not
killed outright. The injured, who are
scattered all over the island, in cot
tages, hotels and hospitals, are all doing
we'll, as far as heard from.
1t is understood that the authorities
will institute an immediate investiga
tion, with view not only to ascertain
the cause, but also to provide against
the possibility of q recurrence of such &
catastrophe.
G. NJ Foote of Minneapolis wa:
among the injured. He had a collar
| bone and arm broken.