The herald., 1895-07-12
The Elks Had Chosen a DiIap.
idated Structure
SUPPORTING PILLARS BROKE
Two Hundred Persons Were More or
Less Wounded
The Scene Of tho Casualty at Atlantic City
Visited by nany Wondering
People
Associated press special Wire.

Associated Press Special Wire
ATLANTIC CITY. July 11.-No deaths
have yet resulted from the disaster last
night at the Baltic-avenue casino, al
though in other respects the details OF
the occurrence have not been exagger-
ated. A conservative estimate places the
number Of wounded at close to two hun
dred. OF these only one is in immediate
danger. Frederick Claproth of Jennings
band, Camden, N. J. The report that
both Claproth and Miss Jennie Rockwell
of Philadelphia were dead is untrue.
Miss Rockwell was only slightly injured.
The accident was caused by the collapse
of the second floor of the building direct
ly over the refreshment room. Just pre-
vious to the disaster Jennings band had
begun to play for the Elks, and the ma
jority of the people wers thus attracted
to the upper floor. But for this there
would have been great loss of life. A
party of New York delegates fingered be-
low, but they heard the crackle of tim bers
and escaped to the board walk outside,
not second too soon. The great weight
of the crowd was the primary cause of
the accident. but there is talk of fixing
the responsibility as it has been gener-
dilapidated.
The casino building fronts the ocean
from the board walk at the head of Ocean
avenue. 1t is frame, two-storied
structure, built about three years ago by
the Casino Al musement company. 1t has
been unoccupied for the past two years.
When the pillars supporting the upper
floor gave way, the floor collapsed into
funnel shaped gap, forming a ''V" OPEN
ing at the apex, to the lower floor,
which fortunately stood the shock. Those
sitting in the middle of the room were
which hlled the space. Cries of women
and shouts OF men added to the confus-
ion. AS soon as possible wiling hands
assisted In the work of rescue, and the
injured were conveyed to hospitals resi-
dencss and hotels.
Every house was thrown open for re-
ception OF the injured and every available
conveyance was pressed into service to
carry them to their hotels. Meanwhile
the physicians were on the scene and
were doing everything in their power
to aid the unfortunates who had been
caught IN the crash. The excite ment
among the crowd was even greater than
the wrecked building. Tho people in
jured were those who were so unfortunate
rs to fall underneath the mass.
Among those injured. these were taken
to the United States hotel: G. M. Foote.
Minneapolis, collarbone and arm broken;
Z. r. LON bard, Bsoton, feet mashed and
arm fractured; ]. r. Duke, Juliet, H..
badly cut on the head and about the
face.
Injured at Schauf1er's hotel are: James
Long, Philadelphia. injured about face
and nose broken; Ulie Lee. Camden, in
leg broken; George j. Pechin, Camden.
leg mashed.
At the Hotel Majestic lies James Arm
strong, exalted ruler of the new lodge,
with internal injuries. His 10-year-ol
daughter sustained some injuries about
the limbs.
Mis-. Japa and her niece, Miss Frieden-
thai OF New York. ale also at the Majestic
suffering from internal injuries.
Those at the Albermarle are: Miss r.
A. Livesiey. East Liverpool, Ohio. leg
mashed, and M. E. Wells, Liverpool,
Ohio, spine injured.
Others injured are: Miss Drening,
Detroit. collar bone broken and legs
sprained; Mrs. Oobbns of Illinois, broken
nose; J. B. Rice, Detroit, sprained leg !;
Edward Younemen, Fremont. Ohio,
mouth cut; William Baxter, Lima. Ohio,
leg and arm injured; Bryan W. Orr, edi-
tor Social Session. Chicago, injured about
head.
The scene Of the casualty is being visi-
ted by thousands today, who declare it
remarkable that a. 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 cottages,
hotels and hospitals, are doing well as far
as heard from.
It is understood that the authorities
will institute AN immediate invstigation
with view not only to asce rtaning the
cause OF the mishap, but also to provide
against the possibility Of recurrence of
suci catastrophe.