The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-12-04
THE TWO INJURED FIREMEN.
Frank SlOan's Condition Dangerous
Murphy More Fortunate


Walter r. Fritts, city salesman of Ward
Brothers, was one of the spectators who
witnessed the wall of that building cave in
and bury the two firemen, Patrick Murphy
and Frank Sloan. Fritts barely escaped
himself. He was but few feet away from
The section of the wall which fell. He
says: II had my back turned for an in
stant when heard the rumble and crash
Of the falling wall l turned round and
saw several firemen running for their lives.
Brickbats and plaster We're falling about
them and / was sure some had been caught.
After the sound had subsided heard cries
Of the men who had been caught. A num-
ber of the firemen rushed TO their assist
ance. 1 helped get the men out and they
were in an awful condition. Sloan ap-
parently had his jawbone broken. His
face was terribly cut and gashed and he
was covered with blood. Murphy was not
so badly injured, but was suffering terri
bly,
One of the policemen who were on duty
near the alley said he did not see the wall
TALL but he helped take the men out of the
ruins. The building was only three stories
high. but the bricks lie piled up four or
i've feet deep. The policeman says When
I got to the cornor of the alley / could
hear the men screaming with pain; Muir
ply was buried with bricks up to his waist
and was struggling to get loose. Sloan
was lying in reclining position, but his
face and head were above the pile of bricks.
If the building had been two or three
stories higher they must have been killed
instantly or would have suffocated before
We could get them out. AS II was we had
10 work nearly a half hour before We got
Sloan released"
The injured men were taken to ST. Vim
cents Hospital. Sloan was found to be
more seriously injured than Murphy. His
left leg was broken above the knee. while
MS right leg was dislocated at the hip
Joint. The most serious phase of his hurts,
however. consists of a compound fracture
in two places, the broken fragments of
bone having penetrated through the flesh,
causing both internal and external gashes.
BESIDES this he was terribly bruised about
the head and arms by the falling brick.
The hospital physician says the great
danger in Sloan's injuries lies in the region
are hard to dress. He hopes no complca-
lions will arise from this source. The
physician says If no complications arise
While Pat Murphy escaped with less seri-
Gus injuries he was badly hurt. The radius
Of the right arm was broken short off and
about the nose and cheeks. He was struck
on the back of the head by a brick, which
cut bad cash, although the skull is not
fractured. He complains of pain below the
ribs in the right side and Ii is possible
he is injured internally. although there are
no indications of fractured ribs His right
leg was pinned between the masses Of
falling brick and his ankle badly spraired-
Sloan is single man and makes his home
with his parents at go North Senate
avenue. 1t was first decided 10 remove him
to his home, but owing to the fact his
mother has been seriously III for some
time 1t was thought best to take him to
the hospital He has four brothers and
one sister. His father and brothers called
10 see him during the day and ore OF the
family was with MIN constantly. He was
a driver at the No. / engine house and
was among the first 10 arrive at the fire.
Patrick Murphy. of truck No: 4. is a
widower and has one child. The boy S
mother has been dead for six years MUIR
phy mas no home in this city. His father
and mother are dead. but he has four
brothers and a sister living. His sister
called 70 see the injured mau at the hos
pital. Murphy boards at 2o6 East WASH
ington street.
men had been caught Nv the falling wo1ls