The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-01-31
CRACK OF DOOM.
A Big One Appears Back of
Judge Hazen's Bench.
Pop, Pop, Pop Go the Timbers
This Morning.
Judge Hazen Warns the Crowd
to Vacate the Building,
BUT 1T DOES NOT GO.
Foolhardy People Tempt Fate
by Remaining.
May be Digging Bloody COrpses
from the Ruins
WITHIN A FEW HOURS
IF the District Court Room
Isn't Abandoned.
The Old Shell Getting Ready to
Collapse.
WITHIN A FEW HOURS
If the District Court Room
Isn't Abandoned.
The Old Shell Getting Ready tC
Collapse.

During the trial of the Coulter
Illston murder case this morning
in the district court room while it
was packed with people, a dis
tinct cracking of the building could
be heard, although faint. Much alarm
was felt by those present. although it
was not sufficient to diminish the crowd
of spectators. The first cracks in the
building we're discovered last evening.
This morning Bailiff Coyne found that
a large crack in the west end of the
building had widcned perceptibly and
reported it to Judge Hazen. This crack
shows on the inside just behind the
judges chair, and it was seen by all who
noticed it that it bore traces of fresh
cracking on the inside.
At IL o'clock, just as the examination
of the first witness was about to begin,
Judge Hazen made a statement of the
condition of the building to the crowd:
before the case begins. l want to say
that reports are coming from below in
regard to cracks in the building.
''N hile l am not very apprehensive
myself, yet l do not know that the
building is safe. You know what the
result would be if it should fall. l say
this to warn those who are here that no
rush by the crowd will be safe and none
will be permitted either"
After few questions had been asked
and answered by the witness, William
IIIston, Judge Hazen again Interrupted
the trial:
81 think, from advices l have received
from below in the last few minutes that
1t is not safe for crowd of this size to
remain here. The ex-sherif informs me
that fresh cracks are being made below.
Now do not rush, but as many retire Qui-
city as cam
A murmur of alarm went from the
closely packed crowd. 1t kept cool, how
ever, and some on the outskirts lett. but
the majority either did not believe the
judges statement, or didn't care if the
building did fall. Not a woman left the
room.
Judge HaZen gave orders to the sheriff
to get as many out as possible and close
the door and allow no one to come in.
Sheriff Kepley, Under Sheriff Bert
Lucas and Deputy Frank Leech pressed
against the mob and succeeded in getting
q few more to leave. The door was then
locked and no one allowed to enter
Even while Judge Hazen was speak
ing and the officers were doing their beat
to get part of the people to leave, the
building could be heard cracking. The
sounds were distinct.
"Hsar that" exclaimed the county at
want to get out of here''
All the jurors, attorneys, judge and
bailiH and all those who had to STAY were
exceedingly anxious to leave, while the
crowd. which was simply there ont of
curiosity, did not seem to care whether
the old pile went down or not, Advisi-
bility of adjournment to some other
room was mentioned by Mr. Mccain
mon, of Valley Falls, but it was thonght
better to remain where they were il they
could reduce the crowd.
An examination of the building was
made by several interested parties inn
mediately after court adjourned. On
the inside of the court room beside the
long crack behind the judges bench
there are a number of smaller fresh ones
on the south wall of the room midway
between the east and west end Down
stairs on the west wall on the outside of
the building there is a fresh crack Just
west of the addition to the district clerks
office and near the place where Deputy
/. S. Curtis has his desk several bricks
have fallen out.
In the foundation there are numerous
breaks in the large rock which walls the
basement These places were all look
ed at by part of the crowd at noon.
The greatest danger appears to be
from tho crack in the south side of the
building near the district clerks Office
on the hrst floor and the one in the west
wall If the wall should start to bulge
out at either of these places there would
6e fearful calamity.
The court should move out at once
There is no telling when the building
may fall Greater disasters have hap
pened with much less warning. If the
walls give way, and a hundred or more
people are killed and manned, the
county authorities may be held directly
responsible for it, for timely warning
has been given. The county commits
sioners should meet, the building be
condemned, aud every body moved ont OF
ri at OnpP