New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-06-24
EXCITEMENT IN A SCHOOL.
MILITARY DISCIPLINE AvERTS a PANIC
PART Or THE CEILING FELL. DOWN. AND THE
PUPILS THOUGHT THE BUILDING

PART Or THE CEILING FELL. DOWN. AND THE
PUPILS THOUGHT THE BUILDlNG
WAS co1LApsING.
Discipline alone averted a panic in Pubc School
No. g. in Brightest, Jersey City. yesterday. The
building is two-story and basement brick struct-
ure that was erected thirty-seven years ago The
second floor is used by the primary department.
and the upper floor for the grammar classes. Each
floor consists OF an assembly room that Is sera-
rated into classrooms by curtains suspended from
iron rods. Any unusual noise is consequently au-
dble throughout the Old structure. This some
what primitive arrangement Of partitoning the
rooms has made necessary the enforcement OF
rigid discipline. the ordinary noise OF class
that would be deadened by stout doors or walls
would In this ancient specimen of architecture be
heard and disturb adjoining classes The princ-
pal Of the school. James y. Brensinger, Is vet
eran soldier. and Is major Of the Attn Reg-
ment, ~ c., y. j., and has carefully trained his
students.
The value Of this training was shown lew MIN
utes before the noon recess The quiet That pre-
vailed was broken by crash, followed an instant
later by still louder crash that shook the Nenera-
bic building. The screams OF anrighted children
followed They were alarmed for they feared
some grave accident had happened. and many be-
were disturbed for they could distinguish the
hurried patter of the little feet OF children ileeihs
from the schoohouse. The children were nervous
and on the verge OF panic
simultaneously were heard ;he voices OF Major
Brensinger in the grammar department, and
Miss Maria Outwater, principal of the PRIMARY
departments, utterng the command order IN
their respective departments. 1t was timely
command for the fear-stricken children were
moving uneasily in thei: seats. waiting TOT some
ndscreet child 10 dash from the ROOM All
would have followed. and death could NOT nave
been avoided. as the stairways are mario" anu
broken by platforms to economic IN space nrr-
eral children had arisen when the ol"'i ''"''
Principai Brensnger realized at once that he
had his department under control, ana iasteHeu
downstairs TO ascertain the cause Oh 'hc Ut w,
and connection. He entered the do)T mo NJ
Hyatts so-called room. and FOUND the pups
hudded into a corner, gldncing uneasiS a. NV
corner Of the ceiling. 1t was the sour oI IN,
trouble The old building was originally heated
by stoves A furnace was put In seVcrai !eals
ago. and large galvanized boxes or pipes WIZ
run through the flooring and ceiiihs 10 carr
tho hot air Just where these pipes entered Inc
ceiling the plasterng had fallen. Leaving exposed
the lathlng for space about three leet iohs
and two feet wide A small piece feI nrst' ana
then the larger piece The latter mad dropped
on the head of Laura Sharkey, OF No 100 ! orK-
ct. Of the pupils she na'urany screa can "a,
and several OF tHe ~ N'''' "
an adjoining department followed her example
Probably, dozen children escaped but they
were quickly followed by their teachers. who
brought them back. except one or two who were
TOO fleet OF foot and excltedly told every one that
the schoolhouse had fallen. A crowd quickly
gathered. ,... =.
principal Brensinger allayed the excitement in
Miss Hyatt'e class. az blood was oozing from the
wound in Lizzie Sharkey's head. The wound vas
washed and 1t was found 70 be only trifiinS
laceration of the scalp Some court-plaster was
procured and In a few minutes the classes had
resumed their studies. When Tribune reporter,
who had heard the exaggerated rumor. reach"l
the school Principal Brensinger was addressing
the pupils complimenting them on the spendld
discipline that had been maintained ana eXpia"-
ing the advantage Of obeyinS orders. even al
c-i,ical moment Mr. Brensngers opinion IL mat
the pasterlng was disodged by the settling OF me
building. az ne noticed long new crack cxt"ndlhg
Trldav. and the buildings will all be repaired