The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-02-07

One workman was killed-and anoth-
er miraculously escaped that fate-by
a falling mass of brick wall in the
Young Mems Christian association
ruins early Saturday morning and a
fireman was badly cut on the head by
q brick before the noon hour
Michael Gogolin, of the street COM
missioner's department, was the man
who met death and George Greiser the
one who escaped. The men had been
warned that the walls were unsafe and
to be extremely cautious, and keep out
of the ruins.
1t was the north wall of the burned
structure which caused the fatality. 1t
had been left standing when the build
ing collapsed and remained with its
top q dozen feet above the wall of
Powells music store. Building Inspec-
tor Nelson had notified Street Com
missioner Dunning during Friday that
the north wall, as well as those in the
alley, were out of plumb and liable to
topple over at any moment. Mr.. Dun
ming, in turn, told the men to be care
full and to stop work if there was any
wind.
Gogolin. Greiser, Philip Worth and
Palmer Watrous were detailed by the
commissioner to direct water on the
ruins and clear up the debris outside
during Friday night. They were fire.
quently in range of the tottering mas
onry despite the warning they had re-
ceived
1t was 6.10 o'clock when Gogolin and
Greiser were directing a stream of wat
er on a spot were a safe was thought
to be and directly under the wall. It
fell with a crash. Greiser with rare
presence of mind jumped alongside
a heavy iron column that was crowned
with a large iron plate and escaped
almost untouched.
BURIED UNDER BRICKS.
Gogolin was buried beneath several
| feet of bricks and mortar. 1t was
| nearly three hours before his body
| was exhumed. 1t was found in a sit
| ting posture with the head bent for
ward. The left arm had been severed
| from the trunk and the neck broken,
verterbra nearly protruding through
the flesh. The left leg and many ribs
| We're broken.
Gogolin had a wife and three chill
! dren. There home is at 315 I'm street.
Undertaken Miller took charge of the
| body after permission had been OBJ
| tanned from Coroner Longstreet. The
latter decided to investigate the case
| and empannelled the following jury:
G. A. Miller. Frank Johnson, Charles
| Spindler. Patrick Cusick, Charles
Stills and John Moore. They will hear
evidence this evening at $50 o'clock al
the court house.
After the accident the workmen were
| prevented from passing through the
| alley at the rear or going anywhere
near the walls known to be dangerous
The Hook and Ladder truck was pro.
cured and the more dangerous parts
of the walls torn or pushed down by
use of the ladders.
The question of what right the street
| commissioner or his men had in the
ruins will be brought out at the in.
quest this evening. Mr. Dunning wher
interviewed by Tribune reporter yes
terday gave this information:
The small force of men at work Fri
day night and among whom were Cog
| olin and Greiser We're furnished by thu
| street commissioner but were not un
der his orders. The fire department
could not spare it's permanent mel
who were needed 1t their severa
|
could not be obtained, nor casual labor
ers for they could not be trusted. Mr.
Dunning was asked by fire depart
ment officials to furnish men. He com
piled with the request, and Greiser
who is a member of Neptune Engin,
company, as well as foreman in tn,
street department, was designated a.
"boss' of the gang. Whether the pa!
was to come from the street or fir
department was not discussed.
FUNERAL OF GOGOLIN.
Gogolin was 43 years old and for elev
en- years had been a carpenter ant
bridge repairer in the street depart
ment. His funeral will be held to
morrow afternoon at o'clock a
Christ Lutheran church, Rev. II. Fl
Lisse, pastor, on the South Side.
The fireman injured was Adam Stein
houser. a permanent man of the Hool
& Ladder company. During the morn