The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-22
TOP FLOOR GAVE WAY
BAD ACCIDENT YESTERDAY AT 352
SOUTH MERIDIAN STREET.
George. Martin. CoIOred EmpIOye,
Killed in the Wreck-NarrOw
Escape of Others.

The heavily-burdened top floor of the
three-story building at No. 1852 South Me-
ridian street. occupied by the Standard Dry
Kiln Company, gave way yesterday morn
ing about 945 and caused the death of
George Martin, a coored employe. Several
other people were in the building, but no
one else was injured
The upper floors were used to store heavy
iron work, and it is thought that large
truckload of material which Martin and a
fellow-workman named Will Finn were just
depositing caused the accident. In carrying
the stuff to its assigned place it was neces-
sary to run it over the middle of the floor.
With tremble and a crash the floor gave
way, and large quantity of heavy material
crashed down through all intervening OBJ
structions into the basement below. The
debris was piled up almost to the second
story and Martin was buried in the midst of
it, moaning piteously. and within talking
distance Of the large force of rescuers which
almost Immediately appeared. Captain Kru-
ger, with the patrol wagon full of officers.
soon arrived and had the large crowd roped
away from the wreck in very short time.
fire alarm was sent in and several COM
panles of firemen replied and added their
efforts to the work of rescue For some
time it was hoped the imprisoned man could
DC taken out alive, he even telling Superin-
tendent Qugiey that he could hold out for
snort time. The work was hurried on,
but when the rescuers came within a few
feet or Martin his groans ceased, and when
few minutes later he was laid on a
stretcher and carried to the ambulance it
was found he was dead. His left ribs were
torn loose and he had suffered from concus-
sion. When Martin was taken out dead it
was at first believed that another victim
was buried beneath the ruins, but investiga-
ton proved that Martin was the only one
actually injured, though several had very
narrow escapes. William Finn, who was
working with Martin when the latter was
hurled to his DEATH was luckily struck by
piece Of flying iron and knocked beyond
danger. He was later taken from the third
story by hook and ladder company. Har-
vey Smith, a colored porter, had been busy
in the basement few minutes before the
accident occurred, but at the time was
few feet distant on Meridian street Frank
Lowder, a draughtsman, was working in a
small office between the first and second
floors and heard the crash in time to move
himself from danger. A corner of the office
in which he was seated was destroyed. Ed
ward Gerard, a bookkeeper, and Miss Ella
Puriey, stenographer, were also in the build
ing
Though some criticism is passed on the
building inspector there is little doubt that
the building was merely loaded beyond its
capacity, and that the structure itself was
sound enough to pass any inspection. The
loss can hardly be estimated, though it is
feared the accident has ruined the part of
the building still standing and will necessi-
tate its being torn away. This fact so i'm
pressed the people who were standing near
by that strong objections were made to al
lowfngAthe firefnen and policemen to enter
the wreck and risk their lives.