The Washington times., 1902-09-28
Overlooking CAUSE. OF. ACCIDENT
AT THE WILLARD OFFICE BUILDING
Escape of Workmen and
Passers-by Almost Mi
raculous-Only One Man
Injured, and He But
Slightly-Building IS Not
Weakened-Damage Will
Not Exceed $1,000.

material. At the first sound he leaped
to the protection Of heavy overhang-
Ing beam, and 1t was this beam that
protected hin{ Ind guided the crushing
weight over his head and to the street
below"
Policeman s. L. Cooper was standing
on the corner of Fourteenth Street and
Pennsylvania Avenue when the first
crash came. He had been looking up at
the building and saw the beams on the
NTH floor give way. Shouting warning
to those in positions of danger, he start
ed for the building on a run.
"All the people in the passageway on
the sidewalk ran at the first sound of
danger except one young man. who
seemed to have bundle of papers un-
der his arm" Policeman Cooper stated.
He stopped and gazed up to see what
the trouble was. and in the excitement
OF the surroundings l failed to see what
became Of him.
The mass of wreckage was such as
reached the building that could not see
how 1t was possible for some of the men
to have escaped injury, and directing
a bystander to telephone for an ambu-
lance. began a search Of the ruins. To
one side. in the mortar pile, found the
colored man Gordon.
How Gordon Was Hurt.
HE had been operating the guide rope
to the block attached to the derrick,
and when the crash came jumped into
the mortar pile for protection. He was
covered with mortar and blood was
streaming from several wounds on the
head
Lieutenant Amiss hurried to the scene
of the accident with the reserves of the
First precinct and cleared the street,
which he roped off. Sergeant George
Williams was placed In charge, and re-
manned all day with his men keeping
the street clear as the twisted material
was wrenched apart and lowered to
place of safety.
in the erection OF the building. being
erected on each floor as the beams were
bolted into their places. 1t would have
been carried down in the g wreck.
AS it was the derrick was perched
eight stories In the air upon firm
foundation that enabled daring worker
to swing over on the end of the block
carrying the wire rope supports, and
place the slings around each piece be-
fore 1t was unbolted and swung out.
Building Not Weakened.
Building Inspector Story made com-
plete examination of the building during
the afternoon and said that it had not
been weakened in any way and that it
was in every respect secure structure.
Further than this he refused to dis
cuss the matter until he shall have
made his official report Monday
Mr.. C. W. Summerville. the computing
engineer Of the Building Inspectors Of
fee, says he had personally computed
the weights to be carried by each Of
the supports. and he knew that they
were Of sufficient strength for the load
which they were designed for.
The printers at work in the office of
Thayer & Hates. adjoining the Willard
building on the south, heard the crash
and rushed for places Of safety. Mr.. E.
R. Hates slightly injured his right arm
in his fight. but no other injuries were
reported. The office was closed for the
remainder OF the day, as it was deemed
wise to do SO as a precautionary meas
ure while the loosened beams were
dangling above.