Albuquerque daily citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1895-1903, 1902-07-01
STORE WRECKED.
Adobe Wall Slid OFF Foundation and
RUPEES Drug Store Damaged.
THE CRASH COMPLETE.

Shortly before O'Clock last evening
the greater part of the east wall of the
building on Railroad avenue occupied
by the drug store>of B. Ruppe, fell with
crash. For some time fears have
been expressed that the excavation for
the new building to be erected by Joe
Barnett on the adjoining lot was i'm
periling the Ruppe building and Sun
day night slight cracking of the wall
was noticed but it was not regarded as
serious. About fifteen minutes before
the big crash portion of the founda-
tion caved in and then pieces of the
outside wall began to drop off. The
entire wall shook as though from an
earthquake and the glass began to
crack.
There was a big crowd in the store
at the time and Marshal McMillin hur-
ried in and ordered everyone out of
the building. The opportune warnings
were in ample time TO clear the room
so that there was no loss of life or in.
jury to anyone. Many failed to realize
the danger and hesitated to leave be-
fore they were waited upon. A large
crowd quickly gathered and pressed in
close to the building, and it was with
difficulty the police forced them back
and out of danger.
The swaying of the wall increased
until suddenly there was tremendous
crash and the wall fell outward. The
roof timbers were torn loose and the
front half fell with the connections on
the west wall holding fast A pail of
dust rose as high as the surrounding
buildings and enveloped the crowd. 1t
was as though there had been a great
explosion. When the dust settled it
was seen that all of the goods on the
shelves on the west side of the store
and the counters were buried in the
mass of bricks. The front wall leaned
outwardly in dangerous manner but
did not fall. The building is total loss
although the back part is still stand
ing and the west wall is in good shape.
The $3.50 piano which Mr.. Ruppe had
in the store is buried in the pile and
the last inventory of his stock showed
it worth $1,000. Mr.. Ruppe estimates
that half of his stock is lost. He lost
no time, however, and at once rented
Grant hall. All last night he and his
assistants worked TO move his stock of
prescription drugs and supplies and
this morning he was ready for busi-
ness there. His soda water fountain
and the drugs on the west side of the
store were little damaged.
The building is owned by j. A. Vein
mann, to whom Mr.. Barnett gave an in
demnity bond. Mr.. Ruppe holds a
bond from Mr.. Weinmann. The con-
tractor in charge of the excavating is
Caesar Grande and the architect is j.
l.. La Driere. 1t is understood that
negotiations have been renewed be-
tween Mr.. Barnett and Mr.. Weinmann
for the purchase of the property and
the new building will be extended over
the lot which Mr.. Rupees store occu-
pied.
If the parties don't get together and
fix up matters satisfactorily, it is quite
likely several interesting law suits will
develop as the outcome of the catas-
trophe.
The Economist dry goods store ad-
joins the drug store, but Manager Da-
vid Weinmann reports no damage to
his building or stock.
This morning Marshal McMillin ser
we'd notice on j. A. Weinmann to tear
down the front of the building as the
city engineer gave as his opinion it is
dangerous to passersby. The work was
commenced at once.