The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1903-08-15
FOUR DEAD--I2 FATMLYHUUT
PHILADELPHIA BASEBALL GRAND.
STAND GAVE WAY.
Over $50 Persons InIured-ouarreI on
Street Caused People to Rush to Bee
What Was the Mattsr-Rottsn Walk
Let 400 Fall to the oreund-An Aw.
fui seene-iiospItaI Crowded.

FhllAdelphia, Aug. l0.-EouF persons
are dead, At least ~ are thought to be
fatally injured and fully $50 others
are hurt, some seriously. as the result
OF an accident which occurred at the
Philadelphia National league park. A
board walk which oyerhung the field
bleachers fell 10 the street, carrying
200 spectators.
Nearly 100 persons received frac-
lures Of the limbs, decorations OF the
head, broken noses. Commissions Of the
head and body. but their condition is
not serious.
Two games were scheduled between
Boston and Philadelphia this after
noon and the attraction drew over TO-
900 persons TO the ball park. The ae-
cident occurred at $40 O'Clock. while
the Boston team was at bat at the last
half Of the fourth inning Of the sec
ond game and was indirectly due to
q quarrel between two drunken men
In the street. The National league
stands are built Of steel and brick,
the brick wall extending entirely
around the grounds. At the top o. the
left Geld are seats and extending from
the grand stand TO the bleeehers there
was . walk about three feet wide
which oEerhung the street II was this
walk which gave way under the heavy
weight.
Men who were standing on the walk
were attracted By a disturbance In the
street They leaned over the side Of
the railing 10 see what was the trou-
BILE and drew the attention Of the 9TH
eF spectators seated on the top rows
Of the bleachers. Then occurred what
is seen almost every day Al q ball
game-a rush TO see what the other
spectators were looking a..
The walk became oVercrowded and
without warning 300 feet Of IL fell
TO the sidewalk. so feet below, carry
Ing all who were on Il down.
There were probably 1900 persons
sitting on the hieachers and the roar
made by the falling timbers created
= panic. Instantly the spectators rose
en- mAsse and made = rush down the
stand and into the playing field. Men
and boys climbed over one another In
their effort 10 escape from the ground
Notwithstanding what had occurred.
thehall players and others tried 10 stop
the mad rush. but they were swept
aside In their unsuccessful efforts and
several persons were badly hurt In the
crush.
Outside the grounds the scene was
one Of horror
Some were unconscious. Others were
rolling over suffering great pain and
others attempted 10 get up and walk,
only 10 fall again. The 10000 persons
in the grounds left the place and
crowded about the injured, Of whom
there were more than 100. Indescrib-
able confusion reigned for a time be-
cause Of the great crowd.
A general ambulance call was sent
In. All houses In the vicinity were
thrown open 20 the victims.
Al the hospitals confusion reigned
for q while. There was not rooms
enough or attendants enough 20 look
after the patients. They were laid out
in Railways and on the floors OF the
wards. and in several instances pa,
tents gave up half their beds to In
iured men and boys. While the hos
pital attendants and outaides who had
pilal attendants and outsiders who had
we're looking after the injured. the
ciergymen were soothing and comfort
ing the victims.
II IL estimated that fully 100 per-
sons who were Injured went direct TO
their homea A examination Of the
stand after the accident showed many
Of tho wooden supports. which extend.
cd three fses beyond the walk. to be
rotten. They were about two and q
half inches thick and about ak inches
vide. They broke OF nnAh with the
walls.