Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-20
; LOSE THEIR LIVES
CRUSHED TO DEATH BY FALLING
WALL AT MINNEAPOLIS.

MINNEAPOLIS, Mimi, Dec. 20.-The side
wall of the O. II. Peck building on 5th
street south, which was left standing by
the great fire of last Tuesday night top
pied over in high gale early today onto
the Crocker Hotel, three-story structure
adjoining The tons of brick and mortar
crashed completely down through the
f1imsily constructed building carrying floors
and all into a mass of debris in the base
ment. There was no warning of the dis
aster and the fourteen persons who were
sleeping in the various apartments were
caught in the crushed structure. Eight of
them were killed.
The dead: Hans Anderson, employed at
Ronner's livery; James Hamilton, employed
at Ronner's livery; C. M Kenyon foreman
employed in Daniels linseed oil mill; Mrs.
Maggie lie Claire. cook; William Emmer-
mon, laborer; William Bray, contractor;
Joseph Violet. coachman.
The injured: Mrs Carrie Boyce. cut
abouto face and body bruised w. j..
Crocker, badly bruised and suffering from
exposure; Mrs. Jennie Murphy, chest in
jured; Mrs Evelyn Williams, face cut and
badly bruised; Mrs. Anna McNevins, face
cut and badly bruised.
Some of those injured were in the Bel
mont Hotel adjoining the Crocker and were
hurt by the debris that was forced through
the wall separating the two buildings.
The persons in the Grocker house who
escaped without injury were Mrs. w. j.
Crocker wife of the proprietor; Hannah
Crocker her fifteen-year-old daughter;
win Crocker, her eight -year-old son; Baby
Williams four months old, her grand
daughter and Mrs May Ritchie.
A passer-by who heard the crash
promptly turned in fire alarm, and the
department arrived in time to check an in
cipient blaze in the wreck. The firemen
and policemen at once turned their atten-
ton to rescuing those still alive and re-
covering the dead.
Work Of Rescue.
This work was carried on under great
difficulty because of the darkness and
fear that more of the wall might fall. Mrs.
Anna McNevin.s had a remarkable escape.
She was on the second floor in bed when
the crash came. The hremen took her out
of her bed in the basement. The DEBRIS
had arched over her in such a way as TO
preserve her entirely from injury. w. ).
Crocker, the proprietor was found pinioned
beneath radiator and was taken out III
a faintng condition. He will recover. Mrs.
Carrie Boyce, who was on the second floor,
was one of the first ones taken out, and
was little injured. Jennie Murphy was on
the third floor directly under the wall that
fell, but escaped with slight injuries.
Responsibility for Accident.
Responsibility for the accident will be the
subject of thorough Investigation. ]. G.
Houghton, city building inspector, had made
an inspection of the standing walls yester-
day, but had given no orders concerning
them. He had early ordered the demoli-
ton of the other parts Of walls that seemed
likely to fall. 81
The total loss is $4,000. fully insured
c. L. Smiths premonition of trouble saved
his life. He roomed in 4sle Crocker build
ing. He was nervous ard could not sleep.
Twice he arose, dressedsand went outside
to see what the wind was doing. The sec
ond time he told the policeman he thought
the wall unsafe The officer laughed at the
idea but his laughter had not ceased be-
fore the wall fell.