New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-20
SIX HALF BUILT STRUCTURES FALL
HARLEM RESOUNDS DAY AND NIGHT WITH COLLAPS-
ING WALLS-THE WEATHER BLAMED

Four buildings in course OF construction, three
in Harlem and one in 16Sth-st., The Bronx, col
lapsed yesterday, placing many persons in peril
The collapses were ascribed to loosening of
the mortar and brick in the walls under the in
luence OF the unreasonable warmth of Saturday
and yesterday.
The buildings which collapsed in Harlem were
the row Of five and six story HatioasSs et.5
stores at No. 1,3l4 to 1924 Lexington-ave., No.
237 East 103d-st, and a structure on the north
side of 135th-st. between 9TH and Lenox aves.,
opposite No GO East 135th-st Other buildings
constructed during the winter are believed to be
in danger Of falling by reason of the conditions
already stated.
The most dangerous collapse that of the
rear wall of the building at Nos. 1314-1324 Lex
ington-ave. This was a six-story yellow brick
building, arranged for stores on the ground
floor Soon after 3 p. m. the wall. from
the first floor TO the roof. fell with a crash,
carrying with IT a portion of each floor. The
roof remained dangling in dangerous fashion
far out over the debris of bricks and beams.
The roar could be heard for blocks around.
and Sunday school classes in the Emmanuel
Church, German Lutheran. at S8th-st and Lex
ington-ave.. were dismissed in the intense ex-
citement.
The Rev William Schoenfeld, pastor of the
church. was among the first to reach the street.
The house at No 125 East SSth-st, occupied
by G. H. Rottgard, a grocer, was injured by
falling bricks windows were broken. and one
family rushed into the street pell-mell.
Inspector Walsh and Captain Stephenson. OF
the East SSth-st. station, were quickly on the
scene, and sent for the reserves of ten stations
Inspectors were summoned from the Buildings
Department and they found that there was no
immediate danger of the remainder of the build
ing falling
TENANTS LEAVE HOMES FOR NIGHT.
Just before this collapse reported the rear
wall Of the f1athouse five stories high, in West
135th~st., between 9Th and Lenox aves, fell,
with loud report, driving the occupants of
nearby houses into the street in fright The
building is being erected by Palmer & Hogan.
of No. % Sandford-st.. Ravenswood Long ISL
and, the police of the East 126th-st station
say. The front wall was weakened by the COL
lapse of the rear. and policemen mounted guard
to warn pedestrians.
The rear wall of the six story fathouse at
No so West 135-th st. adjoining Nos 81 and 63,
which collapsed during the day. fell just before
l o'clock this morning, leaving five buildings
out of the group Of eight still left intact in the
row. 1t stated that as all of the buildings
were of similar construction it was doubtful if
any would withstand the continued warmth
The noise awakened many residents in the
neighborhood and they rushed to the street.
The police of the East 104th-st. station were
asked to send policemen to No. 237 East 1O3d-st
where the walls of building were reported to
be in danger of falling When they arrived they
found the entire interior of a six story fiat
house. five stories Of which had been finished, in
the cellar. leaving only the four walls
rounding the wreckage.
At II o'clock the twenty families which live
in the two five story houses on either side of
the damaged building at No. 237 East 1O3d-st.
heard another crash. Men. women and chill