The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-08-08

ALBANY. Aug S.-A part OF the build
ing occupied by the large department
store Of the John G. Myers Company
collapsed at S:45 this morning, buryihg
beneath the ruins from fifty 10 a hun
dred persons.
The number cannot be definitely as
certained, as but a part of the debris
has been explored. The victims are
mostly girls and young boys employed
81 the hoase. although it is believed
that a number of customers were in this
part of the building at the time.
i is said twelve bodies have already
been taken from the ruins of Myers
building
Member OF Firm Missing.
The cause of the collapse has not been
determined, but it is believed TO be due
partially 10 excavations which were be-
ing made preparatory to improvements
TO the buildings.
Robert NJ Chalmers. one of the firm,
is missing, and It is believed that ne is
buried under the debris
Great excitement prevailed in the city.
1t is impossible 10 ascertain definitely
how many are missing.
The collapse came without warning.
The store opens for business at o'clock
and The large force of clerks had begun
their days activity when the catas-
trophe came.
The side walls and roof in the imme-
date center of the building, which is a
large structure. fell three floors. con>
sutuIing a mass OF mang!ed humanity,
bJ>ken timbers, bricks, and twisted irons
in The centel Of the structure, all piled
Ia the cellar
An alarm OF fire was sent in by a
detective who was passing the building
at the time, and within one-half hour
two or three hundred men were engaged
in digging for victims.
In Heart Of Shopping District.
The building is situated on the north
size of Peal street, in the heart Of the
shopping district All stores in The
vicinity are closed, and have been turn
ed into emergency hospitals Fifty or
more physicians and half dozen ambu-
Ianees were quickly on the scene. and
everything possIH'e was done 10 relieve
the unfortunatcs. But the work of re-
covery was exceedingly slow, owing to
the great piles Of debris that had fallen
about those caught in the collapse.
The scenes on the street were pltiablc-
News OF the disaster spread Ike wild
FIRE and hundreds of friends and reia-
tives OF those employed in the store
were about appealing for news OF their
loved ones The recovery OF the victims
was attended by many heartrendiug
scenes. Young women covered with
blood boys with broken legs and ugly
Eashes were tenderly carried through the
crowd TO some neishboring places where
physicians attended them
The catastrophe is the most frightfui
In the annals of the City's history.
Those Who Escaped.
Those Of the employees who We're in the
4rzt seventy-iive feet Of the store on
he front on Pearl street escaped. as the
,oof and floors in that section of the big
huildfng did not collapse.
The destruction was swift and fearful. j
The store opened al O'Clock and the
sIerks were bIsily engaged In getting
sown stocks preparatory 70 the days
business,
Fortunately there were comparatively /
Izvy customers in the place when the I
,fIilding went down. The list of dead and /
INJURED Is therefore confined largely TO /
.h- employees Of the several departments |
The clerks who escaped were In Il state /
bordering on collapse from panic and /
here was work for ali the ambulance /
,irgcons as well as nearly ali the physi- /
.fans IN the aitv. who came promptly |
ghea Il became KIros-u their services /!
we're needed