Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-29

made and the cement work finished, the
snoring, it is stated having been about the
same as that that was used about the ex-
cavation where the accident occurred
There were no heavy rains to interfere
with the other work, but the downpour
last night was so heavy that extra work
was required this morning to get out the
water.
Sheet Piling Introduced.
Carpenters were put at work upon the
sheet pIling of heavy timbers, and it was
necessary for several laborers to do dig
glng in the excavation. The sheet piling
was against the sides of the excavation and
was used for the purpose of preventing
the earth from falling from above where
the men were working, most of the sheet
pilipg extending to point above the
gravel line. Above the gravel the clay
seemed hard and solid and the workmen
did not anticipate that there would be
any trouble such as occurred this morn
ing, but, as already stated, there was a
seam behind the Snoring on the south side
of the premises and the water ran into it in
quantities sufficient to weaken the work
and cause the collapse.
1t is stated that this seam was hidden by
the coal in the shed and the workmen We're
not aware that it was there until after the
damage had been done
So suddenly did the crash come that those
who were working in the excavation did
not have warning sufficient to enable them
10 GeaGN place OF SAFETY DGI0FS tIlS HedNy
timbeTs were spiintered and the dirt rolled
down from above them. Lee Pitcock a
carpenter who lives at 453 q street north
west, was standing upon some of the tenn
porary framework overlooking the eXca-
Walton when the crash came. lie was struck
by a piece of Girt and wood. lie was able
to assist in the work of removing the de
brs after lie had recovered from fright
and excitement. Many others Were about
the coal vault excavation at the time, and
most of them We're so frightened that they
were of but little service in the work of
rescue A hosting engine and derrick
work, the IatbCrers filling the big iron buck
cts in order 10 get the debris out in
hurry, ana the engine hosting them and
dumping the contents far enough away
from the excavation to lessen the danger.
Removing the Injured.
Some surprise was caused when several
of the men crawled from beneath the dirt,
and did not even have TO go to the hospital.
It was but q short time after they got out
that the carpenter. Charles r. Smith, was
rescued. One of the heavy timbers had
struck him on his back and the dirt had
fallen about him with force enough to in
Iict serious injury. Some difficulty was
experienced in getting him to the ambu-
lance. because it was necessary to carry
him up an almost perpendicular ladder.
Don't pull me so hard" he said as the
the upper landing in a hurry in order that
no time would be lost in reaching the hos
pital and getting him under treatment.
It was some minutes later that Thomas
Roy, the colored laborer, was taken from
the excavation. He was covered with dirt
and mud from head to foot and was appar-
entity more frightened than hurt. He had
received injuries to his face and his leg
was sprained. The injury to his leg, it is
thought, was caused by his having been
struck by one of the tinbers. After his
wounds had been dressed he was taken to
his home. A message was sent to the rela-
tives of Smith, notifying them of the acci-
dent and telling them of the possible
serious nature of his injuries. Some min
uteS after O'Clock the Workmen reached
the body of Chandron, the Italian who was
killed. A heavy timber had fallen across
him and 1t was necessary to saw out sec
ton of it before the body could be taken
means of the ladder and was placed in an
ambulance On the way to the morgue
stop was made at the Emergency Hospital
and one of the physicians viewed the re-
mains.
Commissioner Macfarland was on the
scene of the accident soon after the cave-in
he left word with the police to remain on
guard at the excavation until 1t was posi-
lively assured that there were no more
bodies buried in the debris.
Anxious Inquiries.
On account of the exaggerated rumors
that had been heard about the city friends
of almost every man who was employed
upon the site of the new bank building
called up the Emergency Hospital, morgue,
police headquarters and other places on the
phone to inquire about the different en-
ployes. Wives of some of the men, chill
dren of others and parents of still others
were among the anxious ones who called
or telephoned for informant ton respecting
the victims Among these manV ltal-
ian residents, who had heard that their rel
atives or friends had been among the num-
Der injured or killed. Chandron, 1t was
stated, lived on Az street southwest, and
tiveS of his death.
Happening as 1t did, about $50 o'clock,
the accident attracted the attention of hun
dreds of government clerks and others
who were on their way to the public offices
or other places of employment. Everybody
who stopped In front of the premises want
ed to go in to get a good view of what was
going on, but the ponce were on hand to
prevent entrance. The high fence and Of
flee building erected upon and over the
sidewalk were of great assistance to the
police in keeping hundreds of curious per-
sons from entering the inclosure and re-
tarding the work Of the members of the
rescue party.
Inquest Ordered.
Coroner hewitt visited the scene of the
accident and afterward viewed the remains
of Chandron at the morgue. He then de-
cided to hold an inquest at the morgue to-
morrow morning at II O'Clock. The police
of the first precinct were instructed to have
the necessary witnesses summoned to ap-
pear before the jury tomorrow morning,
and the jury Will be selected from among
business men and mechanics, 1t being the
object of the coroner to have one or more
members of the jury who are familiar with
work such is being done at the place
where the accident occurred.
Chandron Dies of Suffocation.
An examination of the body Of Chandron
showed that no bones had been broken and
that he had been asphyxiated. His face
was somewhat discolored when his body
reached the morgue, but the superintendent
OF the morgue failed to find any evidences
of injury having been inflicted other
than what was done by his being covered
with dirt. Deputy Coroner Glazebrook will
perform an autopsy upon the body before
the inquest is held.