New-York tribune., 1905-06-27
TEMPEST SWEEPS HARLEM
ONE DE4D, MANY HURT.
NezrIy Built Apartment House
BLoac7s Dozen Trees Uprooted.

As q result of a thunderstorm which reached
cyclonio proportions in the upper part OF Man
haitian yesterday stx story apartment house
in course OF construction collapsed, killing one
man and seriously injuring many others
The storm broke at 1:31 p m with sharp
crack of thunder, preceded by flashes OF hsht-
ming which seemed dangerously close to the
roofs of the high buildings Shortly before the
first peal of thunder hot smothering gale
blew from the northwest, sending through the
streets great swirling clouds of dust Trees
along the main streets swayed and lashed them
selves against the houses. In the direct path Of
the gale many snapped in two.
In 125th-st- the storms effect particu-
larIy severe. a great sheet Of water flooded the
1treet from curb to curb. Chimneys were blown
of by the dozen. plate glass windows were
blown out and fragments strewn along the
pavement at every block The windows of the
second floor Of the Hamilton Building, at 10th
Ct and Park-ave- were sent crashing to the
sidewalk and the papers and books Of the Legal
Aid Society's Harlem branch. which occupies
the floor were scattered in the flooded street.
The storm after venting its extraordinary
fury, stopped as suddenly as it began 1t lasted
only fifteen minutes.
The wrecked apartment house in 18th
St between Riverside Drive and Broadway.
John LawIor, of No. 425 East 77th-st-, fore
man OF the brickwork died before he could be
extricated from the ruins. He pinned
under mass of debris. but rescuers found him
with his heaed free, though his body and legs
we're covered The Rev. DR.. harrington, of the
Church of the Annunciation. was called and
gave him the last rites of the Roman Catholic
Church before he died. In spite OF the terrible
crushing Lawlor's body received, his watch was
ticking steadily when taken from his pocket.
Abraham Pearlnaan. OF No 1S Morningside-
ave- of the firm Of Pearlman & Brown, builders
Of the house and Abraham Bordock, superin-
tendent of the construction. were arrested last
night, and taken TO the West 45th-st. station
About twenty-five were at work on the
building. and only few escaped without in
fury The police OF the West 125th-st station
and the fremen of Hook and Ladder No. 23
began the rescue work soon after the collapse.
Inspector Sweeney, the commander Of the
9Th INSPECTION District, took charge of the oper-
alton.
The rescuers worked in great danger to them
selves because when the collapse occurred.
carrying away both walls of the first in the
row of buildings, it left the fourth floor of the
next building hanging without any support on
one side. The wind continued TO blow half a
gale and the nremen and police were in mo-
mentary danger Of being buried under the tot
tering floor, which hung above their heads.
The collapsed building was one of six brick
and limestone apartment houses. being built The
other five UP TO their fifth stories. but this
was only up 10 the third. The general contrac-
tors are Pearlman & Brown, of No. 81 Magin-st.; .;
the brick contractor is Robert Smith. and the
contractor on the framework Adolph Hansen
The police say that the outer wall, which the
storm struck first. was not fully braced. owing
TO the incompleted stage of the construction.
HAD NO TINE TO ESCAPE
Workmen were all over the building when the
Storm began. They paid little attention TO
ii at FIRST, not thinking the great yellow and
black cloud. coming rapidly over the river from
Jersey, hoded any harm. The hurricane moved
rapidly and was upon the house before the work
men could escape. The outer waH blown
in. the floors buckled. and the inner wall
own with the rest OF the ruin.
When the fireInen and police entered the ruins
ey heard LawIor groaning beneath the debris
Sc unconscious when the priest arrived and
iied soon after Through creVices in the wreck
free other bodies, those OF Russ and the two
plidentifed men. could be seen.
AS as Fire Headquarters was informed of
4, Se disaster Chief Croker. just returned from a
Continued second page.