Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-08-09
20 TO 80 DEAD.
CONTINUED from Page One.)

ruins and that not more than half OF
these could survive the weight pressing
upon thom. Fortunately the wreckage did
not take fire. About 100 persons were
still unaccounted for, tonight, but 90 Of
these are cash boys of which the firm ma
no record. and the loss OF the pay roll
makes 1t difficult to get anything like a
complete list OF many others. In all the
company has 400 employees. but 90 of these
are away on vacations.
The building which was wrecked stands
in the center of the shopping district at
Nos 80 and II North Pearl street. It Ia
owned Iartly by the company and partly
by the estate Of the late David Orr. The
loss to the company is estimated at be-
tween 100000 and $3OO.0 The building
was a very old one, but was considered
perfectly sound After the death Of its
founder. John @. Myers, two years ago,
the business was conducted by COM
pany consisting of George p. Hilton. II.
King Sturdee, Edward +. Hackett and
Robert NJ Chalmers. Mr.. Chalmers was
taken from the ruins with slight inju-
ries. About a month ago. the firm was
incorporated asa stock company.
The Meyers estate has been making
extensive repairs on its building. Tues
day morning a gang OF Italian work.
men started to remove an iron pillar
that supported the main floor. Evil
IDENTIFY they had failed to brace the
floor properly for scarcely had they
loosened the post when down came al.
three upper floors within 4 radius of
so feet from the fatal pillar. The
wreck crashed through to the cellar,
burying the workmen and carrying
down those who happened to be work
ing in that portion OF the building. The
fire department was called out and the
work OF rescue began at once.
Considering the nature of the icci-
dent. the number of persons who es-
capped with slight injuries Is remark
able The debris i'm which the firemen
and their assistants are digging is light,
consisting mostly of wood and plaster.
The building was an old one, but
about 20 years ago received new
front, which gave it a modern appear
ance. Extensive repairs were under
way on the interior when the collapse
occurred"
Since Mr.. Meyers death two years
ago the business has been carried on
by company consisting of George p
Hilton, H. King Sturdee and Edward
F. Hackett. 1t was one of the citys
largest department stores.
Most of those injured were young
women. The collapse came at 8.45
o'clock without warning. The walls
and roof of the center of the structure
fell into the building forming a mass
n dlh htIr -ftarr b. ,f1tsx
phone communications was had with
the various hospitals and doctors ar
rived; within half an hour 25 physi-
clans and ambulances were on the
scene. The nearby stores were turned
into emergency hospitals ard mattress
es were brought from department
stores. 1t was pitiable sight when
snallooys were taken through the
streets to stores
The work of digging out the victims
was conducted by members of the fire
and police departments and city labor |
ers. Water rushed into the ruins from
twisted pipes and it was necessary to
cut off the supply in the vicinity.
The scenes about the building were
about as pitiable as those within. Sew
eral hundred relatives Of employees
were there and their distress was
heartrending.
1t was reported that Robert NJ.
Chalmers, one of the members Of the
firm. was missing. A clerk with whom
ne was talking when the crash came
and who escaped, said:
'Ite was at my side and then there
was the crash and saw him no more."l
Up to 1920 A. NJ. there had been
taken from the ruins IS persons, half
OF whom We're seriously injured. The
manager of the store said so more were
in the ruins.
At that time one dead body had been
removed.
Up TO 1880 o'clock, three persons had
died in the hospitals, 30 injured having
been sent to their homes or the hospi- |
tails ard it was estimated that so still |
remained in the ruins. 1t is believed all |
now IN the hospitals will recover.
Edward j. Koran, clerk. ESCAPED |
without scratch. After placing about
80 girls In neighboring store he took
their names and stood at the door and |
when panic stricken relatives arrived. |
gave the information that in many |
cases brought JOY to anxious house.
crash came not a half dozen customers
were within vision. He and the other
male clerks at once began to help drag
out the imprisoned girls.
An extraordinary number of persons
were found caught in the debris in such
a way that although scarcely injured
they could not escape. This was ac-
counted for by the nature of the mate |
rial which covered them. A number OF |
the rescued were taken out almost suf-
located by the clouds of lime dust,
Every contractor who had men EMPLOY
ed in the city suspended work and offered |
assistance, and soon the laborers were /
arriving by the wagon load. They /
promptly began removing the debris. In
the rear OF the store q score OF employees
were found imprisoned in the cellar where /
they had been thrown from the floors
above. Most of them were conscious and
several directed the work of rescue The
lire escapes at the back of the building
saved many.
The building collapsed slowly. First
there was creaking. and then as thew
saw the hoors settling beneath them and
the plaster QrODDnQ b1.