Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-01-09
FOURTEEN DEAD A Landslide Destroyed
 Several Houses
FIRE FINISHED WORK
Many People Injured and Homeles, Water Mains Broken by Landslide and Supply of
 Water Was Shut Off.

fourteen persons are believed to have perished ill the landslide which carried several tenement houses down in a clay pit here last night. Up to 9 o'clock this morning none of the bodies had been recovered and it was be- lieved that all the missing were dead. \ large force of men were kept at work in the search for bodies. Under mined by the shifting clay that had been softened by yesterdays snow fall. the several homes with their three score sleeping occupants toppled over the brink of the pit and crumbled to pieces. The houses, which were oI wood, were set fire from oyerturning stoves and the debris was soon q mass of flames. Some fifty or more tenants escaped with more or less serious in- juries, while number variously esti- mated at from fifteen to eighteen are believed to have been killed outright or burned to death.
 Seven houses went down in the crash. They had stood on the brink of pit hundred feet deep and when the clay gave way were carried to the plt DOllOH Iue ldIusIlue DIohc thc water mains, shutting off the supply of water and greatly impeding the work of rescue Unresisted the flames spread to other buildings and but for the timely arrival of volunteer fire fighters might have wiped out the town. Those supposed to have per ished are:
 Joseph Albert.
 The Rev Mir Alden, Jewish rabbi.
 Mrs Bayler.
 Abraham Bias.
 John Bennett.
 Mfr and Mrs William Cohen and their five children.
 Thomas Hughes.
 Bartlett McGovern.
 Mir and Mrs Mannion.
 Harry Nelson, clothing merchant, and his son Benjamin.
 Mrs Silverman and child.
 The landslide came gradually at first. The ground, weakened by the rain and snow of the last few days, showed crevices near the edge of the street late in the afternoon. and in thu evening portions of the bank began to give way. The street was not thickl-. populated. for most of the former dwellers had left on account of fea- of just what happened.
 When the Anal slide came, 1t came so suddenly that those who had lin- gered in their houses had absolutely no opportunity to escape. The bank caved from twenty to sixty feet with in at the top. and for a distance of two blocks from Division to Jefferson streets lengthwise 4 portion of the south side of Division street likewise fell.
 When the neighbors rushed. half clad, from their houses, the buildings close to them had disappeared. Only a gap in the cliff side told the story. It was very dark. with no street lights. and those who had been spared were so wild with alarm for their own safe ty that 1t was several minutes before any general alarm was given.
 Before this could be done the frame structures of the fallen houses had taken fire from the scattered coals and lights in them and soon the whole of the wreck was burning fiercely. the flames rising above the side of the pit
 As crowds hurried to the scene and the fire department galloped up. sec ond landslip occurred. In 1t several persons who had yentured too near the edge of the pit were nearly carried over to death. It was necessary 10 move the fire apparatus to insure Its safety. and so uncertain was the earth that the efforts of rescue were greatly 
 Large forces of men who work fin the brick yards by day were mustered | to aid in the work of rescue. but their | efforts were in vain. All the tenants | 1f the houses still standing were driven | put. as the structures are in momen- tary danger of following their fellows nto the pit. The frightened tenants were cared for by nelghbOrs-