The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1906-01-10

| HAvERSTRAw. Jan 9.--Tea bodies
burned beyond recognition have been
taken out Of the smouldering ruins Of
the tenement houses which by land
slide were carried into clay pit short.
ly before last midnight. Undermined by
the shifting clay that l~d been soften.
ed by yesterdays snowfall. the several
houses with their three score Of sleep.
ing occupants toppled over the brink
Of the pit and tumbled to pieces. The
houses which were OF wood were set
fire from overturned s,ovcs and the de-
bris was soon a mass Of flames. Some
fifty or more tenants escaped with more
or less serious injuries while a num-
Der variously estimated at from fifteen
to eighteen are believed to have been
killed outright or burned TO death.
The landslide occurred ON Rutland
street in the east end OF the town where
two blocks OF houses are supposed to
have been undermined by workmen dig
ging clay for making brick. The catas,
,rophe Occurred without wprning and
while the victims were asleep Seven
houses went down in the crash. They
had stood on the brink OF pit hun
dred feet deep and when the clay gave
way were carried to the pits bottom
Those who were not killed in the crash
Of their homes either escaped with many
injuries or were burned to death in the
ruins which Immediately took fire. The
landslide broke the water mains, shut
ting of the supply Of water and greatly
impending the work Of rescue. unresis.
ted the flames spread to other build
ings and but for the timely arrival Of
hundreds Of volunteer fire fighters,
might have wiped out the town.
Those known to have perished;
Mr.. Nelson, furniture dealer
Benjamine Nelson, son.
Mrs. Silverman.
- Silverman, a boy.
A Jewish Rabbi
Mr.. and Mrs. Cohen.
Five Cohen Children.
The missing include:
Mrs. Bailey.
Two " the Mannion family.
Entire Lanny family.
Seven Hebrew laborers.
The landslide came gradually at first.
The ground, weakened by the rain and
snow Of the last few days, showed crew.. |
'es near the endge OF the street, late
in the afternoon and in the evening
portions Of the bank began to give way.
The street was not thiekly populated,
Tor most Of the former dwellers had
eft on account Of fear Of just what
Many Of the residents left their
houses early in the evening before the
inal crash came. The Nelson's were
10 move their effects, and
he rabbi was assisting them. This was
llso the case with Mrs. Silyerman and
Ter son.
When the final slide came, II came so
that those who had fingered
n their houses had absolutedly no op.
,ortunity TO escape. The bank cayed
rom twenty to sixty feet wide at the
,p and for a disance Of two blocks
rom Division 10 Jefferson streets
engthwise. A portion Of the south side
4 the Division street likewise fell.
Those who lived in three houses at
he end Of the row and which did not
% down in the wreck, Nere reused by
frightful roar and crash above
which could be heard the shrieks Of the
There was a plunge, shivering Of
he earth all around where there chad
zen stiffness. The inhabitants rushed
alf clad from the houses neafby, only
o see vacancy where thehouse had been.
,nly a gap in the cliffside told the
tory. II was very dark with no street
ights, and those who had been spared
Fere so wild with alarm for their own
afety that Il was several minutes be.
Or any general alarm was given.
Before this could be done the frame
tructures OF the fallen houses had ta-
en- fire from the scattered Goals and
ghts in them and soon the whole Of
he wreck was burning fereely, the I
ames rising above the side Of the pit. |
As crowds hurri 10 the scene and I
he fire depa tment galloped up a sec |
nd landslide occurred. In ii several 9
ar,ons who had yentured too near the !
lg Of the pit we're nearly carried over I
} death. Il was necessary 10 move the {
a anne - lt,a -. t,,..,.. 4a .f.k.. -