The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1906-01-10
ROW OF TENEMENT HOUSES TOP.
PIES OVER IN LANDSLIDE
AT HAvERsTRAW, N. Y.
FIRE BREAKS OUT IN THE WRECkAGE.
SUPPLY OF WATER SHUT OFF BY
+ DISASTER AND BLAZE HAS
COMPLETE HEADWAY.

Haverstraw, N. Y, Jan. 10.-At least
twenty persons are believed to have
perished in the landslide which carried
several tenement houses down in a
clay pit here during the night.
Undermined by the shifting clay that
had been softened by a heavy snow
fall the several homes, with their
three score of sleeping occupants, top
pied over the brink Of the pit and
crumbled to pieces. The houses,
which were of wood We're set on fire
from overturned stoves and the debris
was soon mass Of flames. Some
fifty or more tenants escaped with
more or less serious injuries, while a
number variously estimated at from
twenty to twenty-five are believed to
have been killed outright or burned to
death.
The landslide occurred on Rutland
sts.eet, in the east end Of the town,
where two blocks of houses are sup
posed to have been undermined by
Woikllen digging clay for brickmak-
ing. The catastrophe occurred without
warning and while the victims were
asleep. Seven houses went down in
the crash. They had stood On the
brink OF a pit 100 feet deep and when
the clay gaze way were carried to the
pits bottom. Those who We're 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
ly impeding the work OF rescue. Unre-
sisted the flames spread to other bui.d-
ings and but for the timely arrival OF
hundreds OF volunteer fire fighters
might have wiped out the town.
Landslide Occurs Gradually.
The landslide cane gradually ct
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 i'll the
evening portions Of the bank began TO
give way. The street was not thicl-lys
populated, for most OF the former
dwe-lers had left on account OF fear Of
just what happened.
4 When the final slide came it came
50 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 Tor distance of two
blocks from Division to Jefferson
streets lcngthwise. A portion OF the
south side OF Division street likewise
fell.
/ Those who lived in three houses at
the end OF the row and which did not
go down in the wreck were reused by
g frightiul rear and crash, above which
could be heard the shrielzs OF the vic
tins. When the ncighbors rushed half
clad from their houses the buildings
close to them had disappeared. Only
q gap in the cliffside 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 safety
that it was several minutes before any
general alarm was given.
Before this could be done the frame
structure OF the fallen houses had
taken fire from the scattered Goals and
lights in them and soon the whole of
the wreck was burning fiercely, the
flames rising above the side OF the pit.
and compelling the rescuers to aban-
don their efforts to save the unfortu-'
nate people. ~
PROMINENT BROKER CUIClDES.
/. w. Prior Kills Himself in Hotel at
Cleveland.
Cleveland, Jan. 10.-L. w. Prior of
the brokerage firm of Denison, Prior
& Co. of this city, committed suicide
during the afternoon by shooting him
self at the Hollenden hotel.
Mr.. Prior was one Of the best known
brokers in Cleveland. He was mem
Der of the New York Stock. Exchange.
He was fortyfve years of age. z.
~ {