The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1907-01-10
Fireman John Siefert Pin
ned Down by Debris Is
Taken OutAliye.
WAS GIVEN UP AS DEAD
Faint Tapping Informed Companions
of His Plight-Iole Cut to Reach
Him--Fed Through a Rubber
Tube-Wife Had Made Arrange
ments for Funeral.

New York, Jan. 10--John ]. G.
Siefert, one of the three firemen OF
Engine Company 32 who were but
ried under the ruins of the falling
floors in the George S. Hill paper
warehouse at 54 Roosevelt street,
New York city, Sunday night, was
found to be alive and conscious
twenty-four hours later, under tons
of smoking paper and debris. After
working from $50 o'clock, Monday
evening, at which time II first be-
came known that he was alive, un-
til 1.45 o'clock the following morn
ing. Seifert was removed from his
prison, apparently unhurt, though
much weakened.
Siefert was not discovered until
twenty-four hours after he had been
given up for dead, with two others of
his companions who went down in
the collapse of the floors of the ware
house. He attracted the attention
4 fireman by tapping on the beam
that held him down. Instantly scores
If rescuers were set at work.
A twelve foot rubber tube was
worked through the debris to Siefert
and communication established with
aim. Whisky and coffee were poured
iown the tube to the imprisoned
nan, and he called back that he had
,een greatly strengthened by it. He
aid he was held down by the legs
and couldn't move, but was other
wise all right, he thought. A roofing
sf timber had fallen in such a n.ln
ner as to keep the debris from crush
ing him.
1t was found that the man was in
= kneeling posture, with his head
ient forward. a beam lay across his
Isgs, while a large piece of boarding
behind which were tons of ruins rest
I'd against the back of his neck.
When spoken to he replied cheer
mlly, and said that he was all right,
1ut wouldn't be all right much
onger" If he didn't get out.
A handsaw was used to saw
through the beam which was holding
ifefert down. The saw brol,e, but
,ew one was quickly obtai led, and
his cut through the beam and eff
!octed the fireman's release.
Tho fireman was hastily examined
iy DR.. Refs and DR.. Beeuwkes, who
lound that his heart and pulse were
a good condition. A cursory exami-
,ation failed to reveal any serious
oddly injuries.
When 1t was discovered the fire
gaan was alive in the ruins there was
consultation of the doctors on the
.,ene, and 1t was decided to employ
Nygen in efforts to keep Siefert
live. The oxygen was administered
Arough a twelve foot tube, which
-as lowered through a narrow hole
Vat had been steadily dug through
ie tons of paper massed on top of
se imprisoned man, and Siefert was
gstructed how to use the end drop
I'D down to him. Whisky and
,rychnine also were given Siefert by
seduB OF Ine tuDe.
Siefert is the only man of the
,ree who wepe reported to have
sen killed who was married. Over
Brooklyn. in the home of Siefert,
ere mourning scenes. Mrs. Siefert
I'D already bought her dark clothes
I'D the undertaken had made all
70 plans for the funeral. When.
RS. Sifert, hearthroken and on the
'rge Of prostratiop, heard that her
Isband had been found alive she
reamed and fell in faint. During
se anxious hours when the firemen
ere hopeful one moment and afraid
next, she was at che scene of the
scue work.
Siefert told the story, of his expert
ICE In his prison again and again.
When ! felt the fiosr give way"
said, y jumped between two big
lies of paper, and went down with
EN-. Another toppled over on top
them, making the space In which
was protected Enough timber fell
the same time to hold the bales
lart. 1t seemed as If God had made
ie box for nae.
II found myself held in a stiff po-
ton. half sitting, half lying against
ae sharp edge of a wooden box, |
'.1uld only turn little, so that that
O. 9arp edge was only cutting into one
4 sde of me at a time. / couldn't hol-
81, for my voice gave out. could
,5tove my right arm, found a stick
aaad began to beat against the wood
9 box. 1t made nose, and cheerea
LAO some.
"The water was pouring down alf
The while. My old helmet kept me
from drowning, | think. When / got
thirsty. I'd let some ot the water
tickle into my mouth. Taste? It
asted rotten.
81 pictured myself in my grave
gld my wife putting flowers on It.
ays l, you're gone. You was al
lays an unlucky dub, anyhow