Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-10-07
REPUBLICANS AT RALLY
 HAVE A NARROW ESCAPE
Floor Gave Way al First Ward Blow Out and Many We're Injured One Hundred and Fifty Men We're TUmbled Into Con fused Besp-Lamps Were Upset and Some of the Injured We're Also Badly Burned.

the IHlrQ ward, was the second man , out of the hole, and the one to whom many owe their lives Loeffier. after
 getting out, was walking near the rear of the building when his eye spotted a big ten gallon tank. He : could not seize the tank quickly
 enough. It took only few minutes
 to fill it with water He then hur- ried back to the blaze and poured the contents down upon those around whom the fire was spreading. The water was indeed Go6send, and
 there is no telling how appalling the affair would have been had it not
 been for MT Loeffler's good fortune } in getting the water.
 While the fremen were on their
 way to the accident, the men were
 being rescued by those attracted to
 the spot by the excitement caused.
 Harry Dean was pulled out with his
 clothing blazing. John E. Sewell,
 who was near the young man, en-
 deavored to extinguish the flames
 with his coat, but it was rot until
 William P. Loef1er seized the boy and rolled him in the dirt that the
 deadly fire was smothered. The boy
 was severely burned about the face
 and body. He was immediately
 taken to the hospital, where to-day
 it was stated that he was doing nice-
 ly and would recover, although he
 will be marred for life.
 As the injured persons were taken
 from the cellar they were carried to
 McLinden's drug store at the corner
 of North Main and East Farm streets. There they were attended
 by several doctors.
 The injured were:
 E Harry Dean, badly burned about face and body.
 John Dunn, PTS Baldwin street, a compound fracture of his leg. William P. .Linnahan, Beach street, severely burned.
 Theodore Eisele of 325 Walnut street, whose chest was considerably hurt. It was thought by many that Eisele would be brought out corpse as he was the first to slide down into the hole. He was face downward and the weight of the crowd was upon him. He was brought out un- conscious, but it did not take long to revive him. If it were not for the mud in the cellar in which the man landed he would undoubtedly have been crushed to death. It was one of the times when it paid "to be stuck in the mud" When Eisele was rescued f.e was a sight.
 Others slightly injured were Mar tin Parkinson, republican candidate for city sheriff., John E. Sewell, whose shins were badly bruised; John. Nado of 6S East Farm street; H. J. Phillips, aldermanic candidate; Joseph H. Reid and Alderman Lar kin. Of course there were many who received few knocks, but yes terday they did not feel the effects of their bruises.
 If one were to judge by the num- Der of doctors that went to 'he scene of the accident. he would think that the whole north end was in need of medical attendance. The following physicians were there to render aid: Drs Moriarty, McLinden, Farrell, Crane, Goodenough, Grady, Allen, Hackett and O'Hara.
 Saturday night and yesterday large crowd visited the scene of the accident, but they could not see much. The doors and windows were all boarded up so it was not possible to get glimpse of the interior of the building. AS the writer looked at the old shack he continued to wonder whatever possessed repub- lican committee to hold rally in such a woe 5egone place as that. Why, the building looks as though a good wind would blow it apart. The building is owned by Andrew J. Ken nealy of S07 North Main street. The upper story of it is usei as g paint shop.
 Mayor William E. Thoms will make an investigation to see who was responsible for the accident.
 A. l. Chatfield. inspector of build ngs, says that he did not know any such rally was to have been held in the building; if he had ne would not have allowed it. In his opinion the republican town committee, or who- eevr arranged the rally, must have realized that the floor would not lold the crowd that would so there. I know that it was all right for fifty or sixty persons. and when 1t vas recently moved I examined it md found it all right for ihe pur- 'oses for which it was beiug nsed at hat time" said MT Chatfe.d. There s much criticiIns going the rounds 'ecause of allowing such an accident O occur. and it looks as though ome one blundered.
 As is the case when serious acci- lent occurs. the joker had to have to say. ''I have stated all turing the campaign he remarked esterday. that the bottom would all out of .1e republican platform efore election day"