The Washington herald., 1908-06-10
FALLING FLOOR
KILLS WORKMEN.
Continued from Page One.

the steam1tting, was working on the
third floor Beside him was Richard
West. the negro laborer who was killed.
The men were both crushed under the
weight OF falling timber. steel beams.
and concrete from the top floor. and
died without knowing what struck them.
William c. Miller was on the top floor.
and fell on top OF the pile OF debris
under which his fellow-workmen were
buried.
Ellsworth King brother OF the dead
man, was on the third floor when the
structure gave way He was about 20
step out OF a window To a scaffold. and
had one leg over the window sill when
the floor gave way beneath him. He
was covered with dust and was struck
by small pieces Of debris. but was not
seriously injured. Charles Banks was
on the third floor. and was precipltated
into space. He fell about fifteen feet.
when he was able 10 grasp a beam and
break his fall. so that ne eventually
landed without hurting himself
After the fall OF the building. there was
silence for several minutes. Then the
stunned workmen FASTENED 20 the ground.
and despite the numerous pieces of con-
crete that hung suspended by what seem
ed little more than threads and the two
walls on the corner tottering as II about
20 fall they started 10 work 20 rescue the
body OF Lemuel King. whose head could
be seen protruding from mass OF tan
gled debris
Bicycle Policeman Grant. OF the Third
precinct. was only a block away when the
crash came. and he hurried 10 the scene.
Detective Cox, Of the same precinct, was
only minute behind him. Both men sent
In hurry calls for ambulances and patrol
wagons, and then hurried into the ruins to
assist in the work OF rescue.
Coroner Near the Scene.
Deputy Coroner Glazebrook who lives
in p street only short distance from
the scene OF the wreck. was standing on
his front steps when the crash came.
He ran TO Twentieth street and into the
basement Of the building. giving orders
and rendering what assistance he could
to the injured.
Within ten minutes after the building
collapsed reserves from the Third.
Seventh. and Eighth precinct stations
were on hand with the captains of each
precinct. Inspectors Cross and Cess
ford came from headquarters and took
charge. An alarm for FIRE sent in from
nearby box brought the fremen 10
the scene, and under the direction of their
chief, they worked with a will 10 assist
the men employed on the building to dig
away the debris from the bodies Of King
and West.
After the bodies had been taken out
a roll Of all employees was called, and
none was missing The fremen and
workmen then turned their attention TO
pulling down the wall on the northeast
corner, which shook threateningly. T.
II Pickford, owner objected 10 the fire.
men pulling down the walls. saying that
II given little time he would have his
men tear them down gradually. He was
OveTTuled.
Commissioner Macfarland and Capt.
Kelly, OF the engineering department,
arrived shortly after the accident, and as
sisted IN directing the work Of the police
and fremen.
Capt Martin. Of the building Depart
ment. and Superintendent OF Machinery
Robinson also assisted in wrecking the
walls and aiding In the work OF rescue.
Mr.. Bells Kind Act.
While the fremen and policemen were
working in the hot sun. Charles ]. Bell,
president OF the American Security and
Trust Company served soft drinks to the
workers. He was assisted by servants
from his home in Connecticut avenue,
who went into the wrecked building TO
deliver the welcome refreshments with
out giving a thought of the danger Of the
remaining walls collapsing.
Shortly after o'clock. when all the
injured had been removed. and the walls
that were considered unsafe torn down.
the street cars were allowed TO run.
Later. the firemen withdrew and the DO
lice from the Seventh and Eighth pre-
cincts followed them. The building was
left in the hands of Capt Boyle, OF the
Third precinct.
During the night two policemen guarded
the premises and allowed none to go
near.