The Washington herald., 1909-04-25

Il Five tons Of dirt and sand fell from
the side OF an excavation in c street.
near Seventh street southwest. yesterday
afternoon. killing John Boggs, ffty-two
/ years old. negro laborer. OF 407 Howard
avenue, Anacostis, and slightly injuring
Robert Douglas. forty years old. negro
/ labOrer. I'D Half street southeast.
Boggs was buried beneath six feet OF
sand and nearly two hours elapsed before
1 his body was dug out Douglas was
buried by a second eave-in while trying
10 rescue his companion. He was dragged
from the excavation almost unconscious
from suffocation. He regained his senses
| a few minutes later.
The accident occurred about 30 o'clock
in an excavation dug TO make water and
sewer connection with a new sub rail
road station being erected al Seventh and
| c streets The excavation reaches from
| che center OF c street 20 the south curb
ing. II is about twelve feet long. twelve
! feet deep. and five feet wide.
Workmen employed by James Koran,
/ contractor. OF l1e n street southeast. say
there were no braces against the sides OF
1 the excavation. 1t is believed the rain
Of Friday night loosened the dirt
Warning Too Late.
Boggs was at work in the bottom OF the
excavation while Douglas stood near the
end in the center Of c street. Boggs was
shoveling dirt 20 ledge. from whence
It was thrown 10 the street by Douglas
Suddenly Douglas saw a crsck appear
in the west wall # the excavation. and
called 10 Boggs The warning was TOO
late. Instantly the wall collapsed. tons
Of dirt. sand. and rocks falling on
Boggs. He stopped forward. covering his
head when he saw his peril. When
found his body was on top OF the shovel
with which he had been working The
shovel had been upright beneath him.
and the weight Of the dirt broke the
handle IN three pieces
Douglas called for help. and jumped
on top Of the dirt covering Boggs. The
negro began snovellng frantIcalIy TO res
cue his fellov-workman Fifty laboreTs
a. work IN the foundation OF the sub
station. about twenty yards away. ran
10 the assistance Of Douglas when his
cry for help was heard. Just as they
reached the mouth Of the excavation. a
second big slice Of dirt fell from the
wall. covering Douglas Five or six men
jumped down into the excavation and
began shoveiing out the dirt.
Many had seen Douglas covered and
knew AZ Just what spot 10 dig for the
man. After a few minutes speedy work.
John Lee. a negro lab6rer. living al S24 X
street southwest struck a foot with his
shovel and a few seconds later Douglas
was pulled TO the surface, painting for
breath
Injured Man Revived.
The police had been notified. and Capt
Mulhan was soon on the scene with re-
serves from the Fourth precinct An am
bulance from Emergency Hospital vas In
waiting when Douglas was dug out and
the physician II charge soon restored
the negro to consciousness. He sustained
coutusions Of the chest and several slight
lacerat;ons. bu; VIII be able 10 return
10 work in day OF two.
While Douglas was being carried to the
ambulance. J. G. Frank. Of the District
water department. who had been super
intending the work OF Augustus Robin
son and John Rock. negroes. was direct
ing the efforts OF the rescuers. Six men
NStheu III tte eACaNdton TOT more tnan
an hour. shOveling dirt 10 the surface Of
the street before the body Of BoEgs was
/ found Il is thought death was due 10
surocstion. although the weight OF the
tons Of Dirt probably caused fatal in
I jurieS
! Coroner J. Ramsey Nevitt was present
when the body Of Boggs was recovered
and ordered It removed 70 the morgue.
where an inquest viii be held tomorrow
morning.