Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1909-10-28
FALL OF WALL DUE To
FAULTY CONSTRUCTION
COrOner'S Jury Does Not Fix Blame ON
Anyone in Particular
Eye Witness to Accident Testifies That Stone
Touched COrniCe

the wall would not have fallen.
On the sugs sstion of the coroner,
Mr.. Porter willingly accompanied the
members of the jury 10 the top floor
of the west wing in order that they
might become more familiar with the
situation. While at the capitol. Mr..
Porter explained that Lafarge cement
is used in placing the stone. 1t takes
longer to set than other cement but
it does not mar the building.
The sculpture work was to be done
after the placing of the stone, and ow-
ing to that fact, about four-fifths OF
the stone would have been cut away.
Mr.. Porter said that had the figures
been cut in the stone before they were
laid, there would have been no dan
ger of the falling of the wall
Mr.. Porter made no attempt to
put the blame on anyone, and mere
ly gave the probable causes of the
accident, by request of the coroner.
Heard Wall Crack.
Edward j. Damon, hosting engin-
Ger, said he hoisted the stone but did
not look up to where Logan and
Bliss were working, He operated the
derrick in accordance with signals
given by them and it was not neces-
, sary for him to look up. Mr.. Damon
! asserted that he heard a crack, and
looking up he saw the whole course
slanting. He ran behind the boiler
of his machine to avoid being buried
! beneath the mass of stone. The wall
! same down first and Logan followed
Logan showed no signs of life when
Damon reached his side The wit
ness stated that he never heard any
one say that there was danger Of the
wall falling.
Will Make Investigation.
Mr.. Moir testified that the stone
on the west wing was laid under his
instructions. In answer to a question
by the coroner, Mr. Moir said he had
no idea what caused the falling of
the wall
How many causes would there be
for the accident?'' Intercepted Mr.
Lynch.
q could not answer that question"
replied Mr.. Moir.
He said that he will begin to in
vestigate into the cause this morn
ing. Mr.. Moir admitted that an In
ferior quality of mortar might be the
cause of the falling Of a wall.
Stone Touched Wall.
John G. Jennings, capitol policeman,
watched the stone that was being
hoisted He said that it touched the
wall, and when the stone began 10
crack, he gave the warning to Otto
Scheer, who was working on the
ground. Mr.. Jennings said he saw
the body of Logan falling after the
stone
Otto Scheer said he watched the
stone until it had landed on the wall.
In the meantime he prepared to get
another stone in condition for hoist
! ing. Looking up he saw the wall com
! ing down and he ran to a place of
safety. Mr.. Scheer testified that the
! stone which had been raised by the
derrick had been laid near where It
was to be set.
Mr.. Logan's funeral was held from
! St RaphaeIs church at o'clock yes
terday morning. A large number or
sympathizing friends and members Of
the bricklayers and masOns' union
attended. Father Joseph r. Kroha Of
fciated, and the bearers were 3D.
ward J. Damon, Otto Scheer, Frank
Bliss, Martin Cullinane, P. J. O'NeiII
and Nicholas Egge The casket was
covered with beautiful floral tributes.
Interment was made at Calvary Gene
! terry.
Mrs. Logan and her child will return
to Chicago this evening.