New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-01-22
SEVENTYeMAY BE DEAD
BODIES IN LAKE TUNNEL.
Chicago Victims WiH Be Buried TN
a Single Plot.

Chicago. Jan A.-The official investigation OF the
burning of the temporary wooden crib In Lake
Michigan off the shore OF South Chicago, yester-
day. developed to-day that the number OF dead
may exceed seventy.
It was discovered that most OF the workmen died
at the mouth of the shaft snd that. surrounded by
fire and with wide stretch OF Icy water between
them and the shore, they sought but failed to
reach safety by going down into the submarine
tunnel. The shaft was penetrated to a depth OF
los feet to-day, but more bodies were found II
is believed, however. that bodies will be found
further and also in the lake
The officials OF the construction company which
built the crib in explanation as TO why the struet-
made Of wood. instead OF STEEL said all
temporary structures Of the kind were OF wood.
Although boat piled between the crib and the
shore. no regular freboat provided for
emergency II was said.
Thinking that, as the fire occurred in the lake.
the fixing of responsibility for 1t might be under
federal jurisdiction. the City Engineer to-day
wired to Washington for instruction that point.
Major J. B. Cavanaugh. OF the rivers and harbors
bureau. replied that the government assumed du-
rlsdlction only when traffic was interfered with.
Nethaniel Daltz, the last workman to be res
cued from the ruins. tod thrilling story OF his
experiences to-day Daltz entombed for eight
hours and was unconscious when taken from the
wreckage
I went 10 the crib and started to work at
o'clock yesterday morning." said Daltz- My
partner and L were about to go down IN the shaft
when l noticed black smoke coming up from the
floor l think ii was little after o'clock.
wasn't surprised the smoke. because 1 knew
there was blast down in the tunnel every morn
ing about that time. There were ten twelve
other men standing around. and remarked.
LOOK at that smoke coming up there One or
the fellows said: Well I'm going to smoke my
pipe and make some more smoke in joking
way. and all laughed and thought no
about it. My partner and 1 then got into the
bucket and were lowered into the pit.
I'VE had been down in the tunnel only short
time when felt awful heat my face and
hands. The bucket in which we had been lowered
had been pulled up. ! remarked TO my partner
that We must find out what was wrong. We stood
there waiting for the bucket to come down again
but IT didn't come Instead. the tunnel was filing
with smoke and the air getting thick and
heavy Finally it got bad that could hardly
breathe. and eyes began smart and run
water. Finally my partner put his hand my
shoulder and said: Nathan. surely something has
happened up in the crib. This is awful and 1 can't
stand il much longer
Then I felt his body CULVER. and he fell to the
ground. I was in awful pain myself. but chafed
his hands and face for few moments but there
response. He died there, but didn't know
IT until ! was told this morning When l left him
! felt along the wall Of the tunnel and found
crevice- Into this put my face. II cool, and
1t seemed 10 me that L stood there for hours
That's the last thing that 1 remember. The next
thing I knew I was here in the hospital. They
and there is no knowing how long in the tunnel
Daitz's partner identified to-day as George
Chidlow.
George W. Jackson OF the construction company
which built the crib, to-day informed the coroner
it would be impossible for several days to give a
complete list OF the dead. Many OF the workmen
had the choice OF remaining the crib and OF
having their food furnished by the company in
stead of going home every night. Whether many
Of the men were taking advantage OF this arrange
ment at the time of the fire only be learned
by application 20 their homes
thick mist hanging the city to-day gave
the last touch necessary to complete the gloom in
the vicinity of Murphy's Morgue. where the
bodies OF the victims. Inside the undertaking rooms
rested forty-seven sacks. each containing an I'M
recognizable body in many only the torso.
IN the street griefstricken crowd stood. talking
softly in groups. pIodded up and down the slip
perry walks.
ANY news?'' query always answered In
the negative wife mother sought
learn If husband had been identified.
Poor Andy" cried one watcher. friend OF An
drew Anderson. who is among the missing. He
had not been here long. and it's hard on his
mother and father in Brooklyn"
A meeting of South Chicago undertakers was held
to-day. and il agreed to hold single funeral
for all the victims and to bury them in big lot.
with a single monument, the nature Of their
deaths after meeting of friends and relatives
of the victims held this afternoon. Next Fri
day morning a special will be read in all
South Chicago Catholic churches by order Of Arch
bishop Quigley.