The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1913-01-31

Edward Pierce sworn. Said he
lived in Carbondale and that he |
was a member of the firm of Pierce
e. Baker, contractors who laid the
concrete blocks above the founda- /
tion for the Cortright barn. He said /
that he had done a general building
business for the past ten years. Had
built some brick buildings. This I
was the first concrete building erect !
ed where this kind of blocks were !
used. Visited the barn four or five |
times during course of erection. !
Staid about Is minutes at each
time Saw w. H. Kreitner on site. |
Didn't say anything to him about the
building, just passed the time of day
with him.
the plaintiff, with the exception of
he heard the crash in Schoelps bar
Der shop that evening. The wit
nesses testified in order given and
were as follows: Samuel Wadge,
June Decker, Jules Dunn, Edward
Hampstead, Albert Thomas, Ray
mond Ashby, Lloyd Campfeld,
Jules Dunn testified that he made
the window frames for the barn un-
der measurements given him by Mr..
Kreitner.
The plaintiff rested Wednesday at
noon.
Attorney w. H. Lee opened the
defence and w. H. Kreitner was the
first witness sworn. He said he had
been a resident of Honesdale about
20 years and was contractor and
builder. Stated that he erected
about so dwelling houses in Homes
dale besides numerous brick build
ings which witness mentioned. Told
of conversation he had with E. H.
Cortright regarding the erection of
the building, how he (Kreitner)
made pencil sketch of the founda-
ton, what lumber was selected, of
going to Fishers junk yard for iron
posts. Denied having purchased or
negotiated with Mr.. Fisher for any
rails or other iron. Said he was
around the building only IA hours
during course of construction, which
he charged for with the exception of
when he measured the basement for
the foundation, the placing of the
amounted to Sc. Witness said his
brother, w. H. Kreitner, was on
job longer than he was and that
there were from three to four of
their men working on the barn dur
ing the time of construction. Mr..
Kreitner stated that Mr.. Cortright's
first plan was to construct a barn
with posts right through the build
ing from floor to floor. When wit
ness asked about the posts being in
the way on the first floor at the en-
trance, Mr.. Cortright said he didn't
think about that. Witness stated
that few days afterward that in
stead of posts Mr.. Cortright was go
ing to use truss. Witness said that
Mr.. Cortright stated that in Carbon
dale there was building that had
a truss with an S0-foot span and if
that building held over there there
would appear to be no reason why
60-foot truss span would not hold
| over here, that he (Cortright) was
going to risk it, Witness said he
did not approve of using a truss that
he did not have much experience
| with them and would rather he not
use it. Witness said he ordered two
truss rods in Scranton of Finch &
Co. Did not give any dimensions
as to the thickness of the rods. Wit
ness testified that he visited the
building not many times while the
woodwork was being erected. Had
nothing whatever to do with the
rest of the building. Was on roof
the day before the barn collapsed
Saw pile of blocks about to 7
feet high, Ia feet long and about 8
| feet across. Would judge there
were about 450 blocks in the pile.
They were located on the roof a
short distance from the elevator.
! Some blocks were distributed
around the sides of the building.
While returning home, passing over
the highworks the next day about
3 o'clock in the afternoon, the same
day that the barn collapsed between
6 and in the evening, witness stat
ed that he observed the pile of
blocks standing in the same place as
| they were the previous day Mr..
| Kreitner estimated that the building
could be rebuilt for $640.
William H. Kreitner, brother of
Fred w. Kreitner, corroborated his
brothers testimony.
On account or the illness of his
wife, e. A. Marshall, of Palmyra,
was excused on Wednesday and by
request w. B. Guinnip, of Atco, was
excused on Thursday
Owing to the panel of jurors be-
ing exhausted the court directed
Sheriff F. c. Kimble to snap three
jurors. To complete a jury to try
the case of Thomas VS.. Norton, John
Shupper, Arthur Hager and Jacob F.
Baumann were chosen.
FORMER HONESDALE