New Britain herald., 1925-11-16
75-Foot Aerial Ladder Used After Building Inspectors Call on Fire Department For Assistance.
Several Fragments of Stone Fall to Sidewalk Tremor Felt Early This Morning in Hartford and Other Towns.

"." StAtSA AoN ILSs
 Due, it Is believed, to the eartb- quake shock this morning about o'clock, a 300 pound limestone or- nament on the southeast tower of the First Lutheran church on Frank lin square, became loosened and pieces or stone, weighing several pounds each crashed to the sidewalk. The loosened ornament, approxi- mately 70 feet above the street. wss so dangerous that the building de- partment this morning with the aid Of the fire department, had the stone removed Other damage is suspected.
 The loosened piece was first dis covered about 7:30 o'clock this morning when Miss Mary Bingham of ~ Franklin square telephoned the police department that something had fallen from the top of the build ing.
 Deputy Building Inspector A, N. Rutherford was notified and he and Inspector HenneSsy went to the church, where it was found that the ornament on one corner was loose. Chief William J. Noble of the fire department was called upon for help. Chief Noble sent ladder truck No. 2 to the scene, but the ladder being too short, No. 2 was recalled and Aerial Co. No. 1. with 75 foot ladder was sent in charge of Cantaln Victor Davis and his crew.
 Mir. Rutherford climbed the lad der and after q careful inspection condemned the ornament and or dered its immediately removal Fire men removed the lattice work in the tower and by means of ropes and pulleys, the heavy ornament WAS swung free from it's perch and taken in through the window.
 Building Inspectors Silent
 Just what caused the loosening Of the ornament has not been decided. Rev. Dr. A. A. Ahlouist, pastor of the church, said he had been in formed that there was another earth quake shock last night during the heavy storm and he thought that was the cause of if. There are ru- mors of a slight bulge in the remain ing section of the tower but the building inspectors decline at this time to make any statement beyond the fact that complete report will be made to the building commits sion.
 "1 am glad 1t happened today in- stead of yesterday" said Dr. Ahl- quist, who remarked upon what a terrible calamity it would have been had the piece become loosened and fallen while hundreds were leaving the church at noon Sunday.
 A crowd which gathered in front of the building was given quite a thrill when Captain Davis calmly walked over the top of the ladder, stepped onto the cornce 70 feet in the air and with a small crow bar, pried the heavy stone over the win dow ledge as Q fireman inside pulled it in.
 Other Damage Possible
 That there may be bulge in the wall of tower with a possibility of more serious damage at that point. is suspected. The building inspectors neither affirmed nor denied the ru- nor, simply stating that they pre- fcrrcd not to make any further statement until making a report to the commission. They declined to say what action would be recom- mended, but expressed their appre- citation of the prompt and hearty CO., operation they had received from Chief William J. Noble of the fire department.
 The looscned ornament was part of the superstructure of the build ing and the accident probably will not affect the main edifce. The cost of repairs may run from s1.- 900 to S1,5O0.
 Building Contractor A. F. Beng ston was called by Dr, Ahlquist ear- ly this morning and was on the ground when the inspectors ap- peared.
 The opinion expressed this after noon by Building Inspector Hem ncssey and Deputy Inspector Ruth erford was to the effect that the original damage was done by lightning. They stated that it was very likely that the wind did the final damage. but did not care to make any statement on the earth quake theory.
 Mr. Hennessy stated later that the finishing touch this morning undoubtedly was caused by the wind. although others cling 10 the belief that the earthquake was re- sponsible.
 Disturbance Recorded
 That there undoubtedly was a slight shock last night or early this morning is proven by volt meter chart in the office Of the Connect cut Light and Power Co. This chart is equipped with a pcnduium ar
 rangement and acts the same as a seismograph. When Superintendent Eben Putnam looked at the char.