Year: 1870

Thrilling Statement of One of the Fortunate


survivors.


The Richmond papers continue to be filled
with particulars of the great disaster From
yesterdays Enquirer we take the following


statement of Captain q. g. McPhaiI.


Attracted by the deep interest felt in regard
to the decision of the Supreme Court
of the Stale about to be delivered in
the Mayoralty case, myl partner, DR.. W. NJ.
Withers, and myself, determined to visit the
courtroom in the Capitol. On reaching il we
found, though half an hour too early for the
opening OF the court a gathering crowd, the
gallery being then filled. Leaving the room, we
walked through the library, Willing away the
time until the hour of IL approached nearer.
When we returned both the courtroom and
clerks Office were being rapidly thronged with
many of our best and most noted citizens. AS


,ugh led by the hand OF Providence, we


alked across the room and took our position
in front of the fireplace, over which is mantel-
piece nailed to the wall of the building. DR..
Withcrs then remarked, ''See how the floor
sways to the centre; but l suppose those in
charge OF such things know that 1t is sill right"
! noticed detection of several inches, but saw
no change from what | had on previous occa-
sions observed to be its condition.


A general good humor seemed to pervade the
entire assemblage Pleasant words and kindly
greetings were exchanged all around
after another of personal and professional
friends and acquaintances dropped in and took
their seats and positions before the bar Of the
court. Being, as 1T were, on the flank OF the
crowd and facing the entrances, my position was
peculiarly favorable for personal observation of
the whole apartment-of what was to trauspire.
Every moment we were expecting to hear the
clock tell the hour of eleven--the time announced
for the decision, upon which so many hopes and
eager expectations depended, which was to
revive langushing business and restore peace
and harmony to our city. The lawyers and re-
porters had gathered around their tables. Judge
Joynes had entered from the conference room,
and after adjusting the window shades speak
ing to officers of the court and counsel, took his
81 -, ,1Nn &C
the bench; then Judge Anderson made his appear
ance, and sat on the right and near the north
side, Other members of the court were coming
in. By this time the room was fully packed-all
available space on the floor of the court and
clerks rooms, in the gallery, and on the
steps seemed to be occupied. just then heard
sharp crack, felt sympathetic thrill and
shudder, which know ran through that mass
OF men OF every degree, as though one nerve OF
sensation was common to all. Momentarily
there came gentle bending of the floor asurge,
crash beneath our feet, a shout as from one
vast throat the gallery, with its death-dealing
freight and weight of human forms and heavy
timbers, toppling over on the devoted heads of
those below, even beyond the centre of the
room; the shock on the floor of the hall beneath
the immediate suction or drawing down of the
heavy ceiling above, with its broken and jagged
oists, boards, and laths; binding, sulfocating,
all-pervadng storm of lime, mortar, and the
foul, black, accumulated dust of three-fourths OF
a century; an awful pause, silence rs profound





a wall of agony so intense as to curdle my
blood and pierce through the very marrow of
my bones.


When the crash came both Dr. Withers and
myself turned and seized hold of the mantel-
piece; also, lad who was between us. DIR.
Withers aud the boy obtained an insecure foot
ing on the crumbling and falling hearth, and
finally managed to get on the portion of the
floor by the judges stand which remains. The
former was struck on the head by the falling
ceiling and received several cuts and bruises on
the face. being at the corner and near the
window, which was most fortunately raised, was
left hanging without any support under my
feet. While in that position portions of the
falling ceiling struck my head and disabled my
right arm and forced me to relax my hold with
it. Feeling about to fall, and despairingy
throwing out my left arm, caught projection
of the window sill and drew myself up until my
foot touched projecting ledge of the wall, and
thus was saved. / found there Mr.. William
Taylor, merchant, and one or two others, where
we remained in safety, but agonized spectator
of the horrid scenes just beneath, aud from
. which we so narrowly and providentiall,
escaped, until some friend threw plank from
the judges stand over the chasm to the window
4, 1,sal,N Iynh