People's Pilot, Volume 3, Number 43, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 April 1894 — UNDER FALLEN WALLS. [ARTICLE]

UNDER FALLEN WALLS.

Two Killed and Eight Hurt by the Collapse of a Building. New York, April 12.—The two-story frame dwelling house Na 140 McKibben street, Williamsburg, which had been raised and set upon flimsy brick walls so as to make it a three-story building, collapsed Tuesday! night and ten persons were buried in the mins. Immediately after the building fell fire started in the ruins. A crowd gathered about the burning wreck, and, although the cries of those pinioned under heavy timbers could be heard, no one attempted to rescue them until the arrival of Fire Truck Company Na 8. The firemen set to work to dig out the victims, but it was necessary to summon three engine companies to fight back the flames, which impeded the work and threatened the imprisoned victims with death. When the work of rescue had been completed it was found that Mrs. Mary Clifton and John Kelly were dead and eight others badly injured. Michael Weiman, the owner of the house, who lived on the top floor, contracted to have the structure raised. He gave the order to Joseph Matzen, but took it from him and gave it to Blazly & Briller, of South Brooklyn, who offered to do the work for S2OO less than Matzen’s bid. Matzen said the work could not be properly done for the price given to Blazly & Briller, but Weiman replied: “I am satisfied that the work will be done properly and will show my confidence in the contractors by remaining in the house while it is being raised.” The work was commenced two weeks ago, was rushed, and finished at 6 o’clock Tuesday night. Then Albert Woods, who had been employed by Blazly & Briller to raise the house so that the South Brooklyn firm might build the walls underneath it, took away the props from either side of the house. Woods and his helpers, Greissman and Kelly, went up to the top floor where Weiman, the owner, lived. While they were talking the floor sunk beneath them, the house fell slightly backward and then dropped into the cellar.

On the floor immediately over the new walls Mrs. Mary Clifton, a widow, lived with her daughter Stella, who sings in the Globe Music hall in McKibben street, near Broadway. They were washing the dinner dishes when the house fell. The floors began to sink and there was a deafening crash and the ten persons were buried under heavy timbers. As soon as the clouds of dust had blown away it was seen that fire was burning in three parts of the wreck. Two cook stoves and three kerosene lamps which had been lighted started these fires. The people who were pinned down saw the flames and showed by their louder cries that they realized their danger. It is not known who summoned the firemen, but the company was at the wreck two minutes after the crash. The men of the truck company could not do much until the arrival of the engine companies, whose members soon drove the flames back. They found the body of Mrs. Clifton at 11:30 o’clock. While the firemen were working men shed tears and women had hysterics. Firemen continued digging in the ruins for the body of Johu Kelly, which was found at midnight