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Rochester, Monroe, N.Y.
Daily Democrat
Jan. 1, 1869
PERSONAL

The central figure of Wall street - Cornelius VANDERBILT.

-Wendell PHILLIPS wanted to become a chemist, but his mother interfered.

Gen. Jubal A. EARLY pronounces Mr. POLLARD'S statement that Stonewall JACKSON once ordered a night attack by "assailants stripped naked and armed with bowie knives," entirely without foundation.

Rochester, Monroe, NY
Rochester Daily Democrat
Thurs Jan 7, 1869
 
AWFUL CALAMITY
 
Frightful Destruction of Life
Eight Lives Lost
Fifty Terribly Wounded
Falling of a Floor at Sts. Peter and Paul German School
 
     An accident more destructive in its results than any hitherto occurring in this city, happened last night at the German School of St. Peter and St. Paul, on East Maple street, where the school children had met for the Epiphany festival. The party was on the second floor of the new school building attached to the church. The attendance was very large, and the school room, a large hall quite as long but not so wide as Corinthian, is divided into three compartments by two glass folding doors, was densely packed by little people enjoying the music. At about nine o'clock a greater number crowded to the front compartment where the sale tables were, as is customary in festivals and fairs. There was no unusual movement to cause excitement, and the crowd eagerly listening to a melodeon, was in one instant, without a breath of warning, compressed into one struggling, shrieking mass of humanity. As the floor sank, a blinding cloud of dust arose, obscuring the view of those in the adjoining compartments, who were expecting the whole building to sink, so fearful was the noise and confusion. The front compartment, let it be understood, was the only one that fell, the floor falling convexly, or as a funnel, at the center of which a slender iron column served as a support to the floor above, the floor which fell being supported by a similar column, and the lower floor also, by one which rested on a brick abutment. Here seems to have been the cause of the disaster, as the column which supported the first floor, on which were but a few people, crushed out the mason work and the second floor losing its central support, fell with the weight of several hundred people upon it. A scene of appalling agony followed the catastrophe, those who were in the upper part of the school where the floor remained intact made a frantic plunge for the stairway, women shrieking and sobbing for little ones, and distracted fathers searching wildly for missing children. Many were crushed in the tumultuous passage, and others rendered desperate by the agonizing supplications of friends and relatives, threw themselves from the windows in a mad endeavor to get at the shrieking, and mangled forms in the vortex, so to speak, of the crushed floor. At this time the bell rang the alarm, and Mr. George G. COOPER of the Union, coming to his door on Kent street, nearly a quarter of a mile off, heard quite distinctly the hoarse murmur of a fright and terror.
 
     With the aid and that of the police, the work of rescue began, and a series of sights that froze the very manhood in the veins of the strongest followed. Those who were of the party were so paralyzed with terror, that they were unfit to render the slightest assistance, and those attracted to the scene of woe, were the only ones capable of aiding, systematically, the unfortunates. By the aid of the doorkeeper, Jacob FRANK, the group, crushed by the iron column in the centre, were slowly extricated and identified. And then was seen a woeful and distressing sight. Barnard DONNER a young German lay with his wife clasping him, both in the rigid agony of death, crushed and mangled, but recognizable. In this spot lay in a huddled mass under the melodeon and supporting column, twenty-five crushed bodies, eight stark and dead. The hands of the strongest trembled, and the groans of strong men rent the air, while women on the outside clamored and wailed for their little ones. Slowly the dead and wounded were taken to the priest's house and to the church, but a step from the fatal spot. As each body was carried from the spot, terrified enquirers would rush and tear their way to see if kindred or friends were the sufferers.
 
     There were thus carried out dead, eight bodies,
     Barnard DONNER and wife Sophia.
     George POPP, an old man over sixty.
     Mrs. Kate SPARL, aged about fifty-six. Lives on Orange street.
     Emma BEERS adopted daughter of Charles BEERS.
     Mrs. Barbara RINCK, wife of George RINCK, an old lady about sixty, Jay street.
     Maggie WEISS, a girl about thirteen.
     Kate LAWRENCE.
                                    THE WOUNDED
    Elizabeth OSBURN, wounded severely in the head.
    Sarah REICHERT, dreadfully wounded about the head.
    Therese WOLFF, eleven years old, not badly.
    Mrs. WEISS, mother of the dead girl, injured severely about the head.
    David C. WAY, lives on Clark street, probably fatally.
    Caroline BEGY, slightly.
    Wolfgang STAGER, slightly.
    Moran MURA, injured about the head; Maple street.
    Dena HEISLE, slightly.
    Mrs. Malena NAGLE, slightly.
    Mrs. Mary SMITH, arm dislocated.
    Mrs. HENCHER, aged fifty, fatally.
    Mrs. Catharine FUCH, wife of Peter FUCH, seriously.
    There were many others wounded, but the excitement was so intense and uncontrollable that we could not find either the sufferers, or any one who could tell with sufficient certainty the names of those we failed to see.
 
     At the earliest moment practicable, the crushed forms were placed tenderly in the chamber of the priest, and in the contiguous houses, where the kindest attention and solicitude were shown by the occupants. The report by this time had spread rapidly, and eager crowds, with pallid faces and bloodless lips, pressed hurriedly to the couches of the sufferers, dreading lest a near one and dear one might lie stretched in death, or in the agony of crushed and mangled helplessness. So unnerving was the scene that the police, were out of very kindliness, forced to refuse admittance to the distracted throng. Shrieks and wailing were heard on all sides as little ones sought for missing parents and parents sought dazedly for the children known to be in the fatal building. In the priest's house the scenes were cruelly touching. On one table, ghastly and rigid lay the forms of two dead women, Mrs. RINCK and Katie LAWRENCE, the one nearly three score the other but fifteen, with heads crushed and bloody and faces clotted with their own gore, awful visions of sudden and instantaneous death. These two bodies were perfectly limp, and not a bone in the body remained uncrushed. In the next room lay Mr. David C. WAY, who can hardly recover, cared for kindly by a couple of the city doctors. On the floor a little creature lay groaning and sobbing with a broken arm. Every attention possible was being paid these unhappy sufferers. In still another room, an old man Geo. POPSS, lay on the floor, no relatives to mourn or care for him, but over him sat a sad tearful woman, rocking mournfully over the stranger who was her lodger. His face was peaceful and save the bandage which upheld his jaw one would have imagined him sleeping. Beyond him on the floor was the most pathetic of all the night's bloody work. A little girl, with bloody swollen features lay in the painful attitude of one who had struggled for life. Black purple streaks disfigured the face and the mouth was compressed in unutterable agony. Her head covered with flaxen curls was dabbled with her own life blood, and her hands still retained a clotted mat of hair, pulled from the poor head in the awful struggle with death. This was the girl Maggie WIESS. She lay desolately in the corner, unmourned and unnoticed save by the curious. Suddenly a girlish figure gained admittance, and rushing frenziedly to the little dead form, gave a piercing shriek of woeful recognition, threw herself beside the dead form, kissing the cold bloody lips, and wailing out, Oh ! Maggie, Oh ! my God, Maggie, what will our father say ! What will he say ? at the same time caressing the little bloody form. At last, exhausted by her intense grief, the frenzied little one sunk into a sort of collapse, and rocked and sobbed convulsively till even this state was succeeded by a sort of stupor. In the chamber above lay Mrs. FUCHS, a lady venerable with years, and wounded nigh unto death, both limbs being broken, and an arm either broken or paralyzed. There were, it will be seen, four dead bodies in the priest's house, and three either mortally or seriously wounded. In the church, which was thrown open, an agitated mass swayed, some to see with awful forebodings, others to see with melancholy curiosity. Laying in one seat, still closely beside each other, as in the crash of destruction, lay the shattered forms of Barnard DONNER and wife. The tender thoughtfulness of kindly spectators had covered the ghastly nakedness, the bodies having been entirely denuded of clothing. The bodies were mangled frightfully, deep gashes were plowed in bloody furrows across the faces, rendering recognition next to impossible. The saddest of this scene is that which operated the afflicted home. There four little children lay in their beds, awaiting the dear ones who should never (unreadable). Late in the night the two forms were taken from the church, and before this the little ones have learned their grievous loss. Immediately opposite the school, at Mr. TANNER's, lay the bodies of Miss Emma BEERS and Mrs. Catharine SPAIRL. The former, a Miss of thirteen, the adopted daughter of Charles G. BEERS, was taken to the festival by a servant, who was quite badly wounded also. Miss BEERS lay stark and rigid, her face black and ridged with scars, as though lashed by pitiless thongs Mr. BEERS was from town, and no one seemed to have sent for the mother of the unfortunate child. In a room adjoining lay the last of the victims, Mrs. SPARL, whose husband, curious to say, was barely saved from a similar accident by the falling of a building in town. The gray hair of the woman fell in thin bloody clots about her forehead and peacefully closed eyes, with a tearful calmness, and pathos trying for the strongest to see without tears.
 
     So much for the dead; they are beyond even our sympathy, but there are still remaining the unfortunates who were happy enough, or unhappy perhaps, to escape with broken limbs and fearful contusions. All the aid that medical experience could offer was promptly and efficiently rendered by physicians, who in immense numbers were on the spot with wonderful alacrity. Dismay and sorrow were the chief features of the scene, and from these the most coherent and accurate story could not be expected, but we have embodied substantially the sights and events that were personally brought to our notice during a pretty thorough investigation of the accident and its results. As the night wore on the excitement did not perceptibly diminish, and excited and eager throngs sought the various resting places of the wounded. The old man, Mr. POPP, about 11 o'clock was carried from the priest's house ghastly and limp, and placed in a common sleigh to be carried to his home. The whole neighborhood was in distress and terror as there are but few who had not some relative or friend at the festival.
 
     Those are the bloody pictures of a few short hours, and though hurriedly and inadequately painted, none can fall to catch the fleeting vision of death as it is photographed in the mangled dead of the night's holocaust.
     The policemen and firemen were on the scene, and worked with their usual efficiency and vigor.
    Coroners HARDER and MORRISON will hold an inquest to-day.
 
                                                                                           THE CAUSE
      The cause from which this fearful calamity arose was the defect in the architecture and construction of the building. To give our readers as good an idea of the building as possible we will give a brief outline of the manner in which it is built. The building four is stories high including the basement. Each of the three floors is divided into three compartments by partitions, designed for school-rooms. In the center of each of these rooms is an iron pillar which supports the ceiling above. These pillars are directly over each other, and each set, numbering three, rest on an abutment of brickwork, which is sixteen inches square and about ten feet high the distance between the basement floor and the ceiling above. At the time the accident occurred, the front rooms of the building were occupied with all the men, women and children who could crowd into them. On the first floor, however, supper tables were spread running through the center of the room. At those tables were seated about 144 persons and they, together with the waiters and others swelled the number to about 175. On the floor above was the band, and (unreadable) number had congregated, filling the room to its utmost capacity. The third or last floor was densely crowded in like manner. Under this state of affairs, when all were happy and innocently enjoying themselves, father with wife and sister with brother and friend with friend, without a moment's warning the second floor gave away with a crash, in the center, forming the letter V, into the mouth of which this vast concourse of humanity was indiscriminately tumbled. The large iron column standing between the second and third floors fell from its place, killing and maiming those who were so unfortunate as to be under it. The third floor sagged with the weight of persons upon it, when its central and only support the iron pillar fell, but fortunately for the lives of those in the room at the time, it did not crash into the ruin. The depression of the floor was so great that the crowd became intensely excited and rushed wildly towards the doors. One old woman had nearly all of her clothing stripped from her body by the jam which was produced by those who were endeavoring to gain an exit from the room. When the first moments of terrible dismay had passed, those who had escaped injury at once proceeded to remove the unfortunates who were buried in the debris of the timbers and plastering. One by one they were removed, some with life extinct, others gasping in their last agony, while others were faint and helpless with limbs broken and bodies maimed. They were conveyed to the Pastor's house, the church and the dwellings near at hand. In viewing the basement we found as already stated the brick abutment which supported the three floors above, which was the fatal cause of the disaster, crushed to atoms to within about two feet of the foundation. The bricks appeared to be of a poor quality and very thinly spread with mortar. At the time that the iron column fell which rested on this abutment, two or three men were in the room. They state that the brick actually crumbled beneath the weight that was on them. Fortunately the first floor did not fall, or they with others would have been buried in the ruins.
 
     Who is responsible for this sad and fearful calamity it is not our province, at this time, to determine. As we have before said, the construction of the building was defective, and utterly unfit for the purpose for which it was designed. It was even unsafe as a place for four or five hundred children to assemble daily, not to say, to sustain the immense weight of probably two thousand persons, as it was compelled to last night. We are informed that Messrs. LANER and HAGARTY superintended the mason work until the joists of the first floor were laid, and subsequent to that time until the completion of the building it was under the superintendence of A. J. WARNER, architect. D. MURA did the carpenter work. The building was completed about three months since, and has been occupied as a school house for the children of the parishoners of Sts. Peter and Paul's Church up to the present time. We are not aware that any festival similar to that of last evening has before been held in the building. It is an occasion, then, that will long be remembered by the citizens of Rochester, and will recur with fearful interest to the minds of the people in whose midst the calamity occurred.
Rochester, Monroe, NY
Rochester Daily Democrat
Fri Jan 8, 1869
 
THE CATASTROPHE
 
Additional Particulars
     The brief time allotted us Wednesday night after the catastrophe at Sts. Peter and Paul's (German) Roman Catholic school-house, did not permit of giving that full detail that we desired.
     The number who were killed by the accident is eight, as we stated yesterday; but on inquiry we find a great many are to be added to the
                                                                                   LIST OF WOUNDED
     David C. WAY, machinest, residing on Clark street, was internally injured. Last evening he was reported to be in as comfortable a condition as could be expected, with good prospects of a speedy recovery.
     Daughter of Michael WOLF, Orange street, severely injured about the neck and head.
     Mrs. John FELSINGER, daughter and son - each injured slightly; Mrs. MEBLE, and Kate CLINE, leg slightly hurt; Miss WOLF injured by jumping from the window; Libbie MERCLINGER, leg broken, Louise WEGMAN, bruised about the body; Mrs. WEGMAN, stomach injured by being stepped on; Miss KOETH, bruised about the chest in the same manner; Julia HOOK, severely hurt; Joseph HAUNGS, face and eye cut; Catharine WHITE, bruised; Miss Maggie BARKER, ankle sprained and face cut; Mrs. DELL, injured in side and leg; Kitty HOLLIS, bruised and arm sprained; Clara BREISE, bruised about the body; Kitty SHAEL, in like manner injured and contused about the eye; John ZACHES, cut on the head; wife of Ex-Ald. ADELMAN, hand cut badly; Mrs. CROSSMAN, rib broken; Libbie BRIER, bruised about the face; little daughter of Samuel DONNELLAN, leg injured; Catharine LINTZ, leg fractured; Philip ZORN, dislocated knee joint; Anna MOUTER, injured in the back; Wolfgang STAGER, ribs supposed to be broken; Sophia WADDLE, slightly bruised; Mrs. STELLWAGER, leg broken; Mrs. (H or R)AIZER and daughter, injured quite severely; Peter GUSHART, badly bruised about the head; John BLETZER, injured in the back; Mrs. FLEISH, Miss Mattie H. SPREGER, each slightly injured; Miss RANNINGTON, daughter of Anthony RANNINGTON of Greece, arm broken; Mrs. HENEHEN, injured internally; Mrs. RECHERT and daughter; severely injured.
     The above named persons are doubtless not all who suffered to a greater or lesser extent by the dreadful accident. The pastor of the church, Rev. F. H. SENCLAD, yesterday visited as many of the sufferers as he could learn of, and found them all, with the exception of those who had bones broken, in a comfortable state. Many were about their usual avocations.
     In the haste with which our yesterday's report was written, we were unable to give credit to those who lent a helping hand at the time of the disaster. When the floor first gave way policeman WHITE was standing in the door of the church. He went immediately to the scene and made efforts to release those who were in the ruins. Policeman SPEERS was also soon on the ground and assisted in removing the dead and wounded. As soon as the church bell was sounded, an idea suggested by Coroner TREAT, a general alarm of fire was given, and the Fire Department together with many members of the Police force quickly were on the ground. Mayor FISH and Police Commissioner G. G. COOPER instructed the police in their duty, and stationed them at various points to protect the clothing and property which were left in the building; and also to keep the throng of eager spectators from crowding the houses where the dead and wounded were lying. Nearly all the city physicians were present and cheerfully assisted those who needed their aid. Bishop McQUAID and Rev. James M. EARLY on being apprised of the nature of the accident, visited the scene and did much towards allaying the excitement of the people, especially the friends of those who lost their lives and those who suffered injury. Coroners HARDER and MORRISON also did excellent service.
                                                                     THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT
     In respect to the cause of the accident we located it, as we believe, properly in yesterday's report. There were some particulars which we did not give. On the top of the brick pier was a stone ten inches square and twelve inches high. The bottom of this stone which rested on the pier had a very uneven surface, in fact only one side rested evenly on the brick work. The top of the stone was dressed properly, and upon it stood the iron column. It will be remembered that the brick pier was sixteen inches square, while the stone or cap which stood on top of it had a square surface of only ten inches. Thus it may be seen at once, that inasmuch as the stone was not dressed evenly on the bottom, the least swaying of the floor would throw the pillar out of perpendicular, and by the weight being cast on one side of the pier, the brick work must give way and the casualty follow as a natural consequence. If the stone cap had had the same surface as that of the pier, and an equal bearing at every point, there is little probability that the sad accident would have occurred.
     By the presence of mind of the pastor a more fearful disaster then that which has happened was prevented. As soon as the floor fell and while yet all was confusion and dismay, he went to the basement and turned off the gas. If the building had caught fire, no mind can picture the dreadful consequences that would have resulted.
                                                                                  THE INQUEST
      Yesterday morning Coroners HARDER and MORRISON summoned a jury, and they viewed the scene of the accident. They were occupied all day yesterday in taking testimony at the pastoral residence of Sts. Peter and Paul's church. Coroner TREAT assisted in the work. The inquest will be continued to-day at Coroner HARDER's office, on State street.
                                                                                THE FUNERAL
      The funeral of six of those who were killed, viz: Bernard DONNER and wife, George POPP, Mrs. B. SPERL, Mrs. Geo. RINK and Maggie WEISS, will take place to-day. Services appropriate to the occasion will be held in Sts. Peter and Paul's church at 9 1/2 o'clock A. M.
     In respect to the parties who did the work on the building, we are requested to state that Mr. F. C. LAUER laid only the brick work above the basement, while Messrs. HARGGRADER & CRAMER did all the mason work in the basement. Mr. LAUER claims that a piece of timber which was rotten and which laid upon the brick pier gave way and not the brick work.
Rochester, Monroe, NY
Rochester Daily Democrat
Sat Jan 9, 1869
 
THE LATE DISASTER
 
Testimony Taken On Inquest
Funeral of Six Of The Dead
 
    The labors of the Coroner's Jury on the cause of the disaster of Wednesday night last, at Sts. Peter ana Paul church, were terminated last opening and a verdict rendered.
     We give below the testimony in full of those who were connected in any way with the work or building the school house, and the opinions of those who are competent to judge of the work.
     Francis Henry SINCLAIR, being duly sworn, says: I am the Priest of St. Peters and St. Pauls church; the trustees of the church and congregation decided to have a concert or festival for the benefit of the school building, which took place on the 6th inst; I observed a large crowd moving into the school-room, the tables for supper, &c., being in the lower floor and the concert in the second and third floors. Being down in the basement about 9:15 P. M., I noticed a sudden crash, the lights being extinguished at the same time; my first impression was that the gas meter had exploded; but after lighting a candle I found different, and that the floor had fallen in, several persons being killed and others wounded. The bodies of the killed taken, some into the parsonage, some into the church, and others to private houses; the school house was planned and built under the supervision of A. J. VARNER & Co., architects; the brick was furnished by the congregation; the stone work was built and the materials furnished by Kramer & Hargerten; the brick was laid by F. C. Lauer & Son, who furnished mortar thereof, and also the cut stone; the carpenter and joiner work was done by Messrs. D. Mauer & Co.; the architects had the whole control of the entire building during the erection.
     A. J. WARNER being duly sworn, says: I am an architect; the plans of the school house were made by A. J. Warner & Co.; my partner, Mr. COOTS, drew the plans; all the architectural services of the firm on this building, were done by my partner, Mr. COOTS.
     Charles COOTS being duly sworn, says: I am a partner of A. J. WARNER, architect; I drew the plans for the school building of the St. Peter and St. Paul's Church; I drew the plans for the school house for a two story building, with a basement underneath two-thirds of it; I wrote specification both of mason work and carpenter work; in place of the brick piers which are now in the basement, I had specified and provided for iron columns, each to be eight feet two inches long, six inches at the base, four inches at the top, and from the column of the basement to the column of the first story above there were iron connections; the plans were taken from the office with the specifications as I have described, and submitted to the contractors, to be estimated upon; the next time I saw the plans they were changed to a three story building and an addition was put on the rear, and the specifications for the carpenter work were interlined, altered and changed; this was not done by my order; the iron columns in the basement were omitted from the carpenter's specifications. The piers were not changed from stone to brick by my direction. We were to superintend the carpenter's work, to be done according to the altered specification; the foundation ready for the first floor joist was not under our direction or seen by me until the first floor joist was on. The first time I was on the building I called Mr. F. C. LAUER's attention to the brick piers, and suggested that it would be better to get stone caps the size of the top of the pier to receive the ends of the beams; also to get a stone block the depth of the beam and size of the space between the beams to receive the iron columns. The piers were out of line from two to four inches. The reason of these suggestions to Mr. LAUER were given through my opinion of the insufficiency to stand the weight they were to support. So far as I acted as superintendent of the mason work, I would state I only gave estimates on the quantity of brick laid at the time of the payments on this contract came due, and to give a final estimate of the amount of brick laid. In this final estimate we did not include the brick piers or any work below the first joist. I think that if a stone cap had been put on the piers as I suggested they would have been sufficient to sustain the building without danger.
     F. C. LAUER being duly sworn says: I am a builder; I built the brick work of the school house belonging to St. Peter's and St. Paul's Church; I had nothing to do with building the brick pier in the basement; I sent in a proposal in writing for the whole building; afterwards I received a notice that they wanted different proposals, i. e., in piecemeals; I went over to the Priest's house and saw the mason's specifications were altered; I then left another proposal for laying the stone work up by the perch, brick by the thousand and plastering by the yard, and cut stone by the lump; the next thing I heard Mr. HARGARTER came to my house and said that the Priest wanted to see me; I called on him and we had a conversation, the result of which was, I met him the next day and closed the contract for laying up the outside walls; Messrs. HARGARTER & KRUNER had the contract for the basement; I laid the piers out and they were changed from a stone pier to a brick pier. I don't recollect who made the suggestion for the change, but I think I made some suggestion to Father SINCLAIR, recommending brick instead of stone, but am not certain. -- I had no official business in the suggestions, but merely made them as any other person would. -- I think brick piers are stronger than stone laid in ruble work; I understood that Father SINCLAIR had the whole supervision of the building, as he was there a good deal of and gave directions from time to time. The piers were built by the day. I laid out the piers and showed them where to put them; I did not know that they were not plumb, and supposed they were all right. It was suggested by Mr. COOTS and myself to put stone caps on the pier; they were to be large enough to cover the whole tier. Mr. HARGASTER opposed that and proposed to cut stone blocks on the tops, which was done. Mr. HARGASTER gave me the order for the blocks. -- I did not order the stone. I don't know with whom the order originated. These blocks were not in the contract; they were an after consideration. Mr. HARGARTER set the stone on the piers. I directed three men about building the piers. Mr. HARGARTER has worked for me twenty years, and I have always found him very precise and careful in his work. He is a good workman. I did not notice the stones before they were set. Mr. MURA set the iron columns. The architects did not say anything to me about the piers being out of true. I am not positive that I ever saw Mr. COATS at the building before the first joists were laid, but my impression is that he was there once or twice. The piers were all built of solid brick from the bottom. I did not furnish the mortar or brick. I don't remember that I ordered the stone blocks cut. The reason given me for not putting on stone caps was that would cost too much. I did not examine how the stones were cut. Some stone were sent there and rejected for being insufficient, or not good enough for use. (Here the contract of Mr. LAUER was read). There was a specification for mason work. I don't know who has it. The pier were laid up in the usual manner and well done too. I consider that the mortar used on the piers was good. The brick were hard brick, good weather brick.
     F. C. LAUER, recalled -- There was a well dug during the erection of this building, and a number of blasts set off within five feet of the pier that gave way, and I think that may have effected the foundation of the pier, or the pier itself, though I noticed nothing at the time.
     Mathias HARGARTER being duly sworn, says: - I am a builder. Mr. LAUER hired men to build the piers. Some of our men built the foundation to the pier it was a stone foundation. I don't know as Mr. LAUER suggested that stone caps be placed on top of the piers. I set the blocks on the piers. I did not notice any defect on the base of the stone block that set on the pier. I did not assist in erecting the iron columns. I set the stone blocks as near the center of the pier as I could between the timbers. The block did not quite fill the space between the timbers. The space was not filled with any thing. I have not seen the stone block since the disaster. The timbers were in before I set the block. When any changes were made I received my directions from Father SINCLAIR. Mr. LAUER ordered me to set the blocks. I understood that there was to be a stone cap on a stone pier. I heart nothing about a stone cap being put in a brick pier.
     The opinions of Ald. Wm. CARROLL, John GREEN, Wm. ____ and Dominic MURA, practical masons and builders, were taken and all concurred in the view that if the pier had been properly capped that accident would have been avoided.
     The jury rendered a verdict as follows:
     "That Bernard DONNER, and his wife, Sophia DONNER, at 73 Allen street; Kathrine LAWRENCE, 23 Wilder street; George POPP, corner Grape and Clark streets; Barbara RINCK, Jay street. Maggie WEISS, 25 Moore street; Kathrine SPERL, 53 Orange street; Emma BEERS, 8 Oak street, came to their deaths by the falling of the front part of the building or school-house of the St. Peter's and St. Paul's church, situate on East Maple street in this city; and that said accident occurred by the giving way of a brick pier sustaining the iron columns and floor above, and that said pier was well built, and would have been safe, if it had been provided with a proper stone cap. The testimony taken also shows culpable neglect on the part of the parties having charge of the erection of the basement. We also find that the stone block on top of the broken pier was defective, and ought not to have been used.
     In witness whereof as well the coroners aforesaid as the jurors aforesaid have hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year above written.
     J. N. HARDER,         {
     T. W. MORRISON,  {  Coroners.
    A. G. HOYT,  Foreman,
    N. A. PICKETT,
    Isaac L. INMAN,
    Ambrose CLAPP,
    Peter F. RHINES,
    I. R. GUILE,
    Josiah ELLIOT,
    W. SUMMERHAYS,
    Peter WAGNER,
    Thos. CORCKHILL,
    Edmund BARKER,
The following resolution was then adopted by the jury:
     Resolved, That we would recommend to the trustees having charge of said school-house, to have proper stone caps put on the re_idac of piers, as we think them unsafe. Be it farther.
     Resolved, That the testimony and verdict be published in each of the daily papers.
                       Edmund BARKER, Secretary.
 
                                                                         THE FUNERAL
    The funeral of six of the dead took place yesterday morning from the church of St. Peter and Paul, corner of King and Maple streets. On the arrival of the bearers at the church they were arranged in order, and the first coffin taken into the edifice contained the remains of Kate LAWRENCE, which was carried by six girls dressed in white. The next were the bodies of Mr. DUNNER and wife, borne by six members of the St. Francis Xavier Society, followed by their four orphan children. The corpse of Mr. POPP was borne by members of Sts. Peter and Paul's Society, following which came the bodies of Mrs. RINCK and Mrs. SPERL. The scene at the church was one that would bring tears to the eyes of the most indifferent observer.
     A solemn high mass was celebrated, in which Rev. F. H. SINCLAIR was Celebrant, assisted by Rev. F. PAYNE, Deacon; Rev. F. HOFFSCHENEDER, Sub-Deacon; Rev. P. BRYNES, Master of Ceremonies; Rev. Mr. PLAUS, Preacher.
    Rev. J. M. EEARLY gave the absolution. The bodies were then conveyed to their last resting places, the Sts. Peter and Paul and Holy Family cemeteries.
Rochester, Monroe, NY
Rochester Daily Democrat
Mon Jan 11, 1869
 
THE LATE DISASTER
 
    The shock that the community received by the sudden death of a number of persons by the falling of the school-house floor of Sts Peter and Paul's Church congregation, has to some extent passed away, as do all events, however severe they may be in their consequences. Yet the public mind is called from time to time to inquire into the cause of the disaster. The question arises, who is to blame ? The Coroner's jury, after receiving testimony for two days, does not attach the blame to any individual or set of individuals. The verdict of the jury says that the pier "would have been safe if it had been provided with a proper stone cap. The testimony shows culpable neglect on the part of parties having charge of the basement. We also find that the stone block on top of the broken pier was defective, and ought not to have been used." -- These are the words of the verdict. It acknowledges the fact that the placing of the defective stone on the pier was a culpable act. The architects, Messrs. WARNER and COOTS, have cleared themselves from any responsibility as their specifications were altered, and after such change had been made their responsibility ceased. The difficulty seems to have existed between Mr. F. C. LAUER and Mr. HARGARTER, both of whom on their testimony relieve themselves from any responsibility. Mr. LAUER says he laid the piers out, but they were changed from brick to stone, on the recommendation of Father SINCLAIR. Mr. HARGARTER says that he set the stone blocks on the piers, that Mr. LAUER suggested that stone caps be placed on the piers. When changes were made they were at the suggestion of the priest &c. We ascertain by the testimony who the man is that set the stone and who he is that suggested it, but it does not appear who the man is that ordered these stone cut several inches less than the surface of the pier, or who he is that should have discovered the defect have remedied it. We are of the opinion that every man was his own architect and did his work to suit himself or according to the suggestion of Tom Dick or Harry, who happened along.-- There was no correct or proper supervision over the work, and hence the unmechanical manner in which it was done, and the misery that the blunders have entailed upon many families.
 
     There are buildings now in Rochester, and some which have been constructed within the past year, which have been put up in the same slip-shod style. The walls are not of the proper thickness, and the structures are unsubstantial and liable to tumble down at any time. It is strange that men will expend thousands of dollars on a building, and save a few hundreds on some of its most vital points of support. The buildings designed for the reception of large concourses of people should always be substantially constructed and no such structure should be erected unless under the direction and supervision of a competent architect.
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THE LATE BERNARD DUNNER --
RESOLUTIONS OF THE ST. FRANCIS XAVIER SOCIETY.
 
    At a meeting of the St. Francis Xavier Society, held January 7th at their hall, Rudolf VAY, the President, announced the death of Bernard DUNNER, who, with his wife, was killed at the terrible catastrophe at St. Peter and St. Paul's Church School, Maple street, the previous evening.
     On motion of George A. BEGY, a committee of three were appointed to draft resolutions commemorative of that sorrowful occasion.
     George A. BEGY, F. A. ADLEMAN and N. A. LINDENFIELD were appointed as such committee, and reported the following, which were adopted:
    Whereas, The members of this Society are called upon to mourn the loss, by a sudden and terrible death, of their late brother, Bernard DUNNER, who, with his estimable wife and six other unfortunate persons, was killed at the heartrending accident of Wednesday evening last, therefore be it.
     Resolved, That we shall ever recognize and cherish the great kindness of the heart and other characteristics of our deceased brother; that in his death this society has lost an active co-worker, the church a conscientious Christian, society an honored member, and his four orphaned children a loving and affectionate father.
     Resolved, That we extend our heartfelt sympathy to the orphans thus bereft of a father's protection, and deprived of a mother's patient love and care.
     Resolved, That we unite in tendering our earnest sympathy to the family and friends who have been the subject of this severe visitation.
     Resolved that the Secretary transmit to the family of the deceased copies of the proceedings of this meeting, signed by the President and Secretary; also that the minutes of the meeting be published in the English and German paper of this city.
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Jan. 18, 1869

ATTEMPTS AT BURGLARY - Yesterday afternoon Charles REYNOLDS was caught by policeman ALLEN while trying to effect an entrance to the shoe store of TAYLOR & BROWNELL on Main street. REYNOLDS was drunk which probably will account for his daring act.
Last evening a man residing on the corner of Clinton street and Johnson Park, discovered a burglar on the roof of the kitchen portion of his house. The fellow, as soon as he found himself detected, fled.
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RAILROAD ACCIDENT - It will be seen by the telegraphic dispatches that an accident occurred on the Harlem Railroad Saturday night about 11 o'clock. It appears that only one person was seriously injured, and that Mrs. EARLE, wife of the proprietor of EARL'S Hotel, New York. At one time yesterday it was reported that the (---). Freeman CLARKE, was on the train and had been seriously injured.
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LECTURE THIS EVENING - Ralph Waldo EMERSON will deliver the fifth lecture before the Atheneum at Corinthian Hall this (Monday) evening. Subject - "Hospitality, and How to Make Attractive Homes."
It is needless to say he will thoroughly interest and please his audience. He has not been here for several years and will undoubtedly have a full house.
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ARRESTED FOR LARCENY - Lewis HARRIS, a newsboy on the Central railroad was arrested yesterday by depot policeman BUCK on a charge of stealing a pair of pantaloons and a pair of boots from a car where they had been left by a brakeman. He was locked up for examination.
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FIRE - Sunday morning, about 1 o'clock, a fire occurred in the shoemaker's shop of Mr. WEIGHAN, near Brown street bridge. The alarm was sounded for the first district, and it was sometime before the department could find out the locality of the fire. The loss sustained by Mr. W. was not heavy.
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A UTICA INSANE MAN IN BUFFALO - The Buffalo "Courier" says:
"Thursday an insane man was arrested named Allen HUNT, who arrived here from Rochester. HUNT ran away from Utica Asylum a few days ago. He was sent to the insane department of the Erie county poorhouse."
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