A Death-Trap Elevator in the Ball Block

Miss Lena Saunders, aged 18 years, a typewriter and stenographer of amiable and industrious disposition, fell forty-eight feet to the bottom of an elevator shaft in the Ball block this morning. Miss Saunders, with her mother, the proprietor of a dressmaking establishment on the third floor of the Ball block, were about to enter the elevator to reach the street. Miss Saunders walked a few feet in advance of her mother, and stepped through the open door leading to the elevator shaft. She was found unconscious and mangled when occupants reached her. Homer Young, aged 22, who was in charge of the elevator, admitted he left the door open. The floors in the building where the elevator shaft is located are partially dark and the most serious fact is that the elevator was defective, and would rise to the top of the building when not in charge of the attendant. An occupant of the building said: 'The elevator, one of the Kieckhefer hydraulic style, has been out of repair for six months. The elevator people, I am told, promised to repair it, but did not. Still it was continued in use. The elevator man knew of its defects, as he admits having left the door open in order to hear the bell ring.'