The Day Two Houses Fell on Their Owners: A Seattle Collapse That Should Have Killed Everyone

An unexpected accident in this city last evening resulted in the serious injury of several persons. W.H. Burrett owned two small dwellings on Columbia Street opposite the Arlington Hotel, which he had raised in the air preparatory to putting a ten-foot story underneath. After the jackscrews were taken out, and before the proper underpinning had been placed underneath, the buildings gave way. And the buildings fell with a crash on top of the workmen beneath.

One of the houses was occupied by James Kelly, stage manager at the Bijou theater, and the other by Austin Taylor and wife. Mrs. Kelly and two children were in one of the houses at the time. Mrs. Kelly escaped with a few scratches and bruises, and the oldest child was also scratched, but the baby was taken out smiling without a bruise. Mrs. Taylor, who was also at home, escaped with a few severe flesh wounds.

Angus Thomas, a carpenter, was taken out from the wreck sadly injured and taken in a wagon to his lodgings. Mr. Dace, another workman, was taken from beneath the wreck in a terrible mangled condition, and conveyed to the Arlington Hotel, where he lay unconscious for several hours. He is married and has been in Seattle but a few days. His injuries are considered very serious. Another workman whose name could not be learned was seriously injured. He was conveyed at once to the hospital.

Mr. W. Burrett, who raised the buildings, made the following statement: 'I had a contract for raising both buildings, and had them at the required height three days ago. About fifteen minutes before the accident I had taken the last jack screw from under the building, and one of the men was engaged in removing the blocks when the building came down. Frank Hall had the contract for the carpenter work, and I told him that the buildings were not safe and that he should put some braces under them. He turned and ordered his men to brace up the buildings, and walked away. A few minutes later THE WHOLE BUSINESS CAME DOWN with a terrible crash. I had just stepped out from under, and am thankful I am alive. Mr. Hall should have seen that the building was properly braced before he left.'

Frank Hall, the contracting carpenter, was seen shortly after the accident, but he was too much rattled or excited to know much. In fact, he DID NOT KNOW ANYTHING. He had forgotten the names of his workmen, did not know how many were hurt, nor the nature of their injuries, and in fact, knew about as little as a sane man could and still be considered conscious.

There is a great MORAL TO BE DRAWN from this accident. If the fire limit ordinance is strictly enforced, similar occurrences may be averted. The great wonder is that every occupant of those houses, as well as every workman underneath, was not killed. A number of suits for damages for injury to limb and loss of property are talked of. At any rate, the proper authorities should cause an investigation to be held, so that the blame may rest where it properly belongs.