Wheeling, WV Building Collapse, Apr 1895

A COLLAPSE AT WHEELING.

Wheeling, W. Va., April 9. -- The four story building occupite by T. T. HUTCHISSON, as a saddlery and hardware store, together with the unoccupied building adjoining, collapsed this morning. HUTCHISSON and another were taken from the ruins injured. Five are said to be in the ruins. A house on the opposite side of the alley was badly damaged by the falling walls of the collapsed building.
Three buildings in all collapsed, the HUTCHISSON building and those on either side. The persons in the HUTCHISSON building were buried in the ruins also REV. FATHER PALL, a Catholic priest, who was passing at the time. It is believed all are dead. The ruins caught fire but the flames were quickly extinguished. Search for the bodies is being rapidly pushed. The loss is placed at $200,000.
At noon the following were taken out dead:
REV. FATHER PARK, vicar general.
W. S. PRITCHARD, merchant.
BUCK HANNON, West Virginia.
Those known to be in the ruins and thought to be dead are:
EUGENE PURKE.
ROBT. WINCHER, employes of Hutchisson & Co.
HENRY COWL, Western Union messenger.
WM. CRABBE, cabman.
The injured are:
F. T. HUTCHISON.
E. O. WILLIAMS.
M. J. FORD.
MICHAEL HORAN.
The cause of the accident was defective construction. Part of the ruins are still burning, making the work of rescue difficult.

Winnipeg Free Press Manitoba 1895-04-10
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Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!