Miscellaneous, Room Collapse in Guilford, 1884

Appalling Accident in Guilford

Chenango Union, Feb. 7, 1884

 

As the delegations of Masons from Bainbridge, Unadilla and Oxford were preparing to attend the funeral of the late E.S. Bradley, at his residence in Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], from the rooms of the Ancient Order of United Workman, on the third floor of the Erkson building in that village, on Sunday last, the floor gave way, precipitating over fifty members of the fraternity to the main hall below, a distance of some ten feet.  The scene was at once one of the wildest confusion, for with this struggling mass of humanity was commingled the debris of the demolished floor, together with tables, chairs, desks, and the burning stove and a quantity of wood.

 

For several moments the dense and suffocating atmosphere, arising from the dirt and crumbling plaster, was so great that scarcely anything could be seen.  During this the greatest apprehension prevailed from the fear of fire, and that the second floor might also give way, as it had settled some inches.  As soon as the citizens outside, who responded nobly, could gain entrance, they began caring for the injured.  It was found that no one had been killed, but that several had sustained considerable injuries, and they were conveyed to their homes and to the residences of friends and provided with medical attendance.  Among the injured was Epenetus Winsor, of that place, who sustained a fracture of the lower bone of leg; L.R. Scott, of Bainbridge, returned home, but found to have a fractured leg; Mr. DeForest, of Unadilla, injured internally and dislocated ankle; Charles S. Hyatt, of Unadilla, injured generally; A.R. Brown, of Guilford, Leg seriously injured and burned; M. miller, also of same place, ankle sprained; E.C. Beardsley, of Oxford, injured chest; and a number of others more or less bruised and injured.

 

Considering everything, it was a miraculous escape.  Had the accident taken place the preceding evening, when the lower hall was packed with people in attendance upon Capt. Thomas' entertainment, and the Ancient Order of United Workmen, of nearly the same number of persons, were holding their regular meeting above, more or less loss of life must have ensued. At last accounts the injured were comfortable, and no serious consequences are anticipated.  Mr. Charles S. Hyatt is still at the hotel at Guilford, but is improving and will soon return home.