Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2024 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ =========================================================================== Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== Michigan Argus October 10, 1879 THE ADRIAN DISASTER During the progress of the Lenawee county fair at Adrian on Thursday, the grand stand gave way while about 2,000 people were seated upon it and a large crowd in the spaces beneath. It gave way first in the center, then the front fell outward to the track and the back fell in the opposite direction into the river. Six persons were killed and their bodies cov- ered with debris. Their names were: M. M. MERCK, a German; Mr. JOHN HUBBARD of Jasper; a boy named HYDE, about 12 years old; a boy named MOSHER, about the same age; DAVID PLUMADORE of Petersburg, Monroe county, aged 18; WM. MULZER aged about 12. About 150 others were found to be more or less injured, some of them fatally. The calamity was followed by a scene of indescribable excitement and confusion. Prof Maclean of the University, Prof. Wyman of the Detroit medical college and sundry other eminent surgeons were tele- graphed for. Supt. Curtis of the Lake Shore road telegraphed at once proffering aid. The loss of life by the Adrian calamity on Thursday was greater than first reported. The following were added to the list Friday: MATTHEW JOHNSON, a Dane, whose home is at Attica, Ohio, and who worked for a Dover farmer named Clemerson, died Thursday night. ACHIEL HENDERSON, 70 years of age, Plumb River, Jo Davis county, Ill., died during Friday night. HENRY HART died at 5 o'clock Friday morning. A boy named WILLIE HALL is reported dead Friday. R. R. HUME of Medina died Friday night at the Central House. IRVING POWERS, of Madison, died Friday. REUBEN FERGUSON of Rome, aged 45, also died Friday. The list of wounded is also greater than first reported and other deaths are expected. The following jury was impaneled by Coroner R. B. Hause; Samuel Tingley, John G. Mason, Martin P. Stockwell, Zachariah Cook, W. H. Walby, Brackley Shaw - all highly intelligent and fair- minded men. Charles R. Miller, Esq., appeared for Mr. Lawrence, owner of the grounds, who is too ill to attend, and who is reported to have become insane in consequence of the calamity. Pros. At'y W. A. Under- wood appeared to assist the coroner; he said the re- sponsibility of the disaster was one of the things to be determined, and that must be done by the jury. Seth Bean, Esq., appeared for the architect who made the designs and specifications for the building, C. F. Sizer. The investigation will last several days. No additional deaths were reported Saturday, but the list of wounded was swelled by fuller reports to nearly 300. The coroner's inquest was continued and witnesses examined as to the plans and manner in which the grand stand was constructed. Mr. Ephraim Armstrong testified that he took the contract from W. T. Lawrence; it was in writing. The plans and specifications were produced. The stand was to be 28 by 100 feet in size, the lower floor to be divided by one partition, to make the din- ing room 80 x 28, pool rooms 20 x 28. There were to be five sills running lengthwise building, 8 x 8, and six running crosswise, same size, all well framed and pin- ned together. Joists 2 x 8, 16 inches from centers, covered with No. 2 florring, well nailed with 18 p. nails. Posts on back side to run from sill to plate 6 x 8, 10 feet from centers. Center of post 8 x 8 run- ning up to girder 12 feet high, girdle 8 x 8 running the length of building to support carriage for seats; lower story posts to center section 10 feet from cen- ters; alternate posts 6 x 6 from girdle to purline plate, post to be 20 feet from centers. Mr. Armstrong testified that in constructing the grand stand he followed the specifications except that in some cases he used larger timbers and more nails than the contract called for. Mr. Isaac Mosier, a carriage maker of Adrian, testi- fied that he and others examined the stand on the Sun- day before the accident and noticed that there was neither mortise nor tenon, no bracing to amount to any- thing in the construstion of the stand; the large tim- bers were toe nailed together; there was one timber, a joist, that seemed to have been made for something else, it was sliced; there were no collar beams in the roof. One more death occurred Saturday. MR. CHAS. WINANS, formerly a well-known commercial traveler for Toledo and Chicago houses, but who for some months past has resided with his father in Adrian. His neck was dis- located by the accident, but he lingered until Saturday morning. The funeral of MR. HENRY HART which occurred at Adrian Saturday, was one of the largest attended affairs of the kind which has ever taken place in that city. Special trains were run from Toledo and Hillsdale bringing hun- dreds of people to attend the obsequies and view the scene of the catastrophe. The deceased was widely known through the state and much respected wherever known. Prominent citizens from every portion of Michigan were present. One of the victims was LUM LAY, a Chinaman, who had a leg broken. It was amputated Monday but the patient soon after died. The inquest at Adrian continued on Monday. Mr. E. R. Armstrong testified that M. Sizer stayed about 15 min- utes on the ground when he "inspected" the building. C. F. Sizer testified that after consulting Mr. Law- rence he left out certain braces which were in the Toledo grand stand, to make more room. These plans are mine and Mr. Lawrence's; he expressed himself well satis- fied with these; he wanted me to make the plans for a cheap and safe building. W. T. Lawrence testified that he told Mr. Sizer he could not have the job of building unless he was the lowest bidder. ===========================================================================