FALL OF THE COURTHOUSE
In 1875 the board of supervisors took steps toward the erection of a new courthouse. Henry L. Gay was the architect and W.D. Richardson, the contractor.
From the 23d of June, 1876, the day the corner stone was laid, until Friday, May 11, 1877, the work progressed without interruption. On that day, however, a disaster occurred that not only seriously retarded the progress of the work, but enshrouded the entire community in sorrow and gloom. About half-past eleven o'clock on that day, while citizens were pursuing their usual avocations, a sudden tremor ran through the air, a strange and startling sound rose and spread through the city with a terrible roar, and great clouds of dust darkened the horizon. "Before the people had time to take a second thought," said the Journal of Saturday, the 12th, "the sound swelled to a grinding roar, and all eyes in the vicinity were involuntarily directed to the place of doom.
First a single stone was seen to topple from the apex of the pediment of the main central tower, then the sides of the tower crumbled and fell inward, the front pediment leaped into the air towards State street; a confused roar—a cloud of whitish-yellow smoke—a half dozen men suspended in the air, or clinging to balustrade, or ropes, or cornices, or taking the death leap—and then a crush and cloud followed by a shudder, and afterwards a hush like that of death.
'Good God ! it's the courthouse!' ran from lip to lip along the street. Crowds hurried to the scene, and drew as near to the ruins as possible. It was discovered that all but a portion of the front pediment of the main central tower, dome, or pavilion, had fallen, mostly down through the middle of the building, crushing in its descent much of the inside work of the structure. The debris filled the ground front apartment behind the grand entrance, the northwest and northeast basement rooms, and the central The boiler which fed the two engines was precipitated from the upper floor to the bottom, with the hoisting engine, which was on the same floor. The iron girders were twisted like broom wires, and beams, brickwork, sculptured stones and human bodies were mingled in inextricable confusion. It was known from the first that the loss of life by the disaster must be fearful. The shattered building still threatened death . to whoever ventured near it, and going inside of it under the hanging, riven timbers, and the threatening, shattered walls was a thing of hazard. But men soon ventured inside and began to overhaul the debris. Soon two men were brought out of the main hall on the west side of the building, one with his face badly cut, but able to stand and talk, but the other battered, broken and mashed almost beyond recognition.
Mr. Richardson and Supervisor Latham were on the roof when the tower fell. Mr. Richardson was soon after seen walking on the west wall, whence he calmly gave some orders to the men below. Both gentlemen reached the ground in safety. How they escaped they could not clearly tell. They had but a minute or two before stood upon the portion which fell.
Going into the building and looking up among the broken timbers where the dome had stood. two men were seen up there on the horrible perch. When the tower began to crack and tremble, two colored men and Timothy Flannigan took fearful trapeze leaps over the front. One of the colored men struck upon a pile of coal dust and escaped with but slight injuries. The other colored man caught upon a guy rope and descended safely to the ground; but poor Flannigan fell among the rocks and died soon after his removal.
" As soon as possible gangs of men were organized to work among the rubbish, in search of the buried victims. Body after body was exhumed and removed, some dead and some alive, and others that died upon the grass soon after removal.
"Four horribly mangled corpses were soon laid in the north wing of the old court-house. John Peck was taken to the City Hotel with a leg broken. Young Mr. John Pipe, the son of the Superintendent, was taken out dead and laid in the court-house. Albert Haug, and a colored man, with one leg off, and the body of Timothy Flannigan, were also deposited in the same place. Mr. McInnis was conveyed in a hack to 407 South Fourth street, East Side, and another man to the corner of Court and Wall streets, South Side. Albert Hollenbeck, a worthy South Side man, was known to be dead in the ruins. His little boy, who had come up town on hearing the dreadful news, inquired for his father. Somebody told him that his father was 'all right.' The little fellow went back rejoicing to inform the family, and all the time the husband and parent was crushed and dead beneath the ruins.
The firemen were soon at the scene, and busily working for the recovery of the bodies, under the direction of Chief Lakin. A stream was thrown on to the smouldering fire where the engine had fallen,which was soon extinguished. The firemen then, by the aid of the ladders, rescued two or three men who were clinging to the outer walls of the building, and had fortunately not fallen with the tower. Chief Lakin ascended to the second floor and extricated Augustus Lucas, engineer of the upper engine, and he was conveyed to his home on Court street, where a dislocated hip was reduced by Dr. Burns. Doctors Fitch, Vincent, Richings, and others, treated the other wounded.
The Cause.—The cause of this terrible calamity is easily understood and explained. The square base of the dome or tower was 80 or 90 feet from the ground, and rested in front on the wall over the arched grand portal. The rear part of it projected inside the building and was supported by two iron-fluted pillars, which rested on two columnar projections behind the portal, built of brick. These brick supports crumbled and let down the entire rear portion of the tower, which of course caused the destruction of the entire dome, some of it falling outward over the front, but the -main part pitched over into the interior of the building and demolished much of the inside work, some of the flying rocks shooting clear out of the windows at the rear of the structure.
"A fearful responsibility rests upon someone, a responsibility which will be rightly placed as time progresses.
Crowds from all parts of the city surged in and around the court house; and the police with difficulty prevented them from interfering with the workmen among the debris. All the afternoon they toiled, but the sun went down while yet poor Hollenbeck and Haug remained in the ruins. The wounded men were all properly cared for, and none of them had died at nightfall, though it was stated by the physicians that Peck and Harris, at the City Hotel, would probably die.
"The wife of the man killed, Flannigan, while riding to her home on Charles street, on her return from the terrible scene of her husband's death, fainted and was taken into Thos. Scott's coal office, where she was attended by Dr. Clark, some ladies coming to his assistance, as Mrs. Flannigan was eneiente, and fears were entertained from the result of her great agitation.
" It was a noteworthy circumstance that scarcely a groan, and no out cry escaped the wounded men. They all seemed paralyzed by the terrible shock and uttered not a sound.
"A Thorough Investigation,.—A coronor's jury was impaneled at about four o'clock, consisting of the following well-known citizens: Hon_ S. M. Church, foreman; D. L. Emerson, Geo. Wilson W. 11. Smith, Thomas Butterworth, H. W. Carpenter. A. G. Lowry, J. W. Secconab, Geo. S. Haskell, G. A. Sanford, John R Porter, J. B. Howell.
" An inquest was held on the four bodies recovered at that time and then lying in the old courthouse. The jury then adjourned. to meet this morning at nine o'clock, at the City Council Rooms. The jury will, if possible, ascertain at whose door lies the criminal responsibility for this terrible disaster. Somebody is to blame for the proposed construction of a building which was liable to fall at any moment and crush to death those it was intended to shelter and protect, and it is the duty of this jury to ascertain, if possible, who the guilty parties are, and let the censure rest where it belongs.
"Killed" —Fred Hang, and A. Hollenbeck, still in ruins; John Warren, A. Haug, John Pipe, George Gloss, Timothy Flannigan, bodies recovered.
" Wounded".—August Lucas, hip dislocated and cut on the head; Thos. Hayes, severe cut on the head; Wm. McInnis, slightly; John Peck, leg crushed, dangerously wounded; Geo. Smith, slightly; Hugh Eldridge, slightly cut in the head; Cicero Dickerson, slightly; Hendrez Beldahl, dangerously; Isaac Donelly, slightly; John Donaldson, missing; Frank Harris, badly; — Linholm, badly.
"Some of the wounded are in a critical condition. Of the killed, but two, Hollenbeck and Flannigan, lived in Rockford, the others coining with Mr. Richardson from Springfield.
"Memorial Service.—At a meeting of the pistors of the churches of the city last evening, it was decided to hold public services expressive of the Christian sympathy of the citizens of Rockford with the sufferers in the late calamity at the new court-house, in the Second Congregational Church, to-morrow Sunday) evening, at 7: 30 P. M. Addresses will be made by clergymen and citizens.
"At the close of the services, a collection and subscription will be taken for the benefit of the families of the killed and injured, as it is understood that several of these families will be left in great destitution by the loss of husbands and fathers. It is hoped that a generous contribution will be received at the services.
Thanks for Aid.—Mr. Richardson, the contractor, desires to express his profound thanks to the citizens of Rockford for the prompt and timely aid rendered him at this dire calamity, in rescuing the wounded, and also for the many manifestations of sympathy extended the sufferers.
"Later.—Saturday morning, 6 o'clock.—A large gang of hands were engaged all night in clearing away the debris, but up to this time neither of the remaining bodies have been recovered. This work will be continued during, the day with an increased force."
From, the Sunday edition.—" Many rumors and much gossip have circulated among our citizens since the great disaster happened. Of course, the all absorbing question is, "Who is responsible?" Our yesterday's edi tion gave what we had good reason to think was the truth in reference to an alleged difference of opinion between Mr. Richardson and the building committee in regard to the strength of the building. The statement which we made reflected slightly on the liberality of the Board of Supervisors, and intimated that they had perhaps adhered too pertinaciously to the build ing contract. The committee naturally took umbrage to this view, and have so expressed themselves to us. The JOURNAL has no intention of doing the gentlemen injustice, and has taken pains to get an expression of views from Messrs. Ferguson and Haines, of the building committee, and of the architect, Mr. Gay, as well as of Mr. Richardson. Our reporter met Mr. Gay at the courthouse, in company with E. B. Sumner, Esq., and was introduced by the latter gentleman. The following conversation ensued:
" Reporter—Mr. Gay, have you anything to say through the JOURNAL in regard to this great calamity ? We should be pleased to give you ample opportunity for expression in our columns, if you desire to use them.
" Mr. Gay—I have but just arrived, and until I have secured a thorough investigation, I prefer to give no expression in regard to the matter.
" Reporter—Then you intend to have an investigation?
"Mr. Gay—I do; as thorough an investigation as possible. Until that transpires I am unable to express an opinion regarding the disaster. I am willing to bear the revelations of a thorough investigation. What results therefrom does not concern me nearly as much as the recovery of these dead men from the ruins. My feelings of sorrow for the sad result of the calamity are inexpressible. All other considerations are unimportant to me in comparison to this fearful loss of life and suffering.
" Reporter—Is it true, Mr. Gay, that there has been all along a disagreement between yourself and Mr. Richardson in regard to particulars of construction in the building, or its strength?
" Mr. Gay—No, sir.
" Reporter—Has not Mr. Richardson intimated to you at sundry times that the construction was too weak in parts?
"Mr. Gay—No, sir—you see I have not been here to examine the work since February; and'you know how it was then; everything appeared all right, so far as I could see.
" Reporter—Those brick piers, or columns, were the supports of the iron pillars alcove and the inside wall of the pavilion, were they not, and were they so designed in the plans and specifications?
" Mr. Gay—Yes; they were the supports of that portion of the pavilion, in accordance with the design.
" Further questioning in regard to the cause of failure of these supports was evaded by Mr. Gay, and the conversation was diverted by the approach of Mayor Ferguson, chairman of the courthouse building committee.
" The Mayor began to reprimand the JOURNAL for its statement regarding the attitude of the building committee and the Board of Supervisors, which our representative took with the meekness usual with the craft. Then the following colloquy ensued:
" Reporter—Mr. Ferguson, it has been reported that a difference had all along existed between the building committee, representing the Board of Supervisors, and the contractor, Mr. Richardson, in regard to certain features of the construction, arising from the fact that the contractor desired certain modifications of the original plan so as to make the building , stronger and better.
"Mr. Ferguson—There has not a word passed between the contractor and ourselves in regard to such a matter—not a solitary word. We have not had the least intimation that anything was wrong. We have repeatedly gone over the building with Mr. Richardson, and satisfaction was expressed with the nature and progress of the work by all parties.
• This was the most important part of Mr. Ferguson's statement to us. He further stated, also, that nothing would be done about renewing the work till a meeting of the Board of Supervisors, which would be called immediately. When asked if he thought the construction would go on, he replied that he could not say for certain. All would depend on the action of the Board.
" Mr. Richardson, when approached, was not at all inclined to talk. He said that he was placed in a very trying position, and denied that any disagreement had arisen 'between himself and the Supervisors.
" From our conversation with all the above mentioned parties, we were impressed with the idea that they formed a coterie a good deal more solid than that fatal brick support of the fallen pavilion; that it would take a very pertinacious oyster knife to pry open the shell of "keep mum" in which they had encased themselves. One fact they could not deny. The tower had fallen, and eight lives and a heavy cost to the county were the sacrifice. There was a defect somewhere. It was a significant fact, too, that Mr. Richardson and Mr. Latham had but a moment before the catastrophe been peering about at the now ruined pavilion. Why did they do it Mr. Latham nearly let the cat escape from the bag by his answer to the coroner's inquest, when he said that they were looking to see whether the tower was defective or not.
"It is now quite evident that the blame will be made to rest on the nature of the brick in the supports. It is said that the:, were too soft; and that if they had been as hard as ordinary Milwaukee brick, they would have been sufficiently strong for the purpose. If that were so, it seems as if somebody ought to have known that the brick were too soft. The pending investigation will probably bring out . the facts in the case; at all events, the coroner's jury should sift the matter to the very bottom, so that the truth shall be revealed, if possible. Justice to all parties demands nothing less.
"The toilers in the ruins worked like Titans last night among the debris in the northwest room and in the hallway in the rear of that room, under the direction of Tom Force. At a little past twelve their ghastly labors were rewarded by the discovery of the bodies of Hollenbeck and Haug, down deep under massive portions of the stone-work. A huge stone, about five feet square, lay in a tilted position, one edge resting on the body of Hollenbeck, Haug's body laying across Hollenbeck's legs. Atop of Haug lay a couple of large sculptured stones, of vast weight. Hollenbeck's head lay away under the rock above him, and his arm was stretched out and pinioned between undiscovered rocks. To extricate the body of Hol lenbeck, it was necessary to drill through the tilted stone and break a portion off. Then the body was removed, by separating it from the arm, which latter is still under the rock. Haug's body was jammed and doubled up beyond semblance of a man, but that of Hollenbeck was in tolerable preservation. The bodies were extricated about 5 A. M. Both were deposited in the dead room of the old court-house to await the action of the inquest.
"Harris, who is. at the City Hotel, suffered amputation of his leg at about 11 o'clock. Dr. Vincent performed the operation, assisted by Drs. McAffee, Tibbets, Knight and Hill. The patient is doing well. He lies in a state of stupor, which usually supervenes after amputation. The other wounded men are doing as well as could be expected.
"Latest.—Lindholm, one of the Swedes injured, died last night at 9 o'clock, and Peck, at the City Hotel, died this morning at 12:45, thus making nine persons dead from the disaster. One of the limbs of Harris, also at the City Hotel, is so badly crushed that the physicians have decided on amputation, which will be done this morning. The remaining wounded, so far as we have been able to learn at time of going to press, are doing well.
"The Board of Supervisors will be called together in a few days, to provide for this unlooked for disaster and new complication.
"The funeral of John Peck, the dead man at the City Hotel, will be held today at 10 o'clock, Rev. D. M. Reed officiating. Two sisters of the deceased arrived here from Rochester, Minnesota, this morning.
"The investigation will be.entered upon speedily. The coroner's jury have requested Mayor Ferguson to visit Chicago, and lie will probably go to-night. There he will procure the advice of building experts, and arrange for a thorough investigation."
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Saturday evening the pastors of the several churches met in consultation and arranged to hold memorial services at the Second Congregational Church, on Sunday evening, to give expression to the Christian sympathy entertained by the citizens of Rockford with the sufferers in the terrible disaster. At this meeting, which was a large one, Duncan Ferguson, chairman of the Board of Supervisors, presided. Addresses were made by clergymen and citizens, and a collection taken up for the benefit of the maimed and wounded, and for the families of the killed—several of the families being left in great destitution. It is needless to add that the response was hearty and substantial.
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The inquest and inquiry as to the cause or causes of the disaster was commenced on Tuesday, the lath of May, 1877. A large number of building experts and other witnesses were sworn and examined. Among the former were Messrs. Gay, the architect; Richardson, the building contractor; W. W. Boyington, Augustus Bauer, J. R. Willett, and L. D. Cleveland, the four last named gentlemen being Chicago architects of standing and experience. Twelve days were spent in this investigation. The testimony was very voluminous—too much so to be incorporated in this book, and with an explanatory article from the Rockford Journal of May 19, and the finding of the Coroner's Jury, the subject will be dismissed from these pages.
The Journal said: "Before entering upon a recital of the evidence adduced at the Coroner's inquest in the great court-house case, we will, as plainly as possible, explain the manner in which the fallen pavilion was. supported, and why it fell. All who have seen it are familiar with the appearance of the grand central dome or pavilion of the now dishonored court-house; how it hung aloft over the grand portal, a thing of marvelous grace and beauty; and so absorbed were we all with its growth in symmetry and perfection, day by day, that we never stopped to inquire how it hung there, or how adequate were its supports. (And it has proved that some, whose business it was to think of that, were in a daze, as well.) That marvel of beauty, alas, was no ethereal thing, but had dead weight, pressing upon its supports with a ponderability estimated, with a strange variance in authorities, from 480 to 840 tons. The front, or north half, of the pavilion was supported by the exterior wall of the building, and the arched entrance of the facade. The south side of the pavilion hung away over into the interior of the building on a line with the wall partitioning the front rooms from the vaults next south of them. This south side was supported on two iron columns, 22 feet in height, which rested on a columnar section of wall.
This wall was the regular partitioning wall between the northwest front room and a vault in the rear, as before stated, and was 36 feet in height from the foundation. It was a hollow wall, with twelve inches of brick on one side and eight on the other side of the four inch vacuum. At the point where the iron pavilion supporting pillar stood was a section two feet four inches square, and built up solid. A pilaster, or projection on the vault, or south side, of four inches, was built up with the wall. This section of the wall is what has been familiarly called the "pier," or column. in conversation and reports. It is not properly a column or pier at all, but merely a section of the wall proper. On the top of this section of wall was placed a Joliet capstone, two feet square: on this an iron plate two inches thick. On this pedestal stood the iron column, which reached up to the dome above and feebly held back a doom which the unconscious workmen had been piling up there for months.
The cause of the catastrophe, now, is easily reached. The hundreds of tons of weight in the pavilion simply crushed the brick support underneath, and the fearful crash came. The brick wall was raised its entire height of thirty-six feet without a single bondstone, and though Chicago experts say that if it had been properly constructed it would have sustained the superincumbent weight, Messrs. Richardson and Pipe say that it was entirely inadequate to support the weight put upon it."
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