The Courier-Journal from Louisville, Kentucky • Page 1

VOLUME LXXV. HEWS AND COMMENT. TEZ WEATHIR- Indications lor Kentucky tight local showers, slightly wanner with southerly winds. Tlie death of William D. Kellry re-knoves a familiar and attractive figure from public life.

There wai no equivocation in his politic. He wm a Pennsylvania Protectionist, iron-clad and ease-mated, and he didnt care who knew it Though not college-bred, he was a student ar.4 scholar, and had made himself a graceful speaker and; ah effective debater. In private life, lie was genial, kindly and generous, the Jiie and sou! cf all good companies, and loved by all who knew him. lie passes from the seene, with length of days in the land and full of honors, and his death will be sincerely mourned by many who agreed with him in nothing except in his irixxl heart. A.

accident in the rivet opposite Louisville resulted in the less 'of fourteen lives shortly liefore 6 o'clock yesterday afternoon. Eighteen tnen were in a caisson under thirty feel of water, at, on the proposed Louisville and Jefrersonrille bridge, when, owing to the ignorance or carelessness of tlie pins-master," the caisson sudden-ly filled with water and sand, and the men were instantly submerged- Only lour suce-eced in lighting their way up the ladder and escaping, the others Bve white and nine colored suffering almust immediate death. A very full account of the horrible affair is given fcy the Courier-Journal. The nomination of Calvin S. Brlce was a foregone conclusion.

Much nonsense las pursued the candidacy of this gentleman. It is true tli.it he is a rich man but he is also meritorious man, undoubtedly able and entirely self-made, lie is a Democrat and Chairman of the CN.itioDal Lemocratio Committee. Hit election is in no way a discre-lit to the Democrats of Ohio, but a credit, and will certainly strengthen the party at large. If the Courier-Journal had had A Tote in the caucus at Columbus it would have given it to him, and he has our hearty congratulations on the success of his perfectly laudable and reasonable ambition. Attorney General Miller, in response to a Senate resolution, denies that his 'department sent any instructions to District Attorney, Chambers at Indianapolis, regarding the case of Col W.

W. Dudley. Of course. Nobody supposed that any official instructions from his Department had been sent, and the Republicans of the Senata were very particular to change Senator Voorhees limiting it to an unnecessary inquiry on that point. Such a denial liue not touch the merits of the case in the least, and is only a piece of pettifogging quibbling Which will deceive no oue and command no The Courier-Journal Las contained considerable matter lately called forth by the Governor's message, and adds still anotlier contribution this morning la the reply of Mr.

Milton II. Smith. Vice President of tlie Louisville and Nashville road. It is hardly neces-rary to say that the document is not only an able bat a readable one. Among the first nominations made by President Harrison were tho-e of J.

R. G. Pitkin, Sty dear Pitkin," of Louisiana Eeturning Board notoriety, to be Minister to the Argentine Republic The Beuate, after thinking over the matter since last spring, has finally swallowed the. pill and "confirmed the apiointmcnt. The appointments of the following named Kentucky Postmasters have been confirmed by the Senate: C- Wat-kins Owensboro W.

F. Wetkins. Williamsburg; X. A. Crow, Franklin T.

A. llavis, Maysvilie; W. F. Mitchosson. Princeton S.

D. Van Felt. Danville, and Mr. P. T.

Courts. Stanford. The Courier-Journal's Old Fogy" is hack in Washington, where he spends his winters, and a letter in the Courier-Journal this morning shows that the fine old gentleman docs not intend to neglect his Kentucky friends during his absence. It is first of a scrips which he will contribute to the paper. The Democratic Legislative eanens, to Humiliate a candidate for State Librarian, met in the hall of the Horn; last evening.

Four ballots were taken without decisive result, when filibustering tactics compelled an adjournment until this afternoon. The Jefferson-Florence Combination is an enurmous success. Is appearance in Ha. city is an event There was never anything -seen under the roof of Ma-eauicy'a Theater quite as inspiring as last night's performance. The Cumberland-river Improvement Association met at Somerset, yes-t tcrday.

Letters indorsing the objects of the assemblage were read from Gov. Luckner and teveral Congressmen. Trouble is liable at any moment to break out between England and Portugal, and a very large fleet of English wit vessels is assembling at Zanzibar ready foe action. The wails of a Presbyterian church in fell on a tenement house. five inmates and wounding several I'Jt.

The Srmed the nomination jf Dr. C. J. Ws to be Pension Agent at Loumi'lc. Senator Wilson has been nominated for re-election the Bvniccraua Lcgiv iature of Maryland- 4 A TRAP.

Terrible Catastrophe On the Jefferson-xille Bridge. Fcnrteen Caisson Workers Blotted Oat of Existence In As Many Instants. The Caisson of Pier No. 5 Submerged With 18 Men In Its Bowels. Four Escape, Leaving the- Rest to An Awful End Thirty Feet Btlow the Water's Surface.

Gang-Boss John Knox and Lock-Tender Robl Baldwin Blamed Fcr the Accident The Former Drowned With Ills Companions, But the Latter Surtiior. Statements of the Foot Men Who Came Out of the Jaws of Death. Incidents About the Scene of Disaster, and Explanation of How It Happened. Nine of the Lost Men Colored, and the Kemainder White La-- borer. "WHAT BALDW1X 8AY8.

Fourteen human Uvea were hurried into eternity by an accident where pier number five of the Louisville and Jeffer-aonville bridge ia being constructed, at the foot of Towhead Island, opposite Campbell street, this city, at 5 :40 o'clock hist evening. Eighteen men were in a caisson, at the river bottom, excavating the aand for the foundation! There was a whurr of escaping air, a surging of water between the edges of the caisson and the sandy bottom, a wild scramble of the men to escape and, in less time than it. takes to U-U it, all except four of the workmen found watery graves in a trap from which there was no exit. Culpable negligence on the part of the gang-master, himself a victim, was the cause of the fearful tragedy, the statements of the four men who escaped alive from the air chamber are true. These statements are corroborative of each other.

They also attach a part of the blame to the underlocker, whose place it was to have been in the caisson, but; who was on the outeide. and escaped unhurt. The contract for the caisson or under water work was let by the Louisville and Jefferson ville Bridge Company a few months ago to Sooy smith constructing engineers and contractors. of Sew York City. Two weeks ago that after six weeks' of preparatory work, began to excavate at the bottom of the river on the Indiana and Ken tucky sides at the same time.

The work on the Kentucky side just below the foot of Towhead Island, on what Is to be the fifth pier, counting iro'ui the Indiana side. The location of this pier is across the channel separating the Kentucky shore from the island, about 3 SO feet out lrom the mainland. J. E. Willard, of New York, is superin tending all the work for Sooy smith and C.

P. Mitchell, ol Kansas City, is his assistant All told, nearly a hundred men are employed on tho pier work where the accident occurred. But these are divided into squads, day and niht being alike utilized in pushing the construction. A large number of men are employed in operating the machinery on the pressure boat, which furnishes the air for the caisson where tha subterranean del vers burrow down into the river bed to reach a solid foundation far the pier. Others work on the coffer-dams above the caisson, in co-operation with those below, taking out the dirt and sand.

But the largest portion is composed of men who go down into the air chamber and are called caisson workers." These numl er between fifty and sixty, and are divided into three squads. Each of thee saua3. or ganjs, is under a who goes down into the caisson with tha workmen and directs the MTU I III I I II imlLSi I I I Hi 1 1 1 Kl II I.I in 1 LOUISVILLE, FRIDAY MOIENTNG, kyW Xyy laborj For each art there is, also, an npfer and" a er lock-tender, whose duty it is to the locks car doors to the air shaft th ugh which the work men descend sn4 ascendi The gangs take it turn about ia the cabson. They work four hours and then lay off eight, putting in one-third of the twenty-four hours, for which the men receive two dollars a day At 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon; the men under the charge of John Knox, descended into the air-chamber, to take the place of the outgoing gang. The men all mounted a ladder to the top of the air-shaft, which reaches about fifteen feet above the level of the coffer-dam.

Then they passed down through the open door at the top of the shaft to the lower door, thirty-two feet further down. This door led into the caisson. While the upper door was open the lower, door, by the pneumatic arrangement, waa closed, thus preventing the escape of the air from the caisson beneath. When the lower door was opened the upper door automatically dosed, pre venting the escape of the air from the shaftb One by John Knox and his men descended the shaft into the caisson. Those who went down, in to Knox, were Frank Mahar, James McAd-ama.

W. Elliots Haynes and Patrick Kay-lor. white; and Thomas Johnson, Monroe Bowling. Frank So per, Abe Taylor, Thomas Ash. Frank Haddox, James Morrill.

Hamilton Morris, Bobert Tyler, Charles Chiles, Thomas Smith. Joseph Gordon and Lewis Couch, colored. re vorKa ftcm the The lower lock-tender of the gang was Robert Baldwin. The apper lock-tender was Michael Wahut. It was Baldwin's duty to be in the caisson, imme-niediatcly ot the lower door, to guard it during the process of settling.

Knox's wucknvn had been at work for about an hour and a half, shoveling the sand on one side at the edge of the They, were preparing to lower the" caisson on that side, and Knox gave the order to do so. Baldwin should have been down at the lower door! but, the survivors ay, ho was not. Knox saw this, but. thought it would be all right to go ahead settling the eaifson. When this is done the lower door, connecting the air- chamber in which the workmen were and the shaft leading above, should always be closed.

When the settling began it DTAtlUX OF was Knox called out to Baldwin, who was outeide, at the top of l.it shaft, to come ut before B'U'iwin did soj Knox began, to settle the caisson on the side where 'the excavation had beea made. The pressure of the water began to force the air- out. The dorrs- opened downward, swinging jdu hinges. The lower door which should hive been swung downward, open. Without heeding the fact that Bui twin was not at his post.

Knox settled the caisson. Baldwin, at the upper or. tried to manipulate the escape, and stard to come down. The opening of the upper door which held the compressed air In. gave it an exit.

With the resisting force ot the air gone; the water surged) ia. -index the bottom edges of the caisson, and mounted rapidly, submerging the men. Four of hem Louis Conch. Abe Taylor, James Morrill and Frank Hoddox all colored who were nearest the door, scrambled through Into the shaft. Then the rising water carried the door up with it and closed it.

The other fourteen men were eaught in the deluge below like rats ia a full sewer. Couch. Taylor, MorriU and Haddox TEE BRIDGE AS IT WILL BE WHEX OOXFLETEXX' mounted the ladder to the upper door and made their way half drowned. In the meantime Walsh, the upper lock-tender, had seen what was up and the alarm had spread to the other workmen above the water, but they were pow erleaa. The caisson had not been properly managed, and death was not to be averted for those below.

Superintendent Willard and his assistant, Mr. Mitchell, were on the spot in a few nunnenta and immediately, a large force of men were put to work trying to force air; by the means of the great pressure machinery, into the caisson, so that the lower door might he opened. But up to the hour of going to press this had not been accomplished. There were great hopes that the lower door might be forced open quickly, for the engineer in charge said he believed there waa still air left in the caisson, and that some of the men might be alive. Ue argned that there must he air In the caisson, the pressure of which, held the lower door closed.

But so far his theory has not had a test, owing to. the inability to get the lower door open. Bapidly the news of the fearful dis- sore aster sr -d, and soon there were hun- I eiecwiciiy. me bottom of the eais-dreds of people flocking to the sseBe.4S0,l to" under a 1 But among then all, there were few? or no relatives ot the unfortunate All except two of the victims had come here within a few weeks past; and had left their families behind them. All of the colored men lived at Henderson, and were sent here by labor contractors, James Gorman and Patrick Conntrs, of Henderson, to work on the new bridge.

The white men were from as many different point as they numbered. There was the greatest excitement Each of the men who escaped alive was surrounded by a morbidly curious mob as soon as be reached the shore, which could only be done by skiff, and each detailed the tale of horror again and again. A large squad of police were soon on THE CAI8SOX. hand, preventing those who had no but incss from crossing or blockading the way. None except fhose engaged at the work en the coffer-dams and.

pressure boat were allowed to land on them. Soon the awful news waa circulated in the city, and the newspaper telephones were kept busy until midnight, answering calls of curious people. Coroner Miller was early on band, but, as none of tlie bodies had b-n recovered, there was nothing for him to do but wait; and gather the namea of witnesses, who would be wanted when the caisson was finally compelled to give up the dead. Is ia about 200 Tarda from Fulton street, the. first above the river, at its intersection ot Campbell, down to the landing place.

The path Is over and around piles ot lumber, galleys and ra Tines, yciia. spite at the aire and FOOT OF I 'ft i ZIZZZIZ JAXUARY 10, 1890. TEN PAGES. darkness there was a continual stream of people going up. and down through the weeds on the steep declivity, until late this meriting.

List of the Lost. wniTX. JOHN KXOX. twenty-eight years, single, Louisville. FIUXK MAIIAU, twenty-three years, single.

Newark. N. J. JAMES MeADAMS. twenty-six years, single, Hyde Park.

Pa. TATEICK NAYLOB, twenty-seven years, single, Philadelphia. Pa. 'WILLIAM E. HAYXES.

forty years. y-arried. 214 Clay street, Louisville. "i TliOHAS JOHNSON, thirty -married. Henderson.

Ky. THOMAS ASH. forty years, married. Henderson. Ky.

FRANK SOPEB. twenty-five years, married, Henderson. Ky. MONROE BOWLING, thirty-five years, married, Henderson, Ky. JOSEPH GORDEN.

twenty-six years, single. Henderson, Ky. HAMILTON MORRIS, twenty years, ingle, Henderson, Ky. CHARLES CHILLS, thirty Tears, single, Henderson. Ky.

ROBERT TYLER, sixteen years, single. Henderson. THOMAS SMITH, twenty-seven years, married. Henderson. Ky.

List of the Saved. The following colored men escaped LEWIS COUCH, twenty-four years, single, Henderson, Ky. ABE TAYLOR, twenty-five years, single, Henderson, Ky. FRANK HADDOX. twenty-eix years, single, Henderson, Ky.

JAMES MORRILL, twenty-eight years, single, Henderson, Ky. HOW THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED, The TBicavaOoa Below the Caisson Ha Beea Hade To Deep, nasi the Oatside Pressure Was Too Great. Exactly how the sad accident occurred is not exactly known, but it is supposed to be due to the inexperience ot Gang-boss John Knox, who perished within the caisson. The caisson ia built of 1 2x1 2-inch timbers and is, perhaps, forty or fifty feet long, by eighteen twenty feet wide. As the work of excavating goes on below, the caisson baUt from the top and gradually sunk.

The space in which the men work is seven or eight feet high is lighted face of the water. The water and sand are kept out by the heavy pressure of compressed air. The shaft through which ingress and egress is made extends from the top of the caisson to the space in which the men work. This shaft is circular and is, perhaps, three feet in diameter. Iron cleats are fastened to the sides, forming a ladder.

On the top and bottom of the shaft or lock are two doors. These are kept closed by the pressure ot the air and can not be opened unless the pressure is shut off. When the upper lock is open the lower one is closed, and can not be opened until the upper one is shut. It seems that an additional piece of shafting was being placed in position when the accident occurred. The upper door was consequently opened.

Gang-boss Knox had charge of the excavation, and had more saud removed than he should have done. Ordinarily, a trench is dug on the inside of the caisson Vj th depth of abouj, six inches. This excavation is usually, made about a foot and a half insido the shoe ot the caisson. Knox hud only taken charge of the shift on and had the ditch excavated to a depth of eighteen inches, and only six inches from the shoe. When he- had the air pressure slackened to allow "the caisson to sink, the outside pressure ot sand and water was so great that the caisson was tilled in an instant.

The force of the water was so great that it shot up through the supply pipe to a height of fully one hundred leet. The release of the air pressure caused the bottom lock to open, and the imprisoned men made a wild dash for the ladder. Abe Taylor was the first one to reach the ladder, and was on top in an ins stent. Ue was quickly followed by Louis Couch. James Murray came next, and quickly ascended the ladder.

Frank 11 add ix waa the last one to escape, and came near sacrificing his life. Before he could reach the ladder the sand and water had reached his waist, and he had great trouble in extricating himself. "Hominy Morris succeeded in grappling hold of the ladder, and had his head in tlie lock when the water rose over his head and carried hinv down. The cries am! praycra of the poor unfortunate men could be plainly heard as the water rose over their heads, and they were lest, to the world forever. The whoa? accident occurred in a few seconds; and the fourteen men mus have bees t'rowncd simultaneously.

THE LAST MAM OUT. Narrow Escape of Frank add ox, Who Is Almost Prostrated Front the Shock Kecei-rcd. Frank Haduox. the last man to waa nearly prtra ted from the shock, and was lying in bed in his room at iFaltoa ai.d iH To a Courier-Journal reporter he said "We were working about thirty feefr under the water, and John Knox, the gang boss, had us -dig the ditch about eighteen, inches deep, add only sitf inches Inside the 'shoe. He had only been on since Monday, aiid I do not believe he knew mncn about the work." Generally the ditch is made about six inches in depth, and is fully a foot and a half from the shoe.

When Knox shut off the pressure the water and sand eame up and the door opened. We saw in a second that we must get out in an instant, and all made a dash for the shaft. The first one, to reach the ladder was Abe fell down once, but Jumped -up and was the first one out. Louis Couch came second and Jim Murray quickly followed. It was all a scramble and all tried to get into the shalt at the same tim9.

1 was the last one to reach the ladder, and by the time I had grappled hold ot it the sand and water had risen to my waist and almost pulled me back. As-1 was climbing up the ladder I saw the head ot liammy" Morris. He had hold ot the ladder, and. his head was in the shall. The sand and water rose over his head, and he was lost to sight.

All the men in-the eaissoa began praying and crying what would become of their families. It could not have been tea seconds, but it seemed an age after the water began- to enter-until I reached the top." t. But little more than this could be obtained from Haddox, as he waa almost prostrated, and very weak lrom the shock he had THE. CAISSON. Explanation of the Diagram of the Construction Which Incloses tho Lost Me a.

The following is an explanation of THE A the eut giving a diagram of the caisson's construction A Air Caisson! Coffer-dam. Derrick stand. Pressure-house. The air shaft 1s situated in the center ot the caisson, and is constructed of heavy boiler plate firmly riveted together. The shaft is three feet In diameter, and extends fifteen feet above the surface the river.

The top of the caisson, is sunk about, fifteen, feet below the bed of the river. The caisson is constructed of very heavy timber, so it will stand the pressure that is against it, and is twenty-one by fifty feet and seven feet deep. The top ot the caisson is about two feet less in length and width than the bottom, as the angle is given to it so the earth and sand. will hold it down. When the caisson is placed in position a cofferdam is built around it to prevent the current displacing it.

The coffer-dam is sunk to the bed of the river, and is 100 feet long and fifty feet wide. The pressure-bouse is supplied with a double air-feeding engine, which supplies air to the men at work in the caisson. At the depth the men were working a pressure of twenty-two snd half pounds of air to the inch was used in the caisson. The pressure of air ia used to prevent the sand under the edges of the caisson from caving in and letting the water enter. The pressure is increased as the depth continues, as the outeide pressure increases.

At the foot of the air shaft, a compartment about twenty feet long is the air chamber or lock, which is used by the tnon enterirjf tlie caisson. The aien wishing to enter the cobson are compelled to enter (his chamber. Durins the tiiuo when men are at work the lower trsip door is kept closed by tlie nrtssure of air that is i the raissnn. The top door, which is exactly like tlie lower door, is always open when the iower one is closed. These trap doors tit perfectly and are air tight, and open from the liottom.

On cnterirtx to air chamber, tho top lock ni.vicr a cock which lets tho air rush out of the enksoo into the air chamber or lock. After the air comes to a treisure of thirteen pounds it causes the top uoor to cicwe as the air forces it Into pufcijion When tho pressure reaches eighteen pounds tle lower trap door winc bnck, and the the rntnece to the caisson Is ckar. After entering the caisson the lower lock master turns a Tower cock from the main pipe, ortd at tjijjtanietinie closed the lower Alter the door is closed the pressure is turned eff when the top door dmps down. At a point lietwecn the main air-shaft and tlie end is a smaller shaft two and one-half feet in" diameter, ned for removing the excavations. It Is workfd on the same principle as tlie one.

with tlie exreptioo. that tjie doors are ckfccr together. The excavation is hoisted by iv sieam dirriek that is on the derrick foundation to the left in the 'In tiriUnt tlie caion after the exoavation is luade-iinder the 1 tlie pressure of th air is re- 4 .1.. inb IlllCeu. WUICU WUP When they were ready to sink the caisson yesterday, the lock-tender, in at.

temptlnff to reduce the pressure, turned it off altogether; and as soon as the 11 NEW prtMnre was off the water bun in, and. at the sbme time, the iower door dropped out ot portion, as there was no pressure in the caisson to hold it up. MR. WILLARD TALKS. The General "Manager of the Bridge Construction Work Gives His View of the Aceideat.

Mr. J. E. Willard, the representative ot Sooysmith Jc who has charge ot all the work, was seen by a Courier-Journal reporter about two hours after the accident. In company with Superintendent Mitchell, who had immediate supervision ot pier No.

5, he was directing the work of attempting to open the caisson. Mr. Willard was very courteous, and while he was greatly dis-tr-ssed at the terrible less of life, answered all questions freely. Were you here at the moment ot the accident? lie was asked. "No, 1 was at n-y office, over tire on the shore But I came here a few minutes What is your idea of how it occurred I can only surmise.

At the other end of the- coffer-dam from the air-shaft, there Is another shaft. That is the one through which the" large excavating bucket paases up and down. IB 8HATT. When lowered to be filled the bucket should reach to within a toot and a halt of the caisson. It was Knox's duty to see that the space1 beneath this bucket should be kept cleaned out well, so that when the caisson was settled, or lowered, the bucket wauld not strike the ground.

I think Knox failed to have this cleaned, and when lie settled the caisson down the bucket was forced up, so that the air-in the chamber could escape. With the pressure of the air, that held it Inck. Bone, the water eame all around under the edges of the cais son, and filled the chancier, can account for it in no other way." Then ticre must have been negli-c-x on. Gangmaster Knox's part? I can not say that. It it is as I surmise, yps.

But there must have Jeu on some one's par, or tlto accident could never have happened." -Was Knox a competent man?" We en.ploy only those we believe to he competent. The duties are simple. I have temjn rules to be followed, such as govern all eaissoa work, and if everyone hal done his duty tlie re would have been no accident." Mr. Willard then directed Mr. A.

T. Potter, the time-keeper, who resides in Jetlerson ville. to give whatever information he could. Mr. Potter had checked each man as he went down in the caisson at 4 o'clock.

He furnished a list ot the names. I am positive that they are all down there dead, except the four negroea whose names you have as escaping. he said. HOW THE MEN TA'-K. Accusations Openly Hade That the Caisson Was Improperly Coast rac ted.

All along the river front at the foot ot Campbell street knots or men were gathered bete and there last night, all with their eyes bent In tlie direction of tlte scene of tlie accident. Most of these men were employes of tlie bridge contractors, and have liclpcd build bridges in every section of the United States. Of course, the topic of conversation was tie accident, which by the merest; chance did not happen on their shift, and thus they were spared to pursue their perilous avocation, probably to u.ett death sooner or later, aa their companions had out there in the river. Ai.tuiUistiindiug the solemnity of tlie occasion tlie men would Joke each other. Now and then one of them, would recite some characteristic of a friend kciKu to be amony the victims.

One exelaimed Poor Shorty I he -was a streat kicker in life, but he baa kicked his last time-r At this they ail in a hearty laugh. When the construction of the caisson, and the means uacd to prevent accidents, were mentioned tlto liroas of the men darkened, and of discontent were heard. The bolder one. were heard to aesers tliat the caisson was not properly constructed rum the first: and that pmpi-r care was no taken to prevent accidents. Injuries to men, they said, hap-prnrd nearly every day.

and this was corohorated ny a number who were walking around with their bandaged arms in SERIES NO. itt5" nd their heads tid up. Tbtv said they were hurt whiie at work in Uie caia-on. and their eompanions bore them out in their assertions. Lewis Couch, one of the men who escaped, said that the trench, three deep, which had Just been completed when the accident occurred, was of an.

usual aepth: and he regarded it as. ia a great measure, the cause of the accident. Couch has encaci-d ir. tlua-work lor many years, and it wculd "irppenr that his opinion is worth something. It waa also stated that a number of experienced workmen had left a short time ago, pronouncing the caisson a deathtrap, and refusing to go down into rt.

CHARGES OF CARELESSNESS. Assertions That the Lamentable Aceideat Was Caused Directly By Neg-leet-Ualdwia's Defease, At midnight all the men that eaulJ find standing room about tle eaissoa were still at work trying to do something tor the relief of the men boned beneath them. But their efforts appeared' to be effecting very little, aa tlie same thing was being done at 12 o'clock as three hours before. This work is a continuous pumping of air into the lower secUoa of the caisson to force the water back, or rather, to keep it from coming in. This was being done in the hoje that some, it not all.

the men were alive. With this view the work ke on. and. an outsider, the release of the imprisoned men appeared as retnoto at midnight as it did five minutes after the accident. Much grumbling was to be heard from some of tlie men who were fort una to enough not to be in the caisson whea the accident hapieiied.

They say they are experienced in this land of work, and tliat the accident was the result of caitlessness. It was Mreelr chur-ed among uieia tliat the bua i the was Orunk at tlie time; and that the lock-tender. lCobert iialdwin. was not attending to his duties, it is Uie duty ol this tender to he. on the lookout accidents, and when anything goes wrong to signal the men below to cvtne out, and, also, to manipulate the traps so that the men can get through tlietu.

Lewis Couch, colored, one of the four who escaped, boldly asserted last evening that the lock-tender did not signal to the men when tlie signs of the approaching accident made thur appeur. ance, and that the locks were not t.p-erly arranged, nor was Baldwin insight when he came out of tlie lower imitiu of the caisson. Couch's description of the scene when the lock was closed, and the poor victims found thair only exit cut off and death staring them in the face, was vivai and inipn-Mi ve. He said he could plainly bear them piteousiy crying for help; and as the water quickly ascended to their heads he couki their last struggles lor breath as the water tilled their OUiers, he said, perhaps from experience in such places, apeared to know that there was no chance for their escape, and began to pray; and many or them went down under the water with an apiieal for mercy on their hps. Tnere much indignation expressed toward Robert Kaluwin, tiie luck-tender, and it was the general opinion tliat he was much to blame, not lur the actfidcut, but for nut being in his place give Uie signals aud assist the iuea ta get out.

So bitter was this teeling that tjcre was some talk of actually mobbing him. Ikddwin waa beard to talk of the last evraio. aud said that- Urn could not-possibly have done more than he did to rescue tlie men. He asserted that he Was at his pt' He lavs tiie blame on the Imjss of tlie ganr," who, he says, should have iiutilie-l him wlen he was redv to lower the caissou, which, he says, is the unvarying eusbim in sued eases. He claims have signaled the men, but the locks being made of wtxxl were min-couduetors of sound, and the men could not hear tlie raps.

LEWIS COUCH'S STATEMENT. He Tells How lie and Ills Coaapaa ioa Made Their Escape From the Caisson. Lewis Couch, colored, twenty-four years of age, and one of the aurvivnrs of the calamity, made the following statement: I only went to work there this afternoon. Thomas Smith; Charles Chiles, Joseph Gorden; all colored, and myself came up from Henderson, lasMiiplit on tlie 3:55 train. All ot us hud had considerable experience in tliat kind of work, having been etuplojed on the Henderson bridge.

We were Id red by Jim Gorman and Pat Carney, the labor Contractors, who gave us employment at We worked oh what is called change watch, four hours at a time. We begun work at 4 in the afternoon and staid in tlie caisson until 8 o'clock in the evening, the other half beginuing at 4 o'clock in the mora-lug and continuing unttl 8. We were in more or less danger all the time we were in tlie caisson, aud for our work we received t- per day for eight hours' work. Promptly at 4 o'clock," he continued. we went down and all started to work.

The caisson was sunk three feet, and we' called to Robert Baldwin, the lock-tender, to come inside. John Knox, the gang-boss; spoke to Baldwin, but he would ndt wait for the In tier, who waa on his way, to -reach the inside. Baldwin was on top, but belore lie could work the lock, asot turnevi off the air, snd lowered tlie caisson sull lurtiier. Immediately alter the ailing of the caisson water begun to pour in, and 1 saw that most of us Would lve our lives. It waa but a lew seconds lirfnre the caisson waa entirely filled with water.

My God, save me I heard one of the men exclaim, hut I eoukl render hita no assistance, and in the mxt lie was submerged. Auc ijyJ-ir was near the door of the riwroon. umi when the water first ruhed upon us ay lor made his escape- I was near Taj lr, I auiekJv followed him. 1 he witcr was then up to iny shoulders. I r.ink Haddox ami Jina Morrill w-ere just be hind me, aud they were pulled nt more dead than alive, 'lhe waier entirely covered them, and I had piven them up ior lost.

When I reac.h'-d the i. Superintendents ami Mitchell were ttanding there; and tbr aeked me if the men were drowned. When we one reached the outnide we endeavored -o Fave our comp-ininn-. bfit cjuwh was then entirely filled with waicr. It was a sad Mnlit to -e tiinse men in the water, but there was no hope for them, for they were penned In, and thrr? was no I don't know who to blame, unless tiie aecident was due to tlit incspt-rtence of the men who were working it." WALSH'S STATEMENT.

The Tender or the I'pper Lock GItcs Ills Version of the AccideaU Michael Walsh, who is the outaide lock-tender, was on duty when the accident occurred. It was his duty to open the lock, upon a siinol frcra the inside lock-tender that the lower hk was elt-sed. In speaking of the accident last Mr. Walsh said: The caisson, yon understand, is about.