Washington Standard

FALL OF THE SKATING RINK.

At about four o'clock yesterday afternoon an immense frame building being constructed on the fractional block at the intersection of Fourth and A streets fell with a terrible crash, and is now a pile of ruins. The immediate cause of the fall was a gust of wind which struck it fair, but the more remote cause was the frailty of the structure itself, which was built after the light frame style, with self-supporting roof. The building was 60 feet in width (10 feet wider than one full lot) and 175 feet long, under a single peaked roof, with no center supports.

Messrs. M. L. and Frank McLeran were in the building at the time it fell, also two or three small boys, and it is one of the greatest wonders of the world that they were not instantly killed. The eldest of the McLeran Brothers ran out, but lost his hat and cane and watch. Frank was buried in the ruins, and had to be dug out. He sustained considerable injuries external, but nothing which excites suspicion that he will not soon recover.

The pecuniary loss will amount probably to $3,000 or $4,000, including lumber and labor. The roof of the building was fully one-half shingled, and the siding was nearly completed. The building was being erected on contract for Messrs. Josiah Myrick and Frank T. Dodge, to be used by them as a skating rink, the contractor being a gentleman named Abbott, lately from Chicago, and it was his first contract in Portland.

Portland Bulletin.