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Story
May 13, 1788
The Daily Advertiser
New York, New York County, New York
What is this article about?
In Philadelphia, shoemaker Samuel Gross fell into an open cellar on Third Street near Cherry Street due to a hazardous footway and was found dead the next day, leaving a widow and five children. Builder Peter Walter is held in recognizance for the nuisance.
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PHILADELPHIA. May 6.
In the night between Monday and Tuesday last, Mr. Samuel Gross, of Chestnut-street, in this city, shoemaker, passing along Third-street, nearly opposite to Cherry street, where the footway was straitened by a lime-shed erected to accommodate the building of an adjoining lot, and difficulted by loose earth lying irregularly on it, he fell (as it is supposed) headlong into the cellar, just prepared for the masonry, in front, and was found there lying dead the next day. A neighbour, in bed at the time, heard the noise of the fall, but conjecturing it was caused by something disturbed in the yard, did not rise; so that the deceased lay undiscovered till day returned. It is to be regretted that this should happen, when so slight a matter as a hole extended across the openings, or other hasty fence, might have prevented the misfortune. Those who thus open the ground by an highway should be careful not to create public nuisances, of so mischievous a nature.
Mr. Peter Walter, who was carrying on the improvement, we understand is held in a recognizance to answer for the nuisance in this case at the city court. We are told that Mr. Gross has left a widow and five children to bewail his loss.
In the night between Monday and Tuesday last, Mr. Samuel Gross, of Chestnut-street, in this city, shoemaker, passing along Third-street, nearly opposite to Cherry street, where the footway was straitened by a lime-shed erected to accommodate the building of an adjoining lot, and difficulted by loose earth lying irregularly on it, he fell (as it is supposed) headlong into the cellar, just prepared for the masonry, in front, and was found there lying dead the next day. A neighbour, in bed at the time, heard the noise of the fall, but conjecturing it was caused by something disturbed in the yard, did not rise; so that the deceased lay undiscovered till day returned. It is to be regretted that this should happen, when so slight a matter as a hole extended across the openings, or other hasty fence, might have prevented the misfortune. Those who thus open the ground by an highway should be careful not to create public nuisances, of so mischievous a nature.
Mr. Peter Walter, who was carrying on the improvement, we understand is held in a recognizance to answer for the nuisance in this case at the city court. We are told that Mr. Gross has left a widow and five children to bewail his loss.
What sub-type of article is it?
Tragedy
Disaster
What themes does it cover?
Misfortune
Tragedy
Justice
What keywords are associated?
Accidental Death
Cellar Fall
Public Nuisance
Builder Liability
Phila Accident
What entities or persons were involved?
Samuel Gross
Peter Walter
Where did it happen?
Third Street, Nearly Opposite To Cherry Street, Philadelphia
Story Details
Key Persons
Samuel Gross
Peter Walter
Location
Third Street, Nearly Opposite To Cherry Street, Philadelphia
Event Date
Night Between Monday And Tuesday Last
Story Details
Samuel Gross fell into an open cellar due to a hazardous footway obstructed by a lime-shed and loose earth, lay undiscovered overnight, and was found dead, leaving a family; Peter Walter held accountable for the nuisance.