Yesterday the 20th inst. about 9.30 a.m. just as passengers from the first launch from Shanghai had settled down to a cup of tea, the Tea shop, two-storied, covering an area of one mov, collapsed, burying some tity persons.
The first news of the disaster was brought to the writer's notice by a constable, who was at the time of collapse in the staircase ting up to quell a quarrel over a tew cash.
he constable had a most miraculous escape; his clothes were almost torn off his body. The writer summoned the whole of the police and proceeded to the place. The Tea shop was situated in a narrow street across the bridge Chinese hnd gathered, all intent upon gazing leading to Pawmen gate. Hundreds of
on the ruin; not a single person offered hel tothe fying. Lhe streets were at once closed, and I enlisted some 70 jiatiesha coolies, who set to work with a will seldom seen in clock eight dead were released wussly wounded, besides a great number slightly. The wounded were sent off to the American Hospital. By 1 p.m. the magistrate arrived to hold the customary inquest. Four of the dead were identified and the remainder photographed. Mr. Mori, the new Japanese Consul, visit ited the scene and distributed $4 to each of the widows of the identified dead. By 4 p.m. all the bodies were removed, and the street opened again for trafic.
A collection is being made among foreigners of Soochow in behalf of the widows and families and injured, who lost their little belongings and are now absolutely destitute and strangers to Soochow. 'The remains of a. boy of about fifteen years were discovered later in the evening. The tea house was built two and a half years ago under a ten years' guarantee.
'2st April.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.