John G. Myers Company Explained

John G. Myers Company was a department store in Albany, New York built in 1887 and owned by John Gillespy Myers.^[1] The building where the store was located, a five-story structure at 39 N. Pearl St., collapsed on August 8, 1905 killing 13 people.^[2] The collapse was the worst disaster of its kind in Albany's history at the time.^[3] Charges of manslaughter and criminal negligence were made against the building's contractor, John Dyer Jr., and architect, Clark L. Daggett, but a grand jury failed to convict them and the charges were dropped.

After the collapse the store reopened at 37 N. Pearl St. and stayed in business until 1970.^[4]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Lais. C. J.. July 18, 2019. From the archives: A deadly department store collapse, and more. Times Union.
2. News: SCORES ARE BURIED IN BIG STORE RUINS; Thirty Dead, Firm's Estimate, in Albany Building Collapse. RESCUERS STILL HEAR MOANS Hospitals Filled with Injured; Ten Bodies Found – Careless Workmen to Blame. SCORES ARE BURIED IN BIG STORE RUINS. August 9, 1905. The New York Times. March 15, 2018. en-US. 0362-4331.
3. Web site: Albany, NY Department Store Collapse, Aug 1905 – Walls Cave In.
4. News: John G. Myers (1831–1901): Owner of Myers department store. Times Union. March 15, 2018.