The Washingtonian., 1845-07-12
ACCIDENTS ON THE FOURTH.

When our paper went to press on Friday evening
last we had not learned OF the melancholy accidents
which had occurred during the day.
In Georgetown, Mr.. CHRISTIAN MANUYETTE, q
member of the Morgan Rifemen, had his arm dread
fully shattered by the premature discharge of cannon
in firing the early salute He was also otherwise in
jured the armhas been ampuated, but little hopes
are entertained of his recovery Another individual
was slightly injured at the same time.
The saddest calamity which has ever occurred IN
city. similar occasion, was that OF the death
of Mr. JAMES X KNOWLES, and the injury sustained
by Mr. WILLIAM MAGEE and his three children, and
of colored woman, by the accidental discharge OF
stand of fire rockets
Mr. Knowles, accompanied by his wife, and at
distance of than three hundred yards from the
immediate place Of exhibition, was killed instantly
the shaft OF the rocket entering his left breast and
piercing his heart. Who can tell the agony OF that
young wife, the bleeding form of her husband fell
into her arms the shrek which went up to Heaven,
and which was heard by the thousands who were
present witness the exhibition. told the fearful story
of that agony. They were young with lovely child
but few months old to bind them together, and to
make life desirable. Hand in hand they had gone to
the fatal spot Unconscious of DANGER they conversed
Of the passing scenes-vsions of happiness up
before them-when, suddenly the shaft OF death
perces the heart of the husband and father and after
loud shrek of Distress the swoonng and distracted
wife is carried TO her desoate home, bereavcd and
broken-hearted
The funeral of Mr.. Knowles took place on Sabbath
last, and was numerously attended We are glad to
perceive that an effort is made to raise sufficient sum
by voluntary subscription to relieve the wants of this
bereaved family. The deceased was a man Of ire
proachable character and his family entitled to
the sympathy OF the public.
| Mr. Magee also much injured; his arm having
| been dreadfuly acerated. His three children were
considerably injured; two being severely burnt from
the fire of the passing rocket and the third was struck
in the side by the rocket staff The children are do
ing we'll. Not SO with the paIent-he is in critical
situation; his physician is of the opinion that he will
/ lOso he usaO Of arm
Is possible that fatal consequences may ensue
Mr. NJ is strict teetoaler-a Son of Temperance--an
honest and industrious man, with family of seUen
children dependent on his exertions. While The SYM
pathes of tho public are Justly aroused in ameorating
the pangs of the fatal blow in another case, we would
call attention to this being in our opinion, OF equal
importance.
/ A cOored woman also received O most horrible
wound, and has since died.
We have one suggestion to make while upon this
subject We not sure that these sud events are
not traceabe unjusiifable careessness. We shall
not repeat rumors which have reached us in regard
to this point: of one thing we are perfectly satisfied
the stands forms, from which the rockets were dis
charged were not such as they ought to have been.
This has been defect in all similar exhibitions which
have taken place here for years past and IS only
i wonderful that accidents even more terrible than
those now recorded, have not before occurred They
never have been made sufficiently strong. Placed
merely on the surface of the ground, frall in their
structure, it have been expected that at some
time other, such catastrophe would have taken
place, by their overthrow Why could they not have
been secured in such manner to guard against
this danger? 1t would have taken few more dollars
to have rendered them thus secure but what s such
consideration compared with the fearful sacrifices o.
Friday night?
Our citizens are indebted to the public authorities
for these exhibitions; and they are entitled to oni
thanks for their efforts to afford qualification. We
insist however if these things repeated, that
the lives and limbs Of our citizens shall not be exposed
to similar dangers which could easily be avoided, and
at very moderate cost.
We commend this suggestion to the consideration 0
the proper authorities.