Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1845-04-04
NEW YORK, March IS.
Horrible Catastrophc-~Dreadf Loss Of
Life.

Life.
1t is long since our city has been visited
with so horrible disaster, as the enc which
we, as public Journalists, find it our painful
duty now to chronicle. The accident occur
red at the black and white smith shop Of Ed
ward DuvaiI, No. 1O2, Charlton street.
1t appears that MIR. Duvall. young man in
tire prime Of life, being about SO years old,
has been doing considerable work for the
light houses at Sandy Hook, and while enea-
ged in the performance Of il, he employed the
fishermen resident in the nelg hborhood, to coll
lect the cannon balls and bomb shells which
are frequently found buried in the sand, or
rolled up by the surf, which he agreed to pur-
chase as old iron. During yesterday, load
Of The above articles was brought 20 Mr.. Du-
Wallis shop, and on examination, the latter
found that some Of the shells Were vet loaded,
and before taking them into the house, he pro-
lceedcd to empty them Of the comrostion.-
This was about 5 o'clock in the afternoon Mr..
Duvall proceeding TO empty the shells, took
one said TO he the shape of an egg, about "a
inches lorg, upon his lap, sitting on seat
which lie procured on the side walk, and with
a stick loosened the composition, which he
shook OFT upon the walk, between his feet
While thus engaged, the shell, which was
made OF cast iron. exploded with tremendous
report, killing Mr.. Duvall and two others in
stantly, and severely wounding several 9TH
ers. Mr.. DnvalPs arms were both entirely
blown off, his right leg was taken off at the
knee, horrible hole was blown through his
abdomen, and his whole body was more or less
injured. He never breathed after the explo-
sion. He lived in the upper part of the house
wherein was his shop, and has left wife and
on child To IL
circle of beloved friends.
| Mr.. Aaron o. Price, builder, of No. 70,
Thompson street, aged about SO years. and
who is now engaged in building the Grace
chnrch's new house Of worship in Broad way,
was passing shortly before The accident, in a
one horse Rockaway wagon, on his way 10 the
North River. where he was expecting cargo
of stone from Sing Sing, and losing Inch
pin from his wagon, stopped at Mr.. DuvalI's,
and while the wagon was being repaired, was
engaged in conversation with the unfortunate
proprietor when the explosion took place. He
received blow on the back Of his head from
a piece Of the shell, breaking in the entire
back ofhis skull, causing instant death. When
found, he laid on the sidewalk with his hands
in his pockets, entirely liteless. His horse.
valuable one, was standing in front of the
door, and piece OF the she'll struck him on
the side Of his head. taking it entirely off; the
same fraction of the shell passed across the
street. took large piece Out of the cave gut
ter OF the house, and glancng off the shinged
peak Tell at some distance beyond. Mr.. Price
has lett wife and two children to mourn the
untlmely death of the husband and father. :.
Richard BrodeIick, lad II years of age,
residing at the corner of King and Hudson
sts., was passing at the time, with = po,nr
associate by The name 81 Brnr.ef, and sronne5