Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1848-06-29


8lS.-GENrLEMEN-Ourc city has been thrown
into a terrible excitement by an accident which
occurred about 10 O'clock tiiiS morning in the
lower part of the city. An awful explosion of
powder took place, causing the death of from
twelve to twenty pcrsons-mOsi OF them wo-
men.
have Just returned from visit to the scene
of the accident where | remained an hour, du-
ring which time | saw the bodies of three wo-
men removed from the ruins, horribly mutlla-
ted. Up to this time seven bodies have been
recovered-four are those of women, three of
men, Two men and one woman have been
taken out wounded.
The house in which the explosion took
place was occupied by forty Mexican washer
women. and tortila makers. 1t was resort
for poor people from the country, and a sup
posed haunt Of guerillas. A part Of the froIt
room below was occupied by two Spaniards
who traflicked in all sorts of merchandise,
much like the cabaret keepers OF New Or
leans, and they were without doubt engaged
in buying up or smuggling in ammunition to
supply the guerilas. How the powder came
to explode is not known.
They are removing the ruins as fast as pos
siblc, and it is to be hoped by night all who
arc buried beneath them will be dslnterred.-
There is no hope, however, that there can be
any survivors among them. Fortunately the
accident occurred when most Of the women
were in the back yard washing, OF many more
might have been killed.
/ Considerable damage was done to some of
the buildings in the vicinity. The confusion
near the scene renders it impossible TO arrive
at the exact number of persons, as all who fire.
cuented the house and have not returned home
los InNpn tho nuIuhpr q as dead
The scene as body after body has been taken
out was of the most painful description. A
guard was placed to keep the crowd back, but
it could not prevent men and women-broth
ers, sisters and relations-from rushing III To
iendeavor to recognize the features of the VIC
Tins | could not help noticing poor Mexl-
can boy, who had lost an arm during the bonn
Ibardment, who volunteered to assist the labor
ers. lie did more work in removing rubbish
with his one hand than any two men employ
| ed. believe twenty Americans could have
! done twice the work of the two hundred MeXi-
! cans engaged.
II At the time of the explosion Gen, Smith
was only about two doors above the house, and
! may say barely esca ped being killed.
II About an hour after the explosion some OF
! the iimbers of the ruins took fire, and had an
! opportunity of seeing for the first time their
| process for obtaining water. Ii could not have
! been more than two and half minutes from
! the time the alarm was given before two hun
! dred donkeys and mules, loaded with kegs of
| water were on the spot, or at least the head
of the train, which learn had been got ready
| as soon as the explosion took place in case
| they should be wanted These are the water
carriers of the city, and for the privilege "i
! using water from the fountains they have To
! keep them clean, and hold themselves in read-
! ness night or day with their kegs filed to put
out any fire that may occur.
/ o." The Naval Appropriation Bill which
has passed the House of Representatives,
makes the following appropriations
For Fort Adams, Newport, 100000; for
I Fort Trumbuli, London, $4,000; for
/ forts in Boston lIarbor, SIS 900.
/ RETiRED.-Joscph Il. Buckingham, who
/ for the last thirty years has edited the Boston
! Courier, with great ability, has sold his inter
7 est in the establishment and retired 30 private
= life. The Courier has hosted the Taylor flag.
There is but one Whig paper in Massachusetts
now, that does not support Gen Taylor forth
Presidency.
4 GRATIFyING INTELLIGENCE.-A corresPoi,-
dent OF the y. Y. Tribune says that MIR. IL.
! Slater, the notorious slave dealer at Baltimore,
| has abandoned the traffic and closed finally his
slave market. The iugitves from Washing
/ H. hnarI tho pparl
were about the last he had the heart to pur-
chase
III John Van Burcn said at Rochester, that
when the Cass procession at Albany approach
ed the point where he was standing, he
thought he would take out his watch To see
how long it would be in passing, 6m trent by
| |.%forc he could get has eatch om.
AWFUL TRAGEpY.-We learn from the
Hagers,own (Md.) News, that on Friday
morning man named Alex. Rodman, residing
a couple of miles distant from that place, labor
ing under depression of spirits, first murdered
his child, boy about three years OF age, by
cutting his head almost entirely of, aud alter
wards committed suicide by cutting his own
throat.
II
Il UP A gentleman from China says that our
females arc 50 fond OF huggng and squeezing,
that before they have become united to a man.
they get machine stuck full of whalebonc
and laced with cord, with which they squecs n
! themselves so violently, as to be nearly Gu, IN
the middle.
III We understand, says the Nicksburg
Wing, by friend just up the river, that Gen
Taylor is to take the place of Gen. Brooke, az