The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-02-07


acturers. In the basement Of the building was steam.
boiler, belonging 10 the Messrs Taylor, and used for
driving the machinery employed in their business This
boiler exploded at 10 minutes before eight yesterday
morning. with loud report which was heard al the dis
lance OF third of mile. The report was followed in
few seconds by rumbng sound. caused by the fall Of
the building. So tremendous was the force OF the
plosion that the building raised entirely from its
foundations and fell upon the spot where had stood very
little Of the rubbish falling into the street The adioin
with walls OF immense thickness was severely shaken
BY the explosion, and the walls have buged out percep
The alarm Of FIRE was al once given. for the mass of
ruins had instantly gned. and the fremen resorted to
the spot with their usual alacrity
And now scene presented which cannot be
imagined by those who did not witness it. Buried be-
meath those burning ruins scores Of men, many OF
them still living. The flames rapidly extending,
while the application OF water in sufficient Quantities to
check them prevented by the consideration that the
water might prove fatal TO those who might escape the
rayages OF the fire. The temperature OF the atmosphere
exceedingly lowthe day being one Of the coolest Of
the season, with the thermometer at Island added
greatly to the agony OF the sufferers Indeed, will be
by the inquest that in the opinion OF the PHYSICIAN
the cold had proved fatal to OF the unfortunate men,
The building situated street only about fifteen
feet in width, circumstance which added seriously to
the embarrassment Of the department in their efforts TO
which covered the ruins By extraordinary Efforts this
speedily accomplished, and somethose nearest the
surface and the least injured-removed Many OF the
unfortunate persons could be heard mporng assistance
others begging to be saved from the fire which had
tackled their limbs fastened immovably as they were,
while others prayed that the streams Of water might be
stopped, as they in such positions to be nearly
drowned, and others still were rapidly becoming para
lyzed by the severity OF the cold.
Traits OF character were under these circumstances
developed. lad some ten or twelve years OF age,
while in that horrible prison, manifested the greatest
heroism cheering on the men whom he heard at work
above him, with the assurance that their abors would
the hope OF release, and chdDg their expressions OF i'm
patience Another exhibited the most remarkable con-
siancy and frmness After he had been in that fiery
tomb for more than six hours and suffered extensive in
jures by burning and compression, the rubbish
far removed TO give to his head, and brandy
and water rendered TO him; but he steadfasty
fused any stimulant, account OF his belonging to
temperance society," and would paake OF no refreshmen
but water. His recovery is doubtful
The scenes in the vicinity of Hague street and OF the
fourth ward station house narrowing IN the ex-
treme-women and children, in mournful anxiety TO
the fate OF those most dear to them, crowded every
avenue; and heart rendng were the cries Of distress
manned OF the husband and father
The immediate cause of the catastrophe only be
conjected Those who had the management OF the en-
CINE never appear at any earthly bar The SUPPOSE
ton is reasonable one. however, that Sunday night be-
ing unusually cold the feed pipe to the boiler became
frozen. The fire being started under the boiler evapora
led all the water it contained and heated its plates to red
ness The warmth then affected the frozen pipe jet of
water rushed in, and the explosion followed inevitably
afford instant surgical assistance such might need IT,
and those there last evening receiving every
attention which humanity could dictate or skill besow
the ruins TO where small boy lay, whose body they ex
tricated. but his feet and portion OF his leg were so
tightly wedged fast in the timber and brick thai he could
not be got out with moving pile OF rubbish that was
above him TO the depth OF about ten to fifteen feet The
little fellow bore bis suterngs with the utmost patience,
and freely partook OF bread and milk and quantity OF
brandy, while the busily employed in remov.
ing the rubbish from of him. He told the men that be
not injured, and II they would release his feet he
could walk home We have not yet heard OF his release
A. II. th hud tx,of
passing along Hague street. the opposite side OF the
street both Of whom were crushed to death by the mass
OF brick
worthy OF all praise The mayor early the spot,
as was also Alderman Oakley. The mayor gave direc-
tons to spare pains or expense 10 save those that were
alive and to the remains OF the dead and he
NAMED al the place nearly the whole day. encouraging by
his presence the exertions Of the men
The chief of police, Mr. Nssell Recorder Tamadge,
Coroner Geer, each in his sphere, rendered most vaua
bic service; manifesng hesitation in assuming
sponsblity where the saving OF life the alienation OF
suffering was in view tH.e rrE
The police arrangements were most udicious, under
the direction OF the captains OF the lst 3D. 3d. and 9TH
districts.
The inepdity OF the members OF the FIRE department
characierisc-freely perng their own lives where
there the remoest possibility OF saving that OF an
other Many OF them carried the marks OF fire upon their
persons More honorable scars were we're never borne
directed the saving OF e yet iha, very anxiety begat
difficulties. There department which felt that it
entitled 10 the cOnlrOl OIL measures ana
the consequence was. that efforts always well meant
were sometimes msdirected.
The board OF assistant aldermen met last evening for
the transaction OF general business but restricted itself 10
an expression OF the public sentiment OF regret the
deplorable catastrophe we record.
The bodies OF those who burned presented hor.
nble aspect, some being consumed to a crisp. But we
will not dwell upon that scene.
At 10 o'clock the little fellow above mentioned still
remained in the position, and par,ook OF some
coffee His spirits continued good, and the strenu-
ons efforts making for his reef II was found that
his feet entanged in bars OF iron which have bent
over them, and il is impossible 10 say how his re-.
lease can be accomplished His name is Samuel Tindell
and he expressed the belief that there several dead
lying very near him.
Twelve O'Clock The lad, Samuel Tndell, still re-
mains in the position Since last report, the
body OF Leonard Brooks residing 81 Oliver street. aged
30, native OF Rockland county, brought into the
fourth district station house HIS wife was present at
the time, and had been examining the bodies ascertain
whether that OF her husband among them, bat was
unable to identify him. On examining the pockets Of
OF one however, a Pockepiece was found belonging TO
him, seeing which his wife fell senseess on the floor
Another body brought in, supposed 10 be that OF
Thomas Vanderbilt, OF Cherry street
Also another body, name unknown. In his pockets
was found gold watch, Dubois, maker, 10 holes Jew
eled, number 2,727; gold studs in his bosom, and two
plain rings on his little finger
Two O'clock, A. Notwithstanding the prodgious
al. ls..I-