Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-11-27
From the Richmond Whig, Nov. q,
Fire III Richmond--CunpoWd ExpIosio,

| About half past five o'clock on yesterday morn.
ing, two of the city watch discovered fire in the
grocery store of A. E. Moore, on Broad street The
front door of the store being open, they promptly
entered and commenced removing goods But little
time, however, was given them for exertion for
soon after they entered a flask of powder, which
stood on the SHELF caught the fire, exploded. and
with terrific force dashed the watchmen into the
street amid thousand fragments of wood, glass
barrels, sugar-oaves, and other articles. We un-
derstand watchman Freeman received some se-
we're injuries. Bibb was also somewhat burned
but not severely. Mr.. Moore traded in powder,
and the flask, whichcontained about twelve pounds
of the article, was laid in a convenient place for
sale. Notwithstanding that the store extended
back over seventy feet, leaving room for the pre-.
sumption that the effect from one either
tremity from so small quantity, could not be
much yet it was not so, for the force was great
at both ends as to have driven barrels containing
from thirty to forty gallons, into the street and
back yard. Two large barrels, containing fluid and
whiskey, were dashed through the back entrance,
and strange to say was not damaged in the least.
| On the floor above the store coach factory is
| kept by Mr.. Geo. F. Smith, whose loss by the ex-
plosion is little below 81 900. A large portion of
| the flooring was forced up and some carriages in
process Of construction dashed through the door
way upon the platform outside, and OF course con-
siderahly shattered. Several small articles about
his concern were very much damaged and cast
about in chaotic pile.
could be brought about by so small quantity OF
powder, is rmatter of general surprise. We dare
say thet out of all the goods in Mr.. Moores store.
extensive as il was, scarcely 500 worth escaped
destruction. Doors, windows, shelving, posts,
counters, in fact everything about the establish
ment were dashed TO fragments in every direction.
The belief is that the store had been entered by
some burglars, who, after.taking what they could,
set the place on fire. The conclusion is very
RATIONAL as the door was discovered to be open az
fho href Of ha fire. And &c tha
evil wrought by the explosion is to be complained
| of, the consequences would unquestionably have
been worse if il had not occurred. large quantity
! of burning fluid, whisky, and other high COM
bustible matter, which would have furnished food
| for destructive confagration, were dashed into
the street by the explosion, and therefore placed
1 beyond the range Of the fire. The force of the
| flame, which first threatened ruin to the entire
| property in that neghborhood, was weakened by
| being scattered into detached and consequently
| impotent fragments, to exhaust themselves, away
/ from all contact with any portion oil the main
| building.
Mr.. Moore was insured in the Fire Association
for $4,000, and in the Marine for $4,000, which
| is supposed will cover his loss. Mr.. Smith was
NOT insured and the loss will fall heavily upon him.
/ Another fire occurred on the opposite side of
the dock, near the Danville railroad DEPOT, about
| half.past twelve o'clock on Saturday night
small wooden building, near Mr. Hiram Smiths
| commission house, occupied as grocery store by
| John Jordon, was entirely burned up with its
| contents. 1t was said TO be the work Of an in
| cendiary.
The alarm Of fire about halfpast nine O'Clock,
/ last night was occasoned by the burning Of
small untenanted dwelling rear Of Lumpkin's Jail.
! The fire was put ou, before any damage was done.
| Railroad Riot.--A riot took place at the tavern
| of MIR. Victor, in the town Of Milwaukee about
one mile from the city, on Saturday afternoon. Il
appears that Mr.. Bierding, conductor on the
/ rastr had, de >sus,x,
pay some Of the men engaged on the work, at the
tavern mentioned. The landlords, who have been
boarding some Of the laborers, repaired to the
tavern TO secure their pay for boarding the men
A difficulty took place between the aborers and the
his possession, in pocket-book, some $500, ant
refused to show the money while the quarrels were
/ going on. The laborcrs rushed upon him and one
Of them snatched his pocketbook, containing III,
] money, while the rect threw him down and com