Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1854-06-19

hhrLosioS-A NEERo KILLED.-A negro named John
employed at the gas house blacksmith was killed ON
morning about half past o'clock, by the explo-
SION gas purifier, supposed to be caused by himself
Tor his destruction.
lie was sold, it appears, about two weeks ago, for
SUN OF :loo oy Mr. Hector Davis OF this city, in behalf Of
MS late owner, Mr Edward Sydner Of Hanover TO plan
Ter from jackson, Mississippi, named Oliver Neely
Inc presumption Is though the testimonies at the In.
quest are altogether the reverse-that he became dssas
ned wt MS change OF location, and having from
his work shop TO the part OF the establishment where the
purifiers are situated, he applied lighted match TO tho
gas through plug hole Oh top of Of them which
caused tue purifier to explode, killing him
y.
I,is strange that though the purifier was evacuated
some hours before OF all the gas which il contained for
the purpose OF being cleaned out there still remained
sufficient quantity 10 produce this expIosiop-abouoh
evacuation OF the contents Of gas purifier can only be
elected by the removal Of the entire lid sufficient
quantity OF mir is thus admitted eject the ras which
by reason OF its rarcon gains immediate ascent unnn
the removal oil any restriction which holds in check
An Aperture OF two inches the top-he size of the
plug hole, was not sufficient afford this free erress or
admit sufficient quantity Of to eject thotougbIy nh.
gas from the puri6crlt just large enough TO obv
ate the entire evacuation Of the one. aud admit sui.
cient quantity of the other make gas capable
combustion and explosion within a vacuum-a result
WHICH could not had the purifier been filed For
~ nst 'S~ 'he air could DO admitted and the pres
sure oil Tue gas wouu o@oie combustion within the
erure. Beyond that it would OF course ur rruu.rr, -
eepuoie oil ignition being Incorporated with the air or
oxygen without which it incapable OF combustion
The puriher at this time contained sufficient
OF gas and oxygen to cause explosion which the
negro was aware, Mr. Campbell the superntendsn,
testimony went to show lie perfectly familiar with
the operation in the gas house being there
| two years and half
From the position Of the injuries upon his person i.
presumed that he took his top of the purifier
while applying the match to the gas His head and chest
was very much injured and his right leg broken The in.
jury To the leg could not have he stood on the
ground while eiecting his purpose The lid only was blown
u2 ard her IL is supposed that injury cou have oc,
The
hi'i remained perfect lie hurled some seven or
eight feet against wall where he found dead with
piece ofiron, part Of the lid Of the purifier on him.
There two explosions, which took place in 1uick
caused doubt by the explosion OF the
purifier when the match appled-the other by the
explosion OF an adjoining which the FIRE was com
municated through connecting pipe.
The shattered pieces Of iron were dashed with such
force against the ceiling have almost cut two of the
jOice right through.
A man named Alexander Easton who was engaged in
the next floor above knocked down by the shock and
OF considerably frightened. There we're
others in that part Of the when tie explosion
took place, else the destruction would have been fright
fu.
negro named Lewis who worked with John the
who killed said that lac ief; the shop with some.
thing in his hand that resembei tooth prick This was
supposed to have been match which be brought to eff
feet his purpose
An inquest held the body and verdict rem
dered-that he To his death by his own act in
having set Ere 20 the gas under the circumstances stated
/ above.
The negro a man of excellent character good
mechanic, and very intelligent for person Of his class
lie was bought by his owner for sl700