The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-05-27

took charge OF them.
The Coroner, DIR. J. Q. Stearns, held an inquest
at MIR. Sepe's hotel and during their investigation
they censured the railroad company considerably
for running so fast through that portion of the
town.
AS general thing, the engineers are very careful
on this road and / do not agree with the jury. 1t
was utterly impossible to save the man, when, to
appearances, he voluntarily threw himself before
the engine.
Particulars OF the Fire I'm philadelphia, and
Loss of Life.
From the Philadelp hia Gazette May "a.
About twenty minutes past two o'clock yesterday
afternoon fire was discovered in the second story
OF building on the corner of Broad and Button
bood Streets occupied by various branches OF manu-
lectures. The materials were combustible, and the
Dames spread with wonderful rapidly; so that be-
bre the fremen could reach the ground and get into
licent service, the whole building was wrapped in
he devouring blaze. The heat was intense and the
Bremen could not approach the burning structure
tithout endangering their lives. The extensive fac
rory Of M W Baldwin, directly opposite, was
threatened with destruction. Water was thrown
upon the roof however, and the cinders were ex-
fingushed as fast as they fell. The burning edifce
and its contents were completely destroyed and it
was only by the severest exertions that the adjon-
ing property was saved from the same fate The
building was owned and partly occupied by Mr..
George j. Burkhardt, manufacturer of tanks, watts,
&c His loss is estimated at about SS,000-s5 900
featured articles, the whole of which is covered by
insurance. This portion of the loss will fall upon
three insurance companies. The second story,
where the fire was first discovered, was occupied
by Aessrs J. d d. Nudd, sash and blind maAufac-
turers They estimate their loss at several hundred
dollars, and are partially insured. Other apart
ments Of the building were occupied by - Burtis,
wood moulding manufacturer, and lcssrs. Hopes
d Townsend, manufacturers of bolts, nuts and
washers. Their loss will not be heavy. The roof
and upper story of Messrs. Conover Brothers
ink factory, adjoining Broad street, were much
burnt, and that building was flooded with water
But the destruction of property is of but second
airy importance when human life is sacrificed. We
have to record that at least one man was killed. and
that number were severely injured by the falling
Of the walls of the burning building. When apor-
tion Of the rear wall fell, Mr. James Lewis, an eng
neer in the employ OF Mr. Burkhardt, was caught
under a shed and crushed to death. When, by the
manly exertions Of the Spring Garden police the
body was extricated, it was found to be horribly
mangled, the head being broken to pieces and the
chest crushed and burnt. The unfortunate man Is
represented to have been sober, steady, indus
trious and accomplished engineer. He resided in
Third street, above Green. Two Of his sons were
also in the employment of Mr.. Burkhardt. The
body taken to the Spring Garden station house.
Mr.. VIM. Reiter, foreman Of the establishment Of
Messrs. Hopes Townsend, Us shut up, with
several others, in room in the building during the
early portion Of the coniagration. He was almost
s1nothered to death when the door broken open,
and he was dragged forth. When taken to the
Spring Garden station house he was more dead than
live. He received immediate attention, however,
md revived. He expresses the opinion that the
nins.
Mr.. James Wilkinson, member of the Perse-
(erance Hose Company, and one of the Oldest fire
pen in the city, received terrible cut the
forehead and face from falling brick. He was
conveyed home.
member of the Fairmount Engine Company
had the fore part of his foot crushed.
There were reports of several other persons being
injured during the fire; but we have mentioned all
that can be considered reliable.
The scene at the Spring Garden station house,
indeed. At one end Of the large room, upon a set
Tee, was stretched the mangled and bloody body Of
MI. Lewis. His two sons, who had so suddenly had
a beloved father torn from them, could scarcely be
kept from throwing themselves upon the horrible re-
mains, and the waings of the eldest brought tears
10 eyes unused to the melting mood The body was
not left TO welter in its blood. While many shrank
from touching it, Mr.. Lewis, Of the firm Of Lewis
Brock, took the clothes of, and by the time the
Coroner arrived to hold the inquest, rendered the
remains filter to be presented to the sight He
eyineed as much nerve as humanity.
Upon q settee in another part OF the ROOM was
stretched Mr. Rieter to whom woman (she re-
fused to tell her name, but repeat with her pa
fient God bless herp') was administering revving
medicines. The patient could scarcely speak, and
showed plainly THAI he had been very near the por-
Rails of the other life. He was bathed with spirits,
and some were administered inwardy, but ne ap-
peared to have great difficulty in breathing. 1t viii
be long before he from the effects of this
disaster. The Marshals police of Spring Garden,
who were very active during the conhagration were
humane and attentive at the stationhouse. We
have to thank them for their kindness.
The verdict OF the jury, in the inquest held upon
The body OF MIR. Lewis was in accordance with the
facts
Since writing the above, we have learned that
another body has been taken from the smoudering
ruins. 1t was burned to crisp. Upon examna-
ZION, the body proved to be that Of Mr. John Ellet
who was IN the employ of the Messrs. Nudd. The
Coroner also held an inquest upon this victim of
tbe confagraton, and the verdict rendered was the
same as in the case of Mr.. James Lewis
RIoT At fredericksburg A STEAMBOAT
A singular riot occurred at Wheeling Va. on Satur-
day. II seems that the steamer Pennsylvania in
going up the river previously, lowered her chimneys
Us she passed the wreck of the suspension bridge
where two stretched and damaged wire cables still
Dverhung the channel OF the river This was done
"a we learn from the Pttsburg papers, because the
boat could not have passed under these cables with
Dut lowering her chimneys. The Wheeling papers
published the fact, and represented that the Chin
neys OF the boat had been lowered in derson of the
PROSTATE bridge. This excited the indignation of
abe Wheeling populace, and on Saturday, when the
Pennsylvania arrived at Wheeling, on her passage
clown the river, they mobbed and stoned the boat.
The Pittsburg Journal thus describes the scene:-
On Saturday evening, the Pennsylvania bound do wn
rounded TO at Wheeling, TO and usual the Mayer OF
1he city came down and warned the Captain not to land
y pt knefeer Immediately rounded out but he did
q every description by infuriated mob Of proba
~ tboussnd persona handful OF citizens perceiving
~ the Pcnnsyv had rendered herself Justly OBJ
aus nterposed TO prevent the attack few Of them
flng arranged with Capt Mcclure OF the steamer CITY
Wheeling to back out with the In order
tuat the former should be nerposed between the mob
and the Pennsylvania and so probably restrain the