The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-04-29
RICHM0HD, VA,
SATURDAY MoRNIN0 APRIL 20, 1854.

SATURDAY MoRNIN0 APRIL %, 1854.
THE LATE CALAMITY IN NEW YoRK-IN.
e TERE5TING PARTICULARS.
up to the hour 1ooclock on Thursday morning,
fourteen deaths had resulted from the calamity in
broadway, ana it is supposed that two or three
more bodies still remained beneath the ruins
Some twenty persons were frightfuily wounded,
besides several who received eight injuries
Among the most melancholy incidents of the dis
aster is the case Of John B. O'Donnell, member
OF Engine Company 42, and son of Coroner
ODonneii. The New York Herald gives the fol.
lowing sketch Of the rescue of this intrepid young
man:
For eight lung and painful hours was he lying
under large beam Of timber, while the flames
threatened every moment to consume him. He
was nearly an hour in this position before his cries
TOR assistance were heard, and during that time
each minute appeared an age in Duration His
first intmaiions that his friends were near, was
slight knocking over his head, and never did noise
sound more sweet to human ears @
rs that near you y said brother fireman.
mo, replied the poor sufferer "a little further
on and for heavens sake make haste, or will be
Are we near you now9' said several voices, a.
another knock was given.
20 "NOt yet"
"Now 2" s~t s : &
"Yes, you are directly over me. Quick quick
can't stand this much longer"
hole was soon cut in the floor over his head,
and through il he could be seen enveloped n smoke
while the flames had approached 30 close to him
as to scorch his clothes ''The pipe, give me the
pipe at once, or he will be burned to death before
our eyes, said one of the fremen seeing his immi.
nent danger stream OF water was soon directed
upon the advancing flames, and they were driven
back at the very moment they threatened to destroy
him. As 1t was impossible to extinguish the fire,
on account OF its position, It was necessary to play
upon 1t once in every ten minutes. But during the
whole time OF his fearful imprisonment the brave
fellow never lost his courage, and not word of
pain escaped his lips As it was feared, however,
that his strength would give way before he could
be rescued, hole was broken through the wall
near where he lay, and some stimulants handed to
him. His friends could now converse with him
without any difficulty, and they learned that there
were four or five dead bodies lying near him.
'ls there any one else in there beside YOURSELF"
they asked
"Yes, four or fve," he replied, "and they are all
dead. can see them from where am"
While he was lying here his father and brother,
hearing ofthe disaster, hastened to the scene and
found their worst fears realized. They arrived
about two hours after the falling of the wall, and
never lett the spot till he was extricated. We will
not attempt to describe their feelings as they saw
him, after the most upremmitting exertions on the
part of the fremen, taken from the ruins horribly
crushed and mangled. He was conveyed inme-
dately to the City Hospital, where he is lying at
present IN most critical condition. His face and
head are dreadfully burned, and one hand is al
most severed from his arm
It's a sorrowful reflection that poor O'Donnell
subsequently died of his injuries. His father,
mother and other relatives were with him when
he expired.
The case of Alexander Mckay is especially de.
serving OF notice.. When he heard the crash of the
falling building, he rushed into the flames, despite
the attempts ofthe Chief of oice. "What am
doing here, while my poor brother is in theres' said
he, pointing to the ruins. This was the last that
was seen OF him till his dead body was found, hor
ribly mutilated, lying beside the remains of his
brother. s--s.as5. .sf.E a>E
Several miraculous escapes are mentioned; and
indeed it is a wonder, when we reflect upon the
matter, that the Of life life not much greater.
The city authorities appropriated $500 odefray
the necessary funeral expenses, &C., of the deceas
ed fremen. The work of voluntary subscriptions
Ia aid of their families is progressing, and young
Paul Julien has announced his intention to give a
concert with the same laudable object in view
The loss of property, although very great, is
nevertheless Insignificant when weighed with the
wholesale destruction of human life.
THE TRIAL OF MATTHEW F. WARD.
On the 2lst inst, Gas we learn by letter from
Elizabethtown, Ky.,) after the examination of two
three witnesses as to the character of the prison
er, M. F. Ward, the defence announced that it's
testimony was concluded, and the Commonwealth
then presented rebutiirg evidence. 1t was no mat
ter of difficulty to establish the truth of what had
been testified to by the boys of Prof. Buffers school,
notwithstanding two grown men had sworn that
they were present at the schooLhouse directly af
ter the afray, and heard the boys say that Butler
fret struck Ward. The evidence of man named
Barlow, who swore that Prot. B. had made to him
dying statement to the effect that he first stuck
Ward, is assaied at all points and some OF the pa.
pers 60 so far to suggest that Barlow should
be Immediately indicted for perjury. Among other
remarkable statements, he admitted that he had
said be played cards in Jail with Matt and Robert
Ward and the turnkey; also with Mrs. Matt Ward!
His evidence. which is series Of contradictions, 10
subject of general derision. sf
Mr.. Carpenter opened the argument for the Com.
monweath on Friday. His address is spoken Of a.
a mastery effort He portrayed with fearful vi.
vdness, in the peroration Of his speech the stings
and whips of conscience that must render the life
of the prisoner one of unending misery--the only
mercy that could at all avail him being found in the
grave His tribute to the faithfupess Of woman, as
exhibited in the devotion Of wife and mother, was
most beautiful, while the very brief reference to the
condition Of the widow Of the deceased Butler, and
the fatherIee blue-eyed darliDg-the pledge Of
their mutual love-was genuinely poeticsl. ss
At / O'Clock on Saturday afternoon, Cspt Tom
Marshall commenced his reply. II vas great el.
TON, abounding in passages Of much power and
beauty. and an abundance of things said a. only
Tom Marshall can say them. A theatrical appeal
1t the conclusion thrilled many hearts and suused
many eyes Yet the whole speech was aimed "a.
ther to affect than to convince and many things
were raid that might with propriety have been
omitted. A correspondent Of the Louisville Cou.
rier (whosc statements In regard to the trial are
altogether onesided} ssys an allusion In ths course
Of the Captsin's remarks with most contemptu-
ous snccr 10 the deceased Prot. Bnfler. q spuis
saut pedagogus," WAS in wrstched taste in any as.
pert of the case but il was miscrable coming from