Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-08-07
Terrible Powder Mill ExpIosiop-Ga-
rech's Dry House and one MN De-
slrOYed=Enur Pcrsons * He'd.


WHMINGToS, August 3.-Our citizens were
startled this morning about eight o. clock by two
distinct and very heavy explosions which shook
the houses and shattered the glass in many win
dows. The cause is understood 10 be an explo-
sion at Garcche's powder mills near this city Ii
is reported that four persons were killed and five
wounded
The following are the particulars:
The explosion Of Garebe's powder works have
been received. The drying house Of tho estab-
lishment, which is located in Eden Park was
blown up, as is supposed through the careless
ness of workman. The house contained about
one-and-a-half tons of powder, and the explo-
SION and conclusion resulting were tremendous
The house had been in operation for about forty
years without an accident, and was considered
the safest house at the works. All connected
with it's operations were killed al once They
were blown TO atoms, and tho remains were
found at various Sdistances-from forty 10 two
hundred yards from the house Three of The
workmcn were Frenchmen, named Eugene Po-
renne, Joseph DuPoarcc, Francis Esler. A boy
named John Pugh was also employed in the
house at the time-all were killed
The explosion Of the dry house caused mill,
situated about three hundred yards distant, 10
explode. In this mill four persons were danger
ously hurt, and two badly wounded. Peter Nc
Ginley was thrown about 40 feet, and, il il
thought, will hardly recover. Patrick Burck
was running from the mill when the lightning
rod descended, fracturing his skull His re-
covery is doubtful. Thomas Mullen had his
collar bone broken by the descent Of piece of
timber.
The engineer, Mr.. Mitchell, was seated at his
post reading newspaper, when the explosion
took place. He saw barrel Of powder explode,
but escaped with few slight bruises.
The mill was torn TO pieces. There were
about 400 lbs Of powder in IT, which is less
than usual.
The trees around the drying house were blown
up by the roots. and one or two horses in tho
neighborhood were killed.
A man not connected with the mill is said 10
have been killed, but this seems doubtful
Drs. Askew, Bush, Wilson, and draper, from
Wilmington, were present. rendering all the aid
in their power TO the wounded.
Mr.. Garesche says the explosion must have
been caused by one Of the Frcnchmen who work
ed in the packing room, and was addicted TO
smoking pipe; Mr.. G.. had cautioned him two
weeks previous about il, and told him TO quit the
premises or quit his pipe, and he supposed until
now that he had abandoned the practice.
TWIN BmrHS ExTRAoR D1NARY.-On the 4th
instant, her own birthday, Mrs Mary Russell
Clarkson, Of Leeds wife OF Edward Clarkson
teacher of dancing and deportment) gave birth 10
Twin boys, being twins Of The fifth generation. On
the paiernal side the great grandfather a twin,
Inc grandfather twin, and the father twin.
English poptr
A SHOWER OF BRIMsToNE.-The Mississippi
papers mentioned singular phenomenon, viz:
the falling of showers Of birthstone there within
the last two weeks. II has been dried, and is
found, Il IS alleged, to be the genuine article,