Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1858-06-12
Reckless Rock BIastins in New Yerk,

Reckless hOcA DAAhlAn& ~ Nv
The workmen engaged in excavating for a
row of buildings on the south side of Thirty
seventh street, between Seventh and Eighth
avenues, have been getting up pretty exten-
sive and serious earthquake. According 70 the
Wednesday was three inches in diameter and
about eight feet deep, and the rock being
seamy over two casks of powder were put in.
The explosion was tremendous, and shook the
buildings in the vicinity if an earthquake
had occurred. Immense rocks weighing from
500 to 1000 pounds were thrown some of them
at least 800 yards. Buildings were completely
riddlej, and the estimated amount Of damage
by the explosion is $500 injury to buildings,
and g., 900 injury to furniture and other goods.
The parties were arrested, and discharged after
agreeing to pay all damages. That no lives
we're lost or persons seriously injured, is truly
wonderful. The Times says:
Adjoining the spot, on lot No. l64, there are
three buildings; the two in the rear. being Of
wood, are about half demolished; one, occupied
! by Mr. Stephens, contained his father and
mother who, although the house now appears
ready 10 fall, escaped unframed. No. l66 is
the we'll known " model tenement house,
About three tons Of stone struck the side wall,
making three large breaches, one OF them about
eieht feet By five All the apartments were oc-
cupied by families; children IN bed in some,
and parties eating breakfast in others. In one
of the rooms rock was mfasured which would
square up fou= feet long. three feet wide and
ten inches thick. In the burth story, several
pieces, over a ton in weight, not only went
through the l2inch brick wall, but also through
two partitions and against the opposite wall,
the whole passing within SIX inches of the Oc-
cupant, Mrs. Prime, who was preparing break
fast al the stove.
There were large number Of wonderful and
miraculous escapes. A little boy four years
old, son Of Mrs. Dye, who was boarding with
Mrs Mary Marsh, who occupied rear room on
the third story of No l66, was in bed when
the accident occurred. A huge fragment of
rock was sent crashing through the wall direct
ly opposite the bed on which he was sleeping.
The bed was nearly covered with pieces Of
brick and stone, which were thrown upon 1t
with great force-their projectile force being
evidenced BY the large iudentuTes made in the
wall by the pieces which hit the wall The boy
was awakened BY the noise produced by the
crash and falling of fragments about him, bat
on examination 1t was found that he had re-
ceiyed but a single slight scratch on the face.
Samuel c. Roberts, a printer, occupied a
portion Of The rear apartments on the fourth
j floor. His wife was sitting BY the fireplace
when the explosion oecurred, and was for some
moments st1pefed by the shock. A stone
weighing nearly ton was hurled through the
wall, and lodged upon bed in the corner
crushing it TO the floor. Mrs Roberts had been
engaged two minutes before the accident in
making the bed. In bedroom adjoining this
room another large fragment Of rock was
thrown through the wall. completely demolish-
ing bed which was in the room, and other ar
ticles of furniture. A moment before one CT
Mrs Roberts children had arisen from the bee,
aad thus only escaped instant death In an
other bedroom a child was still sleeping, but
escaped unharmed, although one Of the paTti-
tons was throw. down with great violence,
and nearly everything in the room broken to
pieces.
Mr. Prime, who occupied a portion Of the
fourth iioor, was about getting out of bed, and
had Just raised himself upon his elbow as the
mammoth piece Of stone referred to above was
projected into his apartment A stOue weigh
I ing over dozen pounds fell upon the pillow
from which he had Just raised his head, and
bricks and fragments Of stone were scattered
about him in every direction An earthen cup
upon the mantel-pieee fell to pieces from the
effects Of the shock