The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-03-08
From the Ne1y York Tribune of UeSteTddU.

TRIAL OF FIRE EscApEs-Y esterdav afternoon
about twenty members of the Society of Turner's,
under direction of DR.. Gaerdner, teacher of gym
nastcs gave an exhibition of fire escape at Tur-
ners' Hall in Orchard street, and the trial clearly
demonstrated to the audience present that any re-
gularly organized body of men, with the apparatus
at hand, could save the lives of people in burning
buildings under the most serious disadvantages
Each man had strapped about his waist broad
band, to which attached at the side, coil of
rope so or more feet in length.
BY means of light oak ladders, twelve feet in
length, at the end of which was large hook, the
men ascended from story to story, until they
reached the top floor. Upon reaching the first
floor, the ladder was drawn up and hooked over
the sill of the window above, and so on to the top
Four ascended upon each ladder. Reaching
the top floor, rope was lowered, and long can
vass tube, similar to that exhibited in the Park a
few days ago, hauled up and fastened in the win
dow Through this tube fifteen persons descended
in short time, and where landed one after the
other safely in the street.
After saving every person In the building the
men lowered their apparatus, and then attaching
their rope tothe window sill, slid down thereon to
the walk. An ''Itaan LADDER next produced,
and found equally efficacious with the other This
admirable contrivance consists Of number of short
lengths of ladder, each provided with iron sockets
notches at the ends of the side pieces for the
purpose of fitting them together to make ladder
of any desired length. The first section is provi-
ded with wheels at the upper end go that, each
new piece is attached below, these rollers resting
easy task. The sections are not more than three
feet in length, and the whole apparatus is conse-
quently very portable. In about three minutes
ladder over so feet in length was joined and raised
In cases where outpouring flames from the lower
windows would prevent the men from ascending
by the ladders,a large is held stretched out
the foot of the building, into which persons might
Jump from great height without sustaining per-
sonal harm-a fact which was fully demonstrated
in our presence. The Turner'S have invited the
Common Council to appoint day and name some
place at which they may give public exhibition
of their litesavng apparatus.
THE EAsroN STEAMBOAT ExPLosroN.-We have re-
ceived the following additional particulars of the
distressing calamity at Easton, Penn:
At ii O'Clock the steamer started and made her
way up the river against swift current, having
on board about hundred men. At the bridge she
stopped, when a number got off leaving about forty
persons on board. The steamer then continued her
trip up the river and arriving at the Falls, a
| short distance above the bridge, she moored
| for a short time. When all ready to start
again the boiler exploded with a terrible crash, the
pieces flying in every direction, and the boat be-
coming in an instant complete wreck. Some OF
the passengers were thrown fifty feet into the air.
others were blown off into the water and slightly
injured, and others were dreadfully mangled The
sight upon the land was truly heart-rending. The
torn limbs of the poor sufferers, and the presence
of those who in search of friends supposed TO
be among the dead, formed sight to make the
stoutest heart feel sad. The ply sicians of the bo
rough fastened to the assistance of the sufferers,
and did all in their power to alleviate their suffer
ings.
The scene shore after the explosion, it is alto
gether impossible to describe. Women who were
fearful that their relations were board, ran up
and down almost distracted, questioning almost
every one they met in regard to the dreadful af-
! fair.
A bill has been introduced into the Louisiana
Legislature, providing for the construction of a
railroad from Baton Rouge to Pouchatoula, so
miles distant.
The Philadelphia Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church meets in Philadelphia the 2lst
inst. This body has jurisdictio over the Eastern
Shore of Maryland and Virginia.
George Page, Jr., of this city, has brought suit
against Talbot Il Bro, Philip Rahm, and others,
of the city of Richmond, for alleged infringement
of the patent in the circular saw mill
The Philadelphia shoemakers had large meet
ing on Monday evening. Resolutions were adopted
expressing sympathy for their Massachusetts, bre-
thren now engaged in the "strike."
Alexander Cummings, Esq, has Withdrawn from
the Philadelphia EUening Bulletin, which he has
been engaged in publishing for the last thirteen
years.
John Ross, chief of the Cherokee nation, and
family, are on visit to Wilmington, Del.