The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-03-08
From the Mem York Tribune of l,eSteTday. I

TRIAL FIRE ESCAPES eSterday afternoon
about twenty members of the Society of Turner's,
under direction of DIR. Gardner teacher of gym
nastics, gave exhibition of fire escape at Tur-
ners' Hall in Orchard street, and the trial clearly
demonstrated to the audience present that any re-
guarly 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 was 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 a large hook, the
men assembled from story to story, until they
reached the top floor. Upon reaching the first
floor, the ladder drawn up and hooked over
the sill of the window above and so on to the top.
Four men assembled upon each ladder. Reaching
the top floor, a rope was lowered and a long
vass tube, similar to that exhibited in the Park
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 'ltalian ladder was next produced,
and found equally eiicacious with the other. This
admirable contrivance consists of a number Of short
lengths of ladder each provided with iron sockets
or 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 prov
ded with wheels at the upper end, that, each
new piece is attached below, these rollers resting
against the wall, make the matter of raising an
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 joined and raised
In cases where outpouring flames from the lower
windows would prevent the men from ascending
by the ladders large is held stretched out
at 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 life saving apparatus.
THE EAsroN STEAMBOAT ExpLosIoN.-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 a swift current, having
| on board about hundred men. AT the bridge she
stopped, when number got of, leaving about forty
persons on board. The steamer then continued her
| trip up the river and on arriving at the Falls,
short distance above the bridge, size moored
| for short time. When all was ready to start
again the boiler exploded with 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 were in search of friends supposed to
| be among the dead, formed sight to make the
stoutest heart feel sad. The physicians of the bo-
rough FASTENED to the assistance of the sufferers,
and did all in their power to alleviate their suffer-
| ings.
The scene on shore after the explosion, it is alto
| gether impossible to describe Women who were
fearful that their relations were on board, 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 on the 2lst
inst. This body has jurisdiction 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 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 Erening 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.