The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-07-04
LOCAL AA9xHR0.

Horrible Catostrophe,A-Mr. Joseph Laidley
the we'll known chemist, came to an untimeiy
sudden and horrible death about 20 minutes
| to ore o'clock yesterday, by the explosion Of
quantity of decorating powder, which nc ant
an assistant named Robert Clayton, Of Man
chester, we're preparing for the use OF the Con
| federate Army. in a building erected especially
| for their Use on an eDiDence in rear of the
State arnory and equi-distant between that and
| Thomas Factory, where cartridges are now
| being fabricated for the Government
At the hour above named an explosion
was heard, resembling tho discharge Of a
| six FOUNDER. On repairing to the place
a scene Of rare horror met the gaze
The wooden out building and the interior one
| in which the powder was manufactured, were
found blown down, and many Of the timbers
wrenehed, twisted aad broken in q manner to
show the almost uncomfortable power Of the
powder. Mr.. Laidley was found lying on his
back, one of the most horrible objects of mu-
tated humanity which it is possible to con-
ceiye. Within few yards Of the body was
found portion Of the poor mans brains, look
ing as if they had been torn by superhuman
agency from the skull and splashed upon the
floor. The entire head, except the lower jaw,
had been blown of, and nothing remained
to mark the features of man. except .
pair of whiskers and portion of the neck
The right arm was torn OF below the elbow,
and from the bloody stump hung the frag-
ments of nerves, veins and sinews which were
left behind. The hand was afterwards found
about two hundred yards from the place OF
explosion, in the yard Of the State Armory' a
portion of the face was likewise found ut is
said,) three hundred yards distant, near the
banks of the river. The search for the re-
mainder proved unavailing.
As soon as the facts became known a large
number of persons collected, among whom
were several Of the Masonic fraternity, of
which ne was a member. These gathered up
tho remains and conveyed them to house in
The rear of Thomas factory, where metallic
cofiin soon after arrived, and the body was
prepared for burial.
His assistant, Mr.. Clayton, was found in
reclining posture agains, post, doubled up
as il he had suffered fearful contOrtiOn. He
was perfectly inseBsible, and so remained up
10 q late hour last night, but it was not as
certained to what extent he was internally in
jured. Drs. Wexford and Conway were sum
moned to the scene Immediately alter the ac
cident but their efforts proved unaYalling to
afford relief
DR.. Laidley was a native of Ireland, but
for many years had been resident Of this
city. He was about 80 years of age, and
married MS wife in the county of Nelson,
where she now is. After the remains were
prep AIRED fer burial, they were carried to Boz
sher'o Hall, where "a guard was kept over them
all night by Lodge Franchise, F. n. The
funeral will take place this evening At /!
o'clock from Rev. Ir. Bakers Church, {Grace.)
Among the rumors connected with this mel
ancilUly affair, was one to the effect that de-
ceased bad been seen going towards the labra-
tory smoking cigar. Several persons de-
ciared that they saw him going thither smo
king, short time before the explosion was
hearl. Is 10 said that he was not in the
haiti of SMOKING. 1t is certain, however,
that Il cigav was found in the pocket of bis
coat, which he tad pulled off and hung on the
wall of the interior room, where 1t remained
until after the explosion. Mr.. Laidley was
late Of the firm of Laidley Robertson,
druggists, Franklin and Fourth streets, and
at the time Of his death did business alone, on
North Main street, square above the Second
Baptist Church. lie was an estimable man in
all the relations Of life, and valuable citi
zen. HE untimely death is much deplored.
1t has only been few weeks since that a
pound Of detonating powder blew down the
private dwelling of Mr.. Edward T. Finch,
chemist, and caused bis death, i'll this city
Both gentlemen were working for the benefit
of the Southern States. Peace to their ashes.
Oar latest information is to the effect tina.
the eliminating powder was not sufficiently
vet. Its manufacture is not dangerous when
proper care is taken.