Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1861-07-07
RICHMOND I~Rms.

Etom ut D4epalCl.l
Mr.. Joseph Laidley, the well-known chemist,
came 20 an untimely, sudden and horrible
death about twenty minutes to one O'Clock
yesterday, by the explosion of a quantity Of
decorating powder, which he and an assistant
named Robert Clayton, Of Manchester, were
preparing for the use of the Confederate army,
IN a building erected especially for their use
on an eminence in rear Of the State armorv,
and equi-distant between that and Thomas
factory, where cartridges are now being fabTi-
Gated FOR the Government. at the hour above
named an explosion was heard, resembling the
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 Wllcl tile powder was manufactured, weTs
found blown down, and many of the timbers
wTencned, twisted and broken in a manner to
show the almost incOnceivable power Of the
powder. MIR. Laidley was found lying on his
back, one OF the most horrible objects Of mu-
tilated humanity which it Is possible to con-
ceive. Within d few yards Of the body was
found a portion oPthe poor mans brains, look
ing as II they had been torn by a supeThuman
agency from the skull and splashed upon the
floor. The ertire head, except the lower Jaw,
had been blown of, and nothing remained to
mark the features of a men, except a pair Of
whiskeTs and a portion Of the neck. The
right arm was torn of below the elbow, and
from the bloody stump hung the fragments
OF nerves, veins and sineFs 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 lit is
said), three hundred yards distant, near the
banks of the river. The search for the re-
nainder proved uDsvaiIiBg.
His assistant, Mr.. Clayton, found in a Te-
riIUIpU nngfurn araTrut . DogE I-YL1aI mn "a
If be had suffered d fearful contortion. He was
perfectly insensible, and so remained up to a
late hour last nigh, but it was not ascertained
to what extent he was internally injured.
Drs. Wexford and Conway were summoned to
the scene Immediately after the accident, but
their efforts proved unavailing to afford relief.
1t has only been a few weeks since that a
pound OF decorating power blew down the pri-
vate dwelling OF Mr.. Edward T. Finch
chemist, and caused his death, in this city.
Both gentlemen were working for the benefit
Of the Southern States. Peace to their ashes.
Our latest information is to the effect that
the Illuminating powder was not sufficiently
wet. It's manufacture is not dangerous when
proper care is taken.
To BIZ CARRIED BACK.-The captains and
crews Of the steamer st. Nicholas; brig Mon
t%icetIo, from Brazil, bound to Baltimore, with
$500 bags OF coffee, schooner Mary Pierce,
from Boston, bound to Washington CITY, with
200 tons Of ice; schooner Margaret, from
Alexandria, bound TO Staten Island, with 27O
tuns Of coal. The three last-nameG having
been captured on Saturday, the 29.h instant,
after the steamer had been taken by a aetach-
ment Of the confederate army, under Colonel
Thomas, and Capt. Hollins, c. S. N, having
been brought to Richmond were carried before
he proper authorities at the City hall, at two
O'Clock yesterday, for examination. The
evidence being addgced TO show that they
were combatants, found with arms in their
hands resisting the legal authority Of the
Government, an order was entered that they
be transported hence this morning to AQUA
Creek, and be conveyed across the Potomac
into Maryland and released. No doubt the
personal effects OF the parties will be delivered
to them. The number of prisoners here and at
Fredericksburg is about 80 10 40. The articles
Of war do hold men captured while serving on
board merchant ships as prisoners Of war,
hence the above decision.
At the recent fire at the psnitentiarv the
prison proper escaped entirely. The spinning
and weaving departments, the ak and a por-
ton Of the blacksmith shop, were destroyed.
The wood, paint and all other shops in the
western portion of the building were saved. A
large quantity Of raw material, and goods Of
various kinds were also saved. It is said that
the actual loss Of property will not exceed
SIS, 900. The looms in the weaving depart
ment, and much other valuable machinery,
cannot be replaced at this tine in consequence
Of the Lincoln blockade. Perhaps the State
may be enabled to purchase similar articles
from some cotton factory in the Southern Con-
fsdsracy. Every convict thrown out Of en-
plOyment by the disaster will be put actively
to work in a few days.
A number Of bags containing the mails and
dispatches from the Brazil squadron, captured
on the brig Monticello, on last Saturday morn
ing, on the Potomac, by the St. Nicholas, have
been brought to this city. They are not the
only specimens Of similar cOnTaband goods
that have come into the possession OF the con-
federate authorities since Old Abe commenced
his war. No doubt they will be Of value, as
showing the plans of the war.