Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1862-04-04
THE FEARFUL EXPLOSION IN PHILADELPHIA

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THE FEARFUL EXPLOSION IN PHILADELPHIA,
We copy from the Philadelphia Baf,
istin Of Saturday evening, the following
particulars of the terrible explosion in
that city on Saturday, of which we have
had bre!c accounts by telegraph
THE explosion took place at the cor
ner or Tenth and Reed streets. The fire
works and cartridge mandatory OF Prot
Samuel Jackson was blown up in some,
as yet, unaccountable manner, the edliice
taking fire and in q short time leaving
only few ruins. The building was a
one story frame, located on lot about
one hundred feet square. The editice
itself was about fifty feet square. A
portion of it, occupied as an office, was
substantially built of brick, and most of
the walls are still standing.
Prof. jackson was engaged in filling a
heavy order for cartridges for the United
States government, and he had about fifty
girls and twenty-four men working for
him.
The cause of the explosion is as yet
unexplained. Its effects were terrible.
The edifce wa, scattered in ruins, at least
four or five Of the work people were
killed instantly, aud two or three of them
were blown to minute fragments. The
adjacent property also suffered. Nearly
every window pane for square around
was broken, fences were demolished and
fragments of human flesh were flung on
TOP of high roofs and smeared over walls.
A head, probably that OF man, was
blown nearly square up town, landing
| in Ellsworth street. A policeman gath
cred up nearly barrel full of arms, en-
trails, legs, and other pieces OF bodies,
inst after the explosion. One or two te-
males we're blown into Tenth street, with
their clothes all in a blaze. The police
men and citizens Immediately rendered
all the aid possible, and the ruins were
examined at once. The dead and wound
ed were carried out and placed in vari-
Gus neighboring dwellings, drug stores
&C., while some OF the injured were Ia
ken to the Pennsylvania Hospital.
One or two of the injured died while
being conveyed away from the scene OF
Immediately after being placed in neigh
boring houses.
1t will readily be understood that the
excitement in the neighborhood wa:
painfully intense. Besides those who
y we're attracted to the scene by mere Gu
rlosity, there were hundreds who had
: other and stronger motives for their pres
ence. The relatives of the work people
ran hither and thither, searching for theil
friends, uncertain whether they were
among the killed or wounded, or whether
- they had escaped. There were many
affecting scenes when the missing ones
were found to have escaped unhurt. w
will not attempt to describe the scene
when the worst fears we're realized, an,
only mangled fragments were found t,
be left of those who were in life au,
= health but a short time before.
The establishment was formerly use'
by Prof. Jackson for the manufacture o
fireworks, and two explosions, ATTENDED
with loss of life, have occurred there be
D fore. For several weeks Prot. Jackson
= has been extensively engaged in max
: ing patent cartridges for Colts navy re
volvers. About seventy-fve hands wert
- employed in the factory, and yesterday
= fifty more were advertised for. Of thu
It whole number, between forty and fifty
n were young girls, and the remainder
J.. men and boys. 1t is estimated tina
q about seventy-fve thousand cartridge
were turned out per day. One day las
: week about million were stored 10 tn,
- building, but the number on hand thi
l. morning was not ascertained.