New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-01-29
Tuy NArpyy LANE EXPLOSION CASE

The MAIDEN LANE EAPboslON 'AHh.-
Coroner Sauminn on Thursday concluded the INQUEST
a, the second Precinct Station HouFe on the BODY OF
Paal Hoffman. the yonns nan who was killed on Tues
day by the explosion Of quantity Of deionailns pow
In aha stare n StrashuTgcT aud uhn. y a o.
Maiden lane. 4 number 81 witnesses we're ertnined,
ameng others Mr.. Nuhn. ono Of the firm. He tesuhes
that few days previous 20 the explosion Tie deceased
showed lin new toy the invocation OF friend.
gunnty OF which deceased wished tho firm 10 purchase
Il small toy pistol. the charge Of which consisted
OF a niece Of paper wafer on which was placed a
small duantty Of detonntng powder the toy being fred
by means Of spring communicating with wire Not
considering the toy dangerous The firm purchased
se cra gross aud had sold some OF the articles previous
~ the explosion
Al lifetime 81 the occurrence Mr.. Nuhn IN the
office and hearing the oson mp stairs thinking
Il had occurred On the street On reaching the second
floor he saw Tho place fire. and attempted 20 exth.
guish H. bit finding his effort, ir,ltcss. went down
stairs and placed the books and papers ofyane IN tho
safe. with tic intention OF preserving them ~ ~ no.
until about hour after the explosion. when 10 saw
the 1rcmcn brnring the fcess body OF the deceased
from the building that he knew any ore had been m
ured lie stated there were no fireworks IN the olli
Ing except some packages Of torpedoes on the fourth
nnr Nor bad the been any since the l4th OF July
Last The witness Do % two other explosions after bis
return the lower aoor, but they were not as violent
Frederick Flelschmsn. residing at No 20 Gordon
street Hob0ken. stated that he was salesman en-
ploycd by Messrs. Strashurger Nnhn. AT the time
az the explosion he was the second floor. Just
previous TO the explosion, Mr.. Pluck Uhe young man
who was so terribly injured and who new lies IN q
critical condition az tue NcwlOTk UOspltaD, asked
| decreased 10 reach him down some packages OF the
explosive material which the top shelf OF the
second floor The deceased stood the counter hand
ING the packages down. and while doing this one Of
them dr6ppcA on the floor and immediately exploded,
causing slight noise This was Immediately followed
by londer one aud the witness down stairs, par
tally stunned h. the force 81 the explosion He further
L., fled that tho deceased very reckless In handling
the peskagr not supp0snf them To be Liable 10 explode
No one in the store supposed them 90 be dangerous.
Several other witnesses were examined but their ties.
,imony merely corroboraed the preceding evidence.
one " the witnesses testified that he did not now be-
lieye iha material was dangerous.
DR. Wooster Beach. Deputy Coroner. stated that ne
hal made an external examination Of the deceased and
found several marks Of injuries, principally on the left
side The scalp partially torn from tho left side OF
the head ind tie face badly burned and much dG.
figured The injuries were sufficient 10 have caused
The case va, then submitted TO the jury. who after
lengthy delberaion returned the following verdict.
"We nad that Paul Hoffman. the deceased. came TO
his death by injuries from the explosion OF detonatug
nowder used In connection with "A toy pistol sold b.
Messrs Strasb1rger e. Nuhn We further consider
The storage Of such powder within the city limts 10 be
ornauablc and recommend the passage OF law regu.
atno the sale and storage OF snch powder and similar
eYnosiye materials" The deceased was native OF
Germany and ~ years Of age the day OK the
renee. - 80 - -
Tho remaining sufferer. Mr.. Charles Pluck. Is t
alive az the NewYOrk Hospital but there l. scarcely
hone OF his recovery hs is 50 terribly matilaed.