Daily national Republican. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1862-1866, 1865-12-19
LOCAL Nn w 9 .

TnE ExrLosfoN At ruE ARsENAL-CoRo.
NKR' IEouRsr.--This morning, at half past nine
O'Clock, Coroner wocdw.rd proceeded to the ar
the bodies Of those persons killed by the explo-
sion yesterday. The following named gentle
men eompdsed the Jury Frederick whyte, fore
De3iile, Luther Martin, Henry @. Elliott, George
W. Lunt, George A. Cook. Humphrey II. Lemon,
Mark G. King, Hiram Bauer, and Andrew Cox.
The jury, having been summoned, proceeded
to one Of the long frame buildings n few yards
north Of the Peniteutiary gate, in which building
the bodies were placed, except those Of Thomas
feeley, who was removed by his relatives last
evening 10 his residence on Rhode Island avenue,
between Thirteenth and fourteenth streets.
Both his legs were blown entirely of. He leaves
family. Mr.. MeGarrighey was removed by bis
relatives last evening to HIS residence, corner OF
Fourth and 3 streets, Capitol Hill. lie leaves
family. Patrick Reardon was removed to his
residence In Jackson Hall alley. Six bodies re-
mained at the Arsenal. large crowd OF rela'
tves had collected around the doors Of the build
lug in which the bodies were placed, and upon
the arrival Of the Coroner the doors were
opened, and the cries Of the sorrow stricken
relatives were piteous and heartrending.
The remains Of each were placed In box, and
a cloth thrown over them. The Jury having been
rately. The body Of jeremiah Mahoney was
Identified by Mr.. John Sullivan. Mr. Mahoney
was single man, aud boarded with Mrs. Reese,
Meehan was identified by Mrs. Cathariue Nee
han, his mother who testified that he was her
only son. The body Of John Moran was identi-
hed BY his widow and Patrick shaloo. Mr.: Nee
han resided on Union street, near the sixth
street wharf. He leaves two small children,
This number, with the three bodies Identified
and removed yesterday, made the number OF
bodies identified six, follows: Jeremiah Ma
McGarrighey, Patrick Reardon, and John Morsn.
Not Identified. Martin Kyle, Marsland White
ley, and Michael MoDermott The remains OF
these three bodies were In the building, but 1t
land whiteley had been married about two
months. He resided on Maryland avenue, near
Four -and-a -a-Half street. Michael mcDermott
was single man and has been but short time
out Of the army. He boarded on Union street,
between Four-and a. Half and Sixth streets, ISL
and) Martin whiteley's residence unknown.
The jury, after examining the remains, pro-
cseded to the hospital In the Arsenal grounds,
where John Crane, who was badly burned about
the head, face, and hip, gave his evidence before
the jury. He testified that he did not know what
caused the explosion. The workmen all had
the building, aud witness believed the explosion
was entirely accidental. Witness was n not In the
building at the time OF the explosion. Five Of
the men were unloading the cart at the door, and
witness was one Of the number.
The Jury next examined the body Of Patrick
Lynn, who died In the hospital yesterday al.
ternoon. The body was identified by his brother
iu-law, Mr. George II. Gates, who stated that do
ceased was from Philadelphia, Pennsylvauia.
The Jury then proceeded to the clerks office,
where Sergeant VIM. T. Flint, In charge OF the
building where the accident occurred, was
sworn, and testified that he was not present at
the time Of the explosion. About two minutes
before had been In the building-nrt going to a
small shed and putting on his moocasins. When
witness was In the building, two boxes Of fixed
ammunition and about twenty -four pounds Of
loose powder was all that was In the building.
Witness then started for the coopers' shed, bat
before he was far from the building the explo-
sion took place At the time Of the accident the
cart was at the door being unloaded Witness
thought In unloading the cart box must have
fallen and exploded, which caused the accident
The cart was blown to pieces. The men all wore
moccasins. Had never seen any Of the workmen
men. Had no fault to nnd with any Of them.
Witness had been In charge Of the building since
September, 1852. The cart had Just brought 4
supply OF ammunition to the shed. The amnu.' /
niiion was that wi hich had been turned In by the
around the city. Witness had often
found tho packages very badly packed. Had
found friction primers loose In the boxes with
powder. Tie printed regulations Of Col. Benton
to insure safety In the magazines aud laborato-
riss were rigidly enforced. Had seen NO viola
tion OF those regulations. No accident had ever
before occurred in the building which witness
had charge Of
industrious man. Had always seen him hand
ling ammunition with care. Ten men were EN-.
ployed In the building-hve Of them were un
loading the cart ct the time Of the explosion.
The string on the ammunition was cut of with a
knife before It was emptied. Tho boxes are un-
screwed, and the shells taken out inside the
building. Know that pipe was picked up yes
terday sfter the accident by some one, but never
knew one Of his men to have pipe In the build
ing. Saw Col Benton on tho ground short time
q ter the explosion, and eNerted himself to ex.
tinguish the nre. Lieut.. staughton and Leut.
The y woytmsR @ a the building % % Away: % @;Un oSeySd
witness; they were picked men, aud could be
relied on as careful men. Knew Jeremiah Ma /
honey he was about 80 years Of age: John Nee.
han waS about %; John Moran was about 20; he
was 4 married man and had two children.
Frederick White, foreman Of the jury, having
been sworn, testified that he knew Lynn, the
driver OF the powder cart. He was careful,
sober, reliable man. Witness WAS about to hire
him at one time; always regarded him as steady
industrious man.
Capt. Charles s. Barry, knew Lynn; was a
steady, sober, reliable man; never knew him to
be in liquor.
John baily, at the time Of the explosion, was
about hfty yards from the building heard Lynn
and with q comrade took him up and
carried him to one Of the shops near BY thought
the powder cart was at the door; witness was
under the impression that he heard two explosG
Ions. The hrst one not so loud as the second
bad seen percussion caps loose In the boxes among
the powder turned In from tho fortileati0ns had
never seen any OF the workmen In the building
the men were selected by Sergeant
Flint, as steady, sober, reliable men.
VIM Summers was between the shed and the
magazine when the explosion took place; had
his side to the building. Believes the explosion
took place at the cart, which was backed up at
the door Of the shed heard two explosions.
Sergeant Flint bears the reputation OF q steady,
sober man. Witness was about forty yards from
the cart when the explosion took place. 1t has
been practice to select steady, reliable, sober
men for this work. Had seen no smoking around
The shed. Had never seen the rules Of Colonel
Benton violated.
The rules for the government Of laboratories
aud magazines were here read to the jury.
Sergeant Flint recalled Thought there was |
about one barrel Of powder In the shed at the |
time Of the explosion. There was about one |
hundred pounds Of powder in barrel. The |
door OF the building was frequently wAtered, |
and the rules were rigidly enforced. Witness |
had always selected the most reliable men to |
work. Had several times discharged men for in |
Ioxication.
James Lawler, who was badly burned about |
he face, testified that he was at the time Of the |
explosion In the next building, In the act Of ALL
ng barrel Of powder. Witness was knocked |
over the barrel Of powder. Witness got up and |
ran out. Had worked In that building with |
sergeant Flint. Never saw any one smoking, or |
with pipe To the best Of his knowledge, no |
matches or cigars were taken into the building |
by the men. In the building where witness was |
here were two parts Of barrels Of powder. wit |
ness was engaged In putting powder from one |
barrel into the other TO send 1t TO the magazine
Friction primers had always been kept very |
carefully In boxes.
sergt Flint recalled In the building back of |
he one where the explosion occurred, about one |
hundred and hfty barrels Of powder were stored, |
some Of the barrels contained cartridges.
SerRt Jennysack testified that he had charge
" Laboratory buildings next to Sergt. FIint's.
lad charge ofthose buildings since the beginning