The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1866-03-01
THE LATE CALAMITY IN BALL.
TIMORE.

The Baltimore papers give the partic-
ulars Of "a terrible calamity which Oc-
Cured there on Saturday, on the north
east corner of Fayette and Ann streets,
in building owned and partially occu-
pied by John Bonner aud wife. The
third story was rented by Henry Hanna,
Jr., who, with his wife Julia, aged 20;
his father, Thomas Hanna, ST., aged 80;
his child, aged 16 months; Lena, aged
ii, and Anna Highland, aged Z, sisters
to his wife, resided therein, and made
use of it partially as work room in the
manufacture of pyrotechnics. At 8.1O
ON the morning in question, Sergeant
Kaufman heard the cry of "fire ~ He
Immediately ordered Policeman VIII
liams to telegraph the alarm, which he
did. About quarter of six, VIM. ii.
Williams, who resides in the vicinity,
was awakened by an explosion. De-
scending TO the street, he, in company
with Geo. w. Deal, Oliver Jones and
William Tudor, again heard number
of explosions, and saw smoke issuing
from the windows of the story occupied
by the Hanna family. On going hur.
riediy to the corner, and demand
ing the cause, Elizabeth Bonner ap-
peared at the second-story window and
assured them "'twas nothing but fire.
works." and there was no Danger and
they could MT come inn Thew then
returned to the other side of the street.
when another explosion took place, and
they distinctly heard coughing. as
though some person was strangling.
They then again demanded admittance,
threatened to burst open the door, upon
which they were admitted.
On going up stairs to the third story
and breaking open the door, they were
met nv n SfifiinO cloud nf I.~k,
smoke, which issued from it. Recover
ing their breath, they entered, Mr..
Williams carrying bucket of water,
which he dashed on the blazing table.
With the assistance of Tudor, Deal and
JONES, though half blinded and sufio-
Gated with smoke and flame, he raised
the old man, Thomas Hanna, and car
ried MN down stairs, returned and
found the two sisters, Lena and Anna
Highland, and conveyed them to the
street. All were dead. BY this time a
truck had arrived, and they raised a
ladder to the front window. Thomas
Wiley and George Horton were the frat
to mount and enter the window, from
winch clouds of smoke and flame were
now rushing. Soon Horton appeared.
bearing In his arms the body of Julia
Hanna. Then Wiley appeared with the
scorched and bleeding form of Harry
Hanna, which was so disfigured by the
IRE as scarcely to be recognizable. He
struggled and groaned in agony. He
was borne to the ground and placed on
bed, which was hastily prenared
Meantime the fire was extinguished
and the body of the babe discovered
taken and laid beside its lifeless mother
ana suffering father. A wagon was
procured and the family removed to the
station-house, where the dead were
properly laid out, and the suffering sur-
ViVor taken TO an upper room, where he
was attended by many kind gentlemen.
who did what they could to alleviate lila
agony. He lived until two and half
O'Clock A. NJ Sunday, when he died in
great torture.
AT IL A. NJ. Saturday, Coroner Shark.
lin SUMMONED jury>to investigate the
cause OF the f1re, and a verdict was rem
dered 'tnat they came to their death hv
the accidental explosion of composition
USED In manufacturing fireworks. and
ordered John and Elizabeth Bohner n
De neld Tor trial as being accessory tn
tneir deaths: How the fire Originated
Is not known, though great MANY r,,-
uiors are anoat concerning The most
rational one, in our opinion. il fiat
having made up quantity of sr;t.
devils, snakes, rockets, &C., Mr.. Ham.
had laid them on the floor and table -,
close proximity to the stove, i'm order 10
dry rapidly before packing, The he.S
being intense, combustion ensued an~
before any of the inmates could give thss
aiarm' they Were smothered to death
IT SUDDEN DEPARTURE. Hon. WilI;.n,
"a. seward. Secretary of State laf, am
resi- ea, Of Mr. r. NJ. Blatchford 'i in
The s Sesre aas. evening wen for Washington.
me city before Wednesday nevt leaving
geographic dispatch, received vest out 2
as au W caused him to depart at quay
Monday. 1''" herald, Of
A terrible tornado passed ovar
sxnIe, tennessee, early on Friday n,no
nh; Inc roofs of the depot and ma-
cnlne shop of the Virginia Ra;i, ns-
ana OF the round house of the Gsnra;,
nsalroad, were blown off. some tb;s,s
L