The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-02-16
THE RECENT PARArFINE EXPLOSION n
BROOKLYN.

Coroner Smith resumed the Investigate last evening
the circumstances attending the explosion OF the
stin at the paraine oil works in Dslevan and Even
streets, where Edward COnroy and James Brough lost
shsir lives The evidence was as follows
Thomas Conroy sworn-I reside in King street, near
Van Brunt: the night OF the explosion | took my
brothers. supper the works about o'clock p NJ
Mr. Brough the works at the time the still was
then IRE, and my brother, Edward Conroy, was up
20 Mr.. Richardson's house informing him Of the fact
Mr. Brough was work at the time playing water on
the still; helped him take the hose around, and
no then played into the back part Of the
furnace; when my brother returned be said
Mr. Richardson not at home and that Mr. herrilis
Of thei propretors, would not get up; Mr.. Brough
told my brother to IL the still running oil
examining it he said IL was not; did not hear any
conversation about the tail pipe; was told to and
IRE up the boiler, and bad put in shovel OF coal
when the explosion occurred; do not know what
caused the leak IN the STILL my brother worked
sssant stiman for three months; was not told the
reason OF the still taking Ere; have worked for Mr.
Richardson about one month and have never seen any
repairs put upon the stills during that time; believe
chs freezing up OF the tail pipe caused the explosion
Patrick Boland sworn am dister, IN the EN-.
being Henry Donavan; run the still during the day
and James Brough 1t at night Edward Conroy being
his assistant don't know how old the still but
think put about eighteen months ago; believe
IL At the time; stopped work about O'Clock
wednesday evening, and when left the still
good order whom Brough relieved the still was OF
the boil the only means OF preventing an explosion
when the tail Pipe is stopped 10 TO take IL of;
the still light explode from stoppage the worm
4 don't know how long the bottom should last but
think the top part will last twelve years; leak
discovered about three weeks ago when the still
pared after the explosion examined the tail pipe and
found II frozen, and am OF the opinion IL frozen
before the explosion; was in the habit Of exam linz
the pipe several times day and picking tho ice OF
at; do not know that Mr. Brough was In the habit OF
examining the pipe am Of the opinion that the
sometimes keep the still boiling for twenty -four hours
With sov IRE with strong tire II takes about eight
hours 10 run oil; have the deceased drink liquor
out have never seen him drunk he was sober when
relieved me: have also seen Coproy drink.
Henry DopAyan, sworn.-I am assistant stillmap aud
nave worked 81 the business about eight months; 1
know enough OF the bus to run still myself; iet
york about six O'Clock the evening Of the ploson
~ which time Was relieved by Messrs. Brough and
Conroy the stu was IN perfect working ORDER never
sAw either OF the deceased under the influence OF liquor
while at work; think the explosion caused By the
stoppags Of the tail pipe; Mr. Brough vas a comps.
cent stlman.
George Bssson sworn-I am boiler maker and have
Been such for twenty -one years; saw the still which
ws exploded Of Mr.. Richardson's the last
york done on IL was on the 22d Of July;
made the stil ana II has been running two year,:
put two patches on the bottom OF the s the
tom OF the still ~ tns time was OF inch
abe patches which put still there ~ good a.
ever the sides and head Of tho sill gave way the bot
tom remaining good there have been or three nev
bottoms put In the still since u has been put up
The evidence being concluded the jury returned the
Following verdict
I'VE ind that the deceased James Brourb and Edwin
Conroy, came TO thor deahs by the accidental explo-
sion Of still in the New York and Brooklyn psrafns
0h WORKS on Tie night Of the 18th inst, 1895