The New York herald., 1870-12-20
THE GASOLINE GUST.
Close Of the InvestigRiiou-The Gas Company
Censmred--ycrdict Of the Jury.

Close Of the tisatiOu-The Gas Company
Censnred-vcraict Of the Jury.
Coroner Schirmer yesterday morning at the City
Han concluded the investigation previously COM
menced in the case Of Charles +. Never who met
horrible death in the machine shop corner OF Fifty
fifth street and First avenue by the explosion or
gasoline tank which had been lett there for repairs
particulars OF which have heretofore appeared In
the HERALD. Below will be found a synopsis OF the
testimony adduced and the verdict Of the jury
John A. DE veau, OF New Rochelle, Westchester
county, derosed that he had been connected with
the New York Gas-Saving Meter Company; had
some stock in The company. His testimony how
ever, threw light on the matter under inyesti-
cation.
Charles Sparks OF 6a East Fify-,hrd street. de
posed that he IS employed in the New York Gas
Saving Meter Company: was with Mr. Averili when
he brought the tank first to Mr. McGinnis' and then
- Mr.. kelT's; the tank removed; Mr. Averlll
asked the foreman if he could put two
cocks In the tank, and he said he coud Mr.
Averill told HIM to put them IN tight, so that the
gasoline which TO be put IT would not leak
out he also told the foreman that he had received the
tank from the New Rochelle Gas Works and he sup
posed it had contained gasoline Tor carpuretnQ city
gas.
John Firmn, OF POS East sixteenth street. deposed
that he is gas manager and superintendent have
seen gasoline used IN connection with street gas;
have seen JOINTS proof against gasoline. this gas
having the property OF dissoving the solder
wax, &c. the gas leaking through. ana many
fires have been the consequences: Mr.. Coyel came
TO two years ago and told about his invention:
gave hsn fun liberty TO try his method in my snop
ne did prove an enormous saving in gas in my
Judgment, but unfortunately SET the place on fire;
the fire, think was Cansea by air. street gas and
gasoline: Mr. Covci proposed 10 put bricks around,
put the gas dlssolving the solder, considered IT
dangerous: By soldering the Joints apt to have
small holes filled with rosin: the rosln being dis.
solved by the gasoline. makes 1t leak.
William A. Coren was recalled, and deposed that
ne eXpcrlmenied ~ the premises OF the previous
witness on gas at an agreed ren up 10 The present
time. to my knowledge, no fire or danger Of fire
cnrred there was no solder used IN that tank which
exploited; the explosion in tiS Instance caused,
III my opinion. by mixture Of ordinary street gas
and ar with, perhaps. very small proportion OF
the vapor Of gasoline; had there been
large proportion OF the vapor OF gasoline
the explosion could not have occurred: in The
opinion of the witress the explosion occasioned
by gross careles>ncss on the part OF the deceased,
or whoever ordered hIna 10 do Cl,e action which
he performed: tte applying OF the hot iron to the
tank, The iron used being bar taken from forge
fie was evidently al white heat, or else had ad-
rapid combustion: had there been gasoline In the
tank ~ the time II would have acted as preyen.
live against such an explosion.
This closed the testimony, aud after clear and
comprehensive charge by Coroner Schirmer the case
was sunuirgd 10 The jury, who rendered the follow
Ing
VERDICT.
'lhat Charles i. Meyer, the deceased came To his
death by Inc explosion of tank III the machine
shop ot Thomas Kerr southeast corner Of First ave-
nue. ana tuty-Iifih street. on the 9TH day OF Deceni-
Der, 1870, aud we cenSure the New York Ga;-Sayng
Meter Company FOR not notifying MIR. Kerr or his
foreman that the tank had previously contained gas
onne The jury also recommend thaC greater care
he exercised IN the nse OF gasoline and other expo-
oils: