Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-05-02
THE RICHMOND HORROR.
Another Account of the Frightful
Disaster of the 27th.
Short Sketches of the More PrOml-
nent Among the Killed
and Wounded.
From the New York World. ]

From the New York World
RICHMOND, April 27.-The sur
rose bright and cheerful this morning
over city full OF happiness, which by
midday was turned into mourning
and desOlatiOn. One of the mos
frightful and appalling catastrophe,
occurred at the Capitol building
wholly without a parallel, by which
nearly fifty lives were lost and a,
many were MANNED, and this day I:
henceforward one of horror and cal
amity in RiehmoDd's history.
THE SCENE OF THE DISASTER.
Such was the intense interest felt in
the decision to be rendered by the
State Court Of Appeals in the Mayor.
slty case to-day, that by eleven O'Clock
am. a crowd Of eager citizens filled
the court room, which is located on
the upper floor of the Capitol build.
ing, on the north side, and imme-
diately above the hall of the House of
Delegates. The room is about twenty
by twenty-five feet, the Judges bench
at one end being confronted by a
small gallery at the other. The en-
trance to the courtroom is from a bal.
eOnied gallery in the upper story over
the Washington monument, on the
lower floor, and above is a skylight in
the roof, which admits the light. This
balcony, or gallery, was also filled
with people who could not gain ,eaa3;
mitt2nce into the courtroom.
THE CROWD.
AT the time of the catastrophe it is
estimated that not more than three
hundred persons were in the court
room, but these filed it to its utmost
capacity. a large number of the le-
cal fraternity and members of the
press were seated in the room imme.
diately in front of the bench and gal
iery. The opposite end was filed
with leading citizens. and the center
of the small room was thrOnged by q
crowd, both seated and standing.
ihere was a general conversation OI
discussion as 10 the merits of the case
going on among the assembled audi
ence, the members Of the press were
arranging their paper and cracking
Jokes, as IS usual among them, and all
were eagerly awaiting the advent OF
the judges. At length two of their
aonors entered-Judges Jones and
AndersOn-and took their seats, when
the conversation lulled among the
people, and for the first time there
was a perceptible silence. .
THE ACCIDENT.
Suddenly, and while awaiting the
arrival OF The remaining judges, a re-
port as Of a smOthered gun under the
fioor was heard, followed Immediately
by another similar report, and every
body started from their seats and
looked toward tine centre OF the
room. from whence the Ominous
sounds seemed to issue. People there
stood up and looked themselves for
an explanation of the strange and
mysterious noise. But they had not
fO1g TO wait. There came a crack
ling sound, as Of small timbers break
ing, and then the floor was felt Civ
ING way in the centre of the room.
simultaneously everybody jumped to
their feet, for all felt that danger was
imminent, and self-preseryatloI is the
first Law Of nature. But II was TOO
late. Down went the floor with a
terrible crash, with its living, breath
ing, and frightened human freight,
dragging with it the gallery and is
living mass, and down they went a
distance Of nearly twenty-five feet to
the floor Of the House of Delegates.
Then, with the descending mass, the
ceiling above, which was somehow
attached TO the gallery also, came
down with another fearful crash,
smotherihg and crushing the living
and struggling mass Of victims be-
meath.
PROVIDEETIAL ESCAPES.
A irdge of about twelve feet, on
which the bench was located,
did not 20 down, and on this
many lives we're saved, including
the Judges and reporters. As soon as
the fearful crash had occurred those
who could clutched hold Of the win
doWs, stepped out Of the gallery and
ran out to other rooms, and thus many
others were also saved.
THE EXCITEMENT.
The scsne which followed is utterly
bev0nd description. Between the two
bOdies Of the floor and ceiling was the
mass Of people, the force and power OF
the latter, with the gallery falling
upOu them, forever silenciBg their
cries for help. 1t was q scene OF hor-
ror never to be forgotten by those who
witnessed il. To those who renamed
about and who ventured to look down
INTO the vacant space OF the court
room, nothing was visible but q
cloud OF thick dust, through which
the frantic cries of the victims yet
alive could be heard vainly appealing
for help.
-PREADING THE NEWS THROUGH THE
CITY.
The crash was felt in every portion
# the building, even TO the basement,
uut Of which the officers ran in pre-
ripItate haste, and soon the alarm OF
the catastrophe was pealed through
the CITY on the bells of the surround
mo churches. This sound had the ef
ieet Of bringing promptly TO the scene
the Fire Department, besides a large
..oDcOurse OF citizens who were under
the impression that cOntiagratiOn
had taken place. HeOks and ladders
we're at once brought into active re-
ulIisition and the work OF eXtricating
The dead, the mangled, the wounded
ADd the dying was commenced.
BRINGING OUT THE VICTIMS.
One by one they were brought forth
from the mass OF debris through the
windows aud doors, those unhurt first
making their appearance begrimed
with dust and with torn and battered
clothes. Next came the dead and
wounded, who were deposited on the
grass plots of the square, which soon
Tesembled the scene after a battle,
with afflicted relatives, male and fe-
male, wandering about in search Of
ssme one missing since the announce
inent ofthe catastrophe. 1t was pain
tul and heartrending TO hear the groans
of the wounded and dying and the
uyalling of women and children strong
men lpeing affected to tears, ,Rnd as
each fresh victim, covered with dust
and debris, was borne forth another
And another cry Of sorrow and distress
was sent up.
From the mass OF fallen timbers
ant debris many of the arms and legs
~ the wounded and dead projected,
md II r,squired the work OF hours TO
eYfricate them; but the citizens and
tremeu worked vigorously through
out the entire morning until the lasI
.,ne was brought out and consigned to
lie keeping OF friends and relatives