The New York herald., 1873-11-13
Scenes and Incidents in the NeighbOr-
hood Of the Accident.
ACTION OF THE CORONER.
Opinions Of Engineers, Contractors
and the Health Officers.
TIE ENGINEER SENT TO The TOMBS.

gppalnnr accident consequent on the boiler eX-
ploson OF the previous day. The first impression
OF the most ordinary observer is that OF great
surprise that there were not more than seven per-
sons killed. Not whole pane OF glass is
lett in the block between 12sth and
10th Streets and in some cases the EN-
tire fronts Of stores had been carried
away by the effects OF the conclusion; yet, great
and EXTENDED as this destruction was. only one
person residing on this block, namely Mrs. John
Ormiston, who was in her husbands saloon, was
Injured and she only slightly, by the falling glass;
The block with the exception OF the District Court
Dfnces is occupied by stores, over which are tene-
ments let in floors, ana, OF course, occupied by
number OF families: yet not one Of these had been
hurt In the slightest degree. AS usual IN accidents
or this character, there have been several remark
able escapes from injury; and the most notable OF
these is gentleman connected with the local press
OF Harlem who unquestonably was on tue spot at
the time OF the explosion, and to certain extent
may be described as an eyewitness. lie says that
,he near the drug store at the corner OF 12Sth
street when he observed a sudden cloudng OF the
atmosphere, q tremendous roar, wave OF air that
Swayed the body as though 1t were a straw, the
crash OF glass, and fearful and agonizing shrek.
He was looking directly at the boiler ana had
only time to turn his back to the force OF the
explosion. He was covered with glass, and
q portion OF shower OF lead settled on his CLOTH
ang On recovering himself and looking around he
raw part Of the boiler and four dead 0cdies two
OF them with their heads partially blown OF. This
Us what ne remembers to have seen:-He described
what he saw in very graphic language. evidently
the effect OF the exciting and terrible posi-
fon in which he was placed. But a review
OF what actually did take place at that
awful moment shows that this narrative Of
horror is lar below the reality The circum-
stances attending the death OF Miss Bassford
are OF the most narrowing description. She was
on Fourth avenue on her way to Third avenue
when the explosion took place. She was struck
with fragment OF the exploded boiler, and the
front part OF the head to the chin was literally
severed IRON the body, and blown away twenty
I've feet from where the remaining portion OF her
remains were found. II was discovered yesterday
that some OF the fragments OF the boiler had been
thrown a considerable distance. One piece fell in
Filth avenue, near 127th street; several 1en IN
Madison avenue, and the head OF the boiler fell on
She root OF a house on Fourth avenue, between
125th and 12sth streets, anu found its way into a
room on the fourth floor.
THE JURY.
At the Twelfth precinct station house Coroner
Kessler and his Deputy, DR.. Leo, met, yesterday
morning, the following gentlemen, whom he had
summoned for the purpose OF investigating the
cident. 1t will be that the list comprises gen.
slemen whose qualifications for this inquiry
manifest
Peter Jackson, No. 315 East Twenty.eghth
street, OF James L. Jackson's iron works.
David Morgan, Secretary Third Avenue Savings
Richard Kelly No. ese Third Avenue, President
OF the Fifth National Bank.
John b. Root, No 500 Second avenue.
George Lowther coal merchant, No. 60 West
Fiftieth street.
George ". stvers carriage factory, No. 14i East
Thirty first street.
W. IL. Paulding Potter Stymus Manufacturing
CG%passyK ow Ke,a aeHng5en aenu street,
Lewis san, wagon manufacturer, No. s67 Third
avenue.
Theodore stenway steinway Brothers, plano
Edward A. Moore builder, Seventeenth street
Martin Toomey, No. o44 Lexington avenue.
John Chilean, banker, corner Hath street and
Eighth avenue.
After the jury had been told by the Coroner for
what they had been called together they proceeded
10 inspect the scene OF the accident and several OF
she jurymen, who were experts, took measure
nent OF certain parts OF the boiler and also OF the
external plates, which they found to be quarter
~ an inch thick. They then proceeded in body to
Hr. Bassford's house, at No. 81 East 125tn street.
The Coroner and jury were received by Mr.. Bass
ford, who is evidently feeling very acutey the ter
rbe death OF his daughter. lie invited the jury to
his parlors, where the remains OF Miss BassioId
were laid in casket. The young lady, in liie must
have been very pretty blonde; the face bore no
indications whatever OF the violence oil her death,
with the exception Of severe wound on the upper
part OF her forehead. Around the casket, and
amid the sobs of her relatives, Coroner Kessler
swore each OF the jury TO truly and diligently In
guire INTO the cause her DEATH after when they
retired from the very elegant house, which had so
suddenly been made house oil mourning.
AT THE TWELFTH PRECINCT STATION HOUSE.
The jury returned 10 the Twelfth preclnt station
would be need vi Tor hlm 10 obtain the evidence Of
experts az TO boiler explosions, ana that as the In
time he did not propose to commence IL before
Wednesday next, and tnat IL would be held at the
Coroners' Office, corner OF Houston and Mulberry
streets. lie then dismissed them with the usual
caution as to avoiding conversation on the
subject and the reading oil newspaper nara
Sves In reference TO the explosion. Ex-Ader-
man Otis !. Hall appeared Tor the contractors
and asked the Coroner TO consider the question OF
Otil IN reference to the engineer, John Barnum,
VINO was detained IN OF the cells OF the station
mouse; Mr.. Hall said that Barnum was a consider
able distance. IRON the engine when the accident
occurred, aud could not be held responsible for It,
ne thought; The Coroner said the question Of bali
ttbe Coroner'si discretion and he would cons,dar |
ahe application; but ms present Judgment was |
p reporter OF the HERALD and Captain Rennett
subsequently visited Barnum in his CELL and had
eome conversation with him as to his knowledge
at the boiler twenty minutes before the accident
occurred, and that he had found in 1t two gauges
Of water: that was amply sufficient, and the boiler
could not have exploded Tor want OF water neither
was there any necessity Tor the int oducton or |
sain one put any water in the boiler
alter he lett It. His theory OF the cause
OF the explosion Is that In the mov-
Sng oil the boiler, which the men were
beginning TO do when he lett It, the boiler
skinked,n that Is, got slightly one side; tnat this
3elt an exposed heated plate free from any water
and tnat this was productive OF force that re-
Rnlted IN the explosion. This opinion OF Barnums
" shared by others who have been engaged on
s't1e work. and who regard the movement OF the
boiler on rollers on uneven ground as source or
great danger. On the Coroner's order Darnum was
subsequently, removed to the Tombs, where he will
remain TIL lie has given evidence at least
THE BODIES OF THE woRKMEN
coroner kesser at the request OF Mr.. Freeborn,
she uhdertaker proceeded to Mr.. Freeborn's Office,
a. NO. 225o Third avenue. to give permits for the
senloval OF the bodies OF the workmen Foley,
Becker Gibson and Muller The bodies OF the men.
b. tney lay In their casEets presented revolving