The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-10-11
y.----'--to-, =, = r.. ..-a.s-r..
J Ess.. E,s..,ssry. II,
[rrom tilp pi,tshurgn liazalle. Nctolnr s. |

from the Pittsburgh Gazette. October s..
Yesterday afternoon about 2 O'Clock the
citizens in the ueiyhborhood of Twenty
fourth and SlnalfInan streets were startled by
a terrific report, which resounded through
the vicinity and co,fld he heard for some dis
tancc away. Fora little while grcn constcr-
nation prevailed, which soon rose To- an in
tense excitement when the rumor went forth
that n boiler had exploded in the well.
known National Plpe-Werks Of Messrs.
William Smith & Sons. Soon there was q
rush made for the place by anxious women
and children, who wanted to know what had
become OF friends aud kindred. A little in
vestigation revealed the fact that no boiler
had exploded, but that an accident had hap
pened which will prove nearly as terrible in
its results. The founders were engaged ut
the TASKS casting what is known as thirty
siS.inch pipes, which are used as water
mains. These pipes are of immense weight,
and require several tons Of metal. Two Of
these huge mains had been cast, and the
third was nearly poured from the cupalo
when the molten metal commenced to leak,
owing to the expansion Of the newly-nade
pipe. Soon the metal poured in the pit and
ran over it, and all at once, without mo-
ment's warming, the entire flask exploded,
metal in every direction and, to add to the
excitement and terror of the moment, the
crane was also set ablaze. Nearly all the
men who were away from the pit, and who
were struck by the molten metal, were
struck sideways, the stuff passing them and
inficting but little injury outside of fright
ening them. But not SO fortunate were
some four of the men. Their names are
Patrick Finney, residing on Twcnty-eighth
near sandman street; Thomas Williams,
Twcnty-fiith street; john Gohaz, No. 100
Carpenter alley, Allegheny and Joseph Fra
zier, residing on Federal street near Wylie
avenue. Williams had charge Of the crane
at the pit when the accident occurred. He
says he was thrown out Of the pit by the
explosion. His clothes were set on fire, and
he, craZad by the accident, ran with his
burning habilimcntS onto the street. and
was caught and managed with great diff
Guilty, and the fire upon him subducd. His
injuries are very severe, his body, back. and
neck being tclriully burned; but he will re-
cover Poor Finncv was more unfortunate.
He WAS most horribly muiilated. The hotiron
seemed To have struck him all over the body.
His head was burned terribly. The back Of
his neck, his Chest, aud limbs were burned
10 the bones. Even his feet and his Stock
ino.s were literally burned from them. He
bore his injuries with great i"ritude; but he
cannot recover Joseph Frazier young
man. WAS also most terribly burned. His
injuries will result fatally. The metal struck
Inn on the head and penetrated the cranlllm.
His neck and throat are also burned, and lie
was unable even o gc>ticuiatc. Between the
I3wcr limbs and around the thighs the flesh
was burned from Tie bones. and more sur
fcrinc human being could not well DC
imagined. Gohaz wa, also very badly burned
about the head, neck. shoulders, arms, and
limbs. his left arm especially being most in
jured, but the physicians have strong hopes
| of his recovery.