Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1873-07-01
TERRIFIC EXPLOSION.
Six Cases OF Nitro-Glycerfne Ex-
pIOded at Virginia City,
Nevada.
.2}ETT1T- EoH E,
Ten Persons Killed, Many Others
Wounded, and Many More
Missing-Fearful Story.
Particulars Of the Horrible Dis
aster- Search for the Dead
and Missing.

SAN FRANCISCO, June 3O.-The fol-
lowing particulars Of the explosion at
Virginia City, Nevada, have just been
received: Last night a terrible eXplO-
sion of nitrO-glyeerine and giant pow
der occurred near the corner of Taylor
and B streets, killing ten persons and
wounding many others. A large num-
Der of persons are missing, probably
burned beneath the debris
The explosion is supposed to have
been caused by six cans of nitro-glyce-
rine exploding without any apparent
cause. The conclusion caused the ex-
ploding Of fifty pounds Of giant powder,
all of which was stored beneath the
room Of General BOkkelen, the agent in
this city for the giant powder.
The following buildings were shattered
and partly thrown to the ground: Bank
of California building, the rear Of Ken
nedy and Maloris's grocery, Douglass's 3
building-used in the upper apartment
as a lodging hOuse-Duley's saloon
and the ArmOry hall. A number OF per-
sons are known to be killed, ten among
whom were MajOr-GeneTal Jacobs, T.
Won BokkeIen, J. P. Smith, hardware
merchant; VIM. Davis, clerk with j.
2. Smith: Ben. Mandell, dry goods
merchant; Chas. H. Knox, San Fran
cisco; John Devine, Mrs. Emily OCOn-
nor, formerly Of the International hotel
of this city; Mr.. Ed. Dean and daughter
eight years old, of Gold Hill.
The body of Generel Van Bokkelen
was found in the corner Of his room.
His features were so burned and charred
as to be hardly recognizable. J. L.
Smith and his former clerk were found
e4r0 hnfr nd
streets, about fifty feet from the room
covered with the debris and fallen tim
bGr, and were not gotten out TIL morn
ing.
some firemen saw Mr.. Knox last
night and spoke to him. He asked for
water and said, " BOYS, it's no use; you
can't save me-" His body, with the eX-
eeptiOn of the head, was entirely covered
by fallen timbers and bricks. John De-
vine was killed by an iron door, which
was hurled distance of about one hun
dred feet.
A large number of wOrkingmen are
engaged in removing the dirt and tim
Der from the bodies of the remaining sew
en- known to be beneath them, and are
working with almost supeFhuman eff
forts.
Buildings in all directions are shat
tered. Among the narrow escapes were
Sam Dock and Chas. higgins. They
were thrown down from their room in
Douglass building and were got out with
difficulty, both being slightly injured.
d. i. Blanchard was thrown from mis-
room to one several yards distant. He
escaped with slight injury.
A great excitement was caused last
night by the screaming of women on
the top of Douglass building, which was
at the time in flames. They were finally
rescued by Captain Frank PObiston. as
sisted by firemen.
Another explosion took place about
| half-past ten O clock, in the rear of Ken
nedy & Mallory's store, but no person
was injured. The body Of Charles II.
Knox was just taken from among the
| timbers, and is horribly chaTred and
mangled. The city is all excitement.
Business is suspended and all the schools
| dismissed. The streets are crowded
/ with men, women and children.
| Ropes were drawn across the streets,
as the walls of the buildings are eOnsid-
/ cred dangerous.
The vault of the bank of California is
cracked in several placeg, and its
place of business has been moved TO
Drisells 81 Tulle's clearinghouse.
| 1t is now understood that there will
not be any celebration on the Fourth,
ami that the money collected for that
purpose viii be expended in burying the
dead, the remainder to be distributed
among the different fire companies. The
city will go into mourning, and all the
! flags are now at halfmast.
Joseph ShOonon, Charles Ferdina and
Senatort, who were reported killed, are
all safe.
1t is now ascertained that VanBoklen
had stored beneath his room six cans OF
nitfO-glyeerine, seven hundred and
fifty pounds of giant powder, and two
hundred pounds of rock blasting pow
der.