Los Angeles daily herald., 1875-04-09
Terrible Explosion OF Giant Powder

A<~HS.~D.Os-
SAN FRANCISCO, April 8th.-Ad-
joining the Hathaway brick ware
house, near the corner of Harrison
and Spear streets, small wooden
building was used by Risden, the con-
tractor, for storing and preparing
cartridges of giant powder. An ex-
plOsion occurred in this building yes
terday afternoon, which caused a
scene of ruin and confusion which it
is hardly possible to fully describe.
The office, a restaurant and two frame
buildings adjoining, were blown into
fragments. The walls of the ware
house on the East were crushed in and
the warehouse, a large hay-barn on
the opposite side of Harrison street
and the debris of the frame buildings
were all fired.
The breaking out of fire in the ruins
shortly after the explosion caused the
greatest CONSERVATION. 1t was at once
evident from the cries of the victims
that number of persons were buried
under the debris of the fallen build
ings and the utmost efforts were made
to save them, but with only partial
success. A man named Clark, fore
man for Risden, was taken from the
ruins after the fire had been partially
subdued, burned to crisp. The bod
les of Frederick Haas, salOon-keeper,
and colored man named Brown were
recovered not much disfgured. Jas.
Mcintyre, lately discharged from the
navy, died shortly after his removal.
The bodies were removed to the
MOrgue. Several men, women and
children, badly injured, were removsd
to st. Mary's Hospital for medical
treatment; three of whom-Alexander
Thompson, VIM. Knight and Henry
Richards-are not expected to recover.
Several others received severe, though
not necessarily fatal, injuries. A
number of persons were missing at
lest accounts and it is feared that they
are bnried in the ruins. The loss Of
goods in the bonded warehouse will
not fall short of half million dollars.
1t was filled with sugar, burlaps and
ales, consigned to s. G. Merrill & Co.,
G. Adolphe, Low & Co., and Parrott 4
Co. The goods were insured by the
consignees. Loss on the warehouse,
$4,000; uninsured. The other losses
will probably aggregate $4,000.
There was a. great scarcity of water,
owing to the small-sized mains in
that portion Of the city, and the en-
gines took water from the bay. 1t is
thought that an abundant supply
from the hydrants would have pre-
vented much loss OF. property. The
number of lives lost will probably be
definitely ascertained this afternoon,
when thorough search of the ruins
will be made.
The following is the list of persons
killed by the explosions:
Fred. Haas, saloon-keeper. He
leaves a wife and seven children. His
body was not much disfgured. The
bones were broken, and he was killed
instantly. A man named Clark, fore
man for J. N. Risdon; bnrnt to
crisp. A cOlOred man named Brown;
taken from the ruins dead; not much
disfigured. He was employed about
the wharf as messenger. James Nc
Intyre; died shortly after being re-
moved to the hospital. He was dis
charged from the navy few days ago.
A portion Of the trunk of a human
body, -suplt3s to be that of the driver
of the GAS Com. ,any's truck, was re-
covered from the ruins this morning.
This is the fourth body recovered from
the runs, and with Mcintyre, who
died at st. Mary's Hospital last night,
makes five thus far known to be dead.
Parties are now engaged in searching
the ruins, where it is supposed other
bodies are buried. .a ID.