Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-05-27
Appalling Disaster in
Boston!
A BUILDING BLOWN TO
ATOMS!
Many Persons Killed
and Wounded.
AWFUL SCENE OF DISASTER.
Partial List Of Dead and Wounded.
4 Wild State OF Excitemcnt-Cause of
Explosion Unknown.
Partial List of Dead and Wounded

Boston, May 20. At 40 O'Clock this evening
terrific explosion occurred in j ID. BOWS drug
store, on the southwest corner of Washington and
La Grange streets, 525 Washington street. At q
late hour nothing definitely known Of the
cause of the explosion. though numerous theories
are current and the widest rumOrs ars in circula-
ton. At the time there were known to be about
y persons in the building proper nearly all Of
whom were more or less seriously injured. The
first ntimaton of the disaster was a deep rumblng
sound, similar to the report of an earthquake, and
almost simultaneously the walls of the building
burst outward in every direction and falling in
one confused mass, presented a scene of wreck
seldom before witnessed, more complete than that
of any building blown down by gunpowder du-
ring the great fire. The force of the explosion
was almost beyond description, and the flooring
and other infammable materials which at once
caught fire made such an undertaking for the
hremen as they are seldom called upon to face,
while the fact that numbers of human beings were
buried IN the burning ruins created the widest
scene, thousands rushing to the point from every
direction.
An alarm was at once sounded and the fire de-
partment was promptly on the ground and the
iremen went herocally 20 work to subdue the
flames and rescue the mperilled lives in the ruins.
AT this writing two dead bodies have been taken
out and three others have been extricated who
will undoubtedly die. dozen or more have been
sent to the City Hospital, more or less seriously
injured.
The building in which the explosion occurred is
four STORY blick, with a front of 80 feet on Wash
ington street and depth of Is feet On La Grange
street. The ground floor was occupied by j. d.
Dow, apothecary and manufacturer of soda wa
ter.
1t was one of the most complete and we'll man
aged establishments in the city. Mr.. Dow was
not in the building at the time and is not posi-
lively known who were.
At the time of the disaster the street were
crowded with people. A street car passing was
thrown from the track and upon its side none OF
the occupants were seriously hurt. Dr. Samuel c.
tIreen, city physician, was passing along the east
side OF Washington street, and his first impress
ion was that an earthquake had taken place; he
felt an irresistible force hurting him along for
twenty feet or more, then heard an explosion and
was covered by falling glass, then cloud of
smoke burst out followed by the falling of the
building, while the smell OF sulphurc acid was
sitting.
Inremovng mass of brick the firemcn first
came upon the body of a horse attached to bug
gy. buried near La Grange street front under the
debris
The widest excitement pelvaded the immense
crowds as dead and wounded were being taken
from the luins. large force of police kept back
the populace, none being allowed in any direction
nearer than block Adjoining buildings were
more or less shaken and damaged from the effects
OF the explosion.
The second floor of BOWS building was occu-
pied by S. ID. Frazier merchant tailor, who, wi b
his workmen, were taken out slightly injured.
Next room back was occupied by Mrs. Lizzie
Frazier and little daughter. The latter died soon
after being taken out Mrs. F. received severe
injuries; not dangerous.
Next room was occupied bya gentleman, as a
lodging room, who was out at the time of the ex
ploson.
Another room was occupied by Jas. NJ. Frawley
agent for the Bible Publishing Co. 1t is thought
he not in at the tine.
Third floor was occupied by DR.. Richardson,
corn doctor; not accounted for.
Another room by Madame Lille, clairvoyant,
and her husband; both saved. A brother OF the
husband not yet accounted for.
Fourth floor was occupied by widow lady, who
had number of shop girls as dodgers. At this
hour { II oclock) none of these are accounted for
save the widow, Annie Crompton, who was taken
out dead.
In addition to the above, the following have
been taken from the ruins
Mr.. Lord, Of 81 East Chester Park, in a dying
condition.
Mr.. Daniel S. Frazier, not seriously injured.
Mrs. Lille Hersey, do.
Mrs. Loring Gardner and little son, do.
Mrs. w. A. Coffin, do.
Jno. j. Mahoney, probably fatally injured.
Morris Alderman, In dying condition.
Jno Farley, skull fractured and otherwise in
jured.
.Jno. A. Stetson, slightly injured.
Jacob Naiois was badly cut.
Martha Louden occupied an apple stand on the
corner ana was DlOWu INTO the street; ndu al al III
and leg broken.
Thos. Connev was badly cut.
Saml Farwell, manager of BOWS store, was
blown into the street; had his head badly cut and
otherwise injured.
Miss Lizzie Getney was rescued with great diff
fculty and found to have received but slight in
juries.
The above embraces the casualties as far as can
be ascertained at this late hour
l. 1t is difficult to estimate losses but that to the
building proper is about $40 900. In view of the
terrific explosion and the general shaking of ad
joining buildings it is thought the losses will az
gregate 100000
Various theories are advanced as to the nature
| and causes of the explosion, but nothing as yet
is definitely known. The most plausible theory
and that most generally accepted, is the explosion
of gas generator in the cellar, though it is as
serted there nitro gycerne in the establish.
ment and that no other element could have caused
such instantaneous and utter demolishng Of the
building.
AT II 40 o'clock the dead body of James W
Frawley, book rgent, was taken from the ruins
Other bodies are shought to be there and large
force is still at work The ruins lit mp by q
powerful calcium light.