The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-27

store on the southwest corner OF Washington
and Lagrange streets no 525 Washington
streeil. At late hour nothing denpite
was known OF the cause OF the explosion. thouah
numerous theories are current and the wildesl
rumors are in circulation. At the time OF the ex-
! plosion there were known TO be about twenty-five
persons In the building proper. nearly all of whom
were more or less seriously injured. The first in
| umatlon OF Inc disaster was deep rumbling
| sound, similar 10 the report OF an EARTH
/ quake, and almost simultaneously the walls
! OF the building burst outward in
| every direction, and, falling In one confused
mass, presented scene OF wreck seldom be.o
| witnessed-more complete than that or any OF the
| bulldogs blown down by gunpowder during the
! great fire. The force or tho explosion was
almost beyond description, and the flooring and
\ other lnnammaole materials, which at once
\ took nre made such an undertaking for
the fremen as they are seldom called
\ upon 20 face, while the fact that a number
OF human beings were buried IN the burning ruins
| created the widest excitement, thousands rush
| to the point from every direction. An alarm was
4 at once sounded and the Fire Department were
| promptly on the ground, and when there the fire.
men went heroically to work 10 subdue the names
and rescue the impersd lives In the ruins.
4 THE DEAD BODIES.
Al TINS writing two dead bodies nave been taken
out and three others nave 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 a
four story building, with 'front.' or thirty feet on
Washington street and depth OF seventy
feet on Lagrange streer. The ground
| moor occupied by p D. Dow,
| apothecary and manufacturer or soda water. 1t
4 was one oil the most complete and wen arranged
! establishments in the city. Mr.. Dow was not In
the building at the time, and it IS not positively
4 known VINO were. At the time or the
disaster the streets were crowded with people,
and street passing was thrown rom the
track and upon Its side, bur none OF tDe occu-
! pants were seriously injured.
TIE CITY PHYSICIANS IMPRESSIONS.
DR.. Samuel Grer, CITY Physician, was passing
along the east side OF Washington street. His first
| impression was that an earthquake had taken
place. He felt an irresistible orce pushing him
along for thirty feet or more, and then heard the
\ explosion and was covered by the falling glass.
Then cloud OF smoke burst into the street, fol-
lowed Dy the falling OF the building. while the
| smell OF sulpnuric acid was stifilng.
HORSE AND BUGGY FOUND.
In removing the mass OF BRICK the 1remen nrst
came upon the body Of horse attached 10
buggy buried near the Lagrange street front
under the debris. The widest excitement prevailed
among immense crowds OF people present as
tho dead and wounded were being>taken from the
ruins large force OF police kept back The
popuiace, none being allowed in any direction
nearer than block. the adjoining buildings are
more or less shaken and damaged from the effects
OF the explosion.
OCCUPANTS OF THE BUILDING.
The second floor or Dow's building was occupied
by S. d. Frazier, merchant TAILOR who, with a
workman, was taken out slightly injured.
The next room back was occupied py Mrs. Lizzie
Frazier and her little daughter. The latter died
socn after being taken out. Mrs Frazier was
severely but not dangerously injured.
The next room occupied as lodging room
Dy gentleman who was out at the time CT the
explosion
Another room was occupied by James Frawley
Agent OF the Bible Publishing Company. II is be-
ncved he was also out at the time OF the accident
Tne third moor occupied BY DR.. Richardson
and he Is not accounted for.
Another room by Nine. Lille, clairvoyant, and
her husband who were both saved; but brother
OF the husband, who lived with them, is not ac-
counted for.
The fourth floor was occupied by Annie Cromp-
ton, widow lady who had number OF shop
girls boarding with her. The widow was taken
out dead but none or she girls have been ac-
counted for.
In addition to the above, the following have
been taken from the ruins:-
Mr.. Lord, OF No. 81 Chester Park, In dying con-
diton; Mr. Daniel 5. Fraser, not seriously injured:
Mrs. Lille Hersey, not seriously injured: Mrs
LorIng Gardner and her' little son, not seriously
injured; mrs. W. A. Conin, not seriously injured;
John J. Manoney, probably fatally injured Morris
Acksrmann, in a dying condition.
Farley skull fractured ana otherwise injured;
John A. sterson, slightly injured; jacob valois
| badly cut.
Martha Londen occupied an apple stand on the
corner. She was Flown into the street and mad an
arm and leg broken.
Thomas Conney was badly cut
samuel Farwell, manager or Dow's store, was
blown into the street; had his head badly cut, ana
was otherwise injured.
Miss Lizzie Getney was rescued with great DIM
Guilty. sac was found 70 have received but slight
injuries.
rms LOSSES.
The above embraces the casualties as far as can
be ascertaned at THIS late hour. II is difficult 20
/ estimate losses. That 10 the building proper Is
about $4,000. In view Of the terrific explosion
and general shaking OF adjoining buildings IL Is
thought the losses viii aggregate 100000.
CAUSE or THE EXPLOSION.
Various theories are advanced as TO the nature
and cause OF the explosion. but nothing as
Jet Is definitely known The most plausible
idea, and that most generally accepted
/ Is that IL was q gas generator in the cellar that
\ exploded. II ~ asserted, however, that there
was nitro-giyceune 10 the house. and that no
other substance could have caused such an In
Simultaneous and utter demolition Of the building.
BODY BOOK AGENT.
/ Al forty.nve minutes past twelve O'Clock the
body OF book agent was taken from the ruins.
/ Otner bodies are thought 70 pe there. There is
large orce sim AZ work. The ruins are lighted By
I uowerful calcium u0hta