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

not topple over into the street either on
corners but seemed TO settle down on It's own
circumference or territory like a ponderous pile
OF brick cropped from a nigh eminence.
Neither was the explosion or any particu-
ening that was sensioy felt throughout
the immediate vicinity. The street at the time
was full OF pedestrians. and all were stunned ana
some injured by the shock ana the flying pieces OF
wood and brick which were rushed out after strik-
ing the earth.
A HORSE CAR BLOWN OVER.
Metropolitan horse car was passing down
town az the time, and tins was blown bodily over
against the curbstone on the opposite
side OF the street. Every window was
number, we're rendered momentarily insensble
by the conclusion. Some or them were also
bruised and cnt but the injuries are not serious.
The horses, too, were rendered insensible and for
q time 1t WAS believed that both OF them had been
killed. The windows IN the stores in the imme-
date vicinity were generally broken. 1t is not
improbable that some OF the buildings closely ad-
joining were seriously weakened.
new HORROR.
After all this there came new horror in the
through the ruins ana from the few wooden
fragments OF framework or the building
which mad been spared II every
one IN the building had not been killed outright,
1t seemed certain they were TO suffer the more
terrible fate or being burned 10 death. Every
body lent helping hand 10 extricate and
assist the wounded, and not q few were taken
bleeding TO their homes, and, OF course have not
been heard from since. The IRE alarms soon
brought the department TO the scene OF tue dis
aster, and the names were early subducd, al
though at one time many adjoining buildings
were seriously threatened.
tue FINANCIAL Loss.
The financial losses are hardly worth mention
ing, NOT amounting TO over 100000 or $4,000; OF
course II Is well covered by insurance.
THE CAUSE OF THE EXPLOSION
IL is a disputed question as 70 the cause OF
the explosion, and Ms doubtful n an inves.
tigation, however thorough, will ever explain
it satisfactorily. Mr. DOW the druggist, says there
was nothing whatever in his store sufficiently pow
erful 10 demollsn the building 50 enectually.
Many are under the belief that II was TIE power.
iul soda fountain which burst under . too heavy
charge, but 4 is claimed BY scientific men that
utter demolition OF the building the theory or q
gas explosion seems hardly worth considering. for
no one has noticed any gaseous odor about The
premises either before or after the calamity II is
store have recently been engaged In expert
menung in q cellar with nitro-glycerine
and that 1t was through their criminal
folly that the accident occurred. Mr.. Dow says
he is ignorant OF any such experiment having
been made, ana furthermore ne Is equally az .
loss to know what possibly coul. have
been the cause OF the explosion. None
OF the clerks have been seen since the calamity,
and tits generally believed that they are in the
ruins.
THE SCENES N TUE STREET.
There was tie widest excitement in the
streets all the evening. and now, az one
O'Clock In the morning, It has. scarcely
aoated. In the neighborhood OF the explosion
there was PROBABLY q concourse OF $4,000 people
assembled within hair an hour, and tho crowds
friends. All the theatres and other city enter
tainments were almost wholly deserted during
the entire evening.
MARROW ESCAPE or A TAILOR.
When the roof fell ia over the debris
OF the demolished building, a portion or
IL seemed to remain unbroken. From
beneath tnis section were heard the cries
OF q man, apparently in great distress.
one OF the hremen was attracted TO the place, but
the cries ceased a moment after. The fireman IN
the meantime had obtained an axe, and com.
menced cutting through where ne thought
the unfortunate man was While thus
engaged his attention was attracted q
few feet distant by board being
forced up through the fragment OF the roof
Operations were then commenced there, and in a
few moments the poor fellow was released from
his horrible position. He had sustained a few
nesh wounds, but beyond this his injuries were
not serious. be says that ne had given up an
hope OF rescue until he heard the fireman cut.
ting through the roof near him. This gave him
courage and he resolved upon one more e1ort,
and fortunately 1t attracted the attention or a
rescuer.
BEwILpERMEST oP A WOMAN.
Among the wounded, VINO we're taken away on