Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-05-20
Fatal Gas ExpIesso, at the C.pitoi
IoHN KING KILLED, AND S. II. CUTLER
yERELY INJURED,

JOHN KING KILLED, AND S. n. CUTLER Sc
yERELY INJURED.
A gas explosion occurred at the Capitol
about half past O'Clock yesterday afternoon
in small room used for storing documents
under the east stairway of the Senate near
the restaurant, by which Mr.. John King
head carpenter, under the Supervising Archi-
tect, was soteverely injured that his death
B. Cutler, assistant superintendent OF the
document folhirg room, was severely in
!ured. The coLcussion was distinctly felt
throughout the entire building. The halls
on the south side were filled with smoke and
sthing gases, and IL was with considerable
dimculty that the scene OF the explosion
Pfoyed for some days past placing shelves 10
the room Tor the purpose OF storing there a
lot Of books from the folding room. The
sion occurred, was the door leading into Il.
HOW THE EXPLOSION OCCURRED.
There was bracket gas light over the
the room must, In turning off the gas, have
turned II on again without knowing 1t, there
being no check on the key, which, on account
f OF lis helfht nom PM the hoor, was usually
filled with the escaped gas. In the afternoon
Captain Cutler with Mr.. King went to the
room TO see after the shelving. Mr.. King,
urlocking the door, entered the room, fol.
lowed by Captain Cutler few feet behind.
The room being very dark, they both stepped
back towards the door, as the smell OF gas
was oppressive. When Mr.. King reached
the door he struck match, and instantly
tremendous explosion occurred, both being
thrown with great force against the wall on
the opposite side of the hall.
FRiGRTFUL INJURIES OF Mr.. KING.
MIR. King was forced against the door jam,
which fractured both his knees, and pieces
Of the door and sash, which were blown off,
cut his face and neck in frightful manner.
he was also shockingly burned about the
bled up on the floor of the hall, his head and
breast having fallen forward upon his legs.
A cash was found extending half way from
the right thigh broken and the bone protrud,,
ing through the flesh. At first he was sup
posed to be dead, but finally was seen to
GASP when resoratiyes were we're aPPIisd by
moved at once to Providence hospital.
CAPTAIN CUTLER WAS STUNNED,
n niS :, presen1ed a frightiuL appearance with
yhiskers singed close TO the skin, but no
bones were broken. He was taken into the
room Of the Sergeant alarms, suffering
great pain and Senators withers and, Dennis,
both belonging TO the medical profession,
attended him, and after his wounds were
dressed he was removed TO his home. DIR.
Mccoy, who is attending him, reports him
badly burned, but that he has no internal
injuries, and, If erysipelas does not set in,
Will recover.
DEATH OF Mr.. KING.
Mr. King was attended on his arrival at
Providence Hospital by Drs. ]. +. Bracket
and Beall, who dressed his wounds and, after
ed examination of his injuries and decided
that nothing could be done to save his life,
as the concussiou bad done Its work: He
fingered till after 7 o'clock, when death
relieved him OF his suferings. Mr.. King
was about ffty years old, of good reputation
for integrity, and he leaves family who
reside on 9Th, between II and streets, north
west.
FORCE OF THE SHOCK.
The door to the room was torn from its
hinges and dashed against the opposite wall,
shiveriDg 1t to pieces. The wall was dis
figured and torn, and In one place is to be
seen the prints of Mr.. Kings hand, with por-
tions Of the blistered skin still clinging to
the hard finish. The walls are blistered and
blackened by the heat, and such was the
force of conclusion that after turning two
angles, at least forty or fifty feet from where
1t occurred, the transom at the head of the
Senate stairs was dashed into the room OF
the official reporters of the Senate, causing
no little CONSERVATION among that diligent
corps. The doors of the Senate restaurant
were slammed to and fro. and q hat rack
standing In second room against double
doors broken "a pieces. The cashier OF the
restaurant Was thrown violently back
against the wall.