The daily gazette., 1876-07-05
FIRST EDITION
The Casualties.

Fatal Railroad Accident-Death at the Cdn-
mons Mouth-A Coiored Woman Shot
Notwithstanding the unusual extent
of the celebration yesterday, the acci-
dents from the use of powder and fire.
works were not SO numerous as usual,
though several of a serious nature oc-
Cured.
The first fatal accident was not the
result of the celebration, but occurred
Monday afternoon on the p, w. & B.
Railroad, near Edgemoor. The victim
was VIM. II. Semple, watchman at
the Edgemoor Iron Works, who in at
tempting to jump upon passing train
was thrown with such violence as to
produce a conclusion of the brain. lie
was brought to this city on the 5,l5
train and taken to the residence of
Jas. Butcher 521 Madison street, where
he died during the night. 1t Is sup
posed that he was somewhat under the
influence of liquor when the accident
occurred. He was about 45 years of
age, and leaves family.
The most distressing accident occur
red about IL .45 o'clock at Seventh ard
Franklin streets, during the firing of a
salute of thirteen guns. The City
Council committee had selected for
this duty four members of the First
Delaware Battery-John X. Baylis,
benjamin Richardson, G. l.. Jefferis,
and Henry Pierce-all experienced in
the management of guns. After five
charges had been fired the gun DIS
charged prematurely while Mr.. Baylis
was ramming in charge, and both his
arms were blown off, one at the elbow
and one above the wrist.
The unfortunate man was assisted
to the City Hospital, where the neces,
sary amputations were performed by
Drs. Ogle, West and Bullock. The
shock, however, was so great, that
Mr.. Baylis was unable to rally after
the operation, and he died about 8 80
O'Clock yesterday morning. Mr.. Bay
lis was a man Of excellent character.
and leaves wife and two children,
and large number of friends to mourn
his sad death.
The cause of the premature dis
charge is not clearly known, but it is
supposed that MIR, Jefferis, who acted
as No. ), mistook the location of the
vent, when attempting to close it with
his thumb while MIR. Baylis was load
ing. He had his arm in position, and
1t was badly burned, clear to the
shoulder, when the gun discharged.
A similar accident to the above hap
Pened to Joseph Knox, carpenter en-
ployed at the DUPONT powder works,
during the firing of a salute about 8 80
o'clock yesterday morning M. Knox's
left arm was blown off near the shoul,
der, by premature discharge. So
severe was the injury and the conse>
quent shock, that he died during the
afternoon.
During Fourth of July celebration
about fifty years ago, in Cripp's woods,
just back of the almshouse, gunner
had both of his arms blown off in ex+ :
actly the same manner as in the two
cases above referred to.
About 8 o'clock last evening MINT.
gomery Sullivan, an old colored man
in the employ of Esquire VIM. Nc
Caulley, came out of the alley of the
latter's house, No, COG Market street,
haviag in his hand revolver loaded
with powder and ball. At the end of
the alley he raised the hammer of the
revolver when it slipped and dischar-
ged one of the chambers, .he ball TAX
ing effect in the leg of little colored
girl named Wilhemina Henry, aged
about IA years, who was passing by at
the time. The wounded girl was taken
to her home on Tatnall street between
Eighth and Ninth, where DIR. Green
leaf attended her. The wound was ia
the right leg near the thigh, but is not
regarded as dangerous.
The colored man was at once arrest
ed, and after hearing before the
Mayor, this morning, was held in $50(
bail to await the result of the girls in
juries. He was represented at the
hearing by Benz. Nields, Esq, ant
VIM McCaalley became his surety.
A boy named Emmett Triggs, re
siding at 226 French street, was strucl
in the cheek, by recoiling cannon
and sustained severe but not danger
Gus cut.