The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1876-05-20
Letter from Baltimore.
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The NEST distressing calamity that has occur
red in eur city for many years past was that
which befsll Mrs. Margaret Catlett and her young
daughter, Matte, by being burned to death few
nights ago-Menday morning last-at their resi-
dsnce, No. 81 Saratoga street, from the explosion
of coal oil lamp. They were well known and
highly esteemed by all who knew them. The
mother Ia widow and her family had not leng
ago removed from Virginia, their native State,
and opened boarding house-was keeping it
when the misfortune happened. The lamp had
in some way gotten out OF order when about four
O'Clock in the morning Mrs. Catlett arose to trim
it, 1t was burning dimly. She blowed gently
upon it and instantly there was an explosion
which scattered the haid, blazing, all over her,
setting Ere to her clothes or night garments
Almost in second livid flames enveoped her en-
tire body. The daughter, Mattie charming
young lady just emerging from youthful bloom
into tender womanhood, with hope all smiling
and bright toward the future, hearing her moth
er's agonizsd screams seeing her ablaze, rushed
bewidereG to her assistance. Thus she, too,
obedent to ilal duty, struggling to rescue a
mother, teok fire and was also wrapped in flames.
Though some smaller children were in the same
room they could render no aid. They were only
awakened to behold their loved mother and sister
burning to death and hear their agonized screams.
What awful moments must these have been No
human mind can conceive of their horror or paint
the dreadful picture. 1t was the quick transition
from life and hope and love and happiness to
agony and death, being really burnt alive. 1t
was, indeed, almost the betting out of whole
family The daughter fingered only few hours
in excruciating pain, when the bright oIbs pre-
viousiy rendered sighless were closed forever,
and rosiate cheeks, where had sat the bloom of
youth and beauty, become charred and blacken-
"a - .,a nalor IF daath The hea rt almnct maltS
at contemplating such scene-such a bereave-
ment. The poor mother fingered only d few
hours longer when she too yielded up her spirit,
and both lay corpses in the same room. Their
mortal remains were taken to Gloucester county,
Va, yesterday for burial, Rev. DR.. Hodges, per-
forming funeral services.
This calamity presents sad warning to those
who-many almost from necessity-use coal oil
or fluid lamps in country or city. 1t should
teach them to exercise unremitting care. The
truth is all such fluids prone to explosion or
combustion. Most of them are inhamable, which
is even worse They should never, under any
circumstances, be burnt in glass lamps. Even
with great care they will fall and break, spilling
the oil-as in the above discriminating mate
rial for instant fame. The emily kind of lamps
wherein to burn such oils is these made of streng
copper, brass or heavy zinc. They scarcely ever
explode and never break in falling. There should
really be law peremptorily interdicting the use
of glass lamps wherein to burn such dangerous
| fluids Your correspondent has strong copper
| one of very simple construction, which he has
used in his Office for six or years witn per-
feet safety and satisfaction, bat could Hot be hired
to permit glass lamp, with coal oil, gasoline or
any other explosive fluid in it, place Eear or
about him or his premises. The accident already
mentioned is only a most aggravated one, whilst
| of.n foto a f,l of or
eurrence here and elsewhere causing as we'll the
destruction of life as OF property. Those using
| such explosives are as if slumsering ever vol
cano or toying with powder magazine.
| have perused with much care and satisfaction
the address, doings, speeches and resolutions oil
1 the independent movement lately inaugurated in
New York, and cannot but approve the senti-
| ments there put forth. Let us earnestly hope
both Republicans and Democrats, when they
come to nominate Presidential candidates, may
heed what has been so we'll and frankly asserted
by the Independents. Their efforts at reform-as
reform is the order of the day-cannot fail of do
ing good. The truths uttered come right home
to the better Judgment of all conservative, think
ing men.
Both branches OF our City Council have passed
an ordinance TO make public square and park
in front of the new City Hall, bounded by Holli
| day, Fayette and Gay streets and Orange alley
Mayer Latrobe will no doubt approve the bill
We have also hopeful prospects of getting mag
Hifcent new Court House, on the square where
the present court buildings stand. There arr
| likewise probabilities of getting reduction o
our city passenger railway fare to even FIVE cents
The Democrats are considerably exercised il
getting candidates for the State Convention TO Sc
lect delegates to their National Convention at st
Lsuis.
1 Thora 10 oil dcnhf liant tbat 10 T;1Jar
will be the Democratic nominee, and, possibly
Judge Davis for their Vice President, though Da
Wis has been Liberal Republican.
| Our season Of pleasant excursions to varou!
| places on the Chesapeake will soon commence
though the larger current is likely to set towards
Philadelphia and the Centennial this year. Oul
intensely patriotic City Council has refused 10 ap
propriate anything for the celebration Of the Att
Of July in Baltimore this year.
Judge Brown administers justice with decided
6rmness and ability since be took charge of the
| Criminal Court. Evil doors don't much fancy
| him, as he thinks the pententiary suitable
place for them. Judge Gilmor is also doing wei
il the Circuit Court and Judge Pinkney in TIT
City Court.
| We have had succession of delightful rain.
and thunder storms during the week, which gave
| freshness to vegetation. The thunder walked VI
the frogs and they croak incessantly. Immense
quantities OF strawberries now coming to oul
markets from Norfolk and sell at to 10 and Il
cents a box. All kinds Of vegetables and season
able fruits plentifcl
Everybody talks about visiting the Centennia
most of them during June and July--the 4h
particularly.
| Miss Anderson, the wonderful young actress
has been doing well at Ford's theatre. She i;
destined to become brilliant star
The Pimlico races next week promise especial
success and decided interest. They will bring Il
Baltimore a large crowd Extensive prepare
tons are making for them.
Quite number of srangers-some foreigner:
are daily passing through and sojourning il
our city as visitors to the Centennial.
| Dom Pedro, the Brazilian Emperor, caused
| quite sensation when with US few days ago
| He made NEST favorable impression. regretted
very much that his pressing engagements did ro
afford 'Nestor" an opportunity of giving him a
royal banquet.
Business is improving, but not active.
NEsToR