Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-07-06
Local AMI State Nems.
GRAND DISPLAY oF FIREWORKS.
An Explosion Of Fireworks In the Store
Of ). w. CIspp-An Exciting Scene.

An event occurred on the afternoon of the
Fourth Of July, in this city, which certainly was
not down in the programme. At abou. quarter to
three o'clock, the entire stock of fireworks dis
played in the large window of Mr.. j. W. Capp's
fruit, confectionery and variety store, in Hunts
block took FIRE and exploded. On the counter
were fireworks Of various kinds, and in the large
display window were grouped hundreds of dollars
worth of fireworks, arranged 10 a very snowy
IN 'nrer, and from which sales were being con-
SANITY made. Here were rockets, Roman candles,
mines, fire crackers, terpents, torpedoes, tquibs,
pin wheels, etc. The origin Of the fling of the
works 10 not clearly known, but il is cor jectured
that careless boy, in making q purchase of fire
crackers, must have left on the counter piece of
burning punt. This light have been thrown on he
long fuse Of large fire cracker, many Of which
were on the counter, for there the explosion he.
gun. The clerks rushed 10 scrspe the fl eworks
from the counter, VIII ich was but few feet from
the display window. to prevent q general explo-
sion, but quick IS lightning a rocket plung, into
the window, and for q minute there was lively
work. Those who saw the window. at a cafe dis
lance, from the outside, describe it as one of the
finest scores they ever Witnessed. PIN wheels
were buzzing at = two foity gait. mines were
blowing up, Roman candles were blazing, ser
pent, were marking theii fiery train along the
door and counters, and every individual piece OF
fireworks was struggling to do its best to add 10
the tremendous noise that was then aud the lie be
'ng made. Those near by when the fireworks
burst through the window on to the sidewals,
-ome of the rockets striking the stores the OPP
?osite side, describe the noise as similar to that
made by the bursting Of cannon, or that It sound
-d Ike huge building iumbliog down. The
explosion lasted about one minute.
There were but four persons in the store, (the
rroprietor, Mr.. Clspp. not being in at the ,ime)
.. X. Hall and George Hunt. clerks, and Mr..
Horace Cony. and . Dung gentleman who work,
tor Fowler. Hsmlcn & Smith. The explosion
was outward, or e.e every person in The soie
wonld have been killed. The smoke was sufo-
eating. compe ling these persons, after they had
dome what they could, TO beat hssty retreat 10
the rear and escape from the back window. They
rushed round to the front and got buckets of wa
Ter, and With the help Of neighbors who acted
promptly, put out the FIRE. Eight buckets of wa.
ter, we'll directed, did the business. A second ex
Piosiou VI hiuot iiuPoithnCei tosk piaCe. L ne
ire department were on the spot promptly. TO rem
der help, bat water from tho engines was not
needed.
The awning in front of Clspps store was on
are. aud City Marshal Harrington had the pres.
sace Of mind to seize it At once by the iron frame
portion and tear It down, thus preventing the fire
tom spreading to Piper & Sons awning, which
touched. Had Piper's caught, another explo-
sion would have ensued, as his fireworks were 10
ne show window. Charlie Hall had b is hair and
made By rocket striking him there. While Hunt
vas moving . lot of rockets several went off in
iiis arms. He found them bad things to carry.
iIenry Hart and DIR. Dillingham; had two packs
yes of fireworks on q counter forty feet from
where the explosion took place. These "wen,
r. without their help. The flames eaped
trough the glass, rolling up the paint. and near
ly running the most valuable portion of the goods.
The smoke assembled through the scuttle to the
second story. doing damage there. Several sing
ing birds were killed. 10 fact Clapp's store isl
,,sid looking place. The loss will approximate
$1,000; fully covered by insurance. He WAS ID
sured ia three companies, an agent from which
will probably to-day exsmine the scene Of the dis
sster.
We are convinced that Mr.. Clspp took every
measure of precaution by employing Mr.. Hunt
who has had experience in the sale and care OF
fireworks, and in obtaining permission from the
insurance companies to keep the goods for sale.