Connecticut western news., 1877-12-28

The Q6SCruCG1On or Cfeenuo1u G OO1IS confectionery establishment ln New York city is one of the most serious ca lamities that has taken place in that vii cinity since the burning of the Brook lyn Theater 8 little more than year ago. The establishment was large building on Barclay street, with an ell running through to College Place. It employed about 150 hands, and at the time of the disaster was busily employed on holiday work.
 About five o'clock in the evening a sudden explosion rent the air, stunned the pedestrians and frightened the horses; the startled people looked toward the spot at which it occurred and saw the front of Greenfield's confectionery rock and, splitting, pitch forward into the middle of the street. A minute later flames leaped forth from the ruins and enveloped the buildings adjoining. The wind was blowing freely from the west ward, and in moment the conhagratlOn assumed dangerous and threatening pro- portions. The scene was one of eonster- nation without and terror within. AS if by magic the crowds in the streets caught the whispering statement that there were hundred of boys and girls employed in the building, and that most of them were buried beneath the ruins.
 Alarm was sent out and in Q few min utes the department was on hand, and shortly after the fremen had the flames under control The first attention was directed to the injured. There were nearly forty of these, some of them fa- tally, some seriously, and many slightly. The injuries consisted in bruises by fall ing timbers, and burns from fire. The inhammable nature of the contents of the building caused the fire to spread as if it were fed with petroleum, and the inju- ries from burns were severe. The injured were taken to the various hospitals in ambulances
 As soon as the fire was under control attention was directed to the ruins where search was made for the poor unfortu- mates who failed to escape, but perished in the building.
 When the Barclay street part fell an express wagon was standing in the street. The horses and dr1ver were killed.
 A number of the police and fremen who were at work upon the street were badly injured.
 At forty-6ve minutes past two in the morning those searching the ruins found 8 body of a man supposed to be that of 0 man who was passing in the street at the time of the explosion. The body was lying across the curb of the gutter, and was burned almost beyond recogni- tion. Across the head was 6 large cop ing stone. Just behind this body were found the bodies of two girls and boy who were seen at the windows on the third story, when the explosion took place. These were burned beyond recognition.
 The loss of property by the fire was about $4OO, ,OOO.
 The boiler which exploded was the larger of the two which furnished the motive power for all the Messrs. Green fields machinery in the two buildings. The one that exploded rested under the Barclay street sidewalk in frcnt of the main building. Philip Hertzberg was the engineer in charge. He was a sober, industrious man, and the theories by which the accident is accounted for are based upon the reports that he kept up too high pressure of steam habitually, and that he was employed as 8 porter and general helper in addition to his occupation at the engine boiler. The authorities claim that the engineer was not a competent man and say that a short time ago the subject of his habits was discussed by Nelson Greenfield and his father, the former insisting that he should be discharged. The father re- fused to discharge him on the ground that he had been employed by him many years and he believed him to be faith ful servant, A warm controversy follow ed, Nelson closing it with the exclama- tion: tWell! He'll blow us all up some day"
 Officer Dunlap, of the Twenty-seventh Precinct, helped rescue six girls and one man from the burning building. They were all more or less injured at the time he got to them. With one tragic scene occurred. While he was taking her on his back from the burning building stream of water from the engine-hose struck her with such force as to cause almost instant death, and when the gallant officer went to deposit his burden in place of safety he found that he was carrying 8 corpse, the girl having died on his back.
 The gable of Mines Hotel, at Edin- burgh, Scotland, which was weakened by fire, fell, burying large number of persons in the ruins. Ten bodies were recovered.
 "A body of $50 insurgents was lately encountered by Spanish column in the neighborhood of Espiritu Santo, Cuba. After an engagement which lasted two hours, the insurgents were dispersed, leaving 59 dead and 121 prisoners. Among the latter were two aides-de-camp of Maximo Gomez and IA officers. The Spanish had 12 killed and 19 wounded. Very important correspondence was found on the aides-de-camp.
 Lord Dufferin's successor is to be the Earl of Manchester, who is to be the next Governor General of Canada.
 United States troops have arrived at Fl Paso and no further disturbances are anticipated.
 A gang of river pirates who have been committing robberies and murders at Norfolk, Va, has been broken up, and the members of the gang arrested
 The Lieutenant of the Texas State troops, who surrendered to the mob at San Elizario, insists that his assailants were Mexicans from Mexico.
 The workingmen of Memphis, Tenn, have nominated candidates fo1 city offices. ... =
 Intelligence from all sides leaves nc doubt that the Russians from Plevna have commenced 8 forward movement in every direction. There are several indi- cations that they are about to attack the Schipka Pass. There is great dissatis- faction in Constantinople with Suleiman Pasha, and his recall is probable.
 Three vessels with goods for the Paris Exposition will be ready to sail in February, so that intending exhibitors have no time to lose,