davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-12-21

legeplace took fire several times but the flames were
quickly exnRushed. The flames were also commi-
ncatcd to the upper story OF W. II. II. Rogers paper
warehouse No and Collegeplace but they were soon
subdued.
The Grocers' Bank had iron shutters to all It's win
dows These were heated red hot by the flames ana
thus the wooden window frames became igntcd
A few minutes before the wall OF No. 81 Rarcay-st'
fell several OF the wounded men were tbs store d
rectly opposite which was also filled with the anxious
against these buildings and broke into thousands NJ
fragments Those the stores opposite were Obliged 10
flee the rear ends to escape injury.
gas pipe which had been broken by the fall OF the
front Of Grcennel's gave out large stream Of
gas, which was Immediately igned. Although streams
OF water frequently thrown ag9inst IT, it Sill burned
brilliantly with a blush white fame. afording strik-
ing contrast with the red flames around IN.
The night manager Of the Western Union Telegraph
building called at the Twenty-seyenth station 70 inquire
about the probable loss OF fe. He said That he had
ceiyed teeraphic inquiries from Jersey City IIobocn.
Newark and "a far ~ summit y. j., whore the light Of
the fire had been seen. summit is nearly twenty miles
from this city.
Mr Little one OF the tenants Of the Columbia iColege,
claims that the losses Oeca-iOned by the explosion will
ultimately fall upon that corporaon by the terms Of
their deeds and charter they forbidden TO rent or
lease this property any business OF manufacturing
nature that is accompanied with hazard TO surrounding
property.
A clerk in the drug store OF Hall & Rucke reports
seeing three men on the roof OF GreenGeld factory
ticulating for assistance and who fell in with the roof
aud were killed.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-12-21
4 CLOSE VIEW OF THE DISASTER.

Peter Stadtmiller of BROOKLYN, employed by Henry
Rogers in Canal-st. about twenty-five feet from
the store when the explosion occurred. He had
been selling goods 10 the firm for long
time past. and was just about to enter the
store to make sale OF fancy boxes for
Christmas candies. I'm front of the establishment
were several people passing aud an express
wagon stood in the street. The explosion was so
violent that the air was filed with flying substances
and nothing was seen until the two lower stories
were completely laid bare. Many persons rushed
from the building. and some appeared to crawl from
under fallen timbers. Mr. stadtmi!ler was positive
that some prsous passing in front of the store were
buried among the debris.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-12-21

&. c. Lcininger, a travelling salesman for
Greenfield * son, was engaged in selling candies about
o'clock In front part OF the store about 100 feet
from tic Barclay-,t. entrance he says: Suddenly
th.re terrific explosion, and heavy object,
which think must have been a large portion oil the
boiler. shot through The floor. Il ie Immense hole
the smokr, fam. and steam from which so dense
that could the employees thai were engaged in
the back part Of the main nJor. My way out
blocked bY fallen beams and stone and something /
cannot tel what, struck and pushed side
walk" Mr Lciungcr states that Saturday the firm
discharged large number of employee retaining only
enough 10 pre pare tho holiday goods and these were
mostly engaged IN the new building ON Cole ge-pace.
lie thinks there about persons in the building
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-12-21
ONE NAN REsCrED BY A. LITTLE.

A. Little of 30. 2l1 Grcenwich-st., states that ne
was in the back part of his store about fifteen MN
utes after o'clock, when he was startled by
n lond report. almost instantly followed by
n great hight and dense clouds OF dust
All the glass in his store windows was
shattered. He FASTENED upstairs to close the iron
shutters and met his siicsW0men rushing down in
great alarm. He throw ladder across to the
window of Greenicd's factory and rescued
a German from the Tuins who stated that
he had looked and called loudly for
any inmates of the factory, without elicitlng a
response. By this time the flames poured forth
from all parts of the building and Mr.. Little closed
the shutters. The German vino had escaped stated
that a large number Of employees had been buried
a,ivp
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-12-21
a DRUNKEN ENGlNEER.

TIE MAN N CHARGE OF TIE ENGINE OF KNOWN
INTHMPtRATE INTERCHANGEABLE SHORT
NM BEFORE TIE EXPLOSIOS-A DEFECTIVE
BOILER
1t is stated nv theucghbors that the engineer who
was in charge of the boiler at the time of the eXplo
sion, was a man of Incorporate habits ana was ac-
customed to visit Brady's liquor saloon, next door
to the candy factory, several times day. Ii Is re-
ported that short time before the explosion he was
seen drinking at the bar. and next door
neighbor reports that ne was decidedly un-
der the influence Of liquor at that time
He saws that several Of the business men in the
vicinity had often demonstrated with the engineer
upon his too free Use of Intoxicating drinks, and had
urged upon him the necessity of keeping sober in
view of the responsible position that he held and
the frightlul effects of an accident if one should
occur To these Oftcn-ropeatcd and urgent re-
monstrances il is said the engineer would
respond. with shrug of his shoulders and a
smile that he knew ms business and would not per
NIT an accident 10 occur HIS unaccountabe alb
scnce since the disaster leads to the conclusion i'm
the minds II many that he committed some biundcr
while operating the engine, or neglected
10 properly attend TO filling the boiler, and became
perhaps tine earliest victim to the explosion which
has caused such terrible havoc. The fireman is also
missing, and is believed TO have persisted at his post
of duty.
Aboat week ago the subject of thc engineers
habits was discussed 10y Nelson Greenfield and his
father the former insisting that he should be dis
charged. The father refused TO discharge him on
the ground that he had been employed by him many
years and he believed him TO be faithful servant.
4 warm controversy followed Nelson closing il with
the exclamation: "WcIi! Hen blow Us all up
some da7.'
James Gresham, Of No. o. Barclay-St.. said to a
TuEUSE reporter that he frequently did work
for Nh Greeuf ld. and had helped patch
up the boiler that exploded. Only short
time ago he asserts that he told Mr.
Greenfield that the boiler was old and
unfit for use, and warned him that an accident
might occur unless It was replaced By a new one
lie was sitting in Sherers cigar store at the time of
the explosion, and the concussion was 50 powerful
that il tlrrw him from ms seat to the floor.
MI. Strauss, former partner of Mr.. Greenhell,
sand 10 him few days IN referring to the boiler
at viii blow you up yet" The building Wa SAID
10 be old and weak
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-12-21

dell. and moved from the little store IN
Greenwich-st., leasing the whole building at No. %
Barclay-st. The making of gum-drops was then hrst
introduced into this country, and the firm went eX-
tensiyely into that branch Of business. TruesdeH
died, and was succeeded by Mr.. Young. The part
nershp was dissolved in about three years and the
firm name then became Greenfield a Strauss.
Mr.. Strauss retired about twelyeycars ago. owing To
i'll health. Mr.. Greenfield then took in his eldest
son as partner. and moved to No. 63 Barclay-St'
Seven years ago he added the store on College
place the lease of which he has recently purchased
Mr.. Greenfield was regarded in the trade as one OF
the largest wholesale dealers in the United States
His mandatory was very extensive.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-12-21
THE BUILDINGS AND THE LOSSES.
An ESTIMATED TOTAL loss OF OVER $3so,OOo

An Estimated TOTAL Los, OF OVER NbSOOOo-
HISTORY OF THE VARIOUS STRUCTURES
The buildings involved i'm the fire were on the
north side Of Barcdyst the east side Of Greenwicht
and the west side OF Coegepacc. No 80 Blrclly-s at
COleg,place b. iouTstOry brick building occupied b,
The Groccr Bank The two upper floors are DESTROYED
and the roof is burned OF la many places The loss ON
the binding is estimated at 1000; fully Insured
No. Gl Birciyst was hyestOry iron building leased
10 the estate OF Joseph w. Mees and occupied by Dan
icl ID. TOmpkins Co.. paper commits sion merchants ON
the first and second floors, and by A. Rch wool 1er-
chant Ia the remainder Of the building The structure
is total wreck, having been partially swept away by
the flames and crushed IN by the falling walls The loss
this building ~ estmated $4,000. The Insurance
il placed at O.OOO.
No. G3 was nyeory freestOne building % feet front
by - feet deep with an L. pointing College Place
and running IN the rear Of the adjoining buildings
towards Greenwicht There Il nothing lett Of what yas
yesterday prosperous mandatory but shapeless
rum, the debris being piled up heterogeneous mass.
The business transacted by Greenfield & Son who
occupied NJ. 90. tao Manufacture OF confectionery
OF all kinds They did an immense business, ana were
rated among the largest manufacturers IN the country
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-12-21
WHAT 4 POLICEMAN REPORTS.

James Humphreys was the pstrolman on duty III
Buclay-s., and saw the whole explosion. He was
walking toward tine building AT the time. 4 large
number of persons were walking by the building,
many on their way To the Hoboken ferry The
" hole front of the building was hurled to the CEN
uc of tie street The officer then gave
the alarm. Returning to the building lac found il in
ruins aud flames issuing from every part that
remained standing. ! few persons from HE adjoin-
ing stores with the officer, rendered great assistance
to those who trying to escape 1t was impoSsl-
bic to say how many got ont unwoundej The
officer was OF the opinion that many persons passing
the store on the sidewalk were buried beneath the
wall
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-12-21
LlprIyc0Tr + co.'s 1TrR4crITE LIST

F.. r. Pelt0n, at No. % BOnd-st., is the agent
FOR the publications OF the great house OF B. Lppucott
4 Co Of Philadelphia, and a full line Of Lppncott's
STANDARD books and books Tor the can be found
there. one OF the most superb gftbooks OF this or
proylous years is 1.-THE Rhine" published by Lip
pincott & CO. It Is translated from the German Of
Carl Steier. II. Wachenhusen, and F. W. Hacklander,
by c. C. T. BARLEY. the text illustrated proiuscly
from designs by some OF the most esteemed artists OF
Germany where wool-cuting is carried to great per-
fccdon. These engravioss are more than 400 IN
number The volume ia i'm perial quaro, varying in
price according to the binding, from SIS to S35. ".
Collett Sandars has translated from the French OF
"A NlusSulman. Christian, and Pagan, IN the time OF
the Crusai les and MOng0 Conquest j. Lin has Illus
trIted tho work with numerous carefully hhished WOOD
cuts and LiVpncOtt * co. publish II.
some one has well said that no glt Tor cultured per-
son srpas fayOrite Oem IN elegant dress. ANY one
OF refined taste would surely be satisfied with the LIP
illustrated by H. y Herr and the paper and Typography
mr., beautiful. Several books OF travel adventure and
comment issurd by this irm, and are recommended
for halliday purchase. Europe Viewed Through American
spectacrs by Charles G. Futon, editor Of The Baltimore
ipfrrqu appears "A edition literally illustrated.
Persons Place, aud Things Is another volume OF mar
Thomas A. kempis ~ issued in an elegant form, with
rtchiues on steel and wood engrtyings Pegasus Re-
.alied"b y H. G. Penne author Of Puck on Pegasus
appears with illustrations 10y Du Maurer eNcoenlN
REPRODUCED. six Hundred ltObinsOn CrusOes; Tic
Voyage Of the Golden Fleece" is the attractive
TILE OF Gilbert Mortimer's story Tor Old ana
hooks edited By Uncle Herbert and consisting or My
Primer" MY Pot BoOk," and Ny own B0Oh;
Chu,tmas Carols and other verses Dy Tue ks', H. -
Patterson is an attractive Red Line volume or season
ahIr pOrtry Tue standard character OF inc Iuoc'n'
of this house is widely known and is unnecessary 10 40
more han remind the public that ia reputation 10 s'n'
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-12-21
BOOKS or SUBSTANTIAL WoRTA

Little Brown & Co., of Boston, in REM
iuscences and Anecdotes OF Daniel Webster By Peer
Harvey. have prepared volume which Is ir. OF 'el
est for all readers IL contains portrait OF Mr. Webster
at the age OF twenty-five, and ilcngth sketch oi hm
m hshermans costume, with Illustrations OF Green Har
bor nj Mar,hncld. the library 40 Mlrshaold' and me
statire m Central Park fourth edition * the DC
tonary OF Americausms" appears, uuch enlarged and
imno.yrd Among recent publications ohe:ed ny ibs
hoi,e ~ ParAmnn's Count Fronteuae the nitn VOLUME
of tie s,ri,s France and England Ia Norm AmesSs,
and uniform with The Pioneers OF France " Ibe -
MA IN North America" 80 The Discovery Of The ote1s
West" and The Old Regime ia Canada hcmy
cabot Lodges hie Of his greatgrard ather. Ge'IS'
Cabot Il mn OF IN rOrmatiOu concerning politics ana po
ticians o that Eime. Dr. William kumers AT A ,,c
omv" contains 4S6 Ces IN, Illustrating every shtt az
h1 nan figure The seventh edition 20 Jshn BaFu.'aS
Familiar Quotations appear Win many additions ma
rev isnns More than 500 lines from NhakespsSe 49, ..
have been added. The Centenary edition OF Ban I,lsi
History of TIC United states presents that !, aha a.
workln form ~ once cheap and convenient Inc VI
Volume of smiths Christian Biography" IA ret0S
This COMMUNICATIVE Work 10 be completed IA tAIco w
uurs. A. edited nom various writers, BY William >hvS
ID q l., and Professor Waco, VI. a. At THIS wei kn0Nt
Boston establishment VIII b. found great variety ~
books on all SUBJECTS, Including many well adapted !"
presentation.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-12-21

The head salesman employed IN the Liscomb Mills
owned by W. II. Montague q Co., Immediately op-
poste 70 Greenfeds building. said that he with tho
members of the rm all in their Office just pre-
pairing to 20 home, when they heard terrible noise
and crash and at the moment the front Of their
store struck by an avalanche OF mud. bricks
and stones. lie Immediately rushed to the
doorway and saw the front Of GreeBfeds
store in flames. The mass of bricks and
stones struck express wagon, which was
passing at the time, and oyarturned the wagon
aud killed one of the horses. The other horse got
away. He did not see the driver and supposed that
be escaped. although the whole thing was 80 sudden
that he could not say whether the driver was saved
OF was buried in the ruins lie saw several boys
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-12-21
WHAT RORERT KLEMM SAW.

Robert Klemm. of No. % IcOnarl-st.. is an old
friend of the Greenfeda and was very familiar with
their establishment. He was in the building ABOUT
ten minutes before the explosion took place lie
states that this is the busiest season oil the year
with the firm and that the retail store was crowheu
all day Yesterday When he last lett the Store, nc
thinks there were not less than twenty-five custom
crs i'm it, He was IN front of the store almost lmIne-
diately after the iron front fell and says he 81" te
whole four floors entirely exposed The Jolsts anu
beams were wrenched from Their places, aih dtllso
Volumes of steam were ascending from the baSe-
ment Through this cloud he caught glimpseS OF lne
frantic girls rushing 10 aud fro and CRYING LOT heip
He estimates the loss of life 10 be at least Sky
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-12-21
STATEMENT OF CHARLES A.. J. DOYLE.

Charles \. j. Doyle stated 20 "A TRIBUNE re-
porter: was on the corner ~ BArcy,t. aud Broad
way at the time Of the explosion heard loud noise,
and saw large volume u smoke suddenly burst forth.
hurried down Barclay-s and ri the time arrived 81
M. scene disaster very little fire Co bc soe Out
tie 'front.' Of tie D1liing was down the
street, and the hOOr~ were crushed together.
There were about duy cor sixty persons then M the Vi
cinity besides tine police. Great excitement prevailed
among them. Ladders were brought 10 aid in bringing
down the people vino appeared 600 bc 10 he naAcs. /
went mp and brought down two boys. They som r.
what burned and scratched but not seriously injured.
In the same way number OF ic0ple who han been
injured by the explosion brought ont 81 the
They, together with tine dead. were conveyed to Ruckcr
* Halls wholesale drugstore in GroenWich-st \ large
quad of police the ground. who with the aid Of
private citizens did all they coui 10 assist the ircrcn
IN saving the boys and girls from the burning ruins
but il Impossible TO stay the spread Of thc lire.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-12-21


Frederick Jones was bIymg some candy at the
time. He was accustomed TO go INTO the place fire.
ouently and knew many OF the empi0yCs. At the
moment Of the explosion, he was talking at the end
of the counter, Il considerable distance from the
Barclay-st. entrance. Behind the counter were q
man and three girls selling candy and one of Mr.
GrecnfclG's taking cash. Thc first warning
the explosion gave a sound like thunder thai
came from the cellar. The whole ceiling thea fell and
with It pieces OF timber iron. BRICK and other sub
stances. Everybody IN TIE room was thrown TO the
floor, aud Dir. Jones sad 1t was impossible to say
how many escaped. There We're about thirty per
sons in the salcsrcOm. Ernest Greenfield the son,
who was taking cash, jumped over the counter and
made ms escape ont of the Barclay-st. entrance
about the same time with Mr. Jones. IL was Mr..
J,nes's opinion that all means of escape was
cat OF from the three girs behind the
counter. They could not get out Of the
Barclay-st. door. for it was blocked M.
and the fallen timbers were between them and tIc
College-place entrance Mr.. Greenfield, the father
was in the back part Of the room, and easily made
his escape into College-piace. Although tic cxplo-
sion occurred IN The cellar Mr. Jonc, did moi see tie
floor rise. II was has theory that the explosion must
have thrown part of the Sidewalk against the
front of the building.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-12-21
STATEMENT or TIE BANKS JANIToR.

DlntI MCMluH, JauIIUI OF IHt VIOctT5
Bank says that be occupied The rooms over tie bank
with hi, family. About O'Clock be heard loud report,
winch shook the building and reminded lin Of earth
quake. He rushed upstairs 10 his wife and child
aud To secure the policy OF insurance. He says that he
saw large number OF men, women aud girls escape
from the Colegc-paee entrance, but no
BAIclaN-aI.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-12-21
DRAGGED BLINDED FROM THE OFFICE.

Dr. Dundls Dick, of Duudas Dick & Co., of
Nos 30 and 81 Woostel-s'.. lad narrow escape, while
talking with Of Mr. Greenilcd's sons. The Office
floor IN at once" he says, &" heard loud noise,
followed by explosion filling the place with Steam
ana binding entirely. Immediately ! va,
struck by something falling me- and upon
getting ny and starting towards the door, 40 40.
80 Barclty-,t., ! was knocked down several times,
getting severely bruised. Becoming confused, was
able to finl the door, when ali az Ouc seized by
some one ANA pulled forcby out OF the building After
recovering somewhat. with whose head was sc-
vcrcly cut went 20 Ditmans drugstore, mt tine Astur
Haus. saw Mr Greenfield carried out IN the Of
some people with his head fcarfully cut. HIS dId
not aftcI the explosion, but have an impression that
he tGe one that helped me ont at the door re-
two ladies in tie front Of ne store at the
time Of the accident Dut whether they escaped
am not certain
III. Dick, though severely bruised in several parts Of
the body, tnhs that he has received internal injury.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-12-21
THE INTERIOR AFTER THE EXPLOSION

William SchOtte, editor Of The Jobbers Price Cur
rent was talking with Henry Hamilton. one of his
oomposltors, at Barclay and Church-5ts. About five
minutes after Gcio.k severe shock was felt. and
Immediately the front of the building at NJ. G3
Barclay-st. seen to fall to the ground. Hauil-
toY rushed 10 the place immediately and was one
Of lhe Grst 10 reach the spot after the explosion
occurred. ~ the aid of several persons a lad
der wac procured at q noighborng paint store
II was raised 10 The third story, as it was impossible
10 enter the two owerfloors. Hamilton seized "a little
bog who was lying on the floor and brought him
down the ladder. liC endeayOred to enter the floor
q second time, but the smoke too dense 10 ven
turo IN. lie could plainly See when he first entered
about twenty men rushing madly around the rooms.
looking for path 10 safety. The stairways were
chokrd with debris, and the windows afforded no
means of escape. Some of the men were burned
and were lying on the floor moaning piteously.
When assistance arrived there was no way Of getting
in the third story.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-12-21
NETWORK DAILY TRIBUNE, FRIDAY,

come out Of the windows of the burning building
and descend a ladder through the sheet ot name.
Two or three girls showed themselves upon the TOOL
and then disappeared. They did not come down.
and he thought that they were stied by the smoke
In n very few minutes the entire building was on hro
and if was Thought that the whole block would go.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-12-21
HOTEL BURNED AT PORTSMOUTH. y. H..

PORTSMOUTH, \. II. Dec. 2O.-lhe CITY
Hole, a large four-story building Congrossst was
burned this morning together with the OF the fur
niture the guests also losing the most Of their private
effects. The budin0 owned by the Hon. Frank
Jones, the furniture by John Ioro The loss 0n tc no
tt and Grnrrr is estimated ~ - C0D The building T.
damaged probably beyond repair.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-12-21

Length of the road from Peckslp to Harlem River,
miles: number of cars, lGS; number OF horses amt
,Is. I}J time OF trip, hour and 20 minutes; NUM-
her of passengers during the i55sj,J1O. There
were Two persons killed ana four injured
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-12-21
ANINrrNnIAKY FIRE.

Providence, X. l., Dec. 2J.-Two buildings
at Ocean Cottage the shore Of Narraganse Bay, u
East Providence were burned by uccudary fire NJ
O'Clock this morning. Loss from $4,000 to $1,000, par
tally insured I'm the GOuct ster, Newark, st Paul. and
other Offices.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-12-21
OTHEE FIRES.
AT No 121 GOERCK.S ST.

A fire broke out early yesterday morning in
the engine Of the threesory brick building az No.
12i Gocrcl-st occupied by Kerr. Kellner d Co. tn
fire spread Co two rear building, but was quickly
checked. The tOtl loss will not exceed 5000 The
cause OF the tire and the amount OF insurance