The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1878-01-03
A BOILER EXPLOSION.
Destruction OF a New York Candy
Factory and Sev.ral Adjoining
Buildings Great LOas Or Life.

DeSefucttOm OF 4 New York Candy
Factory and Sev.ral Adjoining
Buildings Great Loss Of Life.
New YORK, Dec. n.
A Few minutes after five o'clock this after.
noon tremendous explosion took place under
the sidewalk in front Of Greenfield Il Sons
wholesale confectionery, at 63 Barclay street,
and almost Immediately the entire brownstone
front of the five-story building crumhlcd to
pieces, letting down the several floors, SO that
the beams Of e,ch formed v. An instan,
afterward blinding sheet of fame flashed up
through the entire edificc and across the street,
and then gave way to dense smoke, quickly
followed by another Outburst of flame. which,
continued to burn with unrcmitting fury.
The fire quickly extended to adjoining build
tngs and there is hardly an cdifice on the entire
block that is not more or less injured.
various causes are assigned for the explO-
sion. 1t Is said that one Of the boilers was an
old one, but the true cause Is not known.
Every pane of glass for blocks was shattered,
1t Is miracle that great many persons were
not killed. All the downtown streets were
crowded at the time of the explosion, and but
lew minutes elapsed before an immense and
excited crowd had gathered at the scene of dis
aster.
Fifty-six wounded and one dead were re-
ported at Chambers-Street Hospital at AS
O'Clock. A number were also sent to Bellevue
and other hospitals. 1t Is estimated that the
wounded will reach 125. But few escaped un-
injured. 1t is probable that these reports are
exaggerated, as in the excited state Of affairs
tonight It is impossible to get at the facts. 1t
is stated that there must be In the ncighbOr-
hood OF fifty bodies buried in the ruins. The
greatest sacrifice of life was among Young
girls, many of whom, from eight to fifteen
years, were employed in selling and asserting
and packing candies on the first floor. Some
0f the Wfr0a vhn had <1,o h>;. h,,.s 4
totally of their heads.
The scenes at the Chambers-Street Hospital
were heartrcnding in the extreme. Ambu-
lances were quickly at the fire, and were kept
busy In taking the wounded to the hospital. The
statfon-house and Chambers-Street Hospital
were bcsieged with men, women and children,
al anxiously inquiring for some missing rela.
The remov,, the aenri NEW h HcsK De- S: a.
ct two O'Clock this morning, has proceeded sc
far that the street is clear to the outside Of
the sidewalk in front of the ruins. On thu
opposite sidewalk, lying under blood
stained tarpaulin. are the bodies Of
man and boy, which were taker
When found the botlics were lying in front Of
the doorway. Both had been evidently struck
with the heavy stone Gaping which still lay
across the boys face, and which It. was ncccs
sary to lift before the body could be removed
One body Was recognized IS that Of William
other is probably that of William Bennett, q
newsbOy. The mother of the boy keeps 4
newsstand at the Barclay-strect ferry, ant
sent him yesterday afternoon, as usual, for tn,
last editions OF the evening papers. He die
not return, and was, It is now evident, passing
the factory at the time of the explosion.
The ruins could not be more complete than
they are, for scarcely q fragment Of wall !.
standing, and, indeed, none whatever on TIN
ground occupied by the main building, . space
Of about 100 feet square.
E. , to-day ~ tn. the mothsrs' fathers, sister
slcged the porter's room of the New Yorl
Hospital, making inquiries for those Whom
they sought and pleading for admission
Three OF the wounded have been envelOpc(
almost from head to foot In bandages, ani
two had their hair burned 90 close to tie scalr
that, with their swollen and blackened feat
ures, they resemble negroes
Three mothers have been standing at tn
door since four o'clock this morning, making
vain inquiries for missing children. At last
when one of the stricken creatures was leaving
| In despair, she encountered her daughter al
the door. The meeting was touching. Aftel
along embrace they separated, and the young
girl was afterward permitted to 20 up to th,
| male ward, when she impaired the news of thu
safety OF brother to one of the manned pa
tients who had worked with her in the shop.
Philip Hertxbach, the engineer in the fac
His wife says that her husband, ON his -pturn
from work Monday night, told her ono Of thu
| tubes OF the boiler, or some pipe conncctin
with It (she was not sure which,, had burst
that he had spoken to Mr.. Greenfield, saving
the break was dangerous and might cause
an explosion II il were not repaired,
and Mr.. Greenfield told him they
must try to get along with It q
It was until SUNDAY, owing to the pressure
OF business. Mrs. Lertxbach said her hus
band was greatly disturbed In mind on &C.
count OF this, often referring 70 1t during the
week. and saying he vas afraid every morning
he left home, he told her he never expected "a
see her again. Hertxbach was thirty-hve year.
old, and lived in Fifty-second street.