Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-07-15

FOUR DEATHS Caused BIZ THEM IN THIS CITY
SOMETHING ABOUT THE PISTOLS


FOUR DEATHS Caused BIZ THEM IN THIS CITY
SOMETHING ABOUT THE PISTOLS.
The remarkable number of fatal cases of
lockjaw, resulting from wounds inflicted by toy
pistols on the 4th of July, has attracted atten-
ton here as well as in other cities. Four cases
of death from the cause mentioned have been
reported here, the victims being Jas. Meaney.
1776 street, died July 10th; Edwin Phillips.
1882 Sth street northwest. July 18th: Robert
HI Hlli: loo6 Madison street, July 18th, and Frank
July 4th, out of "a cases where
boys were shot by toy pistols. IL deaths have
occurred: In all these cases the wounds at the
thhe OF lnflictlon were regarded as trifiing They
soon nealed up and were almost forgotten until
the boys commenced complaining of headaches
Inc illness grew worse and l0ckaw soon APP
peafeu. me weapon or toy which has been so
eiiective in causing death. is new invention
Which has come into general use this year.
1t is machine for the explosion of caps.
the manufacturers recognizing the necessity
OF producing deafening explosions. and
making the machines so as to get the most noise
1or the least money. In order that the reports
OF the caps" might be of the requisite volume.
they were manipulated until they contained
charges of explosive material of as great force
the cartridges in any ordinary ''sy-shooter;" and.
with the exception that there was no bullet. be-
came equally dangerous. 1t has been found by
experiments that after the cartridge is placed in
position, and the barrel pushed back the shock
of the latter motion will three times out of four.
II hurriedly done cause the hammer to fall and
the cartridge to explode. AS the loading pro-
cess requires the hand to be placed on the bar
rel, whence it naturally slips over the muzzle.
the deplorable accidents can readily be accounted
for.
ONE OF THE ABOVE CASES.
On the 4th of July Jas. Meaney. the 12-year
old son of Mr.. John Meaney residing at the
corner of 18th and 7 streets northwest. while
celebrating" received slight flesh wound
between the fore finger and thumb of his right
hand by the bursting of toy pistol. The wound
soon healed. About two o'clock last Saturday
morning the boy was awakened by severe pain
IN his hand: which spread to the shoulder and
thence to the back of his head and down the
spine Lockjaw setting in, the little sufferer
died about 10 minutes after o'clock Sunday
morning.
The Leaning Metropolitan Church Spire.
AN APPEAL FROM THE ORDER OF THE INSPEC-
TOR OF BUILDINGS
1t will be remembered that a few DAYS since
Inspector Entwise notified the trustees of the
metropolitan church of the dangerous condition
of the church steeple. and gave them thirty days.
in accordance with the regulations. to repair the
same. Last evening Mr.. Entwisle received from
an attorney for the trustees copy of a commu-
nicatiOn sent by the church trustees to the Dis
trlct Commissioners, in which, after acknowl-
edglng the receipt of the notice sent by the in
spector. they say, eve would state that we are
DESTROYS that the spire of the church
should be secure beyond every cavil; and VIC
deny that it is now about two feet out of per-
pendicular and the construction SO defective as
to make it dangerous in heavy northwest
wind storm. The examination of the Inspector
was entirely er-parte and without notice to u.s.
We deny his right and authority to issue the
order contained in the communication and re-
serving our right in the premises we appeal
from that order to the Commissioners of the Dis
tnct OF Columbia as provided in the building
regulations" [Signed] NJ. G. Emery, Samuel
Fowler. ThOs. L. Pullock, S. S. Hauke A. b.
Duvall.
The regulations provide, elf. after examina-
ton. he (the inspector) shall deem any structure
dangerous to the occupants, in life or limb. he
shall serve notice upon the owner agent or
any party having interest in the said structure.
requiring the same to he made safe and secure
or removed. as he may deem necessary. But
upon depOsting thirty dollars to cover fees of
examining commission in case the decision
should be adverse to the appellant, the inter-
ested parties may appeal within fOrty-eight
hours. in writing. to the executive authority of
the District. who shall appoint commission
OF two disinterested and competent builders
and one architect, (whO shall be paid for their
services the sum of ten dollars each. upon the
certificate Of the INSPECTOR to determine the
question at issue" Theinspector of buildings
may cause such unsafe or dangerous structure
to be taken down. in case of decision add
verse to the appellant and the cost shall be-
come a lien upon said estate. to be collected
according to law. as debt due the District of
Columbia. This action of the trustees will have
the effect of relieving the building inspector of
all responsibility in the matter should COM
mission be appointed.
The District Commissioners and Major
Twining had a consultation this afternoon. and
decided to not take any further steps in the
matter until more thorough examination of
the steeple is made