The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-02-17

ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS - THE PEOPLE
SHOCKED, STUNNED, AND BEwILDERED-THE
WORK OF RESCUE.
The Cincinnati Commercials G0z gives
the following account OF the explosion OF
sewer-gas in that city Thursday morning,
which was briefly reported by telegraph in
the Dispatch Of yesterday:
The occur ants Of the house No. 80 Will
stach street were the owner, Jacob Burns,
and his family, consisting Of wife, sons
John and Henry, aged seventeen and nine
teen respectively; daughters Ella and Lula,
aged twelve and fourteen; Louis Miller,
wife, and two children; Special-Policeman
BENJAMIN Mackc and wife, William Her
man. wife, and two children, and Robert
Rockerman--thc latter a resident OF No. SO,
who was over there on visit. About |
o'clock this morning the house was by an
explosion OF gas blown into the air in
thousand pieces and RACED to the ground.
The deafening report, which was heard
as far rs Vine street. so stunned and bewil-
dered the people that they had not even
time to Jump from the windows, but went
down with the runs, which were rs COM
pete as If caused by an earthquake. Aid
was prompt, as in less than five minutes the
men Of three fire companies-the Fights,
Thirteens, and Iook-and-Ladder Twos-
several policemen under the command OF
Lieutenants Spaeth and B0rck, the patrol
wagon squad, and number OF soldiers be-
longing 10 Company a were also on hand.
The latter proved especially useful in
keeping back the crowds and in helping dig
for bodies. 1t was problem where to be-
Gin the work. The roof, lifted bodily, had
been carried outward and landed on the
roadway, filing it from curb to curb.
Where once stood the house was nothing
but an indeScribable mass OF brains, bricks,
and fragments OF household furniture. The
timber being abundant, huge bonfire was
soon blazing on the street, by the llgnt OF
which an hundred men went quickly 10
work on the Debris. Close under the sur
face. and uniniured, were found Ella and
Lulu Bruins. Louis Miller, wife, and one
child, and the Herman family. Next was
found dead child OF MIllers. Continuing
the excavations the Bruins boys, both
of whom were frightfully burned on
the head, breast, and hands, were dug out
near them, and there were also eXtrlcated
ut about the. same time Robert Rockerman,
who had sustained a severe scalp wound.
All were taken to the hospital in the patrol
wagon, which returned Immediately for
further use.
Jacob Bruins was rescued at 2:30 in n
badly bruised condition, and taken TO q
neighbours house adjoining.
Elsewhere the working party located
Mrs. Bruins by her cries. She was under
meath considerable heap OF bricks, and
was held down by large ioist, which was
across her legs. a saw was procured, and
when the reporter left they were still try
inc TO cut through the wood for her release.
There were as yet no signs Of Officer
Macke and wife. and it was feared that
their lives were lost. Nlacke was the big
blonde German officer whose post was at
Fourth and Vine, and whose resemblance
10 the Emperor OF Germany caused him TO
/ be Familiarity known as King William.
The explosion shattered windows in all
the following dwellings on the opposite
side Of the way, the occupants OF which
were: No. Al, Mrs. Bee; No. 40, Mr..
Schuitheis and family; No. 81, G. w. Far
ris and l.. III. Baylis. None of these per-
sons were injured. The building No. AZ,
| adjoining the Bruins house on the east,
and occupied by Henry Boehner, was sha-
ken TO its foundation, and at the last IN
spection was giving way.
1t was learned John Bruins went into the
cellar Of the house with light. A moment
later the fearful explosion occurred. IL Is
supposed the immediate cause OF the cis-
aster was that the sewer gas, on account OF
the nigh water, had entered the cellar, and
when II came in contact with the light the
explosion occurred.
The scene in the neigbborhood can
scarcely be imagined or described.
All residing In the vicinity were out OF
their dwellings, and seemed 10th TO return
to them. The volunteer force OF citizen.
did excellent work In rescuing the deat
and wounded. All worked like Trolans
The police did excellent service, as did alst
the Fire Department.
4 Al the time Of going to press every cfior
was bldg made 10 recover those reported
among the missing,