Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-10-12
DrNAMlrrRs. AoAls Ar WORE.
ATTEMPTS to Destroy the New Parliament
Buildings In Gnebcc.
lBy telegraph 10 the Dispatch.l

by telegraph To the Dispatch.l
QuEnEc. October 11.-About | O'Clock
TINS afternoon an explosion occurred at
The new Parliament buildings. destroying
considerable portion Of the masonry and
WINDOWS OF the new structure which WIS
just being rooted in. The explosion was
81 flrst supposed to be that OF the boiler OF
the engine used for the hosting OF
material. but this proved not 10 be the
case. Neither can u be attributed TO
gas. The general impression appears to be
tint the explosion was caused by dynamite.
but rs meme OF that material Is used on the
works. the mystery IL how II came there.
An investigation il being held. The
workmen all being away at dinner,
but otc man was injured. and he escaped
WIN slight from piece OF stone. The
shock Was very severe, and was felt all
over me city. The windows OF houses IN
re vicinity OF the explosion were badly
shattered.
AT i. VI. second explosion occurred
at The Parliament House, but the buildings
sustained no damage OF any consequence.
carpenters working on the building say
they noticed q box living all the morning
close to the wall where the first explosion
took place. but they supposed II was placed
there Nv the plumbers. After the oXplo.
sion no trace n the box could be found.
IT il now believed The box contained dy-
namitc and an internal machine. The see.
ODd explosion was about thirty feet from
the place where the first one occurred.
J he new building j. said 10 be so badly
cracked from the force OF the shock that it
Is feared that half OF it will have 10
be taken down and rebuilt. After the first
explosion men were sent oil through the
buildings to look fer other suspicious
boxes, but found nothing. The cause OF
the second explosion is a. great mystery
as that OF the first. The explosions did
considerable damage to the windows in
the vicinity Of the Parliament House, and
almost all The windows in the house itself
in The section under construction, where
the explosion occurred, are shattered.
The only persons injured are Mortcl. a
workman, who was struck 10y a small rock
from portion Of the shattered wall, and
Mr.. CharcbOis. the contractor, who suffer-
ed slight briise on the hand. The dam
age by the first explosion was a consld.
cradle hole about twelve feet high by five
feet wide blown out OF the wall on the
third story from e basement and directly
over the right entrance to the Assembly
CHAMBER, ard near the place where the
Speakers chair i situated. The second
explosion occurred in the northeast corner
Of the same building. The cornerstone,
forming the support OF the building are
badly bUlgcd, aud il is doubtful il il can be
repaired without letting down the whole
wall. Whatever the reason may be for
Wishing the destruction of the building,
there Is no room 70 doubt that dynamite
was used. A searching investigation into
Tie cause Of the explosions i, now in pro-
gros,. Everything j. quiet IN the neigh
borhood. and portion OF Battery \ are
pGtrol.ine the grounds around the Pdrlia-
mont buildings. The Government were
only awaiting the completion OF the build
ing T. call the House together for the dis
patch Of business. The building had been
20 far advanced that only pant Of the room
remained unfinished. II j. not known
wh,thcr or not the explosion VIII delay the
meeting ~ The IlO- 80 in December.
Several rllmors are current regarding the
cause OF the explosion. French employees
state Thai The work was done By Irish
dynamltci,. while some Irish citiZeG, sIy.
and the opinion is shared in by a great
many. thar French W0rkmcn committed
The uccd with the view to njurc the con-
II; clor: but For what reason i not appl.
rent. II j. said the contractor and men are
on the best terms. serious trouble J.
feared between the two ultiOnalitcS ii
these accusations be carried much further.