Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-01-26
Every Pane of Glass in the
Building Broken.
A Number of Persons Injured,
Two Fatally.
No Clue to the Perpetrators of the
Deed.
LONDON, Jan. "a.

The houses of Parliament and the govern
ment offices were severely shaken by an ex-
plosion and considerable damage done today.
1t is impossible at present to tell the extent
of the calamity. The report of the explo-
sion was heard in Downing street. Great
excitement prevailed this morning and enor-
nous crowds assemble at the scene. The
origin of the explosion is wrapped in profound
mystery. but it is believed to have been
caused by dynamite. The explosion occurred
close to the House of Lords, near West
minister Hall. 1t is reported that the e1plo-
sive was placed in crypt under the build
ing. One policeman was hurt. The force
of the shock was tremendous and was felt a
great distance. The amount of damage done
was very great The excitement increased
with every moment and the city was filled
with flying rumors. There were
Two Explosions
instead of one as first supposed. The second
came about three minute. after the first. One
WAS near the House of Commons and the
other near Westminster Hall. One man has
been arrested near the scene of the explosion.
The detective force is hard at work seeking
further developments which are anxiously
awaited, particularly by the people in the
neighborhood of Westminster palace.
The rumors regarding the explosion at
London Tower are confirmed. The outrage
was the most successful which has vet been
made upon any of the public buildings since
the inauguration of the present era of dyna-
mite warfare. The famous old building
was crowded with visitors at the time of the
explosion The widest rumors are in cir
cuation as to the number of persons who
have been injured by the crime. These
ha ,ify
constantly exaggerated by the visitors who
were present and who have hurried away in
all directions. Up to o'clock but l6 per
son. had been officially returned as having
been injured. None of these are reported
as mortaily hurt. The attack was made on
that portion of the building known as the
White Tower.
II was fairly filled with visitor. at the time
and most, if not all. of those who are known
to have been hurt were moving about IN the
Tower at the time of the explosion The
Tower was almost completely wrecked by
the force of the explosion and the roof was
blown clear off the structure. All persons
known to have been injured were visitors.
The police realized the nature of the explo-
sion and effectually barred all egress from
the door and grounds. They subjected every
person whom they succeeded in OBTAINING by
this manGuvre to the most rigid search, upon
the theory that the attack was perpetrated by
some person or persons inside the premises.
Surgeons were promptly summoned to the
assistance of the wounded, who received all
the attention practicable. The excitement
grew as the news of the explosion spread.
and crowds in the vicinity of the damaged
buildings continually increased.
Saturday being the usual visiting day at the
House of Parliament the buildings contained
great number of sight seers at the the time
of the explosion.
The First Explosion
occurred in the crypt of Westminster Hall.
The second took place in the strangers gal
lery in the House of Commons. Immediate
" after the frs, explosion a lady visitor, who
wa. alone and was about to enter the build
inys, beckoned to a policeman, and when be
went to her she called his attention TO package
living upon the steps outside the crypt. The
policeman picked up the package carele.sly.
not suspecting ANYTHING, and went with it
into Westminster hall. He had no sooner
reached the hall than the package exploded.
Thi. explosion knocked the policeman down
and injured him 50 seriously that his case is
considered critical. Its force also knocked
down two other policemen who were standing
in the vicinity and badly stunned them. A
LADY and gentleman standing near the officer
who had the package were also prostrated.
The great window over the main entrance to
Westminster hall was smashed to atoms and
all the side windows were blown out. In the
interior of the House of Commons and upon
the fleor the only seat damaged by the explo-
sion was the one which Mr.. Gladstone occu-
pies. 1t was badly broken. A small chip
roe alsn torn off the ton of the sneakers
chair. The explosion caused quite panic
among the visitors who were in the building
| At the time. Those who were in the House
of Commons fled precipitately, and many of
the ladies were bruised in the crush.
The second explosion in the building oc,
Cured three minutes later than the FIRST, and
was far more destructive. The dynamite
| which caused the second explosion must have