Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-01-26
The Force OF the Explosion.

I
left side. Little hope j. entertained OF the
survival of the wounded policeman.
The Force OF the Explosion.
was such that one man was blown TO the earth
who was as many as 800 yards from the point
where the explosion occurred. The lobby
of the House of Commons was completely
demolished. A clue to the perpetrators of
the outrage is thought To have been dis
/ covered. just before the explosion occurred
n an and woman, the latter carrying a
bag, engaged a cab outside of the Parliament
yard and drove lapidl. away. giving no di.
rections as to tn cir destination. They had
not gone very far when the explosion hap
pened. The cabmsn hearing this, stopped
his cab. The man and woman at once leaped
ont and fastened from the spot. The cab
man went in pursuit. and the runaways were
soon overtaken and arrested by the police.
The prevalent belief is that the destructive
agent was conveyed into the House of Com
mons by some Saturday visitors. Further
investigation shows that the damage was
much greater than was At first supposed. The
western extremity of the House is total
wreck. 1here is now no doubt but that the
explosive was placed under the Peers's gal
lery on the government side of the House.
All of the woodwork in that part of the
building was shattered and wide hole was
made through the floor. The gallery was
displace and even the sold work of the door
ways was either pulverized or shifted from its
position. In the House.
Every Pane Of Glas. Was Smashed.
The gallery was generally demolished
The Tower WAS fairly filled with visitors at
the moment when the EXPLOSION occurred.
Many persons were seriously injured. One
man had a leg smashed. Anothet's ear was
completely severed from his head. The two
have been taken TO the hospital. where their
wounds were carefully dressed An excited
crowd still remains about the Tower. and
cries for vengence are heard on every side.
p. M.-The city is in frenzied state of
excitement. The whole of the police force is
on duty and troops in and around the city are
under arms. Police patrols are stationed
everywhere in close proximity to each other
and Gordon of police have been drawn
around everv public building. Chief. Supt.
Williamson of Scotland yard has personally
Inspected the scenes of the explosions, as also
have Inspectors Livingston and Kelley. One
of the wounded policemen is dying. Several
men have been arrested, but they are believed
to be innocent of any connection with the
horrible outrages. man was taken into
custody in the vicinity OF Westminster Hall,
He is Canadian and apparently seafarer.
He was thoroughly searched but nothing of
an discriminating nature was found on his
person.
The Queen has telegraphed for particulars
to Sir WIN. Hartcourt. Hundreds OF rifles
were damaged in the Tower. which was
ignited and the fire suppressed with great
difficulty. The ancient armory was des-
troyed.
6P. Mt has been ascertained that a
large quantity of
Explosive Matter
had been placed inside the great orna-
mental gates leading to the crypt under West
minister Hall. The gates were blown clear
off the hinges and thrown to the ground. The
conclusion shook down from the grand oak
root of the hall the accumulated SCOT of cen
turie.. In the lobby the splinters were for a
time as thick as flakes in a binding snow
storm. They were propelled, in many cases,
with dangerous force. The explosion oc-
Cured on the second floor at White Tower.
All the authorities agree that dynamite was
used. The explosion took place at exactly
two o'clock in the afternoon.
Lord Chelmsford and Gen. Milman are
now engaged in the work of inspecting the
number of persons injured by the Tower ex-
plo.ion only four. No arrests are yet made.
The throng of people around the Parliament
buildings still continues as great as ever at
this hour & 80 2. M and is tumultuous with
excitement, The policeman most seriously
injured by the explosion, is sinking rapidly.
All hopes of his recovery have been aban-
doned OF the two persons arrested just af-
ter the explosion as they were hcrrying away
from Westminster, the man is middle sged,
somewhat above medium height, and de-
scribes himself as being Canadian seafarer
and was part owner of vessel. 1t is gen
orally supposed that the explosive was con-
veyed into the House and placed in position
by a woman.
An Eye witness says
that Immediately after the first explosion took
place he entered Westminster hall and lent
assistance in removing the wounded. He
saws that he found three constable. prostrated
on the stairs leading down into the crypt
under the hall, all of whom were seriously
injured. Near by wa. gentleman stretched
on the ground completely exhausted. The
gentleman's hat and PORTIONS of hi. cloth
ing we're torn to ribbons and he himself re-
ceived severe injuries. The locality of the
explosion in the House of Commons is al
way. in deep shadow, being directly under
the gallery. The person who deposited the
dynamite was much less likely to attract at
tention here than in any other par. of the
building A woman Who wa. visiting West
minister AZ the time of the outrage says she
was descending the stairs leading to the Crypt
when she saw what appeared to be burning
dress, A volume of smoke wa. issuing from
a burning article. She then saw a constable
pick it up, and then Immediately throw it
from him. As soon as the thing struck the
ground it exploded with terrific report. The
Pail Mall Gazette summarizes ts account of
the explosion in the following language
The whole interior of the House of Com
mons presents a remarkable scene of devas-
tation Though there is great litter, everything
may be put right within weeks time. Moth
ing is more surprising about the whole dss-
tardly outrage than its utter failure TO effect
any substantial injury.
The Canadian arrested on suspicion has
Proved His Innocense
and been freed from the custody of the po-
lice.
1880 p. NJ. Constables Cole and Cox,
who were so seriously injured by the explo-
sion in Westminster hall, are still uncon-
scious, and their recovery is considered alb
solutely hopeless. The favorite theory OF
the police is that the dynamite which caused
the explosion in the Westminster hall House
of Commons and Tower was carried to the
place in cases concealed under the long
clerks of women, whose appearance va. thus