The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-01-28

Parliamens Buildings and Tower Of
Lonoon shastercd-Thirty-f -four
Persons Killed

Buildings and Tower Of
Lonaoa shassercd-Thtrfy-f -four
Persons Killed
THREE vF THE MOST FIESDEsH PLOTS
TO DESTROY LIFE EVER DEVISED.
LONDON, January 24-At2 o'clock
this afternoon London was startled
By series of dynamite explosions
that were heard at points far distant
from the scene of outrage. The force
of the shock was tremendous, and
the points Of attack heavy. Intense
excitement was caused all over the
city, and all sorts of rumors were
sent out. 1t was some time before
the explosions could be located and
accurate particulars obtained.
After the excitement caused by
the first shock had in measure
subsided it was ascertained that
three explosions at as many differ
ent points had taken place. Then
it was learned that outrages had
been perpetrated at the house of
Lords, Westminster Hall aad the
Tower of London. At the House Of
Parliament the shocks were three
minutes part. Saturday being the
usual visiting day at the House OF
Parliament, the buildings contained
a great number of sightseers at the
time of the explosions.
The first explosion occurred in the
crypt of Westminster Hall the Sec
on took place in the stran-
gers gallery of the House
of Commons. Immediately af-
ter it lady visitor who was
alone and about to enter the build
ing, beckoned to a policeman and
called his attention to package ly-
ing upon the steps outside of the
crypt. The policeman
PICKED UP THE PACKAGE
carelessly, not suspecting anything,
and went with it oIt into Westmin-
ster Hall. He no sooner reached the
hall than the package exploded.
The explosion knocked the police
man down and injured him serious
ly. His case is considered critical
It's force also knocked down the 9TH
er policemen standing in the vicini,
ty and stunned them. A lady and
gentleman stapding near the officer
who had the package were also pros
trated. The great window over the
main entrance to Westminster Hall
was blown to atoms, and all the side
windows were blown out.
Later it was ascertained that a
large quantity of explosive matter
had been placed inside the great or
namental gates leading to the cryp,
under Westminster Hall. These
gates were blown clean off their hin
ges and thrown the ground. All the
windows on the north and south
side of the immense buildings wer;
blown to atoms. The conclusion
shook down from the grand oak roo
of the hall the accumulated SCOT o
centuries. This in its downward
movement made a dense cloud, ST
that the officers on guard became
alarmed and dared not enter the room
In the lobby splinters were for time
as fakes in a binding snow storm
and were propelled with such dan
gerous force that they cut and rip
ped the leather from the seats and
tore out and scattered the horse-h hal
stuffing all over the house.
A man who happened to be stand
ing upon a scaffolding near the cryp
when the explosion occurred was
knocked forcibly to the ground
The statues OF King William Nv
and King George w.. in Westmin
ster Hall, were overturned. The
fact that an unusual number of la
dies visited the Parliament building
to-day has given rise to thesuspiciol
that the miscreants who perpetrateC
the outrages were either women O.
men in women's disguise. 1t is nov
remembered by the attendants abou
the building that parcels were car
ried by many women, and they
seemed to bestow unusual care il
guarding them.
IN THE COMMONS.
The explosion in the House o
Commons caused a panic among tn,
visitors. Those who were in th'
House fled precipitately, and many
ladies were bruised in the crush
The western extremity Of the House
is a total wreck, and there is now nc
doubt but the explosives were placec
under the Peers gallery, on the
Government side of the House. Ali
the wood work ia that part of the
building was shattered, and a wide
hole made through the floor The
] gallery was displaced, and even the
solid stonework Of the door ways eli
ther pulverized or shifted from posi-
ton. Every pane ofgiass in the Ho is,
was smashed TO atoms. The gallery
benches were overturned and thu
broken gallery dismanIled.
A lady visiting the House at th,
time of the outrage was injured
Immense damage was done in
the LOBBY The masonry decora-
tons and sculpture were utterly de
stroyed. The place is described a.
literally blown to pieces. The SHOCK
was felt in Pail Mall, and persons il
the vicinity say the very earth
shook.
The explosion IN the lobby occur
red three minutes later than the one
in Westminster Hall. 1t came from
directly under the strangers gallery
and very close to the seat usually
occupied by Brad laugh when visit
ing the Commons. The Speaker.
chair was destroyed. and the mas
sive stonework displaced. Ths
glass roof of the House of Commons
was completely shattered. The
clock in the House stopped at pre-
cisely 2;l3 p. M. A heavy beam
which formed one of the supports tc
the gallery was projected into the
Speakers chair, seriously injuring it
Gladstone's seat was torn to piec-
es.