The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-04-08
THE FIREMEN's TKRn1BLE rArr.

or age, and the father OF Mr.. w. A.
Perkins, well-known young merchant
OF this place.
THE fIREMEN's TERRIBLE FATr.
Thomas Woodwork. the colored man
VINO was killed was fireman for Ro-
maine q Brother. lie was burned to
death after a portion OF his body had
been blown to pieces. A small c0lored
boy named Samuel Drew, son OF
samuel Drew. was sitting in the
'front.' door OF his parents residence near
the fireworks factory at the time the
explosion occurred. and was struck by a
flying brick or piece OF timber and hor-
ribly injured The poor little fellow had
an ugly wound In the head and his face
was covered with blood and hanging pieces
or skin. lie may probably recover. Chief
Engineer Farley, for whose recovery there
is but slight hope. was the bravest
OF fremcn, and was very popular with all
who knew him. As soon as possible. after
he had been injured, he was taken in
wagon to the Home for the Sick. where
he now fingers between life and death
A temporary morgue was established in
house near the scene OF the explosion.
and there lay some bodies which had
been burned almost beyond recognition.
The scene was one sickening to look upon.
Some Of the bodies were CARRIED to the
homes OF the deceased in wagons. and
others on stretchers. Or. IT.. G. Leigh.
coroner. will hold an inquest on view Of
the bodies tomorrow morning at 10
o'clock.
PAIL OVER THE CITY.
The death and injuring OF so many
people have thrown a pail over the en-
tire city, and but little else is talked Of
In the community. The shock from the ex-
plosi0ns was felt for a distance Of fully
mile. and in the neighborhood Of where
they occurred plastoring Of houses was
broken and window glasses shattered. The
fires which followed the several explo-
siOns destroyed the trunk factory OF
ROmaiue Brothers a. Co, together with
their fireworks buildings and stock. The
large tobacco factory OF Bland Brothers
& Wright. with large quantity Of to-
bacco, was also burned as was the old
whisky distllery building in the same
vicinity.
The total loss by the fire, it is esti-
mated, will foot up between $4,000 and
100000 partly covered by insurance. The
fire and explosions attracted several thou
sand people to the scene.
Capt. TOsh and Mr. Bland were both
members OF Southside Council, Royal
Arcanum, and Mr.. Romano a member
of Sycamore Council. Mr.. Bland married
Miss Halle Osborne. a daughter of Mr..
Dunlop Osborne. formerly Of Petersburg,
but now Of Louisville KY. Mr.. James
W. Perkins was sixty-six years Of age,
and a native Of Dinwiddie county. He
had resided in Petersburg for hfty-fve
years.
CONDITION OF Mr.. FARLEY.
At late hour tonight the condition
Of Chief Engineer Farley is such that it
is not thought he will survive till morning.
The condition OF A. w. Redgrave is more
hopeful tonight.
The City Council viii hold a meeting
tomorrow at u o'clock to take appro-
pirate action on the death Of Messrs
Bland and Romaine The sad occurrence
is everywhere being talked of here TO-
night.
THE MAYORS PROCLAMATION.
Mayor Charles r. Collier has issued the
following proclamation:
Mayors Office,
Saturday April Z. 1894.
To the Citizens Of Petersburg: In view
of the appalling calamity occasioned by
the fire OF this afternoon In Blandford,
whereby many families have been sud-
denly plunged into the deepest distress
by reason Of the many lives sacrificed
on that occasion, ] invite a meeting OF
tliALtIr 10 bG INlI dl ilt tDNi l~lbhS's III
the Council chamber. at 3 o'clock T. NJ.
tomorrow Sunday TO take such appro-
pirate measures Of sympathy and relief
as the extraordinary occasion may re-
quire. Respectfully.
CHARLES +. COLLIER, Mayor.
THE PASTORS on THE CALAMITY.
The Rev W. G.. Starr. u. d., pastor
Of Washington-Street Methodist Episcopal
church, will preach a special sermon to-
morrow night upon the subject, THE
Voice of God in the Appalling Disaster
Yesterday Afternoon" All Of the minis
ters of the city will make reference in
their sermons tomorrow, TO the direful
Gala unity.
HAD TO POSTPONE IT.
Mr.. John NJ. Ryall, manager Of the |
Partington-Ryal Dramatic Company
of this city, telegraphed yesterday af- |
ternoon to Capt r. +. Heath, command |
fnr~