Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-04-08

,nl'sr = genial companion, q warm
x s,end ana . man In eli respects OF the
snsst chafactAa He leaves . widow.
MEMBER OF THE FIRM.
Mr. Charles N. Romano, one Of the
s :. VINE owned and conducted the
5000, a. ior the manufacture Of fireworks
- wn'cn they did very large business.
60 member OF the Common Council
It'll tne Fourth Ward. He leaves a
,, ana several children. He was
os' esumabie citizen, O man of promi-
nence and influence in the community,
universally known ana respected, and
wwueiy connected both socially and IN a
business aspect. He was also one Of the
p'oprietors OF large trunb factory To-
vated IN Blandford. In each OF these
hhes or trade the Romano brothers did
a large business.
CHIEF EDGAR FARLEY.
Chief Edgar Farley, OF the fire depart
mept, had just alighted from his buggy
near the burning building when the first
explosion OF powder occurred. He was
terribly injured by the conclusion and
nying timbers, and was at first thought
u be dead. His horse was almost killed.
Mr.. Farley was removed by friends. who
ran to his rescue and taken TO the Home
Tor the Sick, where. II is feared, his life
hangs upon a thread. His injuries are
about the head and internal.
TERRIBLY INJURED.
Mr.. John u. Bland was almost blown
20 pieces, and II was q difficult matter
TO handle his body. Mr.. Romaine's chest
and head were terribly mangled. Some
OF the bodies Of the dead were almost
unrecognizable.
ALL OVER THE CITY.
There was a large quantity OF powder
In the factory for use In the manufacture
OF fireworks. and the explosions were
heard all over the city. and not only
heard, but felt. The most solid buildings
trembled under the effects OF these explo-
sions. The first one. which occurred
about 3 O'Clock. caused most OF the loss
of life and the damage to person and
property After that, with the know
ledge that other explosions would follow,
the great crowd which had assembled in
the neighborhood retired TO a respectful
and safe distance hundreds OF yards
away In the immediate vicinity some Of
the frame houses were almost shattered.
N'iN III VI litil NfiIluIN SldheH. NtNtidl
were so badly injured as to be rendered
almost uninhabitable. Doors were knock
ed from their hinges. windows shattered
In all directions. plastering knocked down.
china broken, and foundations Ioosened.
n GREAT SHOCK TO THE CON-
MUNITY.
The shock 10 the community by reason
Of such great loss Of life ana property
IS almost indescr!bablc The prominence
OF many OF those killed adds 10 the
solemnity and the gloom Of the event
IT Is the most serious calamity that has
happened in our city since the great fire
or lsl5. when all Of the lower part of the
city was swept by fire.
a SCENE OF DESOLATION.
The scene of desolation in Blandford
caused by the destruction OF so many
buildings is a sad one 10 view. Factories
dwellings. and stores have succumbed TO
the devouring flames, and waste has
been made which will not be built over for
many years.
LATER-ORIGIN OF THE FIRE.
As the excitement caused by the terrible
calamity of this afternoon abates, fuller
particulars of the terrible disaster are OBJ
tainable. 1t is now learned that the fire
originated in what is known as the dry
powder room. and that there was three
explosions. The first when the alarm was
first given; the second. five minutes later,
and the last "a slight one). about o'clock.
THE FATAL ONE.
The second explosion Is said to have
been the fatal one. Nearly every one Of
the bodies of the persons killed were found
in q radius OF dozen yards from the
building which caused the second explo-
sion, and which was known as the maya
zine building Besides powder. there was
said TO have been in this building potash
and sulphur.
THREE MORE DEAD.
The body Of n small colored boy named
Sharper Traylor, who was passing along
the street between BANDS factory and
the fireworks when the second explosion
occurred, has been recovered and identi-
ned. Mr.. John +. Harris. one of the
wounded died at his residence in Bland
ford. tonight at o'clock.
The body Of the unidentified white man
was identified tonight as that Of Charles
Traylor. quincy Lufsey. another one Of
the injured, has just died.
GIRLS MISSING.
Two young girls. named Hobeck and
Traylor, employed at the fireworks factory
being made through the ruins at this
hour 90 o'clock for their remains. Chief
Farley's injuries consist Of a broken leg
and arm, one eye almost cut out, and
terrible cut on the right side Of the head.
lie is sinking rapidly.
TOTAL LOSS.
The total loss by the fire this evening
Is estimated 10 be in the neighborhood
Of $1,000.
Bland Brothers & Wright have an in
surance of $1,000 on their stock OF goods
and building.
Romano & Brothers carried an insu-
rance of $1,000 on their building and
stock; and the Bryant building was also
insured.
The eight dwellings destroyed were all
insured in sums ranging from 500 to $3.50
each.
THE LATEST.
At this hour, 1920, Chief Farley is
slowly sinking and his physicians think
that he cannot last another hour.
1t is also learned that Mr.. John Wells,
one Of the injured, has just died. All of
the others that were injured are reported
to be getting along as well as could be
expected.
The two young ladies-Miss Hobeck
and Miss Taylor-are reported to have
been found. They had gone TO a house
Of a friend. where they were found suf-
fering from nervous prostration.