The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-04-08

$4,000.
PETERSBURG. VA, April Special
This IS one OF the saddest days known
in the history OF Petersburg, and it will
never be forgotten. It reminds those who
we're here at the time Of the militia fight
in front of Petersburg. when some OF our
Oldest and best citizens were killed and
their bodies brought 10 the city i'm wagons
and on litters To-day there is distress
and lamcntation i'm many families here
and IL has been caused by an explosion
which occurred at o'clock this after
noon i'm the powder house Of the fireworks
f.etory Of @. n. Romaine & Brother, in
landlord
The explosion was distinctly heard in
Die city. and window glasses Of stores
and dwellings wore ratified by it. AS soon
the explosion occurred the building
.s set OH FIRE. and the flames communi-
rcd 10 other buildings near by, in which
.sre was powder and fireworks. All OF
re buildings were set on fire, and the
mes shot high up in the air, while the
aoke was as black as possible. As each
house would cake fire an explosion would
lIow. The flames shot across the street
.o the large trunk factory Of Romaine
Brother. which was burned TO the
round. as was also the old whisky dis
llery.
THE FIRST EXPLOSION.
When the alarm Of fire was turned in
chief Engineer j.. v. Farley drove rapid
lg over TO the scene of action. AS soon
as be reached the house the first explo-
sion occurred. His head was cut in
rrhtful manner, and he was otherwise
f.fv injured. He was carried in
wagon to the Home for the Sick, and 1t
thought that his injuries viii prove
al
THE KILLED.
Ta. following is a list Of the dead:
Charles n. Romaine a portion OF his
ad blown off.
Iohn B. Bland. skull blown 10 pieces
tv broken and right leg blown of below
t.e knee.
captain James T. Tosh. burned to
death.
James w. Perkins, brick layer head
Blown OF.
James Rowland. farmer Of Prince
George county. who was a spectator after
.le first explosion.
Robert Rowland, carpenter, body badly
mItlated
Edward Traylor.
William Parker.
Quincy Iivesey and James Bryant,
employees in tae fireworks factory.
Thomas Voolfolk (colored), of Prince
Gcorge.
TIE INJURED.
The injured are:
John b. Harris a tailor at the tailor
ing establishment cf Mr.. James NJ.
QnicEe, fatally hurt. and not expected to
live through the night
Chief Engineer j.. y. Farley, fatal.
Charles Wells. injured internally.
h N. Redgray, employe at the fire
works factory, fatal, and Will, it is
toueht die.
Walter Nunally. hand broken and flesh
wound boz left breast.
ia auth Bcasley, struck in thigh by a
lying piece OF tin and slightly injured.
Charles Wells. injured Internally
William Parker, an empl0ye at the |
IRE works. struck IN the face by a piece |
of flying timber and painfully. but not |
erlously. injured.
SUPPOSED TO DE KILLED.
William Traylor and Quincy Lovesay.
who were employees of the fireworks fac /
tory, are missing, and are supposed 10 /
have been killed.
Several Of the bodies which were re- |
covered were burned almost 20 a crisp. |
Ihe remains OF Captain Tosh were iden- |
tHei boy his knife. sleeve buttons. eye |
eIlsses and watch. Captain IOsh was /
candidate for Commissioner of the |
Revenue. la opposition TO the incumbent /
Nr James b. Blanks. and some Of his |
election tickets were found IN HIS pockets /
his body was brought TO the city and
scn % an undertakers. The unfortu-
ie man nas "a native Of Salem. Va,
0.t for years had resided in Petersburg.
married Niss Ida Ragand. q daughter
Mr Reuben Ragand. Of this city, who
.fflves him with children. Captain TOsh
Hns brave Confederate soldier ana was
on General r. Colston's stan. He was a
member OF A. u Hln Camp. Of Confed-
ate Veterans. For some years he was
eaeed in the railroad business both in
trhmond and Petersburg For several
cars past, and up 10 a few months ago
ptain Ioah WAS the auctiOneer at the
Tobacco Exchange in THIS city. lie haa
also for some time past carried on "a
Dairy business here. BE was one Of
fetersburss most prominent and highly
teemed citizens.
Mr.. BLAND ASD Mn. noMAINe.
-ir John H. Bland and Mr.. G. ~ Ro-
usire were both prominent members Of
tic city Council. and each OF them were
present al the meeting OF that body held
0n Wednesday night last. when the ques-
ton IN reference to the sale Of the Vir-
MIA and Carolina railroad was discuss
Co., Mr. Bland had been IN the Council
De short time. having only been elect
l "a few weeks ago They were both
married aud lc4yo y-ffoWg with children.
AIR. Romaine had for many years car
red on the fireworks business here. and
in connection with that line OF trade was
largely engaged with his brother and Mir.
Joan O. Barham IN the manufacture OF
trunks. Mr. Bland was q member OF the
iim Of Bland Bros & Wright, large
m4nnfec turers OF tobacco.
hr. Perkins, Who Was among the kill
"a, was one or the Oldest and best known |
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