The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-04-06
Probably Caused by Powder, Though
Attributed by Some People to the
Dread Mafa Organization.
FATAL RAILWAY WRECKS
ONE TRAIN RUNS OFF TREsTLE
AND ANOTHER OVER A BRIDGE.
Four People Killed and Four Badly
and Fourteen Injured in Illinois.

NEW ORLEANS, April 5.-Ffve people
met death and a number were injured by
an explosion that destroyed two buildings
about 2 o'clock this morning. The dead
are:
CHARLES sOLATHE, grocery keeper.
INFANT CHILD of Mr.. and Mrs. Solathe
PAUL REGAUD, barkeeper.
JOHN EDWARDS.
The injured are:
LILLE JUSTINE soLATHE. aged five
baay bruised found din in the wreck
bruised; found in the wreck.
CHARLES REIss, wagon driver. jaw
fractured by flying brick.
I VALLENDI. skull fractured by flying
bricks.
L. MANDERSoN, colored, struck by fly
ing brick slightly injured.
The explosion occurred at the corner of
Decatur and Ursuline streets, in a two
story brick building, containing two stores
and rooms on the ground floor. One of
these was occupied by Emile Boulet
drinking saloon, the other by Charles So
lathe, who kept grocery and ship chand-
lery. The building was near the lower end
Of the French market. and was separated
from it by narrow street. The explosion,
which was probably caused by powder
stored in the ship chandlery, startled the
neighborhood, and when the dust had
cleared away the vendors who had already
put in their appearance at the market saw
before them heap of debris where there
had formerly stood a bar room and the
grocery. Then little tongues of flames be-
gan to shoot up from the debris. An alarm
of fire was sounded. and soon the depart
ment was on the scene. The firemen did
quick and effective work in saving the ad-
joining buildings, and taking out the dead
and injured. Archbishop Janssens and
number of his clergy were among the first
on the scene. The explosion was distinctly
heard at the diocesan house. only few
blocks. away, and they fastened to the
scene to render what assistance they could
Solathe's place was known as the Fish
ermans Exchange and was rich in mem
cries of the Cheniere Caminada storm. II
was there that many of the rescued made
their headquarters when they were brought
to the city, and it was very popular re,
sort of the fishing people. 1t supposed
that number of fishermen were in the
place when the explosion occurred, but no
bodies were found except those noted
above.
While the rescuers were at work they
heard a whining sort of noise and upon
raising some heavy timbers found a black
and tan nursing several puppies All were
alive, and when rescued seemed to realize
their situation. Three hundred dollars and
a quantity of jewelry We're also recovered.
While the police are inclined to believe
that ad the explosion b was va the result Of an IN
the vicinity of the wrecked buildings are
of an entirely different opinion. They state
l.. A. Boulet, who was sleeping above the
saloon, but who maryeiously escaped
I Boulet is is ,',ea ,FTenachman, who two years ago @
Italians doing business in the vicinity of
the French market. 1nis man was Aristide
neighborhood as well as fish and game
stand in the market. Boulet and Bale
were e in n the saloon ~ business together.
Boulets wife came between them, and not
only broke up the business arrangements,
nj dnn1 nTlS fn rtCf 1,n-
tween the two men. The woman contract
ed liaison with Balestraci, which, on
leave his WIFE. Balestraci would reauently
taunt Boulet with ms dishonor but was al
soSg so The Italian a fnds aao hraa wnsn
ened to kill the Frenchman and
those who were well acquainted with the
men expected a tragedy at any time 1t
came one morning about two years ago.
The two men met in the French market,
ana afrrr having drs fra m ss Mh6
a long sword. with which he. attacked
Boulet:, The latter, drew revolver, fred
Boulets acquittal. Ever since then Boulet
has been looked on as a marked man. His
rTends tried TO rs ee MN TO & eave me
market, but he refused. Last night he oc-
cupied room in Il the 4 barr9om NJ on the sec,
the explosion was for the purpose of kill
ing him. Balestraci was a leader in the
influence, and was just the sort of an in
dividual to be at the head of a Malta
ganization. Mr.. Boulet, however, does not
attribute the explosion to the Malta. 1.-The
Malta" he said would not adopt such
means to kill their victim They have
other and surer means of doing this kind
of work. I firmly believe that the explo-
sion was the result of an accident
In the Journals extra edition Friday
morning. giving an exclusive account of
the explosion, the number of casualties
were placed at fifteen. 1t was believed
that more people were in the buildings than
proved to be the case.