The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-08-08
FATAL EXPLOSION.
ONE BOY KILLED And 1NOTHEK
BfDLY INJURED.
A Conner Gas Fountain Bursts and Kills
Peter Marchetti Louis >alottth
Badly Injured.

A short time after 1 O'Clock yesterday
afternoon an accident occurred in front
% the fruit and confectionery store Ct
Gonnella Brothers. 81 east Bread street.
which resulted In the instant killing OF
one person and the wounding OF another.
Gonnclla Brothers had sent their de-
livery wagon, in charge Of two boys
Peter Marchetti and Louis Salotu, 10
bring a copper fountain or retort chaIse"
with carbonic acid gas. for use In tnelr
saltwater fountain. When the store
was reached the wagon was backed up
to the curb, and the boys lifted the YES
sel which was very neaNy, from INC
vehicle and set Il down on the pavement
With a lar. Immediately an explosion
occurred, which was heard for some dts
lance around and the vessel was TORN
into two parts and blown hish IN lne
air. Narchetti and SalOtti were potn
thrown violently 10 the pavement. anu
the larger part of the retort, AFTER risihs
10 an attitude of about h.ty ieet IeA
upon the awning In front OF the seote'
tearing the canvass into strips ana Deh"-
ing the iron framework.
DISTRESSING SCENE.
Policemen Bailey and LANCE. VINO were
near the store. at once went 10 the scche,
their gaze. The boys lay IN pools OF
blood and for time it was thought that
both had been killed.
Examination by Or. Cosby, who was
hastily called. however, revealed the iact
that Salotti's injuries were comparatively
slight. but Marchetu was beyond human
aid. His brains were scattered about the
pavement for yards around, and IRON
the cut in his throat, which had severed
the jugular vein, a stream OF blood gush-
ant a
was hastily telephoned for. and, with Drs.
Parker and iuxfOrf I'm charge. soon ar
rived Marchetti died few minutes
after their arrival. Salotus WOUNDS
which consisted Of severe bruises on tne
side Of the head. were dressed by the
ambulance doctors, and he was removed
tc his home.
The body OF Marchetti was removed
from where IL lay I'm the middle or inc
pavement. and carried under the awning
OF the store where the mutlated heaa
was covered with cloth. pending the
arrival Of Coroner Taylor.
Or Taylor soon afterward reached the
spit. and, after examining the pouy,
said that he saw no reason for holding an
inquest, as Il was clear that no one was
responsible for the accident except the
victims themselves.
THE DEAD BOY.
Peter Marchetti was about sixteen
years Of age. and came TO this country
from Italy few months ago to work
ir the store of G0nnella Brothers, VINO
are his uncles. He was an Intelligent
and oblging boy and had made many
friends. His uncles expressed the great
eat grief at his death and shed tears
profUsely.
The vessel which wrought such destruc-
ton was what is known 10 the trade as
a copper gas retort, usually called gas
fountain. holding about fourteen gallons
II was OF the kind called a wash-vessel,
that is. # had no lining. ana IS aool'
one sixteenth OF an inch in thlckhess'
These retorts. according 10 Mr. George
Schoen. who Is an authority on the SUI
iect are tested at the mandatory 10
bear a pressure OF 800 pounds, although
tori the exDlosion of which killed Mar
chetti. had the appearance Of being an
old vessel. and had doubtless been wea an
ened b. constant use. hNpioslons y. -, w,
Lind are said 10 occur seldom or never
with vessels in frst-class condition.
The body OF the unfortunate boy was