The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-01-07
EXPLOSION IN PETERSBURG.
Interior of the Petersburg Club
Wrecked by n Gins Explosion.

Interior of the Petersburg Club
Wrecked by n Gins ExplOsion.
Petersburg, Va, Jan. 6.-(SpecInl)-
Those residing In the neighbour oud of
the handsome four STORY brick building
ON Sycamore street, occupied by the
Petersburg Club. were startled about
half-past nIne o'clock this morning by
IL loud and terrific eXposton. which oc-
CURED In one of the rooms OH the
south side OF the second floor of the
building. 1t appears that about the
hour Indicated William Rives and Ar
thur Pointer, Jr., the two colored por
tiers who Were getting ready toiclean up
the house, sInelt escaping gas. and at
once proceeded to ascertain where the
leakage was. The club have their
quarters lighted by electric lights, but
In the building are Il number of gas
burners which can be used when want
ed The gus can be turned off ana on
rs occasion may require from the me-
TIRE. instead OF from the street. On last
Saturday night, which was Il bitter
cold one, Il gas stove was placed in the
water closet ITO Keep the water pipes
was turned OH to supply the stove.
Not being accustomed to using gus
no one had noticed that the cocks of
the gus burners throughout the build
Ing We're not properly turned so as 10
prevent the gus from escri ping. ana the
result was when the building was
opened this morning TO be cleaned up. It
WAS found to be filled with escaping
gas.
Rives and Pointer, the colorcd por-
tcrs. searched the building to ASCERTAIN
where the leakage was, and on going
iir.o the room whore the explosion &C.
CURED and which was filed with gas
Pointer mounted Il table and remarked
to Rircs that he was going to find out
where the gas escaped. He struck q
match TO light one OF the burners, and
IN AN instant the explosion followed
Ihe explosion was most terrific one,
and was heard for squares around
The plasteIing OF the ceiling and laths
of the room In which the explosion took
place were literally knocked to pieces.
Every timber CT the floor OF the room
Immediately above was ripped UP as
If done by some experienced carpenter
and the glass OF almost every window
in the building was knocked into smith
Greens.
Everywhere in the front yard Of the
clubhouse was to be seen shattered win
dow glass, some OF which had been
caused by the force OF the explosion on
the opposite side OF the street Ad.
Joining the clubhouse is the boarding
house of MIR. Freeman w. Jones Such
was the power OF the explosion that
Mrs. jonas, while walking across the
ioor OF her chamber at the time II
occurred, was knocked from her feet
the two colored porters, were very pain
fully and seriously burned about the
face and head. The furniture OF the
club was not Injured. This club is
composed OF some of the wealthIest and
most prominent business men of Pc
tcrsburg.
The supply warehouse of the Norfolk
and Western Railroad COMPANY at
Crewe, was destroyed by fire yesterday
morning about . o'clock. How the fire
orisinated is not known. In the build
ing was stored a lot of oil and waste
The Hustings Court, Judge ]. NJ. Null
len presiding. has been engaged all
day In the trial of Alex. Hawkins. charg-
Ell with the larceny of Il steer. the props
crty of Mrs. Henrietta V. Tucker of
brunswick county.
Cards of invitations to the dedica-
ton OF ST. Joscph's Catholic Church.
which takes place next Sunday morn
ing at 1890 O'Clock. are being sent out
by Rev t. j. OFarrell pastor of the
church. Among those 10 be invited are
the pastors of the different churches in
the city. city officials and some of our
prominent citizens. The dedlcatory GER
c!non!es will be conducted by Bishop
van dc NyNcr, of Richmond, who Is eX-
peGtcd to arrive here next Friday The
deGicatorS sermon will he preached by
Bishop kcnnc, rector Of the Catholic
University. ut Washington Cardinal
Gibbons, of Baltinoreis expected 10 he
present 10 take part In the service. II
Is thought that Archbishop Kahn. of ST..
Louis. will be able to attend
EX-Gov. VIM. T.. Cameron left for
New York last wight
l.cv. W. L. Edwards. pastor of Wash
lngton Street II. L. Church. was seen
to-day by your corrcs pondent and in
terviewed as 10 what he thought about
the publication by the Board of Stew
ards of the church In reference 10 the
transfer or Rev w G. Starr. by Bishop
Galloway from Washington Street
church, to Broad Street church, Rich
mend. DR.. Edwards was not at all
disposed TO tall. about the matter, but
being pressed by the correspondent he
stated that he did not wish to say much
On the subject, as he was not In the
matter at all. After hearing all the
circumstances OF the case Dir. Edwards
thought the Board Of Stewards had
acted wisely in the case. In order that
the world might see the protest that
had been made against the removal of
DR.. Starr
On account Of the death of DR.. George
w. Dame, of Danville. grand probate Of
the Grand CNTnmandery OF Knights
Temnlar of Virginia, Grand Comman-
der John IT. Parham, of this city. has
appointed Rev James Y. Fair OF
Richmond, to fill the vacancy for the
uncXpirea term. Grand Commander
Parham received n letter to-day from
DIR. Fair stating that he would accept
the appointment.
Rev. w l.. Wright, of Richmond.
Will preach the second annual sermon
before the Baptist Young Peoples Union
OF West End BAPTIST Church Al its pub
n TYon In Il