Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-19

Secretary of State: Mr.. Gilmer. so recently
placed at the head of the Navy; Commodore
Kennon, one of its gallant officers; Virgil
Maxcy lately returned from diplomatic resi-
dence at The Hague; Mr. Gardner OF New York
formerly a member of the Senate of that
State) were among the slain. Beside these
IT seamen were wounded, several Of them badly
and probably MORALLY Among those stunned
by the conclusion, we learned not all seriously
injured, we've Capt. Stockton himself, Col. Ben
ton of the Senate, Lieut. Hunt Of the Princeton,
w. D. Robinson of Georgetown. Other persons
also were perhaps more or less injured, of whom
in the horror and confusion of the moment
no certain account could be obtained The
above are believed, however, to comprise the
whole Of the persons known to the public who
were killed or dangerously or seriously hurt.
THE scene upon the deck may more easily
be imagined than described Nor can the
imagination picture to itself the half of its
horrors. Wives. widowed in an instant by the
murderous blastl Daughters smitten with the
heart-rending sight of their fathers Hfeless
corpse! The wailings of agonized females!
The piteouS grief of the unhurt but heart-
stricken spectators. The wounded seamen borne
down below! The silent tears and quivering
lips of their brave and honest comrades, who
tried in vain to subdue or to conceal their
feelings What words adequately depict
a scene like this?"
THE funeral took place from the east room
of the White House. to which the notable
slain were removed later to be conveyed to
Congressional Cemetery, where interment was
made. OF the removal Of the bodies to the
White House. the Intelligencer says
THE bodies of the lamented Upshur, Gilmer,
Maxcy Kennon and Gardner were brought to
this city yesterday in collins from the ship
Princeton on board of which on the preceding
afternoon they passed from life to death by
heaven. The collins were conveyed with due
solemnity to the Presidents House and placed
in the East Room, there to await the funeral
ceremonies
The gloom which fell upon every spirit on
the first news of the sad accident on board Of
the Princeton was visible in every countenance
yesterday. Responsive to message OF the
President on the subject. both Houses of Con-
gress adjourned Immediately after adopting
resolutions expressive of their feelings. They
will meet again tomorrow only to attend the
funeral, which is appointed to take place on
Saturday at IL O'Clock.
mo death has occurred in consequence Of the
terrible accident besides those mentioned yes
terday, except that of a servant Of the Presi-
dent Ga colored mani, who was near the gun
at the time of its exploding. Those who were
wounded, citizens, officers and seamen, are we
glad to learn, generally less hurt than was
supposed, and are doing well.
I'm regard to this unhappy occurrence. it Is
cumstance calculated to relieve the all-pervading
distress is that of the multitude of ladies who
were on board the ship not one was injured.
The happy exemption of such a multitude of
the tender who witnessed the havoc made
in the midst of them of the most distinguished
and beloved of their countrymen, while it brings
some solace to the circle of their immediate
friends, cannot but deepen the sympathies
which they and the whole community feel for
the bereaved families of those who have fallen
This Is theme upon which it must be needless
further to dwell but undevout and hardened
indeed must be the heart of him or her who is
not profoundly grateful that, dreadful the
result was it was less than, under the circum-
stances, could have been hoped upon any human
computation
THE Princeton was a brand-new vessel and
! was the first screw-p! opeler steamship
built for the Navy, just put in commission
Her record states she constructed in
Philadelphia in 1874 and built for the
Navy under the auspices of her captain, R..F.
Stockton. She was built of white oak. ship
rugged and spread $4,000 square feet of canvas.
Her first propeller weighed $4,000 pounds. the
second Is, 970, and with the latter she obtained
about a IL per cent increase Of speed She
armed with nine guns and carried a crew
of 166 men.
Stockton, who was the commander at the
time of the fatal explosion, continued to be her
captain during the following year. In all her
cruises she proved most excellent sea boat
and an efficient cru. ;er. She was broken up at
Boston in 1849.
It is truly remarkable sometimes how things
work out, for in less than four months from
the date of this disaster Julia, the daughter OF
the New York State Senator Gardiner, who was
killed in the bursting of the gun known as the
Peacemaker, married at the Church Of the
Ascension, New York City, to John Tyler,
President of the United States the first PEesi-
hot 10 ho v1ioilo in