The New York Herald Newspaper, January 30, 1854, Page 1

THE NEW YORK HERALD. WHOLE NO. 6368, MORNING EDITION~MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 1854. | THE POWDER EXPLOSION AT RAVENSWOOD, 1 ‘Appearance of the Place Yesterday. | j ) STHE BXCITEMENT AMONG THE CORONER'S INVESTIGATION. | ‘Awful Condition. of the Remains of the Dead. INUABITANTS, THRILLING INCIDENTS, he, 6, 0 Our citinens were startled yesterday by the announce- ment of the fearful cstastrophe at Lower Ravenswood, Long Island, which hes sent so macy human beings eud- Henly imtoeternity We despatshe: our reporters te the Spot yeatordey, to teke full account of this heart-reni- ing Clenster. The place of the ex lo-ion presente’ a sickening and revolting sppearance The lot on which the powder fack ry stood was covered with spots of blood, where the mangled remains of the unfortumates bad been thrown by the tremendous force of the explosion; Standing in & main read between two lots, boh of which were eovered with proole, we cid not krow which way to turm to find the rnined factury. Speaking to ® bystander, “Can you inform as where the powder mill stood ?”’ we «std. ‘+ The belt engendered fao. tory stood Grere,”’ he answered, pointing to a hesp of -ptones @ few yards dia wnt. ‘ Look around and see what it has done—seoo the drains spattered ag: inst this fervor.” ‘We looked erhere ovr informant pointed, and there, sure enough, upon a whitewashed board fence, was a quantity of humans brains smearing an area of two or three fest in diameter. Et was a harrowing sight. That matter, which bute few hours befors was filled with thought, and warm ‘with life's blood, now lay cold upon that fence and scat- tered upom the grount. Turing from this, we walked ‘to where the factory stood. This wasin ap open lot, ~ aboutome hmandred feet squere, surrounded by s white board fenoa, and covered over with Jarge blocks of stone, taken from a quarry on the lot, The factory was @ sert of wooden shanty, standing on a foundation Of stomen’ foosely thrown together, in size about twenty by twenty-five feet. Nothing of it remained except thy ctores. The whole building was shivered into splintera, seattered in ail directions, as if » shower of chips had fallen upon the place. Hero sad there lay upots of blood and brains, where the nrangled limbs acd ‘bodies of Ge dead had fallen, Some bad fallen upon the ground, scame hed been driven ageinst the rocks, and others felt apom the stones which lay in the lot. Pieces of clothing ey here and there; but yesterday all the re mains of the dead bad been picked up Those upon the spot state that after tho explosion bowele hung dang- ling from limbs of trees, and hesds were severed from , bodies amd thrown to the distance of nearly a hundred yards, It was truly a sorry sight. The factory was owsed by Erasmus French, Eeq , who established it about four years ago, since which time it has beem im constant operation Mesars. Hitchoock & Co., firm im this city, are said to be his principal purchas- ers. Thisis the third explosion which bas befallen the Propeletor, but not on this spot. Previons to commenc- ing business here, he hed been engaged in the same line im Oonasationt, where ove 0: two +xpievions eccurred do “fing mo serious injny. The magazine is a amall stoce house, within a few feet of the factory, in whish was senda meee geevr ot soins The faetery was fir the manufacture o! patent cartridges, snd not for the manafactore o powder Steel, as meny supposed. Powder was im: ported fs. Sarge qusntities from the city, and placed tu the magecine, and dsily brought into the factory ia quantities mecessery for use in filling the cartridges, This ‘amounted to about five kegs per day. The oa: tridge isan ‘ral slug, flat on one side, whieh is inverted into one end ‘ef o emall pastoboard cylinder, this cyHader being Alicea with powder end covered at the other end with a leather wad. It was for filling these that the powder was used. There were working in the shop at the time of the explo sion twenty persons, as near as can be ascertained. Those ot the above were killed inctantly. Matthew Ryan was taken to his home, where he lived s short time only, He diedon Ssturday afternoon. Andrew Kearney Hived till yesterday about four o’clook P. M , when he ex- pired. Joka Smith was the only one who was brought to the New York Hopital. As stated yesterday in the ‘mux, be was ine very low eondition but last night he ‘was still alive. Besides the above, several are said to be _ Jost whons wames are not yet ascertained. Only three or excopt arms, logs, and human fiesh. Those whose bodies remained whole were so blackened an¢ burned it was diffiealt to recognise them. One corpses of a woman is stil left 11 mall house pear the factory unclaimed by any of her friends—so plackoned aad matila'ed is she that rhe cannot be recog- nised. The sight presented in the chamber where this corpes lay was almost epough to frevze the blood of any one who looked upon it. Ona boari rested the corpse, {ace downwards, a thick cloth and piece of carpet cover- fing it. Ome arm was blown off at the elbow; one side of ‘the bead was burned to a crisp, and the body was e cold, ohared ciméer. The board on which this girl was placed lay nerose two barrels, We ssked where had the other bodies Deom takem. “Look in those barrels,"’ said a gentleman near ws, “end you will see the corpses of all ex- copting three or four which have been recognised and carried away.”” We gazed into those bar- rels, and. there lay the mortal remains of nears dosen human beings. The eyes rested on a cold and pallid hand, a piece of a jaw, tho forehead #f » human being all eletted with blood, s foot, s buneh of fingers, eyes tora frem their sockets, brains scooped up, forming a jelly ke mass, and chunks of tech burned and orisped, forin ing @ spectacle of horror. Who could look on suche Sight with coldness! A fiend, even, would have feit sick at heart, if muck ao spectacle had been placed before him ‘There was a great concourse of people at the scene of Geath yeeterday. There were large crowds constantly eoming and going on all the highwsys leading to fhe place. Travelling over the fated spot there were many Whe were melted to tears, and all wore » look of gloom. Hendreds piched up specimens 0’ the cartridges, whieh lay strewn over the ground, and carried then away. There were about three hundred thousand of these cartridges in the factory at the time, which wore sent ia all directions, with the propelling force of a rifle. These penetrated private dwellings, broke chandeliers, &s.; but, es far as we could hear, no one was killed by them—s fortunate circumstance, considering the perfeet rho ver which waa rcattered towards every print, and that some of ‘the slugs of the oartridyes were throws half s mile distant. ‘These violent measures were mostly talked of by thse ‘who had lost relatives and friends by this fearfal blow and they who hed been called upon 40 waddenly to moura over the remains of 2 son or daughter, and other friends departed, asa matter of course, wers not {9 8 mood to coolly view the matter in all its phases, but were zeady to resort to almost any measure to revenge their rela- tives when the rumor circulated that carslesmess was the cause of their destruction. The shook at the time of the explosion could be hoard for miles around, and chattered the windows of seteral Aweliings in the neighborhood, Window sash a4 wel! an glam was jerred into pieces, snd the fences torn dowa tn maay pieces around the lot. The esos at the moment ofthe explosion may be imagined from the following re- marks of a little boy about tweive years of age, aud who was one of those meeting with « narrow esoxps :—'My same fe Kdward Hofferty; I was sliding on the les in tho pond mar the factory with another boy about my sits, just before the explosion; we walked up to the factory RG efter wo had dono sliding, and stayed theres few minutes, when we started for the other shop, whereI worked, We wore welting along rlowly, and had net got more thea | Ducks; the earcri¢ges were pleced in hol thirty yards from the building, when we heard a horrible noise, and men, and women, and arms, and a whole lot of splinters, fell all around us. We stooped low to keop from being hit. We were not hurt; but when we came to our senses, we looked about and saw that the factory had blown up, and the working people were scattered al! areund us, most of thém dead, and some of them stil) alive.” From this boy we have the true picture. A horrible noise, and a dark cload was thrown into the alr, which poured dowm human beings and their mangled re- mains. It is melancholy pioture to dwell upon. The Justice of the Peace, Mr. Jobn L, Boyd, in the Place of the Coroner, who was unwell, held an investiga- tiom yesterday, at the Court House in Astoria, The in Veatigation commenced at ten o’clock in the moraing, ‘and aa soon almost as the court room doors were opened it was crowded with people, In this collection were those who had lost relatives and offspring, and who had come here to learn, if possible, why or for what cause they were called upon to bear such sorrowful bereavemen's. There was a deep gloom throughout the entire audience during the entire proceeding, which was as follows:— CORONER'S INQUEST. The inquest was heli at ten o'clock yesterday morning at the court house, on Broadway, Astoria, Mr. John L Boyd, Justice of the Peaoe, officiated as Deputy Coroner 0a the occasion. The fullowing jury was empanelled:— William H. Jackson, A William F Muchmore, , Quinlan, R. H. Smith, Theodore Calvert, Samuel Morris, William Williamson, Erasmus Freuch, sworn—I revide at Ravenswood; I am ry waker; I have seaide! here about four years, it will be four neat May; I bad about thirty eight indi viduals employed in my mapufsoiory at Ravenswood; an accident happened at my manufactory, eansed by an ex- plosion of ons of my shops; fol’ing up, Alling and gross ing the cartcidaes was what was carried on at this shop; about fifteen hands were employed there, but I am not quite ceriain of the number; the sizeof the building was iweaty fire by fifweo feet; one story was warmed by ® steve, which was placed about cne-tl from the en- trance of the west end; the stove was an ordipary cylin der, and of sme}l si: sh ¢ several hundred pounds of powder in the ertablirhment, iu kezs and boxes, but the reat was boxed up when the explosion took piece; there wes work bench ranged around inside of place, and rupning across the shop: the cartridge: was doze by four little buys; the boys em pyc in Gilivg were at the east end of the shop, work- gon the outa bench; the powder was ja wooden drawers; the same boys replenished the powder inthe dxawer when it got empty; the porsons workin; in the shop were permitted to enter it with, the rdinary shees on; | was in the shop about helt am hour previous to the explosion ; the bance were at dinner when I was there; was not at the shop when the haads returned; no emoking allowed or apy matches were allowed by me; { was in the cast- ing shop at the time of the explosion, about twenty-five yards est of the shop; there was no wail between the casting aud other shop; there was a stene magazine west of the shop blown down; about 800,000 cartidges were put ap 4 boxés in the magazines; the explosion took pisoe wheu I was ia the casting shop; I first knew of it by being stunned and finding the shop where I was stove and crushed in; when I came to myself I saw the bodies; I fir Andrew Kea) ney alive. and other per- woe not Bi ow of no miruaderstending no feeiing of maltose ; 1do not recollect of selng cautioned. nor tion been drawn hy one to tbe fact of tem ing in my shop; the bocies were removed ends; ope man was taken to New York oi! id; Elen M’Doaald and Emma Malcom becween we or my baw that I knew of; T was 1m kegs under thy beneh; used about four gs a Cay; about twenty kegs in the stop; abeut seventy tive to 100,000 cartridges in the shop ip conse quence of the magssine beirg full; ifthe poxes were to take fire the cartridges would net explode, asa large quantity i-om the ground now ; *e have boards called alled, then partes to ctbevs, ho closed them and paceed them up. Beciy W. Fritch, sworn— I xesice at Ravenswood, with wy fa ber, t+ previous witnes:; have lived there aboat foar years; ary bustin te tg loom after tae pei some who Hiei bar sass the belate mame cariticgen of tned; death tame ae rnc) Abvpe on Yatnrcey,, whe 26: Jenuery, at about twenty mibutes past one @Molcer. | Wan in my +hop at that time, situated about 200 or 260 ysrce from the cme blewu up; I dou’t. remember deirg ‘bere since very early in the m.ruieg; I passed by witbic adult twenty feet at dicner tine; I did atop before my cincer ard asked the gurls if they would have a rlide upon the pond ; they had jast quit work; I did not notice im o-rtioular the stove; I suppose there was fire in the s'0ve; everyting in the shop was in its ordinary mance! to the best of my belief; there were ‘rom 14 to 18 in the buildiog cm that day rap} the list ae aforenaid to be 8 correot list of the pamer who the sbip thet day; Took a alide with them sfter dinner; nope of th» boys, who filled cartridges were with me; ail the pam-s1 have beard Teac were empioyed insice the shop; there «as one Chris tepber ‘ary ewployed on ride the shop; Andrew Kerney waa inrise the shop, a I saw his body afterwards: he was not rensiole when | saw him; (the witness — of the premises:) we burn ovals in thelstove; there was Rethiog ehmoen, the floor and stove; the legs of the beach were about four inches lorg; I do not know, nor have I oe ay Mary Mal farher; I my father, Ellen had the charge of the stove; I do nct know where the kegs of powder approved are kept; 1 4o not work there; the shop floor was clean #hen 1 made the fire there that 1g; 1 saw thoso who were with me on the pond go towarda the shop; I did not see Q@Dy person or persons smckwwg in going from or to the shop. Haamined by the Jury—I have seen the stove near red hot; I never saw any of the boys throw powder on the stove; they dere not do it; miss McD: wes about twenty years old; we considered her the most eareful and prodent; never saw snything to shake our confidence in ber would not allow any cf the ne teen stove; wy father gave strict orders that Miss Maloom and Miss McDonald should be carefal; I wan informed by my father that fa two inetarces pieces of matches were fyuzd in the ser; 1 comrider every ution was taken by my father, Mise Mlocm and E:len MoDonald for the safety ef those who worked in that shop; the magasine was about twenty five or thirty feet trom the shop. Coroner iben adjourned the invest'gation until the afternoon. AFTERNOON SESSION. When the prceetings commenced in the afternoon there was present as large @ pamber as in the early part of the day. Fash lrtesed with melancholy taterest to every word which fell from the lips of the wi'nesses. El'tm Devine sworn: ide at Astoria; [am fore- uary last; I was in the building at ® quarter beforeore, and remained there until ten minutes before one; I do not kuow the number of persona Ln at the time I left thera vere four in jaally at work I can’t tell; in the building, but with very little Ace there was a bench round ibe stove; on some parts ‘were packsges of powder; I sever saw & lighted lamp on that bencb; I was sitting near the stove, and felt little heat from it; the floor was perfectly clesn; in that noon spell [ war on oe ae sliding; there were shout twenty-three or twenty — there sre about sixteen or eight ia my shop; at thé time of the explosion I was standing im my shop; Mc. French’s son was in the habit of cg fo his Pea| bp ewig bd pet eee of w = ch rear the stove is used for greasing; they grease the ‘ander the table: cartritgen; they heat it by a lamp 5, the resce i. pat in s round tia dish, and beneath it isa litte mp; the cf the tin is jevel with the bench; that benen is sbcut four feet or more from the stove; when worked there there was oply 020 em; certridges; I saw bo there yesterday; Mr French were on the ice with us sliding; Mr. E French left the 3 i d frst, and stecd upon the highway; when I got near omy shop he was till stastiog there: Mr. Frosch ¥ & ver ond cautious; I have powder ten days that I worked in the I don’ how much powder was brought in; I don’t koow where the bulk of the powder was ; [have always received instruction to be care(ul with the powder; | ee eer sequeinted with Miss MoDonald; Mr. French invite the girls and boys to come out and take a slide, a few minu’es before the explosion. Mary Graham sworn—I resiie in Astoria; 1am em- ployed, by Mr Fremeh. I worked in shop No. 2;1 have worked for} im opwards of three months; I have worked insbop No. 1, at makiog paper bores to peck up the cartricges; I worked near the dour; the stove was in the tame plac ewhere it wae atthe time of the explosion; po powder was kept in any part of the shop that I know ‘Sigieu ty extsting between the workmen L know of no did not see any of the wounded; where Eliza was; at tha! time I saw no fo micutes before one; there was Ut le fire in ihe stove; the foor was swept clean; taere & clock im both :be rhops. ' the Patrick Mclxualé sworn—I reside at Ravenswood wo k for Mr. French; I ran balls in the foucdry; at = of the explosion I was at work; I wasio shop No, 1 0 o'clock that day; I saw ihe stove and the the ; I west io ftove was’ not red hot; my sister; I pyrcer fe Cropjed from t tember if there wae amy the who filed the eartridger stood they dip Cown into a drawer cf powder; [have seen El joo M: Dooaic bring powder to them; I have seen powder soattered over the shop 8nd seen them walking over it in their or¢inery shore mort of them were fa com ng in with their maddy feet; when time o' the explorion Mr h came into the foundry; atver the explotion he jomped cut snd I went to the raine: I found John Smith ard Matthe# Roan, the deceased; brother cvme to belp me; I took Matthew roan jueatly fm shop brother esme te take him; I have fre No. 1 and beard him osation his workmen, Ellen MoDoa. around on the — Je: my a mow if a pai gunikeoe ears kege five pounds each; there were ne kega of powder, that koow of, im the room at the time of the explosion ; I French say the lamp wan filled with alcohol ; hold about s pint ; it was made of tin; it blaze; it had a large wick; it gave a larger ordinary lamp. James Langon, a small boy about twelve y sworn live with Jorn Hollis ; Thi Frenob; I left him yesterday; I then worked 2; I atopped working in shop No 1 last Friday worke¢ over the lamp. George Malcomb worked with me; the bench was about eix fest from the stove; the beach was about three feet wide; in the bench was tin basin» which held the lamp; the basin oat tightly im the beech; it was’ » little 7 they Durred alechol in the lamp; it had a largs wick: Mr, French always filled the Ismp;. he allowed no one tol the lamp but bimeelf; he would light it in the «der was wometimes scattered around om ch; lighting the match in the basin; I have weep balf a pound scattered om the bench; { al- ways ewe ptit up when I found it there; it could ‘not get to the lamp; fou teen or fifteen worked in the shop; I uthe pond sliciog yesterday; I saw Mr. French by the explovion; he called the men to I never sew on went towards the shop; of powder stowed a po: 2 boys wore thelt erdinary shoes in the shop; we were instruoted to wipe our feet before coming into the sfo; I bave not seen matebe: in powder which came o ibe rhop; I wax ia ebop No. 2 when the explasion took place; efter the explonion I saw a man comieg from the ebop; I next raw Mr. French; he was fing to the sho; diown up; I went down to Greenpolut; I did 0 vecanse wa: atraid of the magazine. Henry French recalled. was inthe shop just before it wa blown up; I ehould think there were half s dozen kege of powder in the shop but I am rot certain; tney were in a corner of the room furtbest from the stove; about five kegs would be used in s day; it was not neces- sary, 80 far as I know, to have large quentities of powder ig the shop; he piaced the powder in the magazine when it was purchased: [don’t know what was in the maga- zine yesterday; the basin for the Iamp ia almost « foot in diameter aud about two feet deep, and closed over so thet the powder cannot get into it; into this basin the Iamp was eet; we could only see the Iamp when it was dark through s row of pin holee in the lid over the bein; they were not working sround the Jamp when I wan in there yesterday; we had no powder stored in shop No. 2; I don’t think there was twenty-five kegs of pow- ¢er in the room that was blown up. A bystander questioned witness— We generally pay our workmen at the end of esch week; last wok there was a deiay for ® week; I never told any of the boys we were going to close business immediately; our business will not close for two or three weeks to come. The Coroner here read to the jury the testimony of Axcrew Kearney. He said be had visited him at his house, where he was very low trom the injaries he had rec! idavit of Andrew Kearney was then read, as County—Andrew Kearney being duly sworn, aay’ he was in the employ of Rrasmus French on the 28th day of January, 1854, and at work in the in which the explosion took place; that he was in the act of screwing down the lid of one of the boxes in which the for q folio Queens thi purpose t waa put upon the cart ridges; | saw a fiacb, as if some powder bad ora in ‘he lamp; frum aaeeey communtonted to.about four or five , then lying open on \enoh on whieh the lamp stood; this powder came from the cartridges where the strings bad broken or slipped off; after toe powder hed exploded on the bench, it reemed to communicate with the floor; | immediately ran for the pee George ee Co er ip work at greasing the cartridges; there were inall about twenty at work at the time in the ebrp; ] am eatieed and bnow that this secident occurred fromthe lighted lemp beirg placed on that banch ‘The Cor ner— gentiemen, are. th ise words of the withers as be spoke them to me. not taink it pru ent to qaestion bim further, as he at toix point fei into ® Coss, and I coubied his rationality. [ asked tim Low Le feit; be seid, ‘la ugh pain, bu he was not fright peé af trifen *” Dr, Perey Bayli-—I reride i> Astoria; am # practliing™ physician jag I vistteci the place of the explosion yes terdsy; leaw a men usmed Smith in Mr, Freuch’s house; bis limbs were broken, but I did not examine him par. attention was called te youog Corney; I found bis with » wound on the right side, pear the which extenced through to the lungs; bis ipjured and covered with clotted blood; was also wounce¢—a wound about two laches long and oxe inch wide; on lesving these patients, 1 was requested. by the Cathoiic priest to vielt a Ryep, who was ivjured with face were much injured; he was in xres! natural; bia pul-e waa exizemely feeble; he di Bfteem minutes after my visit; young Carney | caw oe thir morning, laboring under extreme exhaustion; I ed bim sgain this afternoon, and I found him dead hav- ing died a few minutes before my arrival; with the per- mirrion cf his parents I prot to be about four and a balf inches deep, penstratia right Jung epdemnpeeeny ied of the ceived from the ex] yesterday, in my opinion The Coroner asked if there were ore witnesses Awan in sudience ssid he boy who could of Mr, French’ before the tell something UVES the ¢xplosion Cororer.—Let us have bim on the stand. & lad about twelve years old, came upon was questioned by the Ooroaer as to the nature of an oath. swore as follows:- I have worked art for Mr. French; I was in the shop last Fpemig 4 went for my brother; I saw the at work net see the lemp then; tne stove was hot, but not red; I did bey gi an pa? Leow.anets a jee as jer oo the gi meh; there wr re four- Gon at wok ip the shop at that time; I was; esterday playing on the ice, before the explosion; [ raw Mi French siapcipg cn areck rear by, whistling and waving his bard for us to go to work; Mr French told me the work ‘wor)d pot Isat more than three or four weeks. worn.—{ live at Ravenswood, near this ang ‘been in bis i ow it was jit was ano! 20; the entsence to it was in one on there was s bench against » 8rd that continued around the building till eatieneren ae ee sees Ld Upon wl YJ 3 ween D roy end of the house there was another made hemipia ood there mi have employed in butidiog; I was not iirg yesterday; I Ro srcund the room when I was there; when I went to the y scene of the explosi: n I first saw two or three dead lying near the gate that went into the lot; all the bodies Eave been removed except one, which remains. By the Jury—I know of no artidle called ‘use on the premises yorterday; } saw @ piece of what I at first thought was fuse, bat upon closer iaspection I found it was an India rubber band; I em satisfied it was not fase. The Coroper then c>arged the jury as fcllows:— CORONBK’S CHABOR. GuynauxW—The evidence in ‘hin case is now closed. It iv unas) vpom such occasions to visit the premises and tee the dead; bat im this case the relatives have been permitted to carry away the bodies of the deceased. If you think it best to visit the premises you are at liberty to do so be‘ore making up your vercict. It is useless for me to recapitula:e the evidence. the fac sare still fresn ia your minds. Remember gentlemen you are jarors for the Biate, apd must give your verdict with cut fear or favor. If you fxd aay one to cea- sure, let your laegui be clear aod uomis tabable. But if, on the ot! hand, you think no one was to slame, let your langage beequally clear. You can now retire, gentlemen, deliberate upon your ver: pa Ef if necessary, 1 will watt till you are ready to "the jury then retired, in sharge of sa officer, and io about baifam hour, they sent in word that they would render their verdict at ten o’clock this morning. Theas om! then dispersed, many of th+m speculat yy the rests of the force? ‘deliberations ica oa SCENES AND INCIDENTS. From early morning until » late hour at night the scene of the disaster was visited by crewds of curious spectatrs, Among the visiters were several of the be- reaved parents and relatives of the deceased, several of whem, we are told, continue to linger around the spot as if attracted by some strange fascination. Near the plice of the accident we observed am aged woman crouching tyon the grourd, wringing her hands and alternately sobbing and raving, as if bereft of reason, From what we could gather from her broken exclamations (t appears that she is the motber of the boy John Downey, the Ind ef thirteen, whore body ts supposed to have bien blown to atoms; The woman resides in Orosa strest, New York, She waa of course nearly fractio with grief, and expreseed berseif with all the warmth of Kilesian pathos, A little group of frieods were aroucd her, ané attempted to administer oossclation, bu io va Rocking herself too and fro, amd apyarently unconscious of the presence of others, she centivued to utter the seme monotononr ejaculations :—'Ovb howe | oah bone | where sre yu, Joheny? Sure you'll never come back, Johauy.” Since her arrival at Ravenswood t¢ has been almort im- porelble to force her from the place. Among the horrible {oeidents of the catastrophe which were related toon by eye witmesses was the following — As soon an the news of thecalemity wes spread throogh the villege, the affrighted parents hastened i wiaatly to the fearfol scene, each intemt upon obiaining, at least, the bedy of hia shild. One of these—a fatbe. —after swarch- ng io vain for hours among the fragments of the dead, at» = PRICE TWO CENTS. last recognized the features of his son. But what « recog- sition! He beheki vwly the head of his son, lying among the hideous remaants of the other victims. The poor mas, balf crazed, reined the head, vith the shreds of fleah still depending to it, and, clasping it to his breast, Missed the distorted fee, and then hurrlcd away from the place with the bleeding head im hisarms. Siegularly enough, it is sald by eye-wituenses of the scene that the {aes of-the boy preserved ite satural expression, and that something akin ton smile yet lingered upon fts pallid Nps. We belfeve thet thie name of the deceased 's Matthew Riley, that of the father Joba Riley. A great deal of difficulty existed at tie scone of the dis- aster, in reference to the idemtifieation o! bodies. We are informed tat some most Olagracefal sscnes occurred; but most of them may be passed Nightly over, considering the circumstances and the.eager desire of every parent, relative, or petson | {to obtain the rersains of the decew ed person in whom felt the grestost interest. We are told thats ight actually occurred on the ground, between two ola‘ments of the same body—the corpse of a girl. Itwas so much dinfgered that recogaition was almost impossible; but botit the claimants were furious in support of their claims, and blows dnaily ensued. We believe the partieo were. aeparated without any blood- ed. one body was so riutileted that recogn'tion was irxpos- sible, but it was finally olatiznd by Mr, Maleolm as his daughter ; subsequently it was <iscovered to be Miss Exmgue, The greatest confustom exited in regard to those bedies, many of the relatives and ‘Yiends imagining that cértain portions of the fragments were those cf children sad connections, and opposite parties entertaining the rame idea, The firot view of the dreadful n2eno is dercribed an teiag sickening in the extreme. The prinofpsl cdject of the Gret comers was to romove the bedies and remnants from the place, and endesver, it possidie, to reauecitate some of the injured; but ‘mmediately on arriving at the eoene, It was rumored thatthe msgazize, containing an immense quantity of powdor, was in a dangerous state, and likely to explode at any lustant. Immense coaster- nation prevailed among the ¢rowd, and few ventured to approach the fatal spot, unti?ssmred that tne building im question was secure aod porfectly safe from all daager of explosion. Finally, however, these appreheusions died away, and the ground wee quickly covered with the parents, friends and relatives of the decesasd. Among the singularities of this melancholy affair we may mention that one man was blown, if wo may believe the statements given from persons on the spot, to a dia. tance of nearly two hundred feet against the side of a house, where of course he wae crushed to pieces. Anothor accourt was related to us of @ man employed about the factory, wbo waa blown « long distance, and finally was projected throngh basement window. Mis body wos found very much mutilated; the breast being shooking!y Jacerated by the glass from the window pares. ‘The scene presented by the place of the disaster beggars all description. Barrels full of reeking humaa remains, with human blood oosing from their seams, still remaia, eed present a most horrible and revolting spectacle During the day we visited Mr. Malcomb’s residence at Ravenswood. Mr M., it will be remembered, lost two ohil- dren by. theexplosion. The poor man was nearly insane with grief Im the room where the dead son bad bsen accustomed to rest was laid out his mutilated remains, A headless tiunk alone remained, recogaized orly by the parent from some peculiarity in the elething ‘The greatest indignation prevails among the sufferers in regard, to the conduct of Mr, French. We un¢erstand thatason of that gentleman called at several houses to ascértain the’ state of the bereaved fawilies, bat that while at the residence of ove of them he was assaulted hy the father of ore of the killed and strack. In order to give some {46a of the state of public ferling in regard to the matter, we ® brie! acevant of a slight imeidert which occurred while the Coronsr’s invertigation wis" ghing-on It appears that daring une early part of the afternoon session two or three tnd! viduala, who had lost relatives or children by the acci” Cent, became clamoronys in their abuse of Mr. French. One of them, « tall, thin man, apparently somewhat crazed by his misfortune, called out for the reappearance of that gentleman on the witnes stand. He wished to know whether Mr. Freach was to keep away and beep four men lke him waiting. The Coroner desired him to keep bis seat and bs quiet. The uorwy spectator replied th:t he was a ci'iren of the United States and knew his duty, He wanted jartice. ‘The Coroner gave him to understand that no farther remarks would be permitted, and order was finally ob- tained. This persom and rome of his companions, how- ever, remaised in the room, and interrupted the proceed- ings ip various ways. The children—for we cam call them by no other name— who were employed in the manufactory, earned on an aver" age about threedollarsaweek. We understand that it was custemary for Mr. Frech to pay his employes on Mon dey nights, but the pay night previous to this accident he had not paid his bands according to custom, alleging some exeure for not doimg so. Great anxiety is mani- fested at Ravenswood and vicinity to Jeara the reeult of the Coroner's investigation. The majority seem inclined to scquit Mr. French of any shade of guilt in the trans- action, while many censure him in very severe terms for employing such ® number of young persons in such a perilous pursvit without constant supervinon. Many ofthe lish population are outrageous io their denun cintions, All were anxious to know if oarelesmess was the cause of this dreadful bavoe, or if proper care had been exer cired by #)] connected with the establishment. All sorts of rumors were afleat as to the cause of the accident, bot it was geneally conceded that the powcer was ig- nited by Jamp used in the building for melting grease. All kinds of reports were circulated in relation to the proprietor, Mr. French, and some were #0 exasperated thet they talked of lynebing and other summary punish- ments, But most thought there was no good ground for letting the blame fall upon Mr. French, as he had al- ways been @ very carefal man in the factory. We might continue to multiply such heart-sickening ineide as we have related, but there isa sameness, a terrible sameness, in all the sccounts ‘hat bave reached us, Fatbers eearching for daughterr—mothers searching fer sons—the grief and agony of parents and reiatives—these form the staple of all the incidents that we could gather. The little vi lege of Ravenswood has suddenly become che theatre of the most oslamitous affair of this nature that has ever taken place om Long Island. A gioom has been thrown over its entire community, and it will be kng before the calamity of the 28th of Januavy fades from the memory of those who are compatatively unin- terested, Of the feelings of be unfortunates, who suffer- o¢ most keenly from this disastrons blow, nothing need be eaid. ‘neral Bam laourson, teoee T Boward, Ge is |. Geo Scott; T. G. Dodson, Erq ; jog, Call- forvin; Geo, P. arrived yesterday at the Metropolitan Hotel. : bas been ill 3 J. B, Coghill, Feq., of San tter. however, on Friday, and his physician thinks Francisco reveral Cays at Brown’s Hotel, Washington city. that he will be out im s few days. Aspinwall, in thes caehip Oh TA 4 1nd: From wi in ston Ohio-—T Amory an 7; widam Vileet and denghter, Machm Baria Bserioon on Id), Mr faniry; Ist Lieut BB ony, 2d Li foné, 24 Liews LM llen Williams M bteinberger, N Cory, J MeAtes, N BY: evn, Reno, ¢ F Sherman oN Crusoe WB Mil @ H Hill, 'M Keler, LP Brower, OM re, Lowry, C Harding, H Wiliams, BF 1, J Hi ctevens and daughter, J H hewneend, J 8 on. ¥ Byunt, N Swicn F Johaton, MP fe wits, OB Guyov, NP ror SR ri Amith, C Bigelow, J Hall 8 O Long, Shera, B N Bore, M Decker, Biradly, O Mills, and 100 6 From Berm Capt Whitin Liout G Gan: evoo: M A Attridge, amd Coroner's Inquert. Dearn or A Maxine nY Drowsivg —On Friday lect a meine, named Thomas Wilkey. belongicg to t 8, obip North Cerclinn. Ivtrg st Brooklyn, obtained « far: cugh for forty-sight hontr, sy 4 vis! at No. 4 Roorevrlt stree!, where That eventrg be left acd ‘wa agsia by his riends until fond oe Samurday nigh ‘ying in the dock, foot of pler 94, Rest river, Uorener Withera yer: teres Wd ap inquest on the tody, acd Dr, Alumentnal made an external exe mination cf the body, ani did not fod spy merke of violence upon it, and, from the history of the case oownicered that death bad been :aused by drowning. The Jury rendered a vordiet of—''Dsath by some cause to them unknown, but supposed te be b .”” Orceased was twenty-five years of age, ‘was believed to bave been s mative of scotland. 8 boarding hoase inteuded to stop. NEWS BY TELEGRAPH. Extensive Fire in Worcester, Mass. LARGR AMOUNT OF PROPERTY DESTROYED—THE INSUBANCR, BTC. Worcusrm, Jaw. 2, 1854. At one o’clock this morning « fire broke dut io the lange and ecatly block on Maim street, known as ¥iagg’s Buildings, which was eatiely destroyed. ‘The lower story was occupied by W. H. Hudson, cloth- ing dealer; C. A. Whittom, dry goods dea'er; Mactin Stew, dry goods; and Clark & Sandford, dry an fancy goods, The stocks «f all 6 Occupants were mostly removed, with but litle damage, Al! fully insured, ‘The second story was eecupied by William B, Maxwell and W. H. Howe, lawyers; FE. M. Bill, book agent, and Edward J. Fiske, printer. Mr. Bill’s loss is $1,200, in- sured for $790; Mr, Pleke’s loos te $2,000; iosured for, $1,600. The third stery was cooupied by the Worcester D-ams- tic Museum, Gates & Brown, maxagere, Thstr loas tv $3,000, fully insuzed. Dasing the progress of the Zire, the north end of Plagg’s building fell upon the adjoining two story block, owaed by Willian Dickinsom, completely demolishing {Tui Wook was cecupied by H. H. Dayton, hosiery aad fancy goods dealer; J 8. Wesley, bookselier ani peokbixder, end James J, Johnson, heirdreaser. Mr. Dayton’a low i; about $4,000; insured for $2,500, Mr. Werley’s loas is $8,000; no inwaranoce, Mr. Jobnion’s loss is $1,000—insured. story was occupied by tailors—loss trifling. The Flagg buildings were valued at $30,900, acd i sured for $16,000. The fire ii ppored to have beea the work of an iocen diary, as the museum, where it originated, had not been ceoupied for two weeks, The seocmd From Philadelphia. BLOODY AFFRAY BETWBEN SEA CAPTAINS—PXCITE- MENT RESPECTING THE OITY CONSOLIDATION BILL, BDO. PHILADELPHIA, Jan, 99, 1854. At ore o'clock this morning, a difficulty occurred at the Neweastis piers, botween Capt. Peterson, of sshooner David Smith, and Caps, Beaver, of the Esltimore brig Sea Foam, from Rie Janeiro. The tyro vessels-esme in ool- lision while in tow cf steam tugs; some words ensued, when Capt. Deaver fired two bails from @ revolver at Capt. Peterson, ope cf which took effect below the ear of William Creamer, wate of the achooner, inflating a dan- gerous wound, which it is foared will prove mortal. Capt. Beaver is reported to have absconded. - There is much excitement in this city, im anticipation of the pasage of the City Consolidation bill by the House tomorrow. The bill is to be hastened through in order to prevent the different districts frm adding to the debt, which is hereafier to be consolidated, by making subserip- tions to the various ratiroads, purchasing perks, &, An amendment bes also been introduced, prohibiting apy additional subseripiions after the paseage of the law. Governor Bigler has delayed his journey to Erie in order to sign the bill immediately on 1:6 paosage. Cold Weather. Boston Jan 29, 1854, This morning in State street, at seven »’clovk, ths ther- mometer stood at four degrees below sero; oa the Mill Dem, at ten below: and at the same point om the Canard wherf, at East Boston. There has been but little varis- tion from these points curing the day, whieh has been the coléest of th. seasen All the ferry boate are delayed .by flosting toe, large telds of whicx impede the aaviga- ‘ion of the bai bor. Worossrau, Jam 29, 1854. ‘The westher waz intensely cold thie morning, the ther- mhometer stardicg at ten digrees below zero, and the water freening 1: the hove of the engines aa they weres work upon the te which broke out at one o’slock. From Wheeling. BISB OF THS OSIO—THS 4aLT:MORX AND OHTO BalLROaD. Warring, Jon. 28, 1854. The river bere bas risaa eleven fret, and is s:ill on the rise, There is some flosting foe, but mavigation is un- obstructed. Boats arrived to day with hasvy freights for the Baltimore and Obio Railroad, wnioh ia t ansporting over eight hundred tons daily. Insurances en the Clipper Mermaid. Puovingycr, Jan 29, 1854 The ship Mermaid, lost on the Irish coast, wee in sured in this city for $26,500, in the following offices, namely—American, $8,000; Atlantic, $7,600; Roger Williams, $6,000; Merchants’, $4,000. Arrival of the Southern Mall, Bartimons, Jan. 29, 1864. The New Orleans mail of Sanday has arrived bere, The papers costain no news. Markets. New Onixaws, Jan, 26, 1854. Cotton is une! since the ressipt of the Niagara’s advances, The salen to day reached 6,000 bales. The decreased receipts at all the Southern ports ia 609 000 bales, Flour hat sivanced. Sales of 10,000 bb's., at $7 87 to $7 80. Large salen of guony bags have beea made at 12340, 8 180, Rio coffee dull, at 10%e ale, Stock port, 90,000 begs. Mees pork dull, at $13 50, Wheat heid at $190. bt exchange on ‘ork is at par to 4 premium. ta cull. Cotton to Liverpool, '%. Cnantewtom, Jan. 97, 1884. The sales of cotton today were 8,100 bales: for the week, 12,600, Quotations range from 83 to 10. The bg we with an advence on some qualities ¢f an dg. The of the week were 12, bales, and the stock at port now amounts to 64 760. Civcimatt, Jan, 28, 1854. Flour dull, with @ decline of 260. per barrel. Provi- sions active, Sales of },000 000 lbs, bulk meats, at 43<0. 8 5c. for shoulders and sides ; 4,000 barrels prime at 8 3¢0.; 1,000 kegs de., 9}¢¢.; 3,000 barrels mess pork, $12 60. Linseed oil anced to 850, ). has aov: Jan, 28, 1864, 60,000 ploces salt shealdess, at aice, pesked’; 6 000 sides, Ta, at 4340. ; at 680 ; 4,C00 barrels pork, ‘at $12 t0°$12 25"; 000 do at $12 60—now held at $18 ; 1,000 barrels lard, at 83¢0.— now held higher. Provipexca, Jan. 28, 1854. We have ne change to notice ia cotton. In wool there is no change in ‘with less activity in the market ; the stock is mi reduced. it all the fleece is taken as toon as offered. Bales 3@ week 95000 lbs. There han been fair demand rinting cloths during the week, at firm prices. Sales 52,000 pieces. City Ini ARREST OF ANOTHER STHBBT PREACHER. Polices am Reader, of the Fourth ward yesterday ar rested « street er named Blackman, w 50m the offi preaching in the public atret without permission, A to Cee large crowd of persons followed the officer tke Police Court, thus creat jaite sa unusual ex- citement for a Sabbath day. 5 before Justice The preacher, in tion to preach . ye mi the paper, ard con cluded that a written permiision conformed to the city ordinance, and therefore dismissed the charge; and Mr Blackman left the court room, with bis friends shouting greatly over the ¢eclaion. Tax Waatnmr.—Daring the cay yesterday the stmos- phere was severely cold, the previous night baving been Ep colds It pot colder, than any night this winter, Last evening, however. the extremity of the cold, moderated, the wind having shifted towards the east, indicating the approach of s ssow storm. A Poy Naanty Fromm to Drath —n Saturday eveni doy, named William M’Cawley while ri¢ing in one the Third avenne railro d care was very nearly frossn to death by the severity of tho weather Policeman Wyatt, of the Nineteenth ward, conveyed the poor boy te the station house, where he was properly taken care of, and in the morning sent homo Fatat Ramnoap Accioest —At about seven o'clock on Saturday evening the Portchester train going up for some reason atopped st 109th street. Mr. Johm Middle ton, @ resident of Pelham Coraer, left the cara a #n¢ in the effort to regain the cars fell oa the track, co the treim being in motion passed over hia body, inflletin, s fatal injury. Tho train was stopped, and the tojured then to tho River Houw, Aerlem, and Dr. med him notil he die i, Coroner Hilton was noti fied to bold an inquest. Evreors oF ANOTHER STANMING APrRAY —A mau named Hevry Williams, whe wes ntebbed im an affray on the pip ht of the 23d instact, in the Fourh w veyed to the Hospital for modice| treatment, died yeater éay from the effents of the ir jury, The fatal wespon prngtented the left lung The Coroner wae notified to old an inquest on the body Row Over ny A Boronmn’s Cart —On Saturday afternoon ¥r. John Campbell Was run over by * buteher’s cart, in Washington street, injaring him reversly, Officer Tea Ryek, of the Third ward, asweted the iejured man from the street snd sonveyed him to his residence, The butcher drove off before the officer arrived. A man was found dead ins carriage, at East Cambridge, on the th inst, It is supposed that be died of emall- SacHlge in ebich the body wes found wae tale hd I iy wee wae ine shed, had mot boon used for many weeks Very Late and Interesting frons Australia. Important Despatches for the Japam Expedition. STILL LATER FROM THE SONORA FILIBUSTERSS THE DABIEN SURVEYING BXPEDITION. Massacre of a Part of the British Force. IMPORTANT NEWS FROM THE SOUTH PACIFIC. More Revolations ia Peru and Bolivias Seizure of Wew Caledonia by theo French. ae, &e., de, The stesmship Obie, Oapt. For, arrived yesterday morning from Aspinwall, with the California ‘three hundred passengers, and’$1,000,000 imgold dust! She left Aspinwall on the 18th inst, She brit from Australis, Lower California, Peru, Chile, Bolivia, New Caledonia, New Granada, and Es.ador ; alo, freus the Darien Surveying Expodition. We are indsbted to Mr, Horton, the purser of the cteamer, for leto intelligenco'and papern, The United States sleop of war Albrny, Capt. Gerry, tailed from Navy Bay on the morning of the 17th inst, bound for San Juan del Norte.. Officers and crew all well, ‘The health of the Isthmus is remarkadly good. The Paasama Railroad is now completed to Obispo, to whieh place the cers rua daily, leaving but eighteen and three quarter miles mule travel to Paesma. The-Gorgona road igia good travelling order, and mules and muleteers are im abusdance. Passengers leaving: Aspinwall by the nine o’ciock A. M. train reach Paname the same avening. Died st sea, January 25, Richard Magernis, of Dablim, fireman cn board the Ohio, sged 27 years. Copt. 8. F, Binat and A. B Forbes, Kaq., loft Panama on the morning of tho 17th inat., a& 95¢ A. M.,and arrived at Aapicwall at 43¢ 2) M the same day, thus ‘making the izip shrowgh im seven hours, Tho following is the specie list of the Ohio: — Adame & Co. $5/2 154 lis, Fargo & Co. $64,71L Gocehve & Co 16,486 Leverson sros E. C Koigbt. 106 Jwod Levi & 16 600 Bargoyue & Plame. 197,000 U ‘lame. on am. Br Bapk..... 804,000 Total... ‘NEWS FROM AUSTRALIA. Very Late News from Sydney and Melbourne -ckmportant Despatches for the Japan Squadron—The Prospects of the Gold Dig- gers—Markets, dic., &o, We have received advicos from Sydney ‘o the 84 and trom Melbourne to the 7th of Noveuber, both inclusive, Ist ot the Zmpire wouls be enlarged to the siseofs first Lordow jourpsl, and alterations made in its geners® mategrment, which it is belivved, will greasy eahases its value 4 an orgem of political acd commercial intelil- zonce. 4.000 peraonn wae pre the 171b of Octoter, for the pur pore of om the Queen His Exerleucy re'aset to sey whether M4 would eupport ite pra; oz T20 tev: nue returns of Ne * Soath Wales for the quarter encirg Sept 50 are pudlisbed, Toe cuxtoms duties smo..bt t £96,618, being ao increase of £43,024 on th corresponcing quertr of 1862, on lad sales and - cunt vente the ineresse is £34,474, The total on toe quarter is £91,918 6a 2d. 4 wet atrocioss mur er was perpetrated im the Goul- burn district. A man, named Talbot, stabbed azother of the rame of Barry, out out his entrails, and came to bat three miles distant. On arriving there he ae! hut beeper for the ican of a fryipg-pan, “had got the b—— heart, and wanted to cook it.” man, thinking that Talbot was joking, aeked him @! heart it was; he replied, “Tost b—— Barry's,” adced that bis revenge war complete. It that he eat one of the kidneys before he told tho hut what kidneys they were, bat this ineredible. af ia 3 “attere have been received in a is matter of doubt whether the Ai Steam Packet Com: wil make pre port of call for ap H i = eebitates Re re thetr steamers Oat Ales of the Melbourne are to the 3d of November. Bis a was carried on 2 ee of Mr. praying returns res; abdo-iginal me tbe missionary nd I tantttetions betas Pomona Morning Herald and Argus views’ Prevention Act Amendment bill was rr considered. Thanks to Dr. Murphy, who occupied the ohetr during the absence of Mr. Snodgrasa, the few vi were put in an intelligible form, amended, was adopted. A correspomdent of the Herald, writing from Syduey, “ye:— In Van Dieran’s Land the form of on elective pee bas been ace out Vou Richa:d Dry, Teport say very much of orn ‘adage age he chamber, elected by the freeholders, with £26 Pefond Something of the same kind will, I sappore, be Mr. Foe- ter’s plan for Viotoris; bat in Bouth Au New South Wales, an in’ New Zealand, the nominated upper house has been esta! not see apy present prospect of a r of the two Australias Legislatures, whi their minds upon the subject. What i will be in e ulLicnate your colony and Van Dieman’s Land, it {s diflle cult to sor jecture, but it will im no way affect us. peculiar ee strongly developed sdene will prevall for On the 26th the Mayor wan attenced by all the The lent cirour stances of to faney erdeey, eat Sook Mercury, y ye the naatkian from Armide of the Rocky River 6: “Geveral water ho! cases, I am sorry to bat in many others are very remunerative; a in this Danner with great mevt prevails upon the not deeper than six or ieg the J with the in the northern gold fields, ony, t inches wash. apd procuring geld 4 large speabs mutetoraaty of tho viet pe Pl oi pe| diggings the mining interest ie Alves very considerable numbers have made choise of the Adel tg, instead of proceeding on tothe Ovems, their diggings original intention: and at the u Deon well rewarced, alvsnos nee i wards of an ounce rious individual. Aeveral comers to work with them at 1: os riving frem the Ovens tn consequence off in the yield which, combined from the art side roads, bide fair Pepalation on tre Adelong some short time. A correspondent at the Ovens diggt ot The 4 corre! at Fo dete the born, that the police wer Waal resting unilor nsed i : 3 i if z i 5 dg | : i i mm ra, there bei..g still » strong posity.m te evade the law. ‘From the \awall Courier, Jan. 10. Atviced Diem Bydoey to the 98 of HOt nee cairo, F 4 eal eoranhoren sent to eS Sere the Queen, new constitution, to which be a PO tastes ene wer. gene'al report from the are [ew ©: . ues in demand fo the sgrio The rush to the mines canss « cove! Ged mechantes and domes ic ven la great reque & otra. toate henry rast, aberty and pert, stoscy mele; beer, demand e ; wool, in e/ hasard, Mr. iraring, Fu teu roy es ook ctr yi tions Hmited, with a downward tendenqi.c... sroonda £26 per ton; wheat, price aurgaram RYMDmRy