The New York Herald Newspaper, January 30, 1854, Page 2

t | | ' l ‘ | | THE NEW YORK HERALD. WHOLE NO. 6368, MORNING EDITION~MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 1854. THE POWDER EXPLOSION AT RAVENSWOOD, rT Appearance of the Place Yesterday. CORONER'S INVESTIGATION. ‘Awfal Condition. of the Remains of the Dead. TK BICITEMENT AMONG THE INHABITANTS, THRILLING INCIDENTS, e., 80, Ho. Our citinens were startled yesterday by the announce. ment of the fearful cstastrophe at Lower Ravenswood, Long Island, which hes sent 60 macy human beings sud- Healy intocternity ‘@ despatohe: our reporters te the Spot yestordey, to take full account of this heart-rend- ing disaster. The place of the explosion presente’ a sickening and revolting appearance The lot on which the powJer fact ry stood was covere’ with spots of blood, where the mangled remains of the usfortumates bad been thrown by the tremendous forco of the explorion: Standing in -m main read between two lots, bo.h of which wero @overed with people, we cid not kcow which way to turm to ficd the rnined factory, Speaking to ® bystander, ‘Can you inform os where the powder mill atood 9” we «sid. *' The bell engendered fac tory stood there,” he answered, pointing to a heap of “ptones @ few yards dis wnt. “Look around and see what it has doua—seo the brains spattered age inst this fecor.”” ‘We koked-ehere ovr informant pointed, and there, sure enough, upon a whitewashe4 board fence, was a quantity of humans brains smearing an area of two or three feet in diameter. It was harrowing sight. That matter, which bute few hours before was filled with thought, and warm ‘with life’s blood, now lay cold upon that fence and scat- fered upom the grount. Tursivg from this, we walked to where the factory stood. Thin wasin ap open lot, about ome handred feet squere, surrounded by a white board fenes, and covered over with large blocks of stone, taken from a quarry on the lot, The factory was & wert of wooden shacty, standing on a foundation of * Loosely thrown together, in size about twenty by twenty-five feet. Nothing of it remained except thy ctores. The whole building was shivered into upots of blood and brains, where the n:angled limbs aud ‘bodies of the dead had fallen, Some bad fallen upon the ground, scame had been driven ageinst the rocks, and others felt apom the stones which lay in the lot. Pieces Of clothing lay here and there; but yesterday all the re mains of the dead had been picked up Those upon the spot state that after the explosion bowels hung daog- ling from limbs of trees, and hesds were severed from , bodies sud thrown to the distance of nearly « hundred “dag ne serious injury. yards, It was truly a sorry sight. ‘The factory was owed by Erasmus French, Esq , who established it sbout four years ago, since which time it has beem im constant operation Messrs. Hitchoook & Oo., sfirm im this city, are said to be his principal purchas- ere. Thisis the third explosion which has befallen the Yropeietor, but not on this spot. Previons to commenc- ing business here, he had been engaged in the same line im Comnesationt, where ove 0: two «xpiouions occurred do The magazine is a amall store house, within a few feet of the factory, in which was Sea bey as ir tas master a aN The factory was fir the mavufactare patent cartridges, sxd mot for the manofactore o tee, as meny supposed. Powder was im- ported fs. farge quentities from the city, and placed iu the magesine, and dsily bronght into the factory ia quantities mecessory for use in filling the cartridges, This amounted to about five kegs per day. The oaitridge isan ‘Oral slug, fat on one site, whieh is in-erted into one end ef a smell pastoboard cylinder, this cylader being flied Most of the above were killed invtantly. Matthew Ryan was taken to his home, where he lived s short time only, He diedon Saturday afternoon. Andrew Kearney Hived till yesterday abont four o'clock P. M , when he ex- Mterally blown to pieces, nothing of them being found except arma, legs, and human flesh. Those whose bodies remained whole were 0 Dlaskened an¢ burned it was difficult to reco; them. One ce A fo stil left io = small house pear the factory unclaimed by any of her friends—so plackened end matila‘ed is she that she cannot be recog- nised. The sight presented in the chamber where this corpse lay was almost enough to freeze the blood of any ene who looked upon it. On board rested the corpse, face downwards, # thick cloth and pisce of carpet cover- ing it. One arm was blown cff at the elbow; one side of the head was burned to a crisp, and the body was e cold, chared cimder. The board on which this girl was placed lay across two barrels. We ssked where had the other bodies Deon takes. “Look in those barrels,’’ said a gentleman pear ws, “end yu will see the corpses of all ox- copting three or four which have been recognized end carried away.” We gazed into those bar- rels, and there lay the mortal remains of nears dosen humana beings. The eyes rested on a cold and pallid hand, a piece of a jaw, the forehead of a human being all Glotted with blood, s foot, a buneh of fingers, eyes tora frem their sockets, brains scooped up, forming a jelly ‘Mike mass, and chunks of fesh burned and orisped, forin ing @ spectacle of horror. Who could look on suche with coldmess! A fiend, even, would have feit sick at heart, if such « spectacle had been placed before him ‘There was 6 great concourse of people at the scene of Geath yexterday. There were large crowds constantly eoming aad going on all the highwsys leadirg to the place. Travelling over the fated spot there were many Whe were melted to tears, and all wore « look of gloom. Hendreds picked up specimens o! the cartridges, which Jay strewn over the ground, and carried then away. There were abont three hund:ed thousand of these cartridges im the factory at the time, which wore sent ia ell Gtreotions, with the propelling force of a rifle. These penetrated private dwellings, broke chandeliers, &3.; but, as fer as we could hear, no one was killed by them—s fortunate ciroumstarce, considering the perfeet rho ver which wae rcattered towards every point, and that some of ‘the slugs of the cartridves were thrown half s mile distant. ‘These viclegt measures were mostly talked of by thse who had lost relatives and friends by this fearful blow and they who had been called upon #0 suddenly to moura over the remains of 2 son or daughter, and other friends departed, asa matter of course, were not {9 8 mood to coolly view the maiter in all its phares, vat were ready to resort to almost acy measure to revenge their rela- tives whea the rumor eirculated that carslesmos: was the cavse of thelr destruction. The shook at the time of the explosion could be heart for miles around, and shattered the windows of soteral Aqeliings in the neighborbood. Window sash as wel! as @lage wes jerred into pieces, and the fences torn dowa tn minay pleces around the lot. The sesoe at the moment ofthe explosion may be Imegined from the following re: marks of a little boy about tweive years of age, aud who was one of those meeting with « narrow essaps :—«My same ts Edward Hofferty; I was sliding on the tos ix tho pond mear the factory with another boy about my sirs . just before the explosion; we walked up to the factory after we had done aliding, and stayed there a few minutes, when we started for the other shop, whereI worked, We wore walking along rlowly, and had ost got more then thirty yards from the building, when we heard a horrible noise, and men, and women, and arms, and s whole lot of splinters, fell all around us. We stooped low to kecp 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, amd 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 noize, and » dark cloud was thrown into the air, which poured down human beings and their mangled re- mains. It is melancholy picture 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’clook in the morai ‘and as soon almost as the court room doors were opened it was crowded with people, In this oclleotion 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 sorrowfal bereavemen's. ‘There was e deep gloom throughout the entire audience during the entire proceeding, which was as follows:— CORONER'S INQUEST. The inquest was held at ten o’clock yesterday morning at tke court house, on Broadway, Astoria, Mr. John L. Boyd, Justice of the Peace, officiated as Deputy Coroner 0a the occasion. The fullowing jury was empanelled:— Semuel H. Moore, William H. Jackson, BS. A. Cressey, William F Muchmore, P. Quinlan, RH. Smith, Theodore Calvert, Samuel Morris, William Williamson, Erasmus Freuch, sworn—I reside at Ravenswood; I am ry waker; I have ienided here about four years, it will be four next May; I bad about thirty eight indi viduals employed in my mavufsoiory at Ravenswood; an accident bappened at my manufacwry, eansed by an ex- plosion of ons of my shops: fol’ing up, filling aud greas ing the cartcidges was wha was carried on at this shop; sbout fifteen hands were employed there, but I am not quite certain ot the number; the sizeof the but Was sweaty fire by fifweo feet; one story was warmed by a stove, which was placed about cne-third from the en: trance of the west end; the stove was an ordinary cylin der, and of amo]l size! there were several hundred pounds of powder in the ertablithment, iu kegs and boxes, but the rest was boxed up when the explosion took pisce; there was ® work bench ranged around inside of the place, and one rupning scross the shop; the filling of the eartsidge: was doze by four little buys; the plyra in tiling were at the cast ond of the shop, work- 3 the outaic 3 owder was ia wooden drawers; the boys replenished the powder inthe when it got empty; the persons workin, in bop were permitted to epter it wii the crdinary shees on; | was in the shop about bsit ‘ao hour previcus to the explosion; the bance were at dinner the shop wh=n the hands hen I was there; was not at turned; no smoking allowed or apy matches were allowed by me; { was in the oast- ing shop at the time of the explosion, about twenty-five Yurda enst cf the shop; there was no wail between the casting aud other shop; there wan a stone magazine west of the shop blown down; about 800,000 cartidges were put up s4 boxés in the magazines; the explosion took plaow whe I was ia the casting shop; I first knew of it by being stunned and fin: the shop where I was stove and crushed in; when I came to myself I saw the bodies; I frst saw Andrew Kea ney alive. and other per- sone Do! bnown to me; 1 knew of no misumderstending between me or my bands; no feriing of malice existing that I knew of; Ido not recollect of deing cautioned. nor bas my at extion been drawa by any one to the fact of the stow stem ing in my shop; the bocies were removed by the.2 friends; ope man was taken to New York cit for medical aid; Elen M’Dosald and Emma Malcom ‘ware the parties who looked to the care of tae atop. [ paet- ea the shop about two or threes minutes before the explo sion; hice M’D.gald was in the shop at the time; the fONcer was im kore under the beneb; used about four gs a day; about twenty Begs in the uty tive to 100.000 cartridges in the shop iv conse i Of the magasine being fuil; ifthe poxes were to take fire the cartridges would ow quantity icom the ground now Decke; the carcrieges were pls partec to ethers, «ho closed them and pace them up. Berry W. Frivob, sworn— I xeaie at Ravenswood, with wy fai ber, fear ywarm, Heitor L* previous witness; have lived there aboat bustute: te t9 lum after tae pei some who to the delete mamecarmege of tnem; Ath takoeno. ssi Abops om vaturcay, the 286i: Jeruery, at ebout teerty mibures past one @oicer. | war in my rhop at that time, situated about 200 or 260 yerce {rom the ene blowu up; 1 dou’t. remember Deir g "bere since very early in the m. rving, I passed oy Witbic about twenty feet at dinner time; I did stop before my cimoer and asked the girls if they would have a; lide upon the pond ; they had just quit work; I did not notion in 9 rtioular oppone there was fire in the stove; everything in the shop was in ite ordinary manus: to the best of my belief; there were ‘rom 14 to 18 in the build! that Puppose the list ae aforesaid to be 8 correct list of the nawer who were in t. Pp that day; Ttook a alide with them sfter dinner; nop boys, who fillec cartridges vere with me; ail the nam-s] hav. heard Trad were empioyed insice the shop; there «as one Chris tepber ‘ary eu: ployed on #ide the shop; Acdrew Kerney was iprice the ), & T saw his body afterwards: he was Bot rensicle when | saw him; (the witness Ltt ripen ied of the prewigen:) we coals in thelstove; there was seth ing Setmoen the four aad staves the haret the beach were about four inches lorg; I do not know, seen, apy of the persons smoke; Ellen McDonald and Mery Maloom had the mansgement of the shop of my father; I made the fire ttat morning; in the abseace of my father, Ellen MeDonald bad the charge of the stove; I do nct know where the kegs of powder approved are kept; 1 do not work there; the shop floor was clean when made the fire there that 1g; 1 saw those who were with me on the pond go towards the shop; I did not see Sener emcking in going from or to the shop. Examined by the Jury—I have seen the stove near red hot; I never saw any of the boyr Cnt peo the stove; they dere notdo it; hiss McD: wes about twenty years old; we considered her the most eareful and prodent; never caw anything to shake our confidence in ber would not allow any cf the boys to FP Dear the stove; inloom and Miss my father gave strict orders that Miss McDonald should be carefal; I wan ipformed by my father that ia two inetarces pieces of matches were found in the ter; 1 conrider every precaution was taken by my ther, Miss Mslo:m and E'len MoDonald for the safety ef those who worked im thst shop; the magasine was about twenty five or thirty feet trom the shop. The Coroner iben adjourned the invest!gation until the efternocn. APTERNOON SESSION. When the pr ceetings menced in the afternoon there was present as large s paomber as in the early part of the day. Esch listened with melancholy taterest to every word which fell from the lips of the wi'nesses. Elta Devine sworn:—I reside at Astrria; [am fore- woman of ove of Mr. Frenel hops; I was at work there on the 28th cay of Japusry last; I was in the building at ® quarte: before'ore, an’ remained there until ten minutes before one; I do ot know the number of persons boon ed im the building; at the time I left thers vere four ia it; the number of persons usually at work I can’t tell; there was a stove in the a but with very little Ace in it; there was a bench of powder; of the beneb were lighted lamp om that bench; I waa sitting near the stove, and felt little heat from it; the floor was perfectly clean; in that noon apell | was os the pond aliding; there were bow! aS twent; the i sbout gps or dg or Ly eg Trop; there are about sixteen or at thé time of the explosion I was stending im my shop; Mc. French’s son was in the by eg he fa his absever Filen McDonsld had charge of the shop; the peaeidaen Tet ene ei oe’ Gene cartritges; they heat it by a lamp reece 1, put in s round mp; the top ef the benen is about four feet worked there there was cartridges; I saw po there yesterday; Mr ‘were on the toe with pond fi to my por ‘the bulk of the powder was instruction to be careful with it; Tbe ye the powder; I was al sequeinted with Miss McDonald; Mr. French invite the girls and boys to come ont and take a slide, a few mina’es before the explosicn. Mary Graham sworn—I reside in Astoria; lam em- pho by Mr Fremesh; I worked in shop No. 2; 1 have worked for} im upwards of three moths; I have worked inehop No.1, at makivg pay bores to ety J cartricges; I worked near the door; the stove was tame plac ewhere it was at tho time of po powder was kept in any part of of; Lknow of no ty ond Mr, French; after Mr. French awhile on the highway; at was in my own I was in the rhop @! ight; that was five micutes before one; there was Mt le fire in the stove; the floor was swept clean; tacre ® clock im both :be shops. worn—I reside at Ravenswood ; I 3 the fouedry; at the time of the explosion I was at work; I was in shop No. 1 the the om; the exploai: kaow F 3 E at 10 o’clcek that day; I saw ihe stove and the the went in hot; Lene stove wan’ not red to see my sister; I grersing; 1 did mot’ Co pay attenth Isyitg on ‘bat beo the pyrder te cropped. f member i ther@ wae amy. the who filed the cartridge t the in fi tirg the cartidgen they vse lit they diy Cown into s drawer cf powder; [have seen Hl jwo M:Dooaid bring powder to them; I have seem powder sonttered over t! op and seen thom walking over it to their orcinery sors mort of them were com ng in with their muddy feet; time 0° the explorion Wr came into the fowadry; ater the explosion he jompec cut sad I went to the rains: I found John Smith ard Matthew Ryan, the deceased: brother cvmee to belp ms; I tock Matthew Ryan antil hiv ee in ae ae Cee abop No. Land heard him oaation his ; Elea tsDon. hold about a 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 years sworn—I live with John Hollis ; I have works Frenob; | left him yesterday; I then worked 2; | stopped working in shop No 1 last Frida: worke¢ over the lamp. George Malcomb worked the bench was about ix fest from the stove; the beach Be was about three feet wide; in the bench was » tim basin» which beid the lamp; basin oat lightly in the berch; it was it ; they burned alec hol in the lamp: French always filled the ls the lamp but bimvelf; he would light it in the ader was sometimes scattered around on that oh ; lighting the maich in the basin; I have teen half a pound scattered on the bench; ( al- ways swe ptit up whem [ found it there; it could not get to the lamp; fourteen or fifteen worked in the shop; I Fanon the pond slicing yester the fsuce beiore the explovion; he called the men to wok apd thea went towards the shop; I mever aw kegs of powder stowed away under the benches; he tiled ca) tri¢ges from the magezine; the boys used to get the powcer; [have seen powder soattered om the floor; the boys wore their ordinary shoes in the shop; we were not inatrnoted to wipe our feet before coming into the sfop; Ibave not seen matche: in kega of powder which came © \be thop; | was ic hop No. 2 when the explosion took place, sftrr the ¢xplon'on I saw @ man comieg from the chop; I next saw Mr. French; he was ging tu the sho biown up; IL went down to Greenpoint; I did 80 vecanse wa: afraid of the magazine, Henry French called I was in the shop just before it was blown up; I should think there were half» dozen kege of powder in the shop but I am rot certain; they m the stove; would be used in # day; it was not neces- sary, #0 far a8 I know, to have large quantities of powder ia the abop; he placed the powder in the magazine when it was purchased; I don’t know what was in the maga. zine yesterday; the basin for the lamp is almost # foot in uiameter and about two feet deep, and closed over so thet the powder canvot get into it; into this basin the Jamp was set; we could only see the Iamp when it was dark through # row of pin holes in the lid over the besin; they were not working around the Jamp when I wan in there yesterday; we had no powder stored in shep No. 2; I don’ think th re was twenty-five kegs of pow- Cer 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 were in @ corner of the room fart! about five k deiay for = week; I never told any of the boys we were going to close business immodistely; our business will not clone for two or three weeks to come. The Coroner here read to the jury the testimony of Arcrew Kearney, He said be had visited him at his Lsiiersc perp veh po tie! from the injaries he had recei Queens Ceunty—Andrew Kearney being duly sworn, says tbat he was im the employ of Erasmus French on the 28th day of January, 1854, and at work in the abopin which the explosion look place; that he wae in the act of screwing down one of the boxes in which the cartricgen were , end which was purpose of meltin; ridges; I saw a fine! im the Jawp; from four or five tbe mealio ong stood; this powd w off; after toe powder hed ex; reemed to communicate with the floor; | immed! for oa bad George ee Cry momerg. manip at work at gressing the cartridges; there were inall about twenty at work at time in the ob: p; J am satiated and bnow that this sesident occurred from the lighted Jemp being placed on that bench The Corn ner—There gentiewen, are the ive words of the witness as he spoke them to me. [ did not taink it prur ent to qaestion bim further, as he at this point his rationality. Tasked him Low Le feit; he “Io mugh pain, oui be was not fright nee af trite ym on Dr. ty 9 Beylir—I revide i> Astoria; am @ pr: phyateian bere; I vistted the place of the explonivu yes terdsy; 1 eaw & meno nemed Swith in Mr. Frenob’s house; bie limbs were broken, but I did not exemine him par. Ucularly; tion was called te young Corney; J found bim with » wound on the right side, pear the spine, which extenced through to the lungs; bis face was also i 1d and covered with clotted blood; his left thigh ore inch wie; on leaving these patients, 1 was requested. the Cathosic priest to vieit a by the neme of bo wa ivjured with « frac leg; bis head and re wuch injured; he wes im «reat pain, as wa natural; bis pul-e was exiremely feeble; he died sbou fifteem minutes after my visit; young Carney | saw agai: thir mornia; ‘under extreme exhaustion; I viatt. ed bim agai ing died to be about fou! and abi wound, inches deep, penetratiag the right lung; these two individuals ceived from the expk sion yesterday, in my opinion The Corore: asked if there were more witnesses A wan in the sudience said he @ boy who could teli something of Mr. French’s maxcuvres before the explosion. Cosseer.—Lat us heave bim on the stand. Jobn Bray. a lad about twelve geretonet ears old, came upon by the Ooroser as to the ‘swore as follows: I have worked the etand.—He was nature of an cath. for Mr. French; 1 was inthe Jaat bey: Seg I went for my brother at work thea, I did not see the lemp then; tae stove was hot, but not red; I saw about a half e did not se any ‘powder on the floor; pound of po: on the greasing bench; there wire four- wen at work ip the shop at that time; I was) esterday playing on the ice, before the explosion; M French wiapcipg on areck rear be ans 4 and waving als bard for us to go to work; Mr French told me the work wou)d pot lsat more than three or four weeks. Wilia” Kerr sworn.—t{ live at Ravenswood, near this accident: I krow Mr. French; I have been in hie powder factory; Iknow how it was arranged; it was an oblong Duildis; ghd oe the entrance to it wes in one exd; om the left band there was s bench against the wal, end that continued around the building till it came within « few feet of the door there was leo a bench upon which the boys between ‘the stove end east end of the house there nother stove where the boys made cartridges; there might have berm twenty persons employed in butidiog; I was not near the ir g yesterday; I saw no powder scattered arcund the room wher I was there; when | went to the scene of the explosi: n I first saw two or three dead bodies lying near the gate that went into the lot; all the bodies bave been removed except one, which remains. By the Jury—I know of no artidle called ‘use harry ber the premises yerterday; ] stw a piece of what I at first thought was fuse, bat upon closer ianpection I found it was an India rubber band; I am satisfied it was not fase. The Coroper then cbarged the jary as follows:— CORONER'S CHABOR. Grynisuzr—The evidence in this case is sow closed. It iv usus) vpom such occasions to visit the premises and eee the dead; but im this case the relatives have been green ita 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 verdict. It is useless for me to recapitula:e the evidence the fac s are still fresn ia ycur minds. Remem' gevtlonen you are jarors for and ve your verdict with las gotge be ciele aed tants sure, your unm! tabable. Bui if, om the other hand, you think no one was to lame, let your langa f beequally clear. You can now retire, gentlemen, and deliberate upon your ver: pee Ee if pecessary, I will watt tll you are ready to rep The jury then retired, in sbarge of an officer, and io about haifan hour, they sent in word that they would render their verdict at ten o’clock this morning. Theas om! then dispersed, many of them speoula’ a the reealt of the jarore’Gellbcrtions —s SCENES AND INCIDENTS. From early morning until a late hour at night the noone of the disaster was visited by crewds of curious spectatcrs, Among the visiters were several of the be- reaved parents and relatives of the deceased, several of whem, we are told, continue te linger around the spot as if attracted by some strange fascination. Near the plice of the accident we observed am aged woman crouching uyon the ground, wringirg her hands and alternately nodding and raving, ae if bereft of rexson. From what we could gather from her broken exclamations tt appears that she is the mother of the boy John Downey, the lad ef thirteen, whore bedy ts supposed to have bien blown to atoms: The woman resides in Cross street, New York, She waa of course nearly frac tic with grief, and expressed berseif with all the warmth of Milesian pathos, A little group of friends were aronad her, ané attempted to administer ounsclation, ba ia vaiu. Rocking herself too and fro, and apparently uoonsolous of the presence of others, she centivued to utter ihe seme monotonons ejaculationrs:—'Ovb howe! ooh bone | whare are yu, Johnny? Sure you'll pever come back, Johnay.”’ Since her arrival at Ravevewood te has been almort ic- porsible to force her from the placa. Among the horrible iveidents of the catastrophe which were related to na by eye witnesses was the followiag >— As soon an the news of the calamity wee spread throngh the villege, the affrighted parents hastened iu'antly to the fearfal scene, each intemt upon obiaining, at least, the bedy of his shild. (ne of tnese—a fatbe —after sarch- ‘ng in vain for bours among the fragments of the dead, at ; 1 aw Mr. French by | PRICE TWO CENTS. last recognized the features of his son. But what a recog- nition! He beheki caly the head of his son, lying among the hideous remaants of the other victims. The poor mas, hal? crazed, reised the head, vith the shreds of fleah still depending to it, and, claspiog it to his breast, Missed the divtorted fuee, and then hurricd away from the plsve with the biceding head im his arms. Siegularty enough, it is said by eye-witaemses of the scone that the fuee of-the boy preserved its aatural and that something akin tos smile yet lingered upon fts pallid Nps. We belfeve that the mime of the deceased is Matthew Riley, that of the father Joba Riley. A great deal of diffeulty existed at the soone of the dia- aster, im reverence to the idemtifiestion of bodies. We are informed that some most disgraceful ssones cocurred; but most of them may te pansed Nightly over, considering the ciroumstances and theeager desire of every parent, relative, or person i [to obtain the remains of the deceased peraoa in whom they felt the grestont interest, We are told thata fight acti ally occurred on the ground, between two olatmsnts of t ae body—the corpse of a girl, It was so much disfyared that recognition was almost impossible; bat botlt the o's! ante were furious in aupport of their claims, apd blows Analy ensued, We believe the partieo were separated without any blood- hed. i, ‘One body was ro :autilated that recogn'tion was irxpos- tide, but it was finally olafethd by Mr. Maleoln as his hter ; mubsequently it was ¢iscovered to be Miva Emgue. The greatest confusion exited in regard to those bedier, many of the relatives Bnd ‘Yiends imagining that cartain portions of the fragments were those cf children #nd connections, and opposite parties entertaining tho rama idea The first view of the dreadful s2ene is dereribed as being slokening in the extreme, The prinsiprl odject of the Gret comers was to remove the becies and remnants from the place, and endowrer, if posstdle, to reenecitate some af the injured; but ‘mmediately on arriving at the tcene, it was rumored thet the msgazize, containing an immense quantity of powder, was in a dangerous state, and likely to explode at any Instant. Icmense coaster- nation prevailed amoag the erowd, and few ventured to spprosch the fatel spot, umtisisenred thot tne building im question was secure and porfectly safe from all danger of explorion. Finally, however, these appreheosions died away, and the grousd wea quickly covered with the parents, friends and relatives of the decessed. 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 apot, to a dia- tance of nearly two hundred feet against the side of » house, where of course he was crushed to pieces. Anothor accourt wad related to us of @ man employed abvut the factory, wbo was blown a long distance, and finally was projected throvgh s basement window. Mis body wos found very much mutilated; the breast being shockingly Jacerated by the glass from the window pares. The scene presented by the place of the disaster beggars all description. Barrels fall of reeking humsa remains, with human blood oosing from their seams, still remaia, eed present a most horrible and revolting spectacis During the day we visited Mr. Maloomb’s residence at Ravenswood. Mr M., it will be remembered, lost two chil- dren by theexplosion. The peor men was nearly insane with grief Im the rcom where the dead son bad bsen accustomed to rest was Jeld out his mutilated remains. A headless tiunk alone remained, reeogsized orly by the parent from some peculiarity in the clothing. ‘The greatest indignation prevails among the sufferers in regard to the conduct of Mr. French. We un¢erstand thatason of that gentieman called at several houses to secértain the’ state of the bereaved fawilies, bat that while at the residence of ove of them he was assaulted by the father of ore of the killed and strack, In order to give some fee of the state of public fesling in regazd to the matter, we give bite! ascvant of a slight imoidert which ocourred while the C>roner’s invertigation was’ sting on Tt appears that daring ihe early part of the afternoon session tio or three indi viduals, who had lost relatives or children by the acci” Cept, became clamorous in their abuse of Mr, French. One of them, s tall, thin man, apparently somewhat crazed by bis misfortune, called out for the reappearance of that gentleman on the witnes stand. He vished to know whether Mr. French was to keep away and beep four men like him wating. The Coroner desired him to keep bis seat and be quiet. The apruly spectator replied ths he was a ci‘izen of the United States and knew bis duty, He wanted justice. ‘The Coroner gave him to understand that no farther remerke would be permitted, and order was finally ob- tained. This person and some 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 threedollarsa week. We understand that it was custemary for Mr. Frezch to pay his employes on Mon day nights, but the pay night previous to this accident he hed not paid his hands according to custom, alleging some exeure for not doing so. Great anxiety is mani- fested at Ravenswood and vicinity to learn the revult of the Coroner’s investigation. The majority seem inclined to scquit Mr. Freneh of any shade of guilt {n the trans- action, while many censure him in very severe terms for employing such @ mumber of young persoss in such & perilous pursvit without «constant supervision, Many ofthe lish popu’ation are outrageous io their denun cintiens, All were anxious to know if carelesmens was the cause of this dreadful bavoo, or if proper care had been exer cired by 8)l connected with the establishment. All sorts of rumors were afloat as to the caure of the accident, bat It was genevally conceded that the powcer was ig- nited by # lamp used in the building for melting grease. All kinds of reports were circulated in relation to the proprietor, Mr. French, and some were so exasperated thet they talked of Jynebing and other mamary 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 careful man in the factory. We might continue to multiply such heart-sickening incidents as we have related, but there is s sameness, terrible ssmeness,in all the sccounts :hat have reached us, Fatbers searching for daughterr—mothers searching fcr nons—the grief and sgony of parents and relatives—these form the staple of all the incidents that we could gather. The little vilage of Ravenswood has suddenly become che theatre of the most oslamitous affair of this natare that has ever taken place om Long Island. A gioom has been throws over its entire community, and it will be kang before the calamity of the 28th of Janua‘y fades from tue memory of those who are comparatively unin- terested. Of the feelings of 1be anfortunates, who sutfer- e¢ most Beerly from this disastrons blow, nothing need be eaid. Personal Intelligence. General Bam Texas; Col. Geo T Howard, do ; jeu’, Blunt, Jete commander of the. stesmahip Wi ntend , Call. 5 Whi ‘ator aived’ senmtey at the J. H, Cophil, Raq., of San Francisoo has been ill for veveral 61 at Brown’s Hotel, Washington city. He was better, however, on Friday, and his physician thinks that he will be out in a few days. ARRIVALS. From eminvel, im the st ip Ohio—T Amory and lady, Wadam Villset and. donghte: Bari 5 Harcioon ond Kf pourn. J Heril:on, 4, J 8 Hepbi Ykinnerd CaptSF Biunt, N Saicn F Johnton MP —Hareley, 7B wie OB Gaon, NP vorteg 8 R JThow: ith, C Bigelow, J Hall t, 8 O Long, ® ei o0re, joker, & Bradly, O Mills, From Bermuda tn Capt Whiting, Oapt Locut G Gan: evoo) M A Attridge, aad fesmehio Alsb»ma—Capt Ludlow, f A A Bow: Wr Thicmpson, UBN; flow OB Boxee BA ADL, Mics Coroner's Inquest. Dean oy A Maxine ny Drowning —Oo Friday lert 9 meine, nemed Tho: Wilksy. belonging to the U. A, sh (p North Carclina I+! t Brook: obtained a far- cugh for forty-eight honrr, ar visited # hoarding hoase lo. 94 Roorevelt street, where he intended to stop. ening be left and wes mvt seen a by hia riends unttl foond oo Saturtay night, dead, ms hat foot of pier ¥4, Kast river. Uorener Wilhelm yes- brid an inquest on the tody, acd Dr. Alumenthal external eximination cf the body, and did not metke of violence upon it, and, from the history of the case. cousicered that death had been :aused by drowning. eee, sete’ § roe ce wy drowning.” Orceased was twenty-five years of aa as bolitred to Pave boon w native of ‘soot iad. asia NEWS BY TELEGRAPH. Extensive Fire in Worcester, Mass. LARGR AMOUNT OF PROPERTY DESTZOYED—THE INSUBANCER, BTC. Worcusran, Jaw. 20, 1854. At one o’clock this morning a fire broke out io the large and ecatly block on Main street, known as Fingy’s Buildings, which was entirely destroyed. ‘The lower story was ocoupied by W. H. Hudson, cloth- ing dealer; C. A. Whitton, dry goods dea'er; Mactio Stew, dry goods; and Clark & Sandford, dry ani fancy goods, The stocks «f al) there occupants were mosily removed, with but! tle damage, Ali fully insured. The second story was occupied by William B, Maxwell and W. H. Howe, Iswyers; E. M. Bill, book agent, sod Edward J, Fiske, printer, Mr. Bill’s lone is $1,200, in- sured for $790; Mr, Pleke’s loos is $2,000; insured for, $1,609, The third stery was cooupied by the Worcester D’ams- tic Museum, Gates & Brown, maxagere, Their Ioas iv $3,000, fully inured, During the progress of the Sre, the north end of Flagg’s building fell upon the adjoining two story block, owaed by William Diokinsoa, completely demolishing 1: Tai Wook was cecupied by H. H. Dayton, hosiery and fancy goods dealer ;J 8. Wesley, bookseller ani Deokbixder, and James J, Johnson heirdresser, Mr. Dayton’s low i: about $4,000; insured for $2,500, Mr. Werley’s loas is $8,000; no insurance, Mr, Jobneon’s loss fs $1,000—insured. story was occupied by tailors—loss ‘rifling. The Flagg buildings were valued at $30,!00, acd i sured for $16,000, Tho fire is supponed to have been the work of au incen diary, as the museum, where it originated, had not been (coupied for two weeks. The seocmdt From Philadelphia. BLOODY AFFRAY BUTWBEN SRA OAPTAINS—XCITE- MENT RESPECTING THE OITY CONSOLIDATION BILL, BDC. PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 29, 1854. At ore o’clock this morning, a difficulty occurred at the Newecartie piers, botween Capt. Peterson, of sshooner David Smith, and Cap. Beaver, of the Esltimore brig Sea Foam, from Rie Janeiro. The two veseels es me in ool- Ysion while in tow cf steam tugs; some words ensusd, when Capt. Peaver fired two bails from a revolver at Capt. Peterson, one cf which took effect below the ear of William Creamer, mate of the schooner, infieting a dan- gerous wound, which it is foared will prove mortal. Capt. Beaver is reported to have absoonded. - ‘There is much excitement in this city, ia anticipation of the passage of the City Consolidation bill by the House tomorrow, The bill is to be hastened through in order to prevent the different districts fr 2m addicg to the debt, which is hereafier to be consolidated, by making subsorip- tons to the various railroads, purchasing paras, &3, An amendment bes also been introduced, prohibiting apy additional subscriptions aftr the paseage of the law. Governor Digler has delayed his journey te Erie, in order to sign the bill immediately on 1: passage. Cold Weather. Bowton Jan 29, 1854, This morning in Btate street, at seven o'clock, the ther- mometer stood at four degrees below zero; oa the Mill Dem, at ten below: and at the same point on the Canard wharf, at East Boston, There has been but little varis- tion from these joints during the day, whieh has been the coldest of th« seasen All the ferry boats are delayed by flosting toe, large elds of whica impede the aaviga- rion of the bas bor Woronarsu, Jam 29, 1854. The weather waz intensely cold thie morning, the ther- mometer stardicg at ten d-groas below zero, and the water freening tv the hove of the engines ag thay were a work upon the Ge which broke out at one o’ sock, Prom Wheeling. BISB OF THS ODIO—THS SaL1.M0BE AND ONTO BalLBOap, Warrima, Jon. 28, 1954, ‘The river bere bas risen eleven fret, and is sill on the rise, There is some floating ice, but pavigation is un- obstructed. Boats arrived to day with hnuvy freights for the Baltimore and Obio Railioad, which ia t ensporting over eight hundred tons daily. Insuranees en the Clipper Mermaid. Pmovingncs, Jan 29, 1854 The ship lost om the Irish coast, was in sured im this city for $26,500. in the following offices, namely>—American, $8,000; Atlantic, $7,600; Roger Williams, $6,000; Merchants’, $4,600. Arrival of the Southern Mail. Barrons, Jan. 29, 1864. The New Orleans mail of Sanday has srrired here, The papers costain no news, Markets. Naw Ontxaxs, 1854. Cotton is une! since the reesipt cf the Nisgara’s advacer. The sales to day reached 5,000 bales, The decreased receipts at all the Southern ports 1¢ 609 000 bales. Flour bat aivanced, Sales of 10,000 bb’s., at $7 87 to $7 80. Large salen of guany bags have been made at 12340. a 130. Rio coffee dull, at 106 alle, Stock In port, 90,000 begs. Mees pork cull, at $18 60. Wheat fs held at $190. Bight exonange on New York is at par to M premium, Freights cull. “Cotton to Laverpool, %. CHARLESTON, Jan. 27, 1854. The sales of cotton today were 3,100 bales; for the week, 12,600, Quotations rage from’ 8% to 10K, The warket is fi with an advence on some qualities ¢f an i. Th ipta of the week were 12,8000 bales, and the stock at this port now amounts to 54 750. Civcinmatt, Jan, 28, 1854. Flour dull, with decline of 260. per barrel. Provi- sions active,” Sales of },000.000 Ibs, bulk meats, at 43<0. 5}¢. for shoulders and sides ; 4,000 barrels prime lard, at §3¢.; 1,000 kegsde., 934¢.:'3,000 barrels mesa pork, $12 60. Limseed of) has advanced to 860. Jan. Provisions are very active, at advanced 50,000 salt shoulders, at 43,0. at 53¢0 ; 4,C00 barrels pork, at $12 to $12 25’; $12 60—now held at $13 ; 1,000 barrels lard, at 8}¢0.— now held higher. Proviperca, Jan. 28, 1854. We have ne change to notice ia cotton. In wool there is no in with less activity in the market ; the ateck is much redueed. it all the fleece is taken as soon as offered. Bales week 96000 lbs, There han beens fair demand rinting cloths during the week, at firm prices. Sales 62,000 pieces. City Intelligence, ARREST OF ANOTHER STHBST PREACHER. Policex am Reader, of the Fourth ward yesterday ar Tested a street preacher named Blackman, wnom the off preaching in the public stret without permission A Mage crowd of a followed the oftorr to the Police us crea| 4 sa unusaal ex- citement for » Sabbath day. ‘Mr. was placed before Justice }, and the officer thea! The preacher, in his defence, produced s written h in the public streets, signed by A L 6 examined the paper, ard coo cluded that a written permission conformed to the city ordipance, and therefore dismissed the charge; and Mr Blackman left the court room, with bis friends shoutiog greatly over the decision. Tax Waarnar.—During the day yesterday the atmos- phere Mtr Bg I the previous night baviag been aa cold, if pot than any night this winter, Last evening, however. the extremity of the old, moderated, the wind having shifted towards the east, indicating the epproach of @ seow storm. A Poy Naaxty Frozew to Drari —On Saturday oveni s boy, named William M’Cawley while riding in one the Third avenne railro d cars was very nearly froasn to death hy the severity of tho weather jan Wyatt, of the Nineteenth ward, oonveyed ‘he poor boy te the station hoose, where be was properly taken care of, aad in the morning sent home Fatat Rar-nroap Accroeyt —At about seven o'clock on Saturday evenirg the Portchester train golog up for #0™M@ reseon atop) st 109th street. Mr. John ie ton, ® resident of Pelbam Coraer, left the care a moment, an¢ in the effort to regain the cars fell oa the track, an inflte tin; + a fatal injury Tho train was stopped, and the fojur man was then to tho River House, Harlem, aad Dr. Hill atien’ed bim notil he cies, Coroner Hilton fied to bold an inquert. oh og OF ANOTHER STARRING APFRAY --A mau named Heory Willis, who wee stabbed im an affray on the pig ht of the 234 instart, in t' veyed to the Horpitel for medics! treatmen ay from the effects of the iijury, Th penetrated the left long The Coroner bold an inquest om the body Rom Oven ny 4 Boronme’s Cart —On Saturday afternoon ¥r. John Campbell wes rua over by « buteher’s cart, in Waebington ptreet, Injar: him severely. Officer Ten Ryck, of the Third ward, the Isjured mse from the street snd conrayed him to his residence. The buteher drove off before the officer arrived. the tretm berg tn motion passed over hia bod; ° wee notified to A man was found dead ins carriage, at Kast om the 24th inet, It is supposed that ie poe Nw fge ey he Very Late and Interesting front Australia, Important Despatches for the Japan Expedition. STILL LATER FROM THE SONORA FILIBUSTERS. THE DARIEN SURVEYING EXPEDITION. Massacre of a Part of the British Force. IMPORTANT NEWS FROM THE SOUTH PaciFic, More Revolations in Peru and Bolivia. Seizure of Wew Caledonia by the French. ue, &e., da, The stesmahip Obie, Capt, For, arrived yesterday morning from Aspinwall, with the California three hundred passengers, anc: $1,000,000 im gold di She left Aspinwall on the 18th inst. She from Australia, Lower California, Peru, Chile, Bolivia, New Caledonia, New Granada, and Es. ador ; aldo, frou the Darien Surveying Expodition. We are indobted to Mr. Horton, the purser of the cteamer, for lato intelligenco and papern. The United States sleop of war Albsny, Ospt. Gerry, exiled from Navy Bay on the morning of the 17th inst., bond for San Juan del Norte.. Officers and crew all well, ‘The health of the Isthmus is remarkably good. The Poaama Railroad is now completed to Obispo, to which place the cars rum daily, leaving bat eighteen and three quarter miles mule travel to Paesma. TheGorgons read igia good travelling order, and males’and meleteers are im abuadance. Passongers leaving. Aspinwall by the nine o'clock A. M. train reach Panams the same avening. Disd at sea, January 25, Richard Magernis, of Dublim, fireman on board the Ohio, sged 27 years. Copt 8 F, Bimad and A, B Forbes, Raq., loft Panama, on the morning of tho 17th inat., a¢ 05¢ A. M., and arrived at Aaplewall at 4); Ds M the same day, thus ‘making the irip Sbrough in seven hours, Ths following is the specie lint of the Ohio:— is, Wargo & Co. $64,711 +», 10,000 NEWS FROM AUSTRALIA. Very Late News from Sydney and Melbourne --important Despatches for the Japam Squadron—The Prospects of the Gold Dig- gers—Markets, dc., &o, We have received advices from Sydney ‘o the 84 and from Melbourse to the 7th of Nove uber, both inclusive, (From the Parama Herald, Jan. 7.) Our files of the Sydney Ei are from the 12th ‘to the 24 of Nov aap pen os the fells - Ap sCvertisement apmources that the ist of Sas, the Empire would be enlarged to the sise of a first class Lordow jourpel, and alterations made in its general: wansaement, which it ia belivved, will greauly eahanee ite value as am organ of poliical asd comme;cial intelil- vence. A petition sgeinst the rew constitution, signed by over tTRORK wae preieotad to the Governor, 4000 the 17th of Octuter, for the inreeatiene hana the Queen His Excrleucy ie'used to sey whether he woos eupport ite pra) or Te sev: Due returne of Ne +Soath Wales for the quarter encirg Sept 80 are puolished. Toe cuxtoms duties smo.Et t: £06,618, being aa inorease of £43,024 om th: corresponding quertr of 1862, om lad sales and + cnt repte the ineressn {i 4,474, The total rated in the Goul- Tralbot, stabbed. another at ont his entrails, and osme On atrivig there 4m was burn district. A man, pamed of the rame of bat three miles cle Hi pled, “Toast b—— adced that bis revenge was complete. It has that he eat one of the hidneys before he told the hut what kidneys they were, bat this Tatiars have been ters have received in Aus atating that ts matter of doubt whether tho Australlan Pace Steam Packet pany wil make an) imt of oa wo ‘8 port of for thelr steamers and Bydney. Oar files of the Melbourne Morning Herald and Argue. are to the 3d of November. In the Legi-letive Council on the @lat, an address te His pee was carried on Lt pie of Mr. Parker, praying for returns respeo ado: a nd tye miseiopary af okeal eaten, Pefabliaed for the improvement of their condition. The address to Her Majesty on the passing of the Com- victs’ Preveation Act Amendment bill was rr onnsidered. Thanks to Dr. Murphy, who ocoupied the chair during the et, of eo women is beg amenimests were pat in an intelligible form, and the address, as amenced, was adopted. A correspondent of the Herald, writing from Sydeey, in Van Dier-an’s Land the form of on elective u; house has been shadowed out Mr. Richard Dy, wi yeport savors very much of orndity, an chamber, elected by the freeholders, with £26 Somethirg of the same kind sap ter’s a for Victoria; but in ith Aut New South Wales, an in Now Zealand, the nominated upper house bas been estadl! not see apy present prospect of a rever-al of the two Australian Legislatures, whica upper a year. be Mr. Fos- aad of ti have made a] their minds upon the subject. What the ultimate i: will be in your colony and Van Dieman’s Lynd, it is diffe cult to cor jecture, but it will in no way affect us. pecullar eccial ctrour stances of New South Wales are toe *tropgly developed to allow of any hope that the populae ideas will prevall for many years to come ’’ an attenced by all tho privat Scope ta Speen wan a rf a eens eee from Arm! of the Rocky River diggings — ann one ‘Several water hol ve been drained, and in two caeee, lam sorry to in with very indifferent but in many others highly proftabie, The ? i success, pad lomer Wien case of 4 mericans ne rine oeten fn eet in some places a thi ie the ram wth a t inches, ee qv Diener en nema ‘of gold tance, Thee At the Gouthern of. diggings the mining interest is The A correspondent at Forest Oreck under dete the forbs that the police wre haadly em ar: resting uollor need there being wtih, e dia pesiti-m te evade the law. (From the Asplawall Courier, Jan. 10.) Advices from Sydney to the 24 of Nov. are received, A monster petition bad been sent to the Governor, fee the Queem, agsingt the new constitution, to which he had given vo decisive answer. ‘The general report from the mines fs anfavorable, bat there are few ¢: jtiona, Labor still continues in demand fo th agricul’ ural dice trieia The rush to the mines causes « complete dialr. Gced mechantes and domes ic evans in great reqne & ‘The Sy¢ney , in {tn market report of Oct BTth, faye that the general temper of boelcers ta Sy4nay gom- ileus firm, and pricen are likely to be suxtsined, “tag to + comparative orseation in arrivals. There wr sition to spreulate in tea, owing to tho ny Divs. Ip brendy the stock t heavy; ram, «* ineproving. Gut ttook Wey tine; ool tae im iW! ut ef vey i e the vot weether, srrivals have been 6ma” downward hone Hmited, wi gooonds £26 per wheat, price aur