The New York Herald Newspaper, March 5, 1854, Page 8

‘THE FATAL DISASTER AN MARTFORD, ‘of their Familics—Seenes and Incidents. About two o’clock last Thursday afternoon a large steam boiler, which had been recently placed in the ex- tensive railroad car factory of Messrs. Fayle & Gray, @ituate in Potter street, Hartford, Conn., exploded with @ tremendous report and such force as to shatter tho (greater part of the buildings to pieces, immediately kill. ing thereby sixteen persons, and fatally or otherwise in- juring twenty-two others. Our extended telegraphic despatches from Hartford, published in the various editions of the Huai issued gince, contained the chief points of the cause and consequences of this disaster, from which it will be seen that the catastrophe bore s sad similarity in ita effects to the Hague street explosion, which oecurred in this city = few years since. One of our special reporters proceeded to Hartford on | Friday, and found the city in an unusual state of excite- | | there enough water in the boiler?” and he replied, ‘I ment. On every side were people hurrying to and fro. Some were the weeping relatives of the deceased, others sympathizing friends on a visit of consolation, many going to give testimony before the Coroner, but all wend- ing their way toward the fatal spot where so many of their co-laborers and fellow citizens had lost their lives. DESCRIPTION OF THE CAR FACTORY. ‘The range of brick buildings in which the accident oc- courred is situate on Potter street, extending in a line towards the river. The concern is known as the “Grove Nooks,”’ and most of the houses were four story high. ‘The rare of the line is in Potter street, and the only en- trance to the different shops occupied by the workmen ia ‘bya gate connecting with the private office of Messrs. Fayle & Gray, the proprietors of the establishment, The main building of the factory was two hundred feet long ixty feet in depth. An addition had been made to ‘tending fifty-five by twenty-four feet. This wing was’ situate due west of the boiler which exploded. A Dlacksmith’s shop, eighty by forty feet, and a paint shop. ‘one hundred by sixty feet, stood south ‘of the main build ing, and the boiler was separated from the former by eighteen inch wall. In addition there stood, before the explosion, a bolt shop, three stories high, a machine shop, ‘a large shop in which the timber material was prepared | for use, and where the finished portions of the cars were joined together, which was two stories high, a paint shop, a carpenter’s shop, a spring maker's shop, a cone, story ‘freight shop, shops for blacksmiths? work, engine room, with spare rooms for an old and new boiler. ‘There was also a chimney stack, reaching to a height of two hundred and fifty feet. Messrs. Fayle & Gray had conducted this extensive concern for the past five years, | with much success; and employed over three hundred hands in it, the greater part of whom resided in the vi- einity, happy and contented, with their families. ‘JHE EXPLOSION—ITS PROBABLE CAUSE AND FATAL | CONSEQUENCES. ‘The men went to work as usual on Thursday morning, ‘and continued so until a little before two o'clock in the aftornoon, when a tremendous report was heard to come from the neighborhood of the engine room, and imme- diately after the bricks and wood which formed most of | the above named buildings were seen to fly in every di- | rection, and several of the houses fell to the ground. Some of the broken beams were thrown to a height of two hundred fect. Stones and sticks were into Potter street and the pond opposite to the factory. A ‘good many persons who were passing at the moment re- ceived severe bruises from the falling materials. Soon as the dust and smoke cleared off terrified men might be seen struggling to burst from the ruins through the half-rent doors, whilst others leaped from | the windows to the street beneath, conveying the mourn- ful news to the ccllecting crowd that all their com- ayions who remained behind must be either killed or fe ly wounded, as the new boiler had burst. The truth of this was attested by the heartrending groans which were heard to arise from the ruins. ‘These sounds soon roused thepeople from their stupor, and all set vigorously to work in order to rescue the suf- ferers. In this endeavor the uninjured citizens and Hart- ford firemen participated, the Mayor leading the waypoint. ing to the place where the blacksmith’s shop had stood, ‘as they were aware that the exploded boiler was located hard by. The work was very difficult, for in many in- stences the wounded men were completely buried under ‘the fallen walls, from the torn beams of which human Dlood might be seen to flow into the rain puddles around. This sight rendered. the rescuers nearly frantic, and shortly after four o’clock they had taken out sixteen ¢rushed and mutilated dead bodies, with a large number, of wounded, ‘The former were stretched in the paint a: and the latter placed in the private office of Messrs. Fayle & Gray mentioned above. Jaokeon and Ellsworth, of Hartford. és At this moment the appearance of the ruins and the feene around was truly melancholy, The bolt shop, the two blacksmith shops, the lumber shop, the freight shop, and the boiler rooms, were either totally blown up or ter- ribly shattered. Nearly all the windows were broken; the long wall on Fotters street leaned over and had to be ropped up; whilst the atoms of iron, fragments of gear- Ing, ropes, timber, mortar, and stone formed a heap of promiscuous ruin rarely witnessed. In the main building and directly opposite the boiler stood ore Liacksmith’s shop. Between the shop and the Do ler room there was a brick wallof eighteen inches; the Boiler stood within two or three fect of this wall,’ the ‘old boiler resting upon its old bed a few feot from that. The boiler lay east and west, and the force of the explosion vas mostly from its sides—rushing forth north and south, 4earing down the machine shop on the north, and, strange to say, killed no one in it, though a dozen or more per- tona were at work there at the time. was her blacksmith’s shop; this was ground, the building being shivered to atoms, y the solid brick wall that separated it from the. , and also that which stood between it and the int shop. In this place was the great destruction of fe. During the search for the bodies, and even after they were extricated, might be seen fathers, mothers, wives, Drothers, sisters and little children, clambering through the dusty and blood-stained mass in search of parents, husbands and fathers, for many had failed to recognise the scalded and bruised remains as those of their de- ceased friends. Amongst the crowd outside the gate was discussed the ee ‘cause of theexplosion. Pending the result of the inquiry now going on, we only remark that, so far as our reporter could glean the opinion of the people, it occurred in this manner :—For ome years’ Messrs. Fayle & Gray had a iler at work which was heated by two flues. This Doiler required a considerable time to generate a@ufficient steam to work the machinery. Owing toa Tapid increase of business the delay was much felt by the roprietors lately, and they coutracted with Messrs. Woodruff & Beach to make a new boiler of larger capa: city. This boiler was fixed + ag the premises about five ‘weeks ago, and cost over $2,000. It required five flues to heat the water it contained, and it generated steam very | quickly. John McCune, (now dead,) the engineer em- ployed by the firm, had worked for a long time with the | ‘condemned boiler, and the opinion was that he had not | sufficiently accommodated his mind to the rapid action | ‘of the new one from the slow work done by the old, and | hence that water was latterly consumed sooner than he ‘conceived it should be. On Thursday he was in conver- gation with friend whilst the five flues were heating up steam, and it is supposed that he found at the close that the water was exhausted, and that in a hurry, caused by surprise, he lot in a quantity of cold water on the hot and when this was ‘converted into gas the fatal explosion followed. At least this was the opinion gener- ally entertained on Friday. NAMES OF THE PERSONS KILLED. ‘The following isa list of the names and employment of the persons who were either taken out dead or had died up to Friday afternoon:— 1. John McCune, engineer, had head and arm blown off. Mr. McCune bas left a wife anda family of young ebildren. 2. Daniel S. Camp, carpenter, and his brother Samuel H. Camp, foreman of the blacksmith’s shop. Each man had « wife and fam’ 8. James Purcell; alive and taken into the office; but when his wife came he was unconscious, and died in her arms as she was imploring him to give her a look of recognition, His ly was taken to bis late residence in Morgan street, where md and agonizing brother, who had been tele- phed at New York, visited it on the evening of Friday. io words could pourtray the agony of this young man w.cn he looked upon the widow and her family. De- cased was a native of the county of Kilkenny, in Ire nd, and aged about thirty-five years.. He had a wife ‘and three chil 5 4. Andrew J. Crane, blacksmith, a single man. 5. Daniel A. Newell, blacksmith, has left a wife and two children. 6. Alonzo Allen, blacksmith, has left a wife and three , young children. 7. John Creeden, blacksmith’s helper, leaves a wife. 8. Robert Mountin, blacksmith, was carried home alive to his wife and died shortly afterward; no children. 9. Richard Mountin, blacksmith, brother of Robert, worked at the end of the blacksmith’s shop nearest the doiler; has left a wife and one child. 10. Lewis Flowers, blacksmith, killed instantly; has deft a wife and two children. 11. Edward Caughlin, has left a wife and two children. 12. Phineas Smith, has left a vn fl os 13. J. naign Boynton, car maker, left a wife and three chilarees 14. Michael Hartnell, helper, a wife and one child. 15. David B. Walker was carried home to his family in Wethersfeld lane, and died shortly after. He leaves a | wife and five children. 16. Patrick Lehay, leaves a wife and one child. 11. Patrick Burke, lenves'a' wife. 48. Wm. Lane, also married and the father of a family. LIST OF THR WOUNDED. . Samuel B. Parsons, badly bruised. : Birge Chapman, leg broken in-two places. Féward Collins, injury of head. ‘Wm. D, Skinner, printer, arm broken. Charles Gardiner, leg broken and arm sealded. James Smith, severe scalp wound. Geo. Perkins, scalded. Wm. Martin, shoulder fractured and scalp wound. Otis Long. 10, Wm. Lane, broken. il. Alonro it, bealy hort. SPrS Seer 12. Joneph Meloy 18. R. Medrley, badly braised. Ar Frederick Garey, cut on the head 16. Terance McMahon, bruised in the head F. A. Barber, bad contusions over body. ightly bruised. . J.B. Pomesy, bruised in head and arms. 20. Wm. Benson, knocked down by @ brick; not dan- received « blow on the head, which t ine, severe wound on scalp. Willem Mastin, scalp wound, hey were immediately attended by Doctors Brown, j t wife and family. Was rescuod * ’clock on Friday morning. He sat in the private office of Messrs. Fayle & Gray, end in follow: ing gentlemen were summoned on gURY: the Chester Adams, foreman Goodwin, Jona, Good- ; James win, A. 8. Beckwith, C. M. Beach, J. R. Trac 1 1 HE Moet, A.W: Clark, Dr. G. 8. Brown, J. H. Holeomb, A. 8. litter fe obeervati the Coroner proceeded to a few ol ions the Coroner Te. cord the annexed :— = TESTI iONY. Patrick Munhall deposed—I had to look after the fires of the boiler when the engineer was otherwise 5 John Duffy wi nt in the same caj ; Tam twenty-five years old; my duties were principal es bring wood and coal; McDuffy attended during dinner hour yet, terday, from 12 to 1 o'clock, and at 1 gave up the charge in good order; I have been here eight or nine months, and assisted the engineer for three weeks an yesterday ‘bout afternoon, after I came from dinner, minutes before the explosion, I said to the engineer, “Is have just taken off the pump, and there are two steady gauges of water in it;”” I told him to take down tho dam- up to elghty-two pounds, and T knew that advised him to sust or Ceptember of last year, oa be did at per cneach wa nothing aucces- | as unsafe; have opebem wr. Parscns, ‘Mr. Benham, A] it ie F' fl ie oF it l & He bil ple sg5ee tH a fireman; had duties without trouble; I think McCune had me the dofler was a good one, and he liked it. Seth King—I am aged 83; I was not at the shop at the | time of the explosion; Iam a jobber; my bu- siness leads me all over the buildings; I have seen the boiler; thought it an extra good one, well fitted, and, as they bad a pump to pump water in when the engine not in motion, 1 thought it well calculated for safety; I | do not know that the pump was out of order, or has been | out of order; my opinion of the late was that | since his return he was very attentive to his business, 80 | much £0 as to be a sul of remark; I have never known an instance of his care since his return; Mr. Camp and myaclf have spoken together about the boller; of the old one we were ; of the new one we had no eause rT, as it Irak eighty-five it would blow off; I have told him before | for fear; I have never seen the pope one a over 80, to let down the damper; I left him with one foot outside | the door; he could not have gone seven steps before the explosion; I was going into the cellar for coal, and was blown down; I have known it to go up to ninety when the pump was on; I used to wait till steam got up past ei ty and then I told him; when I told McCune that the ped | was up, he replied that he had “just taken off the pum and it was all right;”” Duffy put on the pump when I tert for dinner, but he took off the pump when I came back; the pump was put on directly after the engine was started, at ten minutes past one, and taken off again in ten min- utes, or twenty minutes after one; he used to put pump on usually every fifteen or twenty minutes; the pump worked well, none better, so the engineer sald; McCune was on duty all the time from dinner; I saw him; | did not eee bim neglecting his duty; I saw him speak to an able-bodied man for a moment, that was all; at the time I last saw him I did not see that he went to look after the engine; there was no other persons about there between the hours of one and two, but myself and the engineer. By a Juror—The full force required is eighty pounds steam; for two or three barrels full before the explosion, McCune was talking with some one, but he had gone away before the explosion; McCune was standing near the door when I got the last barrel full; the engineer never told me anything about the boiler; I saw the body of the engineer lying on the platform, sbout twenty-five feet from the door of boiler house; I was under the plat- form; the bricks and timber fell around me; I thought my legs broken; should have been killed had not two pieces of timber protected me; I had got in a few shovels full of coal when explosion took place; I was insensible for some time; the first body I saw was that of McCune. By a Juror—Did McCune tell you, when you told him about the steam, ‘to mind your own business?’ An- swer—No, sir; he would not give me such an answer; eighty-two pounds is the usual amount of steam required; when it got higher he let down the damper; I did not stop to see him do so yesterday, or I should have been in eternity with him now; he had to put on and take off pump very often—sometimes every ten, other times fif- teen minutes, as the power was required by the whole or et of the machinery being in motion; I do not know | as a careful man; I am erally under; I was a generally under; I was at the head of Pot the explosion took place; I have been in the shop for two years, and I never knew anything against his repatation not familiarly acquainted with engine boilers; usually $10 per week is the wages of a competent engineer here; yw not against +the character of deceased. ii Ira Wright—I am twenty-four years of age, and have been in the shop some four years; at the time of the ox- Plosion yesterday T'was standing on the platform with ir. Pomeroy; I been there from ten minutes before one to time of explosion; was about thirty feet from the doilerhead; I noticed McCune talking with Skinner some fifteen minutes, because I bad some conversation with another party; then David Camp eame out and I spoke with him; I saw McCune and Skinner outside, directly before the boilerhouse door; Camp, McCune and Skinner were talking together; McCune might have run to the pump in this time, but I’ think not; I did not see him; Ihave observed him get upon a ladder to try the gauge, but I did not see him do no that time; McCune’s body was biown within two or three feet of where I stood; I was blown over by the explosion; the last Iremembered was, I was speaking with Mr. Pomeroy, when I felt m face filled with ashes and fell down; I have thought tl boiler was good one, and have #0 expressed myself; I have thought McCune a careful man; never knew him to drink or be in liquor; I have never noticed the steam gauge to, be up to eighty; Teonsidered McCune a careful man, and in my opinion an engineer might be otherwise engaged than in looking at his boiler, for fifteen minut without subjecting him to the charge of carelessness; should not him a first-class engineer, but one fally capable of taking charge of an engine of this class; Ishould think that the cause of this explosion was the ‘water was too low, and thereby an inflammable gas was generated, which ‘on taking fire exploded; I was also talking with Mr. Chester Belden at the time of the ex- plosion. Mr. Thomas J. Fayle sworn—I am_ thirty-eight years of sge, and am one of the firm of Fayle & Gray, carrying on the car manufacturing business; we emplo} this'man first in April, 1849; at the expiration of two at McCune ever put an extra weight on the safety | or three years he became slovenly in his management of valve; whenever steam got above eighty he would put it | the engine; then we spoke to him, when he promised down’ by letting on pump or letting down damper; he would not allow it to go higher unless the pump was on, when he would sometimes let it run up to ninety; the last time I saw him alive was when he told mo he had ‘just taken off the pump.” Daniel Duffey sworn—I am between thirty-five and thirty-eight years old; my business has been to keep | steam in the pipes for heating the building, and at noon time to keep the boiler right, and put in ‘water and fuel while the engineer was at dinner; when I left for my din- ner the boiler was all right, and Marshall and the engin- eer took it in charge then; when I left the pump _was off, though it had been on just before; Ileft a good fire of wood and coal under the boiler; yesterday between 12 and | 1the gauge ran down to sixty and up to eighty as I let on water or fired up; I stopped the pump at ten minutes before 1; never knew any additional weight to be ut on the valve of this boiler; the steam blows off be- ween eighty and ninety; I have known McCune for the two years 1 have been here; I have known him drink, but very little; he had not been drinking before he returned yesterday; I have not seen him drink for two months; he ‘was not accustomed to drink enough to show it; I have never scen him drink more than one glass; he would show it if he drank to excess; he never told me about his drinking; the height of steam at 1 o'clock I could not tell; t was up to eighty just before I put on the pump, fifteen minutes before 1; when the pump was put on fell to sixty; the new boiler I thought much better than to take better care, which he subsequently did; at the expiration of another year he demanded an increase in salary, as his duties had become more onerous, and he thought that $1 50 per day was not enough; we thought it was sufficient, and allowed him to go away; we t1 @no- ther man for the same pay, who was well recommended; he not suiting, went off, without coming for his pay; we tried another man, also well recommen with the same result; after a consultation, thought it best to take back McCune at $175 day, the wages which he asked; for the past summer we had another man to help the engineerin consequence of an increase of machinery; we crowded the old boiler somewhat, but did not so more than was consistent with safety; this explosion, in my opinion, was caused by the admisslon of cold water when the flues were hot; the boiler could stand with perfect safety 90 Ibs. of steam; the boiler was one of the most costly and perfect manufacture; at a quarter bo- fore one yesterday I got upon the boilers to shut off the steam from the warming pipes; the safety valve was then in good order, and had no other than the usual ball attached to it; the general opinion is that the explosion was caused’ by letting in the water when the steam was.red hot ; Ihave always told McCune, when I ga hin at other Work. atthe beck, (hae ils qinee Wha at the boiler; Lam usually around the boiler at 2 o’clock, when I return from dinner; but yesterday I was detained, which saved my life; I should think the cause of the ac: cident yesterday, was the inattention of the engineer, in the old one; the old one was not in use for four weeks, | not going to the boiler, and letting on. steam sooner; I fas this one has taken its place; never heard any com: nlaint against the new boiler; I was in Main street when The explosion took place, and when I got down here it was 23g P. M. . Gardiner L. Grant sworn—I am 27 years of age ; have been in the employ of this company four and a half the explosion; that would be thirty feet from the boiler; I did not notice the height of steam; I saw the engineer | three times yesterday, twice in the boiler room once have not heard that the engineer was intemperate, but have heard that he was rather wild, and kept out of ’ nights; his wife has been’ to me to assist her, but I told ; steam her to go to the Police or Ecclesiastical Courts; the had doubtless been heated to a red heat, and when the cold water was let in, it was like a match to powder; I years; nearly all that time in the machine shop; since a have conversed with’ practical engineers, who told me year last January have been foreman of the machine hop; the shop is situated directly the boiler; was in the centre of the shop at the time of | we never | diemissed McCune, but threatened him with so doing if that a boiler might be exhausted of water entirely with- to the north side of | out danger; the boiler iron has been tested, and is con- sidered of the best and most tenacious fiber; he did not keep his engine in better order; Mr. Grant, when we asked him, recommended another e , but in the engine room; saw him once in the boiler room in | that enginecr was incapable; we have folt satisfied with the afternoon, half’ an hour before the explosion; I have | | and competent to fill the position he occupied; he stated heard him say that ‘this boiler made steam very fast,’, quicker than the other, ‘and it was hard work to kee; up steam;” I have at times thought him careless, an have told’ him that J thought there was too much steam on; have told him of it because I thought it dangerous; I | partner since the have not noticed it so much on the new as on the old one; | told him so frequently on the old one; can’t say at what yarticular time; I thought him careless; I have tried the gauges, of which there are three, to see how things were | going on; I have seen the steam up to 90, never up to 95; che pump was yesterday in good order; I heard no com- fon against the pump; if the pump had been out of order McCune as a better man than we could elsewhere, fe me that the boiler made steam and used water very fast. John 8. Gray, ie of the above—I have been a ist Sept., 1852; was absent from town at the time of the explosion, and when I came back found the premises in ruins; the boiler has been in use about four weeks, and it was intended to be of the very best ke and materials. This witness’s testimony corrobo- rated that of his partner in every particular, Edmund Collins—I am a blacksmith; was in the shop when the explosion oceurred; about sixty feet from the should have been informed of it by the engineer, as it was | boiler at te time; I was standing at my anvil; had not my business to repair it; there have been no complaints | scen McCune in the afternoon: against the pump; I have not examined it for three days; | I ave nover seen McCune under the influence of liquor when at hix work; he was more careless than he should have been for a man of his experience; it was occasionally remarked among the workmen in the shop; he was an | there are only two others, with myself, in th Irishman, a pretty good engineer, if he minded his work; | he was not more than ordinary engineer; I think he was not a skilful engineer; in all respects I think he was not | asuitable man to have charge of that engine; he was rather apt to be venturesome; | believe I have spoken to Mr. Fayle relative to his carelessness, some time since, when he'was about leaving; I don’t remember the date; the boiler did not leak; the engineer has told me that the | boiler was ‘‘a very good, a first rate one;”’ I have heard George Stone and several others, whose’ names I do not remember, speak of the carelessness of McCune; George Stone was in the machine shop when the accident occur- red, but he was not hurt; I could not testify to there being more than ninety pounds of steam on to the inch at any time; I have noticed the steam blow off several times, but did not know at what height; can rarely hear it where I work; I have heard some express fears about the engineer since the putting up of this boiler. ‘The jury then adjourned at 123g, to meet again at P.M. XVENING SESSION. The Court met, pursuant to adjournment, in the after- noon. ‘On motion, a committee, consisting of Jas. H. Hol- comb, John R. Tracy and Mason Gross, were appointed to take the testimony of William D. Skinner, who was- too much injured to appear before the Coroner, and also to take the depositions of such other persons, whose testi- mony might be of importance, as might be unable to at- tend. Mr. Beckwith, a juror, suggested the impropriety of having any of the firm present during the examination of the witnesses, as they would undoubtedly feel a difi- dence in giving evidence in their presence. His sugges- tion was favorably received, and an intimation to its effect was given to Messrs. Fayle & Tracey. Lorenzo H. Pomeroy sworn, deposeth—I am thirty- three years of age; my business here is to superintend the building of the freight cars; I have been in the em- ploy of the company two years last August; with regard to ihe boiler Iam not sufficiently informed to speak; I have never heard any persons express an opinion as to | the boiler; I have heard Mr. Caness, the foreman of the blacksmith’s shop, say he thought the engineer was a good one, and ke had an opportunity to know as much about his merits as any one, as his forge was only some twenty feet from the boiler; I haye heard Mr. Hancock, the foreman of the planing and sawing, who was also’a good judge, say he was a good engineer; I remember McCune ‘saying that he left because he | gat but @1 50 per day; during McCune’s absence we had an engineer named ‘McLaughlin, whose abilities did not suit; he could not keep more than half the ma- chinery going; MeCune told me, on his return, about two weeks after his leaving, that they had raised his wages; I think that after McLaughlin had ran the engine a day or two, Mr. Camp tried to get McCune back; I was on the platform, in front of second door of large building at the time of the accident, within thirty feet of the boiler, and saw McCune talking with Mr. Skinner; while I stood there Mr. Daniel Camp came out, spoke to me, and then jumped off the platform and spoke to Mr. Skinner; as I turned McCune went toward the boiler; this was less than a minute before the explosion; I bad got about ten feot further off when it took place, Mr. Camp had a new belt, which he showed to me, just before jumping off the | platform; Isaw the engineer and Skinner ther for about half a minute; I never knew this engineer to drink | anything; never saw him when he appeared to have, and I have seen him many times in the past two yea: the engineer had to attend to the boiler and the engii be- | tween which he would have to walk fifty feet; he at- tended to his business as well as arly man I ever knew in that capacity, and I have known quite a number; Mr. Hancock has not been able to be st the shop, through sickness, for several weeks past, and his situation had been filled by Mr. Daniel Camp; in order to put the pame in order, McCune had'to go round the end of his boiler through two machine shops, a distance of fifty feet; 1 have not heard ‘ume Copier of too much work for the past six weeks, but with the old boiler, which leaked considerably, he used to complain; the engincer.was not overworked; I do not know of his conversing .with Wyatt's ticket-man, yesterday afternoon; we have not been troubled for want of steam since we have had a new boiler; I have seen the gauge from 66 to 80, but do not remember to bave seen it higher, the old boiler would hold more water than the new one, but would not make so much steam. George Stone—I am 29 years of age, and employed by this company a: chinist; I was in the machine room at the time of the accident; 1 did not #eo anything pecu- liar between the hours of one and two yesterday after- noon; I have examined the boiler, and fee no reason to con- sider it otherwise than a one; I have known McCune for a long time, and ider him an tivaey ote gerne I ; I have known McCune for three yeara, ever since I have been in the shop; when tak- ing the body home last night, Mr. Mack, who was with me, told me that McCune was at work as engineer with the Screw Company when their engine was blown up blacksmith: shop who escaped; I am in the best condition of the three; the other two, Fitzgerald and Sweeny, are in bed, badly injured; 1 was injured in the head and hip. [The witness subsequently recollected that several others escaped.) I thought McCune CS sad good engineer, und so did the hands generally; I have heard complaints against him, but they were very few and trivial; Ido not remember meh of the explosion; I got out myself when I recovered mi senses; any belper was killed: a man was next to me with his head under the ruins; I tried to get him out, but his skin peeled off in my hands; I did n@t have any premoni- tion of the explosion; it came on like a sudden darkness on the putting out all the lights in a room; the man whom I saw and tried to get out they told me was named Lane; I caught him by the leg when I saw him kicking, but his skin came off, and I could not get him out; I potated him out to Mr. Burke, and then I got out myseif; some of the hands had, at first, remarked that the new boiler was leaky, but that was ‘all. About half-past 5 o’clock P. M. the court adjourned un- til 10 o'clock on Saturday morning. Up to a late hour of the evening the factory was visited by hundreds of the curious, and it was surprising to see how eagerly the ten- der hearted young ladies of Hartford plodded through the | mud, in order to gaze upon such a revolting scene. ACCIDENTS AND INCIDENTS. Mr. Ashe, head painter of the factory, was fortunately, | at the time of the accident, stationed on the bank of the Little river, south of the factory, taking a sketch of the buildings, in order to paint them upon some cars. He had commenced the sketch when the shock came, and the building trembled before him—then fell. It wasa terrible sight, and he can hardly impress upon his ean- vass the horrible reality that gushed out before him in that shock Of destruction and death, Ira Wright and F. A. Barber were standing upon the platform, between the paint shop and boiler room. They were both prostrated, and s heavy piece of boiler, after knocking over a dray load of timber, fell between them. These three persons, a moment before fhe explosion, saw McCune, the engincer, with Daniel 8. Camp and Wm: D. Skinner, conversing just outside of the boiler room. Skinner had moved off a few paces; the other two were near the boiler room door when the explosion took place. Camp McCune were killed. Skinner's arm waa broken. Skinner was passing the factory, when he was called in by Camp, who had something to say to him, A. Winchell, who had just parted with two of his friends—they had barely time to get clear of the build- ing—was at his machine. The shock came and he found himself in the street, he knew not how, but’ was evi. dently forced through the window by the concussion. Semuel B. Parsons was found with his head over the tail block of his lathe, his left arm held down by a tim- ber, the floor above failing all around him. He was much hurt, his machine being stained by his blood. "We was in @ bnd condition on Friday. Edward Keyes was raised, and fell, it is thonght, at least twenty-five feet. He was bruised. Daniel ‘akasn and ——— Scarboro’ had very narrow escapes, being forced among the falling timbers. ‘The two brothers Camp, and the two brothers Moun- tin, were instantaneously ‘killed. Samuel H. Camp was foreman of the blacksmith shop, and was a valuable man. The company paid him $6 a day for his services; and it is said they cannot readily make his place good. His brother Daniel was foreman of the planing shop. He was nearly killed about six years ago, when raising the timber for the roof of this same factory. A timber fell upon him and crushed him to the earth, and for woeks there was no hope of his recovery. ir. B. R. Stone stood upon a boring machine. The concussion drove him —— 8 window, and he escaped without much injury. His hend was cut. G. L. Grant, foreman of machine shop, was starting for the blacksmith shop; he hed to the boiler room door, heard the crash, and ran. He got out of the build- ing before the floor fell. In a moment more the roof and two floors, with tons of machinery and tim! came crashing th: upon the spot where he stood. eral others escaped the same room, (machine shop,) as if by @ miracle. ‘Thomas Lawler and John Cunningham were in the spaceway, near the boiler room, and were forced through ‘a door into the room north of the boiler, but they fortu- nately escaped the falling wreck. ler W. Cowles was forced through a narrow space between three machines, and was not hurt. He was car- ried a distance of fifteen feet. ‘Alexander Nodine was in the second story, sitting ona chair, tending a scroll saw. He was lifted up, as he im- og |, at least ten feet. When he was thus suspended ie floor fell, and he descended, chair and all, to the floor below, mon the wreck. He was not seriously hurt. J. Rounseville, T. Hogan, and —— Wilson were also in have spoken to others of his cat times; | the second sorte ong a LT vestog ‘The stone have found the water low, and have told the engineer he was not as careful an he ought to be; I have found, febently, hes in ahd boiler LY was to Led the hew boiler and found the we was pont poo} in the dipner hour, when Duffy had charge; I told him not ing aongsie of Node pecs aad tevin did had low, serie tomate thy Nerwa Bei at Seis ETT ES slopetty of ‘the one. ‘Whoa thi l i it iH : % F it If u By iF Hf ze Li Q| * 3 s F REE 5 i i ; EE z 2 ig minute of the at the City Hall in measures for the relief of “id age ond the late seas oh Fayle & works, r Adams was a) Chairman, | ‘J. W. Beach, Secretary. I aa That a committee chair to present to this sons to be a committee it was of five be appointed by the the nantes of proper per- tions. ‘Bean Alden, JP. eee The Committee reported the” following names, which were accepted :—James B. Shultas, Oliver D. Olcott Allen, Mason Gross, Charles T. Webster, James H. Ashmead, J. Wat- John Burt, N. Soymour Webb, George W. W. Root, D. W. Brigha Lemuel Humphrey Kendall, Gideon Wells, William diate, dr Joba & rk, Jr., John G. A. E. Burr. Samuel ‘Woodruff, A. Tuttle, Charles Weeks, Mix, Chester Adams, John L. Boswell, Voted, That this committee have power to fill vacan- to appoint a committee to member of the committee above appointed was requested to meet at the Sheriff's office on Saturday morning at nine o'clock. J. W. Bracu, Secretary. TELEGRAPHIC. CONTINUATION OF THE CORONER’S INQUEST, ETC. HasrrorD, March 4, 1854. The Coroner's Jury held two sessions to-day to inquire into the cause of the explosion at the car factory. Twelve witnesses were examined. One of them, E. M. Reed, a very competent engineer, and now Superinten- dent of Motive’Power on the Hartford and New Haven Railroad, testified that he had examined the boiler since | the explosion, and found that the tops of the flues had been subjected to a red heat; the lowest gauge cock was six inches above the flues, and, consequently, there must have been a great lack of water, and, in his opinion, steam generated faster than it could be carried off, which caused the accident; the boiler was good and well made, and of very good material; he had tested the iron. ‘The foreman of the establishment where the boiler was made also testified to the fact of the water having been below the flues, The Jury adjourned till Monday afternoon. An immense throng of citizens attended the funeral of the two brothers Camp, at the South Congregational | Church to-day. The services were very impressive. tribute the funds. ADAMS, Chairman. Theatres and Exhibitions. Bowery TxEatre—‘ Uncle Tom’s Cabin” is to be played only one week longer, when Mrs. Ham- blin is to appear. As this is the last opportunity, there will probably be a rush. The drama is up for Broapway THEATRE—“‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream” will be continued for one week longer, te eee ae te ais hay been e spectacle ven night this week. Burton’s Taeatre—‘ A Dream” is up for Mon A new drama, don, will be pi y, with new scene ed Lancers” has never yet vin, on Monday, evel Nationat Togarnr—On Monday afternoon the Crime,” is to forty-fourth time. Wattack’s TaeaTre.—Congreve’s brilliant co- medy, “Love for Love,” is to with the farce, “Kill or Cure.’ drawn very full audiences. Barnvm’s Musrvm—O: peeen oral oe new ery,” is the attraction. Mr. and other favorites appear in both BroapwaY Menacrrix.—This establishment, No. is still well patronised. The “Fat ~ aor King” will remain ignor Blitz will nds know him favor- be played on Monda; Ppoth pleces have, nm ie ankoletion te ant “The Oid Brew- Miss Mestayer, pieces. InstitvTe,—S! mirthful and magical evenin; week only. Our Brooklyn ably already, and his success is certain. Tue Curisty’s MinsTRELS announce several no- velties for this week. Read their progamme for Monday evening, and remember tl Woon’s Mixstrets—The new burlesqe, “Lend Her der Sham Money,” has been so successful that it will be played one week more. It is announced for Monday evening, with plenty more good things. Buck®zy’s Minstrers have been entertaining large audiences at the Chinese Hall, with their bur- lesque of the “Bohemian Girl.” It is to be given londay, and no lover of fun, joined with good music, should fail to see it. Tug MernoroniraN THEatre—Finst Arrear- | ANCE OF MADAME ANNA THILLON.—The Metropol- itan, as a matter of course, was more densely Growd- | ed last evening than ever before. Not only were the | seats’ all taken, but a great many were obliged stand in different impatient to hear to | rts of the house, all eager and e first notes in California of the world-renowned cantatrice, Anna Thillon. tation was on tiptoe, and long before the curtain | rose the house was packed with ladies and gentle- men who had heard the famous songstress in other | lands, or of others equally impatient, who had heard | very tones of the famous The performances chosen for the |, opening night were the opera of the “Crown urpose at this time to he peculiar character- | much of the rich and enter into a discussion of istics of Madame Thillon’s singing, but rather to no- tice her reception. We will endeavor on some other ive our impressions on this latter head. say that her reception was cordial would be tame— | ic. When her voice was first heard, | and she came bounding on to the stage, the ap- | plauge was loud and long, and from first to last, whenever the music would ruption, it broke out almost extravagant notions ahe may have formed of the | welcome she was to receive, j others who had preceded her, more than sati ment here she can equally good houses as that of last evening. le are liberal to encourage art, and an occasion ike the present is one of rare occurrence, and it | again before notes like hers agai to. a would gladly allude to the > 08) to Gould, who most it was enthusi: ibly tolerate inter- | Whatever | was , Mr. Leach, and contributed to render the » But this, too, we must di ‘THE Sasons—Haydn’s ‘Seagons” will be sung to-night at the Musical Hall, for the berg the who wish to hear some good time assist the ophan, will not forget to attend— Alta California, Jan. 17. COIDENT —Three painters, at work upon 4 stag- yeckartiiy aftaeneae, inting the dome, were considerably e falling of the staging. They were painting at the time at the and fell about twenty feet. All were and another was Mr. Pron, a decora- lent, seldom excelled by persons. in his branch of the profession for bold, accurate and eful drawing, clearand harmonious color, and bones broken, and all will prot couple of weeks. 1d oratorio of the Asylum. We it. Those music, ahd at the same American theatre Albert was one. eae in a | commendable J directed them to be provided with the ical attendence at his charge— Alta, Maacn 4.—J. W. Lawton was an action for services "iG cout ware fede ‘laimed against the defendant #40, pa] | mer | Ja Stei ic! Bel | sibs of i sf 3 x am Fi ? 4 : i 3 F i 2 fit if 8 Z| t e 5 at 84c. a Bbc. for damp Jersey; 85c. a 87c. for mixed; 86c. a 88c. for yellow; and 88. 8 Ple. for white, per bushel. Corron.—The day’s sales amounted to 2,711 bales, as | follows:—-For export, ae home use, 255; and cet \. —The day's gales included small lots ; Jamaica at 11 3¢c. ;820 bags Rio at 11c. a 11, Domingo at 9%c. per Ib. Fisu were more sought after, at $3. cod per cwt.; $168 16 25 for No. | $8:873¢ for pickled herring, per bbl. Smoked herring, boxes, were Frucuts. fs ula Corns | wa —Rates to Live were steady, with en- bales of Ker ‘at 7-164. to engaged ai ton. Grain was at 16d., bbls. lard at 508. per ton, per steamer | _ Frorr. dried bunch raisins at $2 90; half boxes wet dried do. at $1 brad at $1 1234; and some Southern peeled peaches at 9c. Hay.—There were 1,000 bushels river disposed of at Oe, a 9 Be. for shipment, and 90c. 9 973¢c. for local use, r " Poaox.—Scotch pig was in fair demand and firm, at $898 months, per ton. | was scarce, and quoted at $1 25 for common Rock- land, and $1 623,'for lump do., per bbl. Mo.asems.—Some 300 bbls. New Orleans were sold at ees tury $5 75 per 280 lbs. Spirits fis: a ata. Ons.—Nothin; were made of 3, embraced 200 dry do. at $2 undred fe. per Nayar quiet at $5 50a ired of 600 bbls. common rosin 200 white do. at $8 623¢ a $4; and some tar yw occurred in whale or sperm. Western red at 60c.; and 7 . and 780. a 790. for large and ele, per gallon. The last sale of palm was made a . per Ib. Provisions.—Pork varied little. The day’s sales reach- ed 430 bbls. new at $15 873¢ a $16 for mess, and $13 873, a $18 60 for prime, | packages pickled shoulders and The day’s transactions in lard add up re at Ile. per lb. business in- HE 800 bbis., at 9 Beef was c. tty brisk and s1 eluded 4 bbls, at unchan; | cheese remained about the same. Saur.—We heard of no further movements in West ‘A limited business was transacted in Liverpool at $1 20 for ground, and $1 45 a $1 65 for fine, per Rice.—There have been 300 tlerces taken, at $4 25 a $4 CES were in limited stock and improved 5%c. @ 6c. for race ginger ; 10%c.a Ile. for pper; 1434c. for Jamaica gc. & 45c. for cassia, in mats ; $1 173g a $1 20 for No. 1 nutmegs, per lb. UGARS.—The da; India. ig imento ; 1730. for ions embraced 500 hhds. New. Orleans, at 4c. a 43<c.; and 400 Porto Rico, at 53¢¢., per Ib. Tatow was dull and heavy to-day, at 12c. per Ib. ‘Waatrsone.—Polar was inactive, at ‘Wriskey.—£ome 900 bbls. priso: 8 28%c. per ‘Winas.—al n. it 60 quarter casks port found buyers, at 8730. per gallon. as Later from Honduras. Our dates from Belize are to the 18th of February. The New Assembly closed its proceedings onthe 11th ultimo. When the steamer left Belize for Jamaica there had been no cases of cholera for two days. The of- ficial returns of deaths have been 230, about 176 of which occurred in Belize. have arrived in saniaion cholera since January, Inabel and » by coasters, from roons ; indigo, 245 seroons, and $61,750 on freight. ‘Term. Ingraham and Daly. imeon Rocenbaum vs. Harman H. Gunter.—udgment pon with costes. a sa omas Cusack vs. Theodore Tomlinson.—Judgment reversed, with costs. is & Jackson ve. John cc ga $27 14, and affirmed fi cos H, McOunn.—Ju that amount, it James Watson and others vs. James Martin.—Order at special term affirmed. provided tte pleiatit’ mill wate the sont of the 4 “4 ; Ctherwise afsrmed, with costs, ers Alexander Francois vs. costs. will Joseph Ochs.—Judgment affirmed, witty. Petersve, Richard J. Slater Judgment afirmed, Michael Maxy ve. Thomas Larkin.—Judgment affirmed, with costs. me ilies. William Kipp.—Judgment affirmed, eee vs. Thomas Murphy.—Judgment af- costs. Dupont vs. J. Payton.—Judgment affirmed, with costa. MARITIME INTELLIGENCE, ALMANAC FOR NEW YORK—THIS DAY. 20 | Moon sxrs.... Port of New York, March 4, 1854. CLEARED. Pao) Northern Light, Churebill, San Juan, Nic, C 01 of sumabip Charles Morgan (new), Forbes, New Orleans, | ar! rn. Steamship Florida, Woodhull, Savannal ship Marion, Foster, Charleston, Co. Steamship Jamestown, Cavondy, Norfolk, 4c, Ludlam & Pleasants RAMP IRCod A Wostervelt, Hoodlees, Liverpool, Taylor & ich. Ship Isaac Webb, Furber, Liverpool, © H Ship Southampton, Austin, Liver} Ship Sarah (Br), Smith, Glas; Ship Deutechland (Ham), Hai Catharine, Andrews, Charl Bark Hahnemann, Wiatt, Salinas Rark Lucerne, Jordan, Neuvitas, Bark Vickery, Urann, Neuvi up ball, Manzanil Spofford, Tileston rg, E Boch & Kun- bardt. Shi Spee Thos Wardle. Bar! Brig Kolon, 1g from that of | Petter. aang Toust have been | the whole of her brief | fail of drawing | Our ‘Schr Kipgficher, Hooper, Port au Prince, Hatch & Love- oy. Rene Mary D Hayman, Hayman, Wilmington, Brown & DeRossett. Scbr Southerner, Burr, Wilminy Sehr Josephin Sebr Joseph "J. R Mather, Nickerson, DC Marrny. Johnson & Lowden. Mobile, Van Brunt & Slaght. eh hy Hallock, Providence, ghtenmer 2 Baltimore, Parker Vein Steamer Bristol, Wileon, Philadelphia, J & N Briggs. RIVED AR . 1), Moodie, Liv chit ol, and 48 hours hang rod toE Cunard. Was detained ont- side Sand: Steam Glasgow (Br), Orai ‘passengers, to John 1p this worsing at 4AM, and was detained owt ad nee a, ath at i toM O Roberts. Feb 27, Star, h wall, Feb 22, at 11 Ry old Uy nd of & vessel about |, Charleston, 58 hours, lento: steamship State of ras, from Philadelphia for ns rat Ay m her, passed the wree! torn ap. z a1 posed) naval 08. Bi won bow, of away Jouns, BE, 10 days, Rivteate eee Wa elon AusTIo™ Sears, from New Orleans, 14 days, te —— of Boston. SAILED. whenee she called at & ra Fear beens Bie te ‘vannab; pan i Jamestown, ware. the day light with Biases tiple, Apalsaniccl, = S6- Dor Sane Boon Eee, Watt Shige Nasieoen sad Teneo Allerton are at ry bar, bound in. garmesgpesuIs ste: at anchor at the Veiad’ Sm, an ight. "Weather baay. sold Eave now on the stocks "tt thois sara in Beower about 1800 tons. sind ‘Schr M Sewall, of Bangor, from Portland Soy Sonte Orns to (or St Croix), recently re is said ve arr it with | " out v oat orden Ts The {a stated not to have built at Fy feta gpmans, dna sonerand, op se pave yeah ce in the service. cane fy Meg Ron ou a and heater, lato of the Charles. Suz J. 8; t Philadel; from AB! 10" een pe wie ag rene cn amt je from aud main spencer: 24th, iu's gale from WNW, ender sees reefed to} bi} a hear skylight, Tet 49 Be Ton 23 25" wile ying. tor ender Tare Lat a Sepaastes with tha ste so or S6r one of the crew named Ceo Harris, port, aged ‘Binetesh years, fell qrereand nak x Baas N W Burner, of and for P. before reported ashore near Kennebunk Points| condition than was expected when abandoned, ot a moveable has ped, and eve onthe shore. The coffee and sugar has about ier continues favorable quite s molasses in the b sb! \d will be saved in a of 90 hhds was entirely lost. The bark is thres- t low water, and is but little damaged on the Abo fen ret te ee Ree le gene: and don- lamage is supposed to be om the starboard side, which cannot be seen. Buse Rossnr M Cuancror, from Sav: in goinginto Havana Sth ult, t ashore, but ‘iindving over part of deck load.’ Vas B08 OF Sona Broxres has beon got off shore at Le repaired by Mr Walker, whe, io reshipping: bes shop; ont she will leave for destination in s Gay or two. Mr Wis alse BoWempty casks ere being sinosd in’ the Menctal Zane, poet Daratory to bauling her of aa by ey sy fed — pahore in 4 pee Savaa- nah river daring 25th Afloat much bogged) ener Dis ai Soum Many Janz, Auld, of and from Bath for Philedel- BRIA, put into ‘New Dedford'sd inst, leaking between 900 and strokes per bour, having been eut by the ice in Konaebes river; would go on the railway for Sour Wittow, which was sunk at Bass Hole, Y: in the gale of Dec 29, remained so at last accounts, med ‘vessel was engaged taking out her cargo. The taser d A published in the Jamaica Colonial Stan- dard of the 254 HM Ship Imaum, Port Royal, 3 a Sir—I am commanded by Commodore Thome Hendieton to inform you that he has caused # new buoy (black), to be Placed on Che Southwest Pelfoan Spet, fa the a Bile, iy 40: your solletiaticnr’and’ that you wil leased to acquaint the hate of this port forthwith, for tbe am, efit of the mercantile s! ping, LA To Capt Cooper, RN, Harbor Marte ee: 3 from Nantecket fo: Pacite Oceos,eleany sole Ship Corritnek, hence for Antwerp, Feb 2, lat 45 59, low Shi of sesh tr: ne in 1, 1st 40, lon 0080," r = com sares Siete Bey Ovisens for Trieste, Feb 17, tab Sokr (of Camden), Indies, O03, at 505LN, lou O92 Wee NOreelk for Wont Aux Cayzs—In port abt Feb Il, bark Geo D Smouse, Grewruvcos in port Feb 18, brig Ritsn B Pm: goe-—In port Feb 18, brig Elisa Burgess, Gorham, Canpewas—Arr Feb 17, Telos, Fossett, and Plaree, Frovidanoe: ‘8 Rina Cor, Boston; John ie a NC, begs Tota, ‘7 iy i: Shout 19th seb Dav Guarama—In to Feb. 17, bark Me Ellen, ‘Stover, from and for N! 5 pe ed Be z to 500 hd; brig Onward, Tibbete, Mi Rrerore reported for Cardenssand NYork} Maranzae—In port Feb Rellen Gcfoors, for ‘4 a for deck Lond im ‘Amn v Omoa, NG—In port J ‘Geo Lewis, hones rete oneart (ey ert b 18, b LW Mecwel, Pear Je owt i = Feb : - ts Gibbs, an dua Sneath, en eee = CAnanat as (near Sagua)—Tn port abt Feb 18, brig Jadge | Hathaway, Leland, for Boston (not NYot! Sr Bante—In port abt Feb. 19, brig Adelo, Le and from Philadetphia for Porto Rice, oond Yor Nort ING aT in port Fel schr Elizabet Areu- larius, (of Rockland,) Marston, captain sick; and others un- rt previous to Jan SI, (back date.) sel rete kd | Q ark Form er, for do;'M M Freeman, Glover, unc.” eee TaruxiLL0, NG—Feb 10, no Am vessel in port. ALEXANDRIA—Arr Lig had Sea Witch, Bridge- BO! Juillet (of NY: Panang meson, NOrleaus; barks Actives whi , Hichborn, Feb; H etien, Kilby, Apal Ell Sylph, Clifford, ditto; A Hayfor jnenos 3 Deo Bath), Kelky, fro Truxillo Fel Goo F Wi . Inthe STPORT—Arr Feb 24, beige Gon Marion, Jones, Bal- ‘Abeons, k Baltimore: Com Konrney, timore; Brookline, MeGily a FALL RIVE! ‘Magch 3, sloop Jamos Bennett, Bright- man, NYork. FRANKFORT—Arr Feb 28, schr Mary Langdon, N York, HOLMES'S HOLE Agr Mateh 4, bark Gragipas, Dotetle for NBodford, sld samo day and probably apr ‘Orion obeph James, Sanithy | from St Sohne iver, brig ; Weat Indies. ‘ NEW BEDFORD—,; cian um ‘uty ot Puech Gaetan Nae Delnoy, Norfolk. . te Owl's D port Fen: Holen Maria, Staube, from Curdence oun hin ae Penaore Foster, oopew repg; schrs Oregon, Arcy, NYork for Fraak- °F YMOUTH—Arr Fob 23, eohr Eifeaboth, Ellis, Baltimore. ag 28th, ee he. nt ne Dering. Potter, NLeaton: Gorge’ K Brows, Chester Provi a ‘i CR—Arr March barks Ash Fisa, areolar a My aa: Georse Hat Carpenter, a Foland, 0 Stowed, Dodo; Crowell, 'Philadalphie; sloop Thomas fie, ork MTCHMOND carr March 2, si RVork; 1h Gallop, a gtenait lt are Jouss Speakas, 8 3 Amracin Gina Fok bs ag tay, Pacha an ® ‘aol Barah Baines, Cheney, Chartéston; 27th, Welcome eeu nr akin Arr March 2, sche Moces, Ward, Potomae irae,