In Philadelphia, a workshop producing Japan varnish explodes, killing its owner
A violent explosion in a speciality lacquer manufacturers behind Sixth Street near Diamond in Philadelphia killed the owner, James L. Wright, and severely injured his assistant, a man named Adam Herbott. The firm specialized in making Japan varnish for laquerware. (By John Osborne)
Source Citation
J.Thomas Scharf and Thompson Wescott, History of Philadelphia 1609-1884, in three volumes (Philadelphia, PA: L.H. Everts & Co., 1884), I: 794.