Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1853-11-05
Terrible Powder MIL Explosion in spen-

Terrible Powder Mil Explosion Ina Spen-
cer-Five Men RiIledH
Yesterday morning, (Nov. 4h) one of the
most fearful and fatal powder mill explosions, that
1t has ever heen our lot to record, occurred in
Spencer, in this county, little before ten O'Clock.
The town of Spencer is noted for It's powder
mills, and for its explosions; but this of Yester-
day was more fatal in lis results, than any that has
previously occurred there. Our reporter reached
the fearful scene of death, before all the bodies
were removed from the wreck of timber, &c,
which marked the spot where the mill stood,
and was enabled to CLEAN the following parlcu
lars, for some of which he is under obligations to
one or two friends, who were early on the spot.
The mill was known as the Corning Mill, sit
uated about one mile northwest from the village
of Spencer, and was owned by Lewis Bemis,
Esq, who, at the present time, s at The west, on
business connected with another mill, oN ned by
him, which was blown up about two weeks since.
The explosion took place at ten minutes before 10
O'Clock, and was distinctly heard by us in this
city. Five men were in the mill at the time and
ITe give a list of the killed; Henry Avis, aged
%, foreman of the mill, an Englishman, single;
Richard Avis, brother of the above, 80 years old,
left wife and one child; Robert Perkins, Eng
ishman, singe-workman in the mill; George
Swallow, Englishman, aged 25, leaving wife;
John Laughn, IIishman, aged 25, teamster, left
no family.
As the bodies of the above were removed from
the mill, they presented most horrible spectacle.
Two Of the bodies were found in the water,
under the mill, and one was found in potato
field, having been blown at least 80 rods Mr..
LaughIin, the teamster was shockingy mutiIated,
and could be recognised only by portions of his
clothes, which were found on so much of his body
as was left. One man had his legs entirely
blown off, and two were without heads The
bodies were all mutated more or less, and the
clothes of all Of them were almost entirely blown
off Collins were procured, and the mutllated re-
mains were being prepared for them. as we left
the scene. The funeral, over the bodies of the
deceased, will probably take place in the first
church in Spencer to-day Saturday..
At the time of the explosion, it is supposed
there was, at least, 60 kegs of powder in the
mill. This mill stands on the site of the mill
blown up two years ago. at which time Mr.. Hall,
and foreigner, were killed.
1t will be recoected, that mill, belonging to
MI. Bemis, was blown up in September, but
fortunately no one was killed. Ten men have
now lost their lives in Spencer, within years,
by these explosions. Can there be no remedy?
1t is singular fact, that wagon, in which
horse harnessed, stood near the mill land that
the wagon was blown into atoms, while the
horse escaped with only the loss of his hair
Boards and timber from the mill, covered the
ground IN every direction for the distance of fifty
rods. We have now given the public full ac-
count of this terrible calamity. We hope it will
be long ere we are compelled to record another
similar destruction ofhuman life.