Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1855-08-14
Terrific Explosion at Wilmington, Dol.
Garesche's Powder Mills Blown up.


WLMINoToN, August 8, 1855.
ABour eight o'clock this morning, our
citizens were startled by terrific ex.
plosion, which seemed TO shake the bull.
dings as by an earthquake, ruttling win.
dows, breaking glass in several parts Of
the city, and occasioning general con-
sternotion throughout the city. It was
soon ascertained that by one Of those
mysterious dispensations which occa.
sionally visit mankind, and which it is
beyond human wisdom 10 account Tor,
Garesche's powder mills had been blown
up. These mills are located at a place
called Eden Park, about two miles from
this city, and is third time that similar
catastrophe has occurred there since
March last. / was soon at the spot, and
gathered the following facts from son Of
the proprietor, who very kindly afforded
me every facility in my researches.
1t appears that the explosion took
place at what is called the drying house,
which contained some 200 kegs Of pow.
der nearly ready for the packing house,
q building standing fifty feet distant. and
which was blown up almost simultane.
ously with drying house. The building
contained large amount Of powder
ready for market. In and about these
buildings three Frenchmen were employ
ed, all OF whom were nearly blown 10
atoms with the buildings. A lad passing
at time Of the explosion was also killed.
The grinding mill, standing some threo
hundred yards from the drying house
was blown up in about ten minutes after
the explosion. In this building. a largo
quantity Of powder was in the course Of
preparation, and was involved in the
general catastrophe by some burning por
ton Of The drying house being conveyed
.hither by tho high wind which prevailed
at the time Of the explosion. In this
building four men we're engaged, and
strange 10 say, all escaped with their
lives. Only ono Of them was seriously
injured.
All Of the buildings were literally
atomized. and the fragments strewed the
ground for great distance around. A
more complete wreck OF matter can
scarcely be imagined. One Of the men
killed was blown about fifty feet into tho
air, and fell great distance from tho
spot where he was engaged. The build.
ings around were rendered complete
wrecks, and the residence of Mr.. Gar.
csche is also badly shattered. Trees
were torn up by the roots, anil prescut
the appearance of having been dead
number of years. Such n scene of des.
olation it has never been my lot to wit.
ness.
The persons killed presented most
horrible spectacle, and could scarcely
he recognized as human beings-lhey
we're so shockinsly mutiIa,cL. They
were strangers in the country. They
were being placed in collins almost on
my arrival, and preparations were made
to place them in the grave in the course
Of the afternoon. They were to be ship.
ped into the earth almost uncsremoni.
ously as they were calcl to life. 1t is
due to the Messrs. Garesche to say that
in this matter they have done all in their
power in rogarl to the melancholy duty
which devoIved upon in relation 10 dis.
posing OF the bodies Of their deceased
workmen. They were strangers in a
strange land, ahd to stranger hanls his
fallen the last sad rites. Mr. Galcsche
is unable 10 afford any satisfactory rea.
son for the explosion. He was in the
drying house abou, five minutes before
the explosion, and found everything all
right, the men performing their respective
duties as usual. He had proceeded tu.
the dust house and when the explosion
took place, he q, first supposed that tho
building in which he was had blown up.
The only way in which he can imagine
that the catastrophe occurred is, that one
Of the workmen, on inveterate smoker,
incauliousIy put matches in his pocket,
which were isnled by the friction Incl.
dent 10 moving the kegs, setting fire 10
his clothes, and thus occasionins the ru.
in which involved his own life. Mr.. G.
is quite certain that none of tho hands
were smoking, as has been rumored.
The buildings blown up had been in
use nearly quarter Of century, and
this is the only accident that has occur.
red in them. The explosions in the spring
were in other buildings connected with
the works.