, 1866-03-05
THEMIDDLETOWN HORROR.

Terrible Boiler ExpIoslon-sfx Persons
Klifed-A Blast Furnace Completely
DenolIshed-AS Scene Of DeaoIatton.
From the Lancaster PAL Express Of Tueaday.l
One of the most terrible boiler explosions
probably experienced in this State for several
years, occurred at the AtiddIetown Furnnces.
owned By Nelly d Co., at Middletown. Dau-
phfn county, at q quarter past seven O'Clock
last evening, by which the building WAS CON-
pletcly demolished, and six persons killed.
The report Of the catastrophe reached this
city ut an carly hour this morning, but as the
stories appeazed much exaggerated, and as
none Of tia accounts could be relied upon,
we despatched one Of our reporters to the To-
cality In the lilo a. N. train west, who re-
turned at three O'Clock this afternoon, with
the following particulars Of the affair:
The furnaces Of Nelly & Co. are situated
several hundred yards south Of the Pennsyl-
rania railroad on the banks Of the canal.
There arc two furnaces belonging to the firm
closely connected together, but No. l was not
2, In which the explosion occurred, Was In full
h}sst aud was turning ont from hundred
and fifty to n hundred and afxty tons Of pig
iron per week. No. was not injured, but Its
companion now exhibits a complete wreck.
Last evening, Just about half on hour alter
the furnace had5made run, and while the day
hands were about to change of aud the night
hands take their place the explosion occur
red. There were two distinct reports, follow
Ing each other after lapse Of about half q
minute, and both were teuiac-so much so,
| indeed, TINT the coucnssloD Was heard for o
distance Of SIX miles from the scene, and ey-
err house In the town and immediate neigh
bprhopd woB shaken, and In some cases doors
bursted open and children thrown from their
| beds.
The boilers, Of which there were four, we're
Al feet long By 48 inches in diameter, and
were nearly new, having been pat Ia but four
mouths sfncc. The cause Of the explosion
tlremcn were both instantly killed The en-
eiDeer had been employed at the furnace for
Eve years, md was sober, steady and care
iul hand. There Was no lack of water,
md there were double Iaeans of supplying
the boilers BY interiectoFs and force pumps.
Those who witnessed the explosion, de-
scribe IL as terribly grand and awful. The
attack, boiler mud engine house, and the cast
ing house, we're 80 completely tom to pieces
that nothing IVES to be seen Of them after the
| explosion but the foundation and the debris
scattered In all directions. The boilers Wcrc
points Of the coupass. A portion Of one o(
| The boilers, twenty-five feet in length, was
carried over houses and buildings to the dis.
tance Of seven hundred yards, where 1t lodged
! in the canal.
There are some three or fonr frame houses
/ AG0Hk IOTIE or uikj y4Eu1 Suukn OF tAe 4u1HAca
-onc occupied as dwelling and store, and
the others rs dwellings,, al Of which were
hightfully crashed and torn by the flying tim
bers and iron. The roof of one Is cut through
as clcanly as II several Immense shells had
struck 1t. On the north aide stable was lev
eled to the ground BY portion Of one Of the
boilers and tlrnbess, while In every direction
evidences of the terrible character and force ol
the explosion are apparent. The engine was
completely destroyed,
| BY this sad catastrophe six persons have lost
thcir lives. Two we're instantly killed, three
died during the night aud one this morning.
| All Of item were employed at the works, md
two Of them leare large families behind.
A Corpner's inquest was held Tits morning
on tho bodies OF the dead, who returned d
| verdict to the effect that :. the explosion re-
suited from causes unknown; that no blame
| is attached to the proprietors OF the furnace
or iany Of the employees" There wers
eleven persons present at the time Of the e1.
| plosiSn, but with the exception Of &hose
killed, several were but slightly wounded.
The loss OF Messrs. Nelly d Co. will reach
from s30, ,ooo 10 III, 900, on which there Is nc