Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1867-11-23
Particulars of the Explosion In Chicago

From ths Chicago journal, lOth-l
About l O'Clock In the morning cit
zens were startled by terrible explo-
sion which shook the city as would an
earthquake This was succeeded by
confagration, the glare of which, in
spite of the moonlight, illumined the
heavens and informed those who had
heard the explosion and the subse-
quent alarm OF fire that conhagratiOn
of no mean proportions was raging in
the West Division. The scene of the
explosion is on Canal street, occupying
nearly all OF the south half of he block
between West Randolph a West
Washington streets. The dom 10 frame
building, Nos. 10 aud 81, a flame struc-
ture Ia the rear, the brick black. COM
prising Nos. %, %, q and - and the
frame structure which stood on the
corner of Canal and West Washington
street--all these buildings ara now a
mass of ruins.
The cause of the destruction was the
explosion of boiler in Marple's -four
ing mill, Nos. % aud %, portion of
the large three story brick building
Nothing definite Is known as to the
cause of the explosion. Al that is
known Is that the engineer, 3anae O.
Cornell, was left IN charge of tne ma
chinery at six o 'cloelSon Saturday even
ing, and that he was killed WHOM the
explosion took place. Frank Eahill,
the miller, states that about halt past
one O'Clock, he observed that tns ma
chineFv was working at a too rapid
rate, and descended the stains ID Tsgu-
late the gearing He went below the
frame work of timbers that suppMted
the mill stones, and his hand was al
ready upon the gear-wheel. But he
did not touch it. That instant terri
BILE noise broke upon his ear, and in a
moment he was buried beneath mass
of brick, mortar aud timbers. The
force of the explosion had thrown the
hot Goals OF the furnace in every diree-
ton, and in moment flames broke out
in scores of places throughout the
block.
The confusion that ensued exceeded
a panic. People rushed forth from the
neighboring lodging houses aud tene-
ments in every stage of diska6iHe, and
dashed through the streets and alleys,
stopping not until they were blocks
away. Then followed a terrible scene.
The livery stable, corner OF West
Washington and Canal streets, caught
fire first, and the flames getting among
the hay the arrival of the steamers, ia
obedience to the alarm that had been
sent from the nearest box, however
promptly, was of no avail. Immediate
IL after, Groessinger's boarding house
was in flames, as was that portion Of
the mill which still stood, aud which
consisted OF a small part of the frame
work which yet supported half OF the
street wall. The frame structure next
north then took fire, and the progress
of the flames had put it bel ond the
power of saving it. In short space
of time vast area presented a scene
of indescribable ruin.
Both the engineer and the miller
were, as stated, buried in the debris.
Cahill was dragged from the mass by a
policeman He was scarcely alive,
having been dreadfulIy scalded about
the body. It is expected ne may re.
cover. About one in the afternoon the
lifeless body of the. engineer was found.
MARBLE L Fletcher, who occupied
the mill, had heavy stock on hand
and lose over $4,000; insured for IS
900. The three story brick was owned
by T. Lo1eTgan, whose total loss will
be about $4,000; insured for So
400. Number twenty-seven, the
Fort Wayne House, lost about
81, 600; no insurance. Fishers livery
stable, Nos, 81, 80 and 50, was worth |
200, and the loss total. No. 90,
Thompson's spice mills, was totally de-
stroyed; loss not estimated. No. 10,
two story frame building, belonging 70
the Star Metal Company, with contents,
was worth 1000, and was totally de-
stroyed; insured Tor $500. No. 81,
owned by the same, was damaged about
81, 900. Several smaller buildings in
the neighborhoOf were badly damaged
by the force c the explosion, which
was snch that 1t was felt four OF five
miles of.