The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1870-07-07
FOUR YOUNG MEN BLOWN UP.
From the Dubuque rimcs, june ~.

t,ne OF the most shocking accidents OF the
above nature that we have ever been called
upon to record occurred at 'letc dies Morris.
lew miles south OF The city, last SUNDAY after
noon. The Catholic residents of that vicinity
were engaged in holding 4 grand religious
festival peculiar to that faith, the ceremonies
consisting OF a large procession composed of
men, women and children, who were dispos-
cd around several affairs that had been con-
-iructcd tor the OCCASION A. is the univcr-
al custom the priest appeared before each
If these and bestowed upon them his bless
InG. when at the conclusion of the same and
III order 10 hcightcn the effect, n cannon was
fired, which was stationed ON a small emil
nrnce Immediately back of the church. The
lrmE party was composed oflour young men,
enhS OF farmers residing in that neighbor-
hncN, but Their names we We're unable to OBJ
tAin Along in the afternoon they ran ont of
powder, when the boys started after a fresh
upplY, and soon after returned with seven
pounds OF common blasting powder loosely
wrapped up III piece OF brown paper,
ihry had got about half way mp the hill,
when some of the powder spilled ont upon
the ground. The Young man entrusted with
tine task al carving ii was carrlesslv smok-
ing a cigAr, and without removing this from
his mouth he stopped over and commenced
ladng the powder up with his hands and
placing il back again in the paper While
thu@ doubled over the pile of powder he com
nencod Joking his companions about the mis-
hap, but in the act of speaking the lighted
cigar dropped from his mouth directly into
the pile of powder, around which at the time,
all were closely huddlcd together Quick as
thought instantaneous as an electric flash
before one of the party could think or dream
OF getting away, a bright angry tongue of
amc shot heavenward, followed by a dull
muilled roar and pillows of black sulphurous
smoke, producing one of the most terrible
explosions and fearful sights on record The
consequences that ensned were tr@htlul.
The Inflated smoker was blown up in the air
distance of ten or fifteen feet and fell in n
heap SO scorched, backcncd and disligured
that he could hardly be recognized as II hui
man being. Ali of the rest of the party were
shockingly injured, their skins beng burnt
In a crisp and peclng off al the slightest
touch, leaving nothing but the bare culver
ing flesh Every vestigc of clothing was
blown from their bodies, the hair singcd off
and their eyesight destroyed. Added to the
other horrors the dresses OF n large number
of school children, who happened to be stand
ing near, caught fire, and many We're badly
hurned-some so seriously that their lives
are despaircd OF.
One of the young men died on Sunday
night, and at last accounts the others were
but Just alive. The accident as may well be
imagined, causes the utmost excitement at
Tete des Morris, and was the prevailing topic
of conversation yesterday in many places
We hope to obtain further particulars in re-
gard to the terrible affair soon, when We
shall hasten 50 place them before our read
crs.
Since writing the above we learn that the
names OF two Of the victims are Nicholas
Gerein and Nicholas Tyson. The boy that
died is the son of a widow woman, and was
her only support.