The weekly standard., 1870-07-06
Four Young Men Blown up by Gum
powder.

One of the most shocking accidents that
we have ever been called upon to record oc-
Cured at Tete dies Morts, a few miles south
of the city, last Monday afternoon. The
Catholic residents of that vicinity were en-
gagged IN holding grand religious festival
peculiar to that faith, the ceremonies con-
sisting of a large procession composed of
men, women and children, who were dis
posed around several altars that had been
constructed for the occasion. As is the uni
versal custom, the priest appeared before
each of these and bestowed upon them his
blessing, when, at the conclusion of the
same, and in order to heighten the effect,
large cannon was fired, which was stationed
Oh small eminence Immediately back of
the church. The firing party was composed
of four young men, sous of farmers residing
In that neighborhood. Along in the after
nbon they ran out of powder, when the
boys started after a fresh supply, and soon
after returned, with seven pounds of blast
ing powder, loosely wrapped in piece of
brown paper. They had got about half way
up the hill. when some of the powder
spilled out upon the ground. The young
man intrusted with the task OF carrying it
was carelessly smoking cigar. aud without
removing this from his mouth he stopped
over and commenced lading the powder up
with his hands, and placing it back again
in the paper While thus doubled over the
pile of powder he commenced joking his
companions about the mishap, 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 huddled together. Quick as thought,
instantaneous as an electric flash, before one
of the party could think or dream of get
ting away. bright angry tongue of flame
shot heavenward, followed by dull mutfied
roar and biilowS OF black sulphurous smoke,
producing one of the most terrible explo-
sions and fearful sights on record. The
consequences that ensued were frightful
The ill-fated smoker was blown up in the
air distance of ten or fifteen feet and fell
in heap so scorched, blackened and dis
figured that he could hardly be recognized
as human being. All of the rest of the
party were shockingly injured their skins
being burned to crisp, and peeling off at
the slightest touch, leaving nothing but the
bare quivering flesh. Every vestige of cloth
ing was blown from their bodies, the hair
singed off, and their eye sight destroyed.
Added to the other horrors the dresses of a
large number of school children, who har-
pened to be standing near, caught fire, and
many were badly Burned, some so seriously
that their lives are despaired of.
One of the young men died on Sunday
night, and at last accounts the others were
Just alive The accident, as may well be
imagined, causes the utmost excitement at
| Totn doc Mort, and woo +bn p-ay-o ilipor tonic
of conversation yesterday in many places.
We hope to obtain further particulars in re-
gard to the terrible affair soon, when VIC
shall hasten to place them before our readers.
Since writing the above we learn that the
names of two of the victims are Nicholas
Gercin and Nicholas Tyson. The boy that
died is the son of widow woman, and was
her only support.-Dubuque Times.