New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-02-07
THE XENIA POWDER EXPLOSION.
INTERESTING DETAILS OF TIE EXPLOSION AMI
ITS OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES RECKLEsSNEsS Oh
THE WORKMEN.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNg.l

INTERESTING DETAILS OF TIE EXPLOSION AND
ITS OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES RECKLEssNEsS OF
THE WORKMEN.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNR
CINCINNATI, Feb. 6.-I am now able to give
interesting details of the terrible powder explosion
which took place near Xenia Tuesday last. The
powder mills are situated four miles north Of Xena.
They belong to the Xenia Powder Company, and arc
ranged for quarter of mile rregularly along tho foot
OF line Of hills which skirt the Little Miami River,
and within about 800 yards VI the track OF the
Springfield branch OF the Little Miami Railroad. The
first explosion took place in a kernel OF corning
mill near the lower end OF the line Of buildings This
mill was run by Arthur Nero, who instantly killed,
and he being the only in the mill at the time, the
cause o. the explosion will probably never DO known.
The mill WIS entirely demolished, scarcely vestige of
1t remaining. Nero foreman OF the kernel mills.
He had been engaged in powder mills eight years in df-
feren placesnd leaves widow. Fragments Of his body
were blown all directions. The next two explosions
took place presshoses situated short distance from
the kernel mill where Nero lost his life. In these houses
three men, whose names are Henry Duncan, Benz.
Crimes, and Samuel Moran, were employed Duncan,
while escaping struck in the back OF the head prob
ably by brick There are slight hopes of his recovery
as his skull Is fractured. lie was blown into the milrace
that runs IA front Of and the press mills Moran
wa also blown into the but escaped with the loss
of hearing In one car aching side of the head
and bruises in his legs. Grimes not hurt. The
kernel mill where the fourth explosion took place. was
ne 1t below the press mills In this mill was David Con-
lev colored man, gazier, and he killed instantly
He was the oldest emplOye of the Company having been
engaged 40 these works during tho last seven
years. He was elderly man, had been married twice.
and left wife, Ave sons, and daughter; two sons are
adults The next explosion took place In a dry-hOuse
st further west where John Ballard was employed
hand I'm the glazing and was killed, az was also william
Robins who struck the head with pieces or the
dryouse while trying to escape. Robins was superin
tendcnt the lower end Of the powder works. ana once
resided I'm New-YOrk, where he i'll be buried The wheel
mills cease work at midnight on Saturdays, and begin
again at midnight on Sundays. All other works run from
in the morning Till in the evening daily Sundays ex
ceptcd =, .. $500
and scarcely year has passed without an explosion
and sometimes manyas three in year In all,
lives been lost by these explosions, but
than persons killed by any previous explosion
Altogether there 10 16 employed at the works,
and they reside In houses the summit of the hills
which skirt the river. workman who has been en-
poyed the mills for the last five years states that
employees had become az regardless OF danger II
working In st0neyard One man always nails IN
the heels OF his boots. Many workmen now declare
that they will . never . work ,t IN powder mill
greater than those OF other lab0rers. No inquests
have been held Excepting Robins, all the persons
killed were buried yesterday: One workman saved his
on Monday morning: The houses severely shaken
and the ycinties The explosion caused false alarm
of fire in schoolhouses causing fearful panic among
last January into the hands Of stock
pany the members Of which mostly reside In Boston
A. Fay, formerly Of Boston, recently or Chicago
Is President The loss amounts TO fully $4,000; Company
recently paid 100000 for tho property Three hundred
kegs Of powder in magazine failed TO explode, but
four Of powder were In another magazine which
shattered to pieces being IN close proximity TO the
exploded building. Eight buildings DESTROYED
hye by explosions. three by nre.