Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-03-28
THE 70 WDER MILL EYPL OSION.

The explosion Of two of the mills of the
American Powder Company on the Assa5et
River at Acton, on Monday, was attended
with even more serious results than were
shown by the meagre account of the disaster
which reached here on that day. Not only
were two workmen killed as was then report
ed, but the injuries received by the company's
agent, Mr.. Addison G. Fay, were so severe
that he survived them but a few hours. The
buildings, which were small wooden struct-
ures, were completely ruined, but the several
other mills close by were not injured. AL
though no certain knowledge can ever be had
of the cause Of the explosion, yet the general
belief 10 that while the powder was being
pressed into cakes ready for the kerneling
mill, Mr.. Fay opened the door and attracted
the attention Of one so that plate was
dropped and spark ignited the powder, caus-
ing the death Of the two workmen, James
| Wentworth and Schneider. Their bodies
were found unmutilatcd but burned and black
ened BY the powder. Mr.. Fay was found in
the water after ten or fifteen minutes search,
wounded about the head, his hair singed, and
to all appearances lifeless. When taken to
the house of the mill superintendent, Mr..
Potter, it was discovered that Mr.. Fay was
breathing, but the efforts to resucitate him
proved fruitless, for he died in less than eight
hours. Two men in the kerneling mill saw
the hash, but jumped into the canal and saved
themselves before their suffered the fate of the
first one. The kind of powder manufactured
t here 10 known as soda powder ard Is used for
= blasting purposes. Being large grained ii
burns slower than the finer; this may furnish
reason why the bodies of the men were moi
9 maneled.
i Wentworth and Schneider were buried from
their former boarding house, yesterday after
noon. Simple, impressive services we're held
e in the presence of great many fellow-work-
: men and acquaintances. The corpse of Went
worth was sent off on the night express train
to Limington, Maine, where he belonged, and
: Schneider's remains will be sent 10 Rondout,
N. Y. ....-
Mr.. Addison G. Fay was one of the first
men in Concord, as to standing in society and
} in business. In the management of town af-
fairs he has been respected for his indepen-
dence Of character. He was born in South
borough, in September, 1918. In his young
er days he was a minister of the Universalist
faith, but left his religious profession for a
secular occupation twenty years ago. He
has been clerk in the treasurer department at
the State house, and also occupied many i'm
portant offices of the town, and at the time OF
his decease was chairman of the board of Sc
lectmen. He was about SO years old, and
leaves three sons besides his wife. Boston
AdreTffser.
The Treasury Department will, in day o.
- two, invite bids for the construction of three
revenue cutters, one on the Pacific and two
on the Atlantic coast. The bids for the
cutters for the Atlantic side will be received
on the 18th and 10Th OF April, and for the one
r on the Pacific on the 3lst of May.
A lady in New Haven has for three months
suffered severe illness and almost total de-
privation of speech, from a bronchial affec-
ton. She has recovered her voice in a singu-
lar manner. While in the attic of her house
she was surprised by the noiseless and unex-
pected approach of one of the family. In her
fright she suddenly cried out, AID since then
her articulation has been very clear and dis
tinct.