The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-09-25
minutes to three, which was followed
precisely at nine minutes to three by
The Explosion.

minutes TO three, Wnlcn WAS ioilo"eu
precisely at nine minutes to three by
The Explosion.
In straight and seemingly narrow
line running north and south for about
three hundred yards the water whiten-
ed and rose evenly three or four feet and
dull thud was heard. The rocks
trembled beneath the feet of the multi
tuae as if from two short pulsations OF
earthquake. The water appeared 10
remain stationary for an instant, broke
and spurted in irregular dark
yellowish masses about twelve feet
high, mixed with smoke from
the dynamite. Then it fell back
and in q moment the river assumed its
usual peaceful aspect.
Great Excitement and Enthusiasm.
Then.there arose mighty cheer from
all the northeast side of the city, and
from the steamers and boats, and steam
whistles were blown and the bells were
rung joyously, and all was over. The
report was scarcely noticeable, and not so
much as ripple was caused upon the
water save just over the spot where the
explosion occurred. There was no con-
cussIon in the air, and not pane OF
glass was broken in the city or on Wards
Island.
Immediately After the Explosion
hundreds of row-boats set out at their
best speed tor He'll Gate, each anxious
to have the honor of first passing the
scene of the explosion.
That the work was effectuslly done is
the general feeling and this also appears
from the fact that the police bsat passed
over the spot safely. Wards Island was
considered favorable place to view the
explosion and the applications to go
there by the police boat Seneca and the
boat OF the Commissioners of Emigra-
ton were
Very Numerous,
but the invitations issued were limited
to a select party, of whom were Mayor
Wickham, General Arthur, Collector of
the Port, Alderman Lewis, Hess and
Morris, Smith Lane, ex-Speaker Hitch
man, Police Commissioners Smith,
Wheeler and Nichols, Emigration Com
missioner Forest, Education Commis
sion Dowd and large number of city
officials and politicians. Probably the
finest view of the whole explosion was
from Hoyt's place, some 700 yards east
Of Halett's Point. The ground is high,
and He'll Gate didn't appear more than
200 yards away. 1t was from this point
that General Newton and the telegraph
operators sent the
Electric Fluid Rushing Into the
Mines.
Suddenly cloud OF water turned into
white spray, and shot up just off Hallets
Point. This was followed by a cloud of
black smoke, rocks and lumber and at
the same moment u heavy shock ran
through the ground and gave one the
impression of being lifted about two
inches. The sound OF the explosion was
not loud, but low, rumbling and deep. A
cloud Of yellow smoke followed the rocks,
and in ten seconds the water had
become again level, no traces be-
ing left but large yellow
space caused by mud and other sub.
stances thrown up. Al the works it was
rounded the shaft, was entirely gone. A
small house which stood close by the
shaft was thrown a distance of ten feet,
but all the other buildings were just as
before the explosion. The affair was a
complete success. and the
whole Reef was Blown Up.
The tide has been materially changed by
the explosion, and now the current sets
directly on Big and Little Mill Rocks.
They will have to be exploded next.
William +. Dodge having addressed
n long letter TO General Newton on
his unnecessary desecration of the Sab
bath and Intimating that he was max
ing public show of the explosion, Gen.
Newton forwarded the following reply:
More About the Dissertation Howl.
HALLETT's POINT, Sept. 23rd.
To Mr.. VIM. +. Dodge:
SIR:-I received a communication
from you dated September 22d, in which
you decline an alleged invitation from
me to witness the explosion at He'll Gate,
on Sunday, the oath inst. As you take
great deal of pains to go out Of your
way to violate the common courtesies of
social Intercourse, take this occasion to
inform you that | did not invite, nor even
know OF your invitation until the receipt
of your refusal TO accept one. The
truth is, | left the matter of invitation to
the Chamber of Commerce and to Lieut..
Willard, United States engineer, with
instructions to invite n certain number
of gentlemen. | regret TO find that in
one case he has made mistake.
Your obedient servant,
[Signedl JoHN NEWTON,
Lt.-Col. Engrs. x Bvt. Msi. Cen.