The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1878-05-09

AWFUL CALAMITY.
ExRL0sION OF MILLS AT MINNIE.
AP0I.IS, S,MINNEsOrA.
Several Lives Lost-Greas Destruc.
ti0n 81 PrOPeFty-Loss Estimat.
cd at over I 100000.
MINNEAPoLIs, May AT Z O'Clock
this evening the city was shaken as by
an earthquake, by q terrific explosion,
which was promptly traced to the
groups of great Touring mills in what
is known as the platform just above
st. Anthony Falls, where the entire
Touring district of the city is concen-
trated. The explosion came from the
great Washburn Mills, frsm which a
column Of flames was seen to shoot up
several hundred feet, followed by a
crash which crushed the immense
structure like an egg-shell. Secondary
explosions instantly destroyed Thomp.
son & Hoyt's and Humboldt Mills. and
the flames Immediately burst out, com.
municating to the Galaxy Mills, those
of Petit, Robinson u Co., Cahill, An
keny & Co., L. Day s. Sons, Day s.
Robins, Buell., Newton & Co., Castor,
Haywood s. Co., the Washburn A. s.
B. Mills, and Lesser structures down
the bank of the river, nearly to the
Minneapolis u St. Louis Railroad
shops. The destruction from the
shock of the explosion extended much
further, glass being wrecked for sew
eral squares and buildings shaken
throughout the city. AT 8 80 the fire
was raging within these limits, and
the firemen were working valiantly to
subdue the flames.
The immediate theory of the explo-
sion is that it took place in gas gener-
ated in the patent middlings purifier
process. The loss Of life is undoubt-
edly large, but full details are lacking
in the confusion that surrounds the
scene. First rumors made the dead
seventy to eighty, but this is not borne
out by inquiry. The explosion took
place at the hour of changing day for
night hands, and many Of both were
in the building. Twen.
ty-two men went on in the Washburn
mill at 6 80, none of whom have been
heard from up to 80. Many others
of the day force must have been in the
Up to nine o'clock the list of the
killed and injured, so far as ascertain-
q Hnl II
Charles Henning, Fred Merrill, Clark
Millburn oilers, William Leslie, Cy.
rus f. Wings; machinists, 0. G. Shil,
Wilter Savage, Patrick Judd, Ed. Mer.
rill; watchmen, Harry Hacks, E. w.
Burbank; one man unknown and
were blown out ofa window and hurt
but not killed. Diamond Mill-John
Bayer, killed David Ward went out
alter pail of water and escaped un.
hurt. Galaxy Mill-Joe Mantt, in the
third story, after the wall was blown
out, jumped down into the canal and
escaped unhurt. Zenith Mill-two
men, Widstrum and Fred George. In
Petit, Robinson & Co.'s mill Dean
Day was thrown out of window and
was injured.
Later investigation confirms the
opinion that the first estimates Of the
loss of life were exaggerated. The
number of dead is now placed at sew
enteen. Many thrilling incidents and
narrow escapes occurred. Daniel Day
was blowned the whole length of Pet
tit & Robinson's Mill, and through the
rear window, and escaped. One poor
fellow, who could not be recognized,
had escaped alive from the explosion,
and was observed crawling through
the darting, hungry flames towards
the track of the Minnesota Il st. Louis
Road, directly in the rear of WASH
burns Mill. He managed to reach
the rail and there evidently became
exhausted and fell back into the rag
ing hell behind, where his agonies in.
stantly ended. 1t now appears that
most Of the day force had gone home
and only the smaller night force re-
maincd. The loss of property is enor-
nous, but the confusion is too great
for an intelligent estimate at present.
A rough calculation places it at ST.
500, 900, of which 81, 100000 will fall
upon the milling interest. The loss
throughout the city, by the breaking
of glass, ETC., is $4,000. Five mills
and a planning mill were destroyed, be-
sides adjoining property, including
81 out OF 1877 runs of stores in the city.
The five planning mills which were
involved in the disaster were q group
which comprises the heaviest concerns
in the state. Chief among them were
the two Washburn mills, the proper
ty of Ex-Governor &. e. Washburn. OF
Wisconsin. The one IN which the ex-
plOsion occurred was the largest but
one in the world. 1t was built in 1870,
included forty-one runs of stone and
was worth 100000.
The Pioneer Press publishes In the
morning the following as the total in
surance stated by the companies rep
resented to the several mills destroy.
ed: Humboldt, Ball, Newton e Co..
$44,5OO; Petit Robinson, SOS, 900
Galaxy Wankeny, $75, 900; Washburn
Mill, "a" $4,000.
ST. PAUL, May 2.-The shock of the
explosion of the Washburn Mill at
Minneapolis was plainly felt here, and
flames were seen, creating intense ex-
element in the various parts of the
city. Pieces of charred roof paper,
small timbers and cinders were pick
ed up, hurled in the air by the explo.
sion and brought here, nine miles dis
sant, by the wind.
THE WORLDS FAIR;
The Paris Exposition was opened
with great pomp and success, accord
ing to programme, on May 1st. Much
enthusiasm prevailed, Vive la France
was a frequent exclamation from the
vast crowd. Many distinguished per-
sons were present, among whom were