The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-05-08
GENERAL TELEGRAMS.
Terrible Explosion of Gas AT the wash
burne Flour Mills at Minneapolis

seventy Persons Reported Killed.
MrSNEAPOLIs, Mimi, May AT o'clock
this evening the city was shaken as by earth
quake by terrific explosion. which was
promptly traced to the groups OF great
Touring mills in what is known as the plat
form. lust above St. Anthonys Falls, where
the entire Touring district of the city is con-
centrated.
THE EXPLOSION
came from the Great Washburne mill, from
which a column of flame was seen TO shoot
UP several hundred feet, followed by
crash which crushed the immense structure
like an egg shell.
SECONDARY EXPLOSION
instantly destroyed Thompson Hoyt's and
the Humboldt mills, and flames lmmedl-
ately burst out, communicating to the
Galaxy mills, those OF Petit, Robinson
Co. CahiIl. Ankeny e Co.. l.. Day X Sons,
Day q Rollins, Buell., Newton 4 Co,
and Carton, Hayward Co, the
Washburne A and b mills and
lesser structures down the bank OF the
river nearly to the Minneapolis and st. Louis
railroad shops. The destruction from the
shock OF the explosion extended much
farther, glass being wrecked for several
squares, and buildings shaken throughout
the city. At $50 the fire was raging within
these limits and the firemen were working
valiantly TO subdue the flames. The I'M
mediate theory of the explosion Is that 1t
took place in the gas generated in the patent
mid0lings purifier process.
THE LOSS OF LIFE
is undoubtedly great, but full details are
lacking IN the confusion that surrounds the
scene The first rumors made the dead 40 TO
so, but this is not borne out byinquiry. The
explosion took place at the hour for chang
ing the day for the night hands, and many
of both were undoubtedly In
the building. Twenty-Five men went
on in the Washburne mill at
$50, none of whom have been heard from
up TO $50 Many others OF the day force
must have been in the building. Up to
O'Clock the list of killed and injured, so far
as could be sscertained, are as follows:
Big MilI-Gnnders, Chas. Henning, Fred
Merrill. Clark Wilbur; oilers, VIM. Leslie,
Cyrus Ewing: machinists, Ole SHE, Walter
Savage, Patrick Judd, Ed Merrill; watch
men. Harry Hicks, f. w. Burbank, one
unknown. August Smith was blown out OF
the window, but not killed.
Diamond Mill-John Boyer, killed; David
Ward, who had gone out after pail of
water and escaped unhurt.
Galaxy Mill-Joe Manti, In the third story
after the mill was blown out, jumped down
into the canal and escaped unhurt.
Zenith Mill-Two men, Widstrum and
Fred George.
la Pettitt Robinson & Co. IS mill Dean Day
was thrown out of the window and injured
A later investigation confirms the opinion
that the first estimates OF the loss OF lie
were exaggerated. The plumber OF
dead is now placed at Il. There
were many thrilling incidents and narrow
escapes Daniel Day was blown
the whole length of Petit IL Robinson 5
mill and through a window, and escaped.
One poor fellow, who could not be recog-
nized, had escaped alive from the explosion,
4 oh, fha
hungry flames towards the track OF the Min
neapolis and st. Louis road, directly in the
rear OF the Washburn mill. He managed to
reach the rail, and there became exhausted,
and fell back into the raging hell behind,
where his agonies instantly ended. 1t now
appears that most of the day force had gone
home and only the smaller night force re-
NAMED. The loss to property is enormous,
but the confusion is too great for an intelli-
gent estimate at present. a rough cal
culatiOn places it at 100000, of
which 100000 will fall upon
the milling interest The loss throughout
the city by the breaking of glass, etc, is
$4,000 Five mills and planning mill were
destroyed, besides adjoining property, in
Guiding s. Of the 197 runs of stone in the
city.
THE MILLS DESTROYED.
The FIVE Touring mills which were in
VOWED in the disaster form group which
comprises the heaviest concerns in the
state. Chief among them were the two
Washburne mills, the property OF ex Cover
nor C. c. Washburne of Wisconsin, of which
the one IN which the explosion occurred
was the largest Touring mill in the coun try
and the largest but one in the world.
Ii was built in 1870, included Al run of
stone, and was worth $500, 900. 1t is now a
smoking mass of ruins with its
companion on the ''platform."
The destruction complete so lar as the
limits above named and serious within much
wider bounds. The flames are still raging in
the ruins. but are under control and no
further extension is feared. 1t is now hoped
the dead will be confined to the fourteen
mentioned in the Washburn mill.
AT ST. PAUL.
ST. PAUL, Mimi, May 1.-The shock of the
Washburne mill at Minneapolis was plainly
felt here, and the flames were
seen, creating intense excitement
in various parts Of the city.
Pieces OF charcoal, roof paper, small TIM
Ders and clnders were picked up and hurled
in the air by the explosion, and brought
here, nine miles distant, by the
wind. News was received here
by telegraph Immediately, and fire engines
were made ready to send, but the inability
TO secure transportation prevented their
arrival in time TO be of use There were no
trains TO Minneapolis after the news was
received, but hundreds of people went up by
road, the livery stables being emptied in an
hour.
THE INSURANCE.
ST.. PAUL, May 1.-The Pioneer-Press pub
fishes in the morning the following as the
total insurance stated by the companies rep
resented by the several mills destroyed
Humboldt Ball, Newtort q Co., S44 500;
Petit a Robinson, SOS, 900; Galaxy, Weir
keny, 81, 600; Wasburn Mills A $217 900.
The Paris ExpOsitiOn-the Opening
Yesterdays Gala Day-HOw the
American Departments Look.