Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1878-05-09
MINNEAPOLIS HOLOCAUStT,
Burning of the Great FIGURING Mills of
WaShburn & Co.

A Minneapolis dispatch of the eve
ming of May 2nd, says that at seven
o'clock this evening the city was shaken
as by an earthquake by a terrific ex-
plosiOn which was promptly traced to
the group of great FIGURING mills in
what is known as the " Platform" just
above st. Anthony's Falls, where the
entire Touring interest of the city is
concentrated. The explosion came
from the great Washburn mill, from
which a column of fame was seen to
shoot up several hundred feet. followed
by crash which crushed the immense
structure like an egg shell. A second
ary explosion instantly destroyed the
Thompson & Hoyt and Humboldt mills,
and the flames Immediately burst out,
communicating to the Galaxy mills,
those of Petit, Robinson & Co., Cahill
Ankeny & Co., Day & Sons, Day &
Rollins, Buell., Newton & Co., Ger
ton, Hayward & Co., the Washburn
A and B mills, and lesser struc-
lures 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 further, 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 vaiantly to sub
due the flames. The immediate theory
of the explosion is that it took place in
the gas generated in the patent mid
dlings purifier process. The loss of life
is undoubtedly great, but full details are
lacking in the confusion that surrounds
the scene. First rumors made the
dead serenity to eighty. but this is not
took place at the hour of changing day
for night hands, and many of both were
undoubtedly in the building. Twenty
two men went on in the Washburn mill
at $50, none of whom have been heard
from up to S:30.. Many others. of the
day force, must have been in the build
ings. "a tB tbE@E A<tA Ee.-a
Up to O'Clock, the list of killed and
injured, SO far as ascertained, are as
follows: Big mill grinders, Charles
Henning, Frederick Merrill and
Clark Wilbur; oilers. William Leslie,
Cyrus Ewing; machinists-Ole SHE,
Walter Savage, Patrick Judd, Ed Mer-
rill; watchmen-Harry Hicks. E. w.
Burbank; one unknown. Aug. Smith
was blown out the window, hurt but
not killed. At the Diamond mill John
Bayer was killed. David Ward had
gone out after pail of water and es-
capped unhurt. At the Galaxy mill Joe
Mantle, in the third story, after the wall
was blown out jumped down into the
canal and escaped unhurt. AT the
Zenith mill two men were killed-Wid-
strum and Fred George In Petit,
Robinson & Co. s mill, Dean Day was
thrown out of the window and injured.
Investigation confirms the opinion
that the first estimates of loss of life
were exaggerated. The number of
dead is now placed at seventeen. There
were many thrilling incidents and mar
row escapes. Daniel Day was blown
the whole length of the Pettel & Robin
son mill and through the rear window
and escaped. One poor fellow, who
| could not be recognized, had escaped
alive from the explosion, and was OBJ
served crawling through the darting
hungry flames towards the track of the
Minneapolis and st. Louis railroad,
directly in the rear of the Washburn
mill. He managed to reach the rail
and there evidently became exhausted
and fell back into the raging he'll be-
hind where his agonies instantly ended.
1t now appears that most of the day
force had gone home and only the
smaller night force remained The loss
to property is enormous, but the con-
fusion Is too great for intelligent esti-
mates. At present rough calculation
places it at 81 100000 of which 81 ,000,-
900 will fall on the milling interest
The loss throughout the city, by the
breaking of glass, etc., is 100000
| Five Touring mills and planning mill