The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1878-05-08
OLIVE 1IARPET
Terrific Explosion

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this evening the city was shaken as
by an earthquake by q terrific explo-
sion, which was traced TO the groups
of great Touring mills in what is
known as the Platform" just above
ST. Anihony's Falls, where the en-
tire Touring district of the city is
concentrated. The explosion came
from the great Washburn mill, from
which a colnmn of fame was scene
to spout up several hundred feet, fol-
lowed by q crash which crushed the
immense structure like an egg shell.
Secondary explosions instantly de-
stroyed Tbompsons and Hovt and
Humboldt mills, and flames immedi-
ately burst out, communicating 10
Galaxy Mills aud those of Petit,
Robinson & Co., Cahill, Ankeny &
Co, l.. Day & Sons, Day 4 Rolls,
Buell., Newton & Co., Gorton, Hay
ward & Co. The Washburn A. 4.
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
further, glass being wrecked for sew
eral squares, and buildings shaken
throughout the city.
At $50 the fire was raging within
these limits, and iremen working
v~aliantly to subdue the flames. The
immediate theory of the explosion is
that it took place in the gas general
ed in the Patent Middlings Purifier
process. The loss of life is undoubt.
edly great, but full details are lacking
10 the confusion that surround 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 undoubtedly in the build
ing.
Up to . O'Clock the list of killed
and injured, so far as ascertained,
are as follows: Big Mills, grinders,
Charles Henning, Fred. Merrill,
Clark Wilbur; oilers, VIM. Leslie,
Chris. Ewing machinists, 0. c..
SHE, Walter Savage, Patrick Judd,
Ed. Merrill Waterman, Harry Hicks,
L. W. Burbank and one unknown
were killed.
August Smith was blown out of
the window, hurt, but not killed.
Diamond Mill, John Boyer, killed
Galaxy Mill, Joe Mantle, in the third
story, after the wall was blown out
Jumped down into the canal aud es-
capped unhurt Zenith Mill, two men
named Widstrum and Fred. George
were killed. 10 Petit, Robinson &
Co.'S mill Dean Day was thrown out
of the window and 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
seventeen. Many thrilling incidents
and narrow escapes. Daniel Day
was blown the whole length of Petit
& 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 Min
neapolis and St. Louis Road directly
10 the zeal Of the Wasbburn Mill
He managed to reach the rail, and
there, evidently became exhausted
and fell back into the raging hell be-
hind, where his agonies instantly
ended.
Itnow appears most Of the day
force bad gone home, and only the
smaller night force remained. The loss
to property, is enormous, but the confu-
sion is too great for intelligent estimate
at present. Rough calculation places it
at 81, 800, 600, of which $1,000, 900
will fall on the milling interest. The
loss throughout the city by breaking
of glass, etc, is $4,000. Five mills
and a planning mill were destroyed,
besides adjoining property, including
81 out of the 1917 runs of stone in the
city.
LATER /