The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1878-05-08
A TERRIBLE DISASTER.
Explosion OF tile Great Washbhrn Mill at
Minneapolis----Sevent Killed and a
Million Dollars Worth of Property De-
SfrOvA6 zaeFht

tire on the canal that extends around 81.
Anthony Falls. and at once the question was
passed from lip to tip, What can it be? In an
instant tho entire city was out Of doors, and
streaming toward the FALLS while it became
known that the great Washburn a." mill
had exploded and was total wreck. The
Washburn mill was. the largest mill on the
American continent, and with the exception
of one in France, the largest and most CON-
plete of any Touring mill in the world. It
contained forty run of stone, and employed
regularly from forty to sixty men. The ex-
plosion took place at the hour wnen the day
force of the mill had just been relieved, and
the night force was just taking their places,
and though wild reports were aHoat, it seems
to be settled that II lives were lost.
Immediately after the explosion the flames
burst forth and ragged with fury, until the fol-
lowing Touring mills were destroyed Petit,
Robinson & Co.; Cahill, Ankeny & Co.; L.
Day & Sons; Day & Rollins; Buell., Newton &
Co.; Diamond mill; Gorton, Hayward & Co.;
Washington a." and Washington "B" mills
THE FEARFUL EXPLOSION.
No description can convey full idea of the
force of the explosion, two OF which were dis
Itinctly heard all over the city. Millers uni
formly attribute the explosion to the flour
dust which was distributed through the atmos-
phere of the closed rooms, and tbs milling
apparatus caught from contact with the flame,
or froms friction. The principal force of the
explosion appears to have been from the
Washburn mill towards the Diamond and
Zenith mills. The second explosion prob
ably occurred in one of these.
The Milwaukee & st. Paul round house in
front of these was half demolished by the con-
cussion, while the railroad shops look as if
they had been bombarded The Centennial
block, on Washington avenue, had all it's
heavy plate windows broken except one store,
which was open. The glass was broken into
fine pieces, as if run through stamp mill.
- PERSONAL EXPERIENCE.
A miller standing near the window of the
old Washburn mill, was startled by the first
explosion, and had one glance, when he saw
the walls of the big mill spreading outward,
roofs falling, and flames flashing up. The
next moment he was on the floor blown half
way across the mill by the conclusion.
IN THE BIG MILL. s. ..... r.
Charles Henry was married man, about
forty years of age, and leaves a wife and one
child. He resided at No. 613 Third street
and leaves his family in rather reduced cir
cumstances. He was member of Hermon
the lodge gave his family $50.
Fred Merrill, single man, aged twenty
eight years, persisted. The Merrill boys came
to Minneapolis some time since and wished
to locate here permanently, Therefore his
parents were sent for and arrived in the city
and commenced housekeeping about two
weeks ago.
Ed. Merrill, brother of Fred, also persisted.
He was a single man aged twenty years old.
Clark WILDER was a married man, aged
forty-fve years, and has wife and two girls
living in Vermont.
August Smith, aged forty-fve years, leaves
wife and one child to mourn his loss. He
resided at 313 Eighth avenue south. Family
in moderate circumstances. s- -,
E. 81. Grundman, millwright. about fifty
years of age, persisted. He resided at 1911
Hermon place, and leaves wife and eleven
children to mourn his loss. His family were
well provided for.
William Leslie, twenty; eight years old,
leaves wife and one child. He resided on
Seventh street and Cedar avenue. He was a
member of the Ancient Order of United
Worl1men and the Knights of Pythias. Thus
his familylwill. belprovided for by these orders.
Cyrus E. Wing was single man thirty-four
years old.
Ole Shei was married man, residing at
south end of Washington avenue. His family
are in moderate circumstances, but dep pended
upon him for support. ..x...>... s.,.......
Walter Savage, married man, twenty three
years old, leaves a wife and one child. He
resided at No. 1878 South Third street, and
leaves his family nearly destitute. ......
Charles Kimball single man aged twenty
years. was new arrival in the city, and had
been working out a short time.
Henry Hicks was a married man aged forty
years. He was not living with his wife, and
it is understood was about applying for a
divorce.
E. NJ. Burbank was the oldest man in the
mill, being past sixty. He leaves wife and
two daughters.
THE OTHER MILLS. ...as...
Those in other mills were John Il. Ros'
sienus, of the Zenith mill, who was a marie
man. Was about twenty-six years old. \
wife and ten months old child are left in not
the most desirable circumstances.
Diamond mill. was married man, about
twenty-five years old. Has been here but q
short time. --1.- IL 10.
Peter Holbey, burned in the Humboldt ruins
was married. leaves wife and one child, anG
was about twenty five years old. Family moi
| in best of circumstances. ....-.-
Peter Lund, who was first reported as hav
ing pe1ishcd in the Humboldt mill, escaped
| unframed. A few moments before the explo
| sion occurred he was engaged in banterins
! conversation with Peter Holbcrg, who per
ished, as to who should go out for pail O
water. Lund, fortunately for himself, con
Guided to 90, and was scarcely outside of thu
| Hill UClOlC CllC OCCullCu. 4AC dSoCI u
| that the explosion occurred in the big mill
and that Humboldt and Diamond mills were
blown down by the conclusion.
Jake Rhodes, who lives Just below the mills
left his home few minutes before the explo
sion, and said he was going to fire. He wen
| toward the mills, and has not since been seen
! -. STORY OF A SURVIVOR.
One survivor was met, Joseph Monti, Jr;
the Waterman of the Galaxy mill, who wa
discovered by the reporter in all the pleni
tude Of health. He said he was in the base
ment of the bill, one story below the canal
engaged in putting in an alarm bell npon tn,
shafting. The concussion lifted him full 81,
feet, when he fell and was stunned for fiv
minutes He was in dazed condition whel
he recovered from the shock, and only hear,
one explosion they must have occurred Will
he was stunned. When he realized his posi-
ton, he found the water from the canal pour
ing in, and naturally thought the thud q
the explosion was merely the result of tn
breaking in of the canal. He rushed to
window up stairs, and looked for a place
4 Jump. When there he saw John G. Rosien
us, of the Zenith MILL looking out of the wir
, dow. Monti called out to him, Are you &C
; ing to jump" but Rosienius either did nc
understand or did not hear, and that was las
. seen of him alive. Monti took in the situs
, ton, saw the elevator in one tremendou
!. s.eet of anne, and was momentarily paraly!
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