The New York herald., 1879-08-30
GIANT POWDER.

MAN KILLED BY ITS EXPLOSION IN FAC
TORY Ar BAYcHEsrER, wEsTcHEsrER COUNTY
Baychester. in westchester. was thrown into the
greatest excitement Thursday evening by terri
tle explosion which shook the entire village. Paus-
ing for time to themselves OF their own
safety the people of the place hurried in the drec'
ton from which the shock seemed TO pro
ceed. They found that the canse WAS
an accident in Howe's Giant Powder Fac
tory. This establish like all such factories was
long and low, of the shed pattern. and two hands
working in it at the time OF the disaster lpe
extent of the mischief done could not at hrst be
asceralned because OF the prevailing excitement and
the dread that the concussion might produce still
another explosion in some of the other factories
There was but one, however. and, quiet being re-
stored men bestirred themselves to find outwho was
hurt and to give succor if practicable They had TO
proceed with the caution. because while it was
generally believed that the explosive material was
exhausted by the first blow up. still there was reason
to fear lest among tho debris might yet be hidden
unexploded fragments or grains of giant powder.
which. If struck. would add to the calamity Once
reassured the men went to work with will. and
found that there had been only the two men at
work in the place when it destroyed. They
were Richard Howe. brother of the proprietor. and
assistant. The former was found dead and fear
fully burned. but the latter escaped most mar
vellOusly.
OCCURRED.
The assistant is reported stating that the ex-
plosion caused by the carelessness of the dead
man. who, while mixing the powder in pot. struck
the side with shovel although warned by him
that he would leave the building il he. Howe. did
not desst. The assistant is alleged to have said
that he had only reached the door. just clear
OF 1t, when the explosion took place. He
stunned. 1t is most remarkable that the disas-
not more extensive, when it is remembered
that not two hundred feet away a building for
the storage OF powder awaiting shipment. The
building OF the factory was nearly burned to the
ground.
MIR. Robert Howe was only twenty-one years Of
age. He was the brother Of the proprietor. He
highly esteemed by his fellow townsmen, who
sy mpathize deeply with his bereaved friends
scENE THE CALAMITY.
Baychester is quiet little wayside station in
Westchester county on the line OF the New York,
New Haven and Harlem River Railroad. 1t is about
six miles from Morrsana. and il very pretty little
place. Giant powder and cartridges are manufac-
tured in it to large extent. This is not by any
the first disaster OF the kind which has hap
penod in Baychcster. 1t will be remembered that
about six months ago cartridge factory by
blew mp. when full particulars were given in the
HERALD at the time.
Among the first persons to arrive at the scene of
the disaster yesterday morning Mr.. w. NJ Howe,
brother OF the deceased. OF No. 163 East Eghtieth
street. He at once began investigation into the
cause or the explosion
The also held an investigation in the mat
ter. The entire body Of Richard Howe found
but it in a fearful condition and badly burned
The testimony taken at the inquest all goes to show
that the explosion attributable to the carelessness
of the deceased. The verdict was accidental DEATH