Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-08-12
THE IRON VALLEY EXPLO-
SION.
Additional Particulars.

Additional Particulars.
The river editor OF the Steubenville
Gazette was an eyewitness OF the explo-
sion Of the Iron Valley on Saturday
evening. He was sitting at his resi-
dence, within a quarter OF mile OF the
accident, and distinctly felt the shock
which shook the windows of the house.
The following extract is from his report:
Mr.. Wallace Wise, OF Wheeling, the
pilot who was on watch at the time, is
supposed to be
BLOWN To ATOMS,
as all search for his remains has proven
unavailing. We understand the de-
ceased leaves a wife and five children,
who are in destitute circumstances, to
mourn his tragic death.
Thomas Prince, eldest son OF the Cap
tain, who was acting in the capacity OF
clerk for his father, is also missing, and
all efforts for the recovery OF his body
have been unsuccessful. 1t is stated
that young Prince was a boy OF excel
lent habits and his loss is deeply felt by
his parents. The above are the only
ones belonging to the boat who lost
their lives, the balance OF the crew
miraculously escaping comparatively I'M
injured. Probably as sad, If not the
saddest death OF the three which were
caused by this terrible catastrophe, was
that of young man by the name of
Campbell ProssOr, who resided with his
sister at New Cumberland. Mr.. Pros
sor went out to the boat in a skif for the
purpose of pavirga tow bill which he
owed Captain Prince. 1t seems that he
and Young Prince went into the office,
where ne paid the bill, got his receipt
and was returning through the cabin OF
the boat when the boilers let 90. When
discovered, his body was lying on one
of the barges with his limbs hanging
down over the side near the water He
was Immediately taken charge OF and
placed in as comfortable position as
possible, and medical aid called, but
there was no hope of saving his life, and
he died in few minutes after being found.
Hewas
FEARFULLY INITIATED
about the head and limbs by flying
,imbers, &C., and it is supposed that he
was forced through the side bulk head,
as one arm and one leg were each
broken in two places, and was terribly
bruised about the head and shoulders,
but singular enough didn't show the
least appearance OF being scalded. The
probable cause of his death was
most likely brought about by several
large spinters which entered his head
and tare at different places. One en-
tered near the left eye, passing up dag
onalv through his brain, causing the
skull to protrude on the opposite side
Another, but not so large as the first
described, entered his face under the
cheek or major bone, but did not extend
so far up as the brain. II required the
united effort of two powerful men to
extract these slivers, which will give
some idea how deeply they penetrated.
The violent and untimely death OF Mr.
Prosser is a peculiarly sad one, as he
was the only support of an invalid sis
ter, who was almost distracted with
grief when informed that her brother
was no more.
HER WILD PIERCING SlIRIEKS
and mournful lamentation over his
bruised and mutilated dead body, were
heart rending in the extreme, and will
not soon be forgotten by the writer and
others who were present His funeral
will take place from his late residence
this afternoon. The sad disaster has
cast a deep gloom over the entire com
munity where itOCCurred. The Coroner,
Mr.. John Campbell, empanneled jury
To investigate the matter, but were still
i'm session when the writer left for the
city.
The reason given that so many OF the
crew escaped with their lives is that all
of those who were not engaged when
the explosion occurred were out on the
forward end OF the barges. Had 1t taken
place half an hour sooner, when all were
at supper in the cabin, the loss OF life
would have been much greater. The
report ofthe explosion was heard three
or four miles back in the country, and
hundreds ofpeople tlOCked in from that
distance Yesterday to view the wreck.
The shores are strewn with portions OF
the cabin and the pilot house for quite a
distance below where the boat lies, the
pilot wheel being picked up ut Black
Horse landing, fully a mile below. Those
who witnessed the terrible catastrophe
state that the sight OF the
DEBRIS FLYING THROUGH THE AIR
i'm all directions was most appalling.
The Imagination pictured human bodies
sailing through space with the velocity
of cannon balls; especially dld the bed
ding, pillows, &c, deceive them in this
direction.
The wreck will probably be taken out
of the way soon, as it lies square in the
channel, but passing boats have plenty
of room on either side OF it. Several
boats, in passing yesterday, lowered
their flags at half-masts out OF respect
for the dead. OF course speculation Is
rife as to the cause of the explosion, but
no correct theory has been developed.
We suppose it is the old, old story
of lack OF water in the boilers.