Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1880-05-27

then met by terrible spectacle. The
charred and mangled bodies of men
were found lying on the ground, in diff
ferent directions, atleast 100 yards from
the scene of explosion. Another BODY
that of boy, was found on the waters
edge; and after search the remains OF
two other victims were found-one, $50
feet in the water and the other scatter
ed in different directions. Two men
not dead, but blackened and bleeding
were found lying bedind a pile ofboxes.
They were Francis G. Shannon, mem
Der of the firm of David r. Shannon
and Henry Hamlen, aged twenty-three.
Mr. Shannon, who was severely nangled
about the head, although fatally
wounded, walked to Fort McHenry,
where he was put in the hospital, and
his wounds dressed.
After some trouble the dead were
recognized as Herman Bush, forty
nine years old; John Farber, lis son-in-
law, thirty-two years; Robert Steinmetz
twenty three years; John Burk, fourteen
years, and two men who could not be
recognized. Of the latter, one was
blown to atoms. Around the scene of
| the explosion the ground was plowed
up to the depth of five feet. All the
men had their clothes blown entirely
of, and some of them were mangled
by the grape that the shell contained.
Clothes, bits of bodies, shells grapes,
boxes, ETC., were strewn around for a
quarter ola mile, and a portion of one
mans skull was blown into the brick
| l. In, oh
lmbedded in two bricks. David Shan
nCn was telegraphed for. and on arrival
at the store was taken to his brother,
Frances, who lay in the Fort hospital.
A hack was at once sent for and the
wounded man was removed to his resi-
dence. The bodies of the dead were
subsequently sent to their respective
homes. David Shannon stated that
Herman Bush was employed by him to
break up the shells which had been
bought from the fort. They were dis
carded material and had been ordered
by the ordnance department to be sold.
Henry Hamlen, who was seriously
burned about the head and face, and
internally injured. stated that he and
Mr. Shannon had gone down with two
viz o W 4Ob1 Will SlI6lIs. OOtn were
behind pile of boxes, Bush was sit
ting down with shell, holding it on the
anvil, while Farber held hammer up
lifted, ready to strike it. Just then he
(Hamlen) stopped down to pick up
shell, when Farber's hammer descend
ed. A loud report that shook the earth
followed, and he was knocked insensj-
bile. When he recovered his eyes and
face were SO burned that he could not
see. He heard Shannon cry, "Oh! my
God, save mew and then he discovered
he was on fire. Although blinded he
retained his presence of mind, and tore
his burning clothes from off his person
and afterward tainted. Officer Clark
said thaG about half an hour prior to the
accident he went down to the shore and
found Bush sitting at the anvil holding
shell while Farber broke it. He ask
ed him what in the name of God he
was doing, and if he did not know it
was dangerous, but Bush replied that
1t was all right that he had wet the
shell, and the officer left. An officer at
the fort said the shell should have been
we'll soaked in water, 80 that the powder
would have been wet, after which the
fuse should have been drawn out; but
to strike it meant an explosion.