Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-04-19
HEAVY LAND SLIDE IN TuLARE COUNTY
Fatal Shooting ARRAY at a Picnic at Bel
mont.
CALIFORNIA,
The Explosion at West Berkeley-Furfhcr
Particulars-Lisf OF fhe Missing Men,

eALIfOkNaA.
The Explosion at West tBerkeIey-Further
Particulars-Lisf OF the Missing Men.
SAN Francisco, April 1Sth.-Y yesterday
and to-day large number of persons visited
the scene of the giant powder explosion at
West Berkeley, which occurred Friday. The
works are located about six miles from Oak
land.
At daylight Saturday morning force of
men In the employ of the company were set
to work to search the land around for frag-
ments Of human bodies. At various points
along the shore were picked up pieces of hu-
man flesh, which were carefully placed in
boxes for delivery to the Coroner. Every
now and then one of the searchers would
bring to the box foot, an ear, a piece of
shrivelled skin, or piece of human bone. At
point about 600 yards from the packing
house site was found piece of the horse
which was attached to the car in front of the
packing-house at the time of the explosion.
Another portion of the animal was found
some 200 yards in opposite direction. Dur
ing the afternoon the tide foated in the trunk
Of white man, from the chin to the waist,
with both arms blown away below the shoul-
ders. 1t is believed that this is part of the
remains of Charles Augustine Fisher, one of
the packers. The mutilated trunk, which
was most repulsive sight to gaze upon, was
removed from the water and carefully placed
in box. On the hillside was found an iron
lever which was used ON the car. This was
twisted like cork-screw.
On the beach, at long distance from the
scene of the disaster, was found a coat, in the
pocket of which was a handbook bearing the
name of Joseph Dupuis, who has $1,000 to
his credit. As the coat was not identified as
the property of any of the men who worked
on the premises, and as no one named Dupuis
was employed there, it is supposed that it be-
longed to a man who visited the works in
search of employment few minutes before
the shock.
An examination made yesterday morning
shows that eleven white men and twelve
Chinese were missing. These were Joseph
Jacob Van Dohlen, shipping clerk Peter
Shaughnessy, Frederick Rodgies, Peter Lam
bert, Alexander Spooner, Julius Holtz, The
odore Deidrichson, G. A. Fisher and Henry
Sholze, packers Lincoln Meek, the boy who
drove the car horse and the twelve China
men, who were employed as porters and
packers. Fisher was a native of Massa-
chusetts, only twenty-five years old. He had
been here but short time, and after vainly
seeking employment, accepted position at
the works, intending to work there only long
able him to return to his home. He intended
to leave at the end of the month.
Frederick Rodgies, German, had been
married but six weeks. He had been en-
gagged for some time, but would not marry
until he obtained a situation. He obtained
position at the works, and Immediately there
after was married
In all, six houses were so completely de-
molished that they will have to be rebuilt
from the foundation up. The quantity of
powder destroyed was above 5000 pounds
1t is estimated that the loss will not exceed
$4,000, which will be total loss, as there
was no insurance on the premises. The force
of the explosion was felt in Oakland, Berke-
ley and in San Pablo, three miles north.
There Were employed in the powder works
between fifty and sixty men and boys, of
which number forty were Chinese. In the
chemical works from twenty to twenty-five
men were employed.
In conversation with your reporter, Frank
r. Roller, the Superintendent, said: cit
was my custom to visit all the houses several
times day. A few minutes, probably not
more than three or four before the explosion
| was in the packing house. | went there at
about FIVE minutes after ) o'clock to see about
an order to be filed for Saturday morning I
went into the magazine iirst, and found Van
Dohlen marking boxes, and gave him some
instructions in relation to the shipment
then went to the packing house and found all
the men at work, some packing, others NOV
ing cans from the house to the car in front of
it, and Regan at work putting the covers
on boxes. He with Chinese helper did that
work. spoke to Regan, who said all would
be ready in time for the shipment. | left
this house to go to the nitro-ely-
cerine house to see that all was pre-
pared for the next days work. / had been in
there but few minutes when [ observed
schooner trying to make the wharf,
and while endeavoring to ascertain what
schooner it was | felt my hat blow off my
head, and then heard the report. The con-
cussion did not throw me Off my feet, but it
bent me over. As soon as l heard the report
| knew what had happened, and went for the
packing house, and set to work extinguishing
fire in some debris near the magazine
Workmen then came from other parts of the
works, and / set them at once to hunt up the.
remains of the dead"
In answer to questions Mr. Roller said
81 think that there must have been about
5000 pounds of powder in the packing house
and on the car at the time. Van Dohens
body WAS not found in the magazine, among
the ruins, and | suppose he must have gone
to see Regan just after | left him. The
powder was packed in 50-pound cases, and
all Vic piCOnuOiOHo POoSip4C NSIS TAKEN
to prevent accidents The powder was
packed on one side of the house and the
boxes covered on the other. The utmost care
was used, and how this accident occurred it is
impossible for me to surmise. The covers
were fastened with screws, which were
driven in part ways by a hammer; no wooden
mallet was used. In all powder factories
hammers and nails are used to secure the
covers of boxes. In the magazine number
of boxes were broken open and the powder
was strewn on the floor. A pile of bricks
had fallen on the powder, but it was not set
off by this
Coroner Hamilton has impaneled a jury,
composed of Frank Gumble, j. C. Smith,
G. A. Schuster, 9. II. Morgan, Sam Wright,
William Walsh, William Tigg and Martin
Benson, and will hold an inquest Tomorrow
night To-day the jurors will view the scene
of the disaster.
The disaster has created a great deal of ex-
citement in Oakland, and strict investiga-
ton has been determined on.
The Severance case-stolen Money and