Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-05-25
TERRIBLE EXPLOSION
LATER PARTICULARS OF THE
DISASTER.

CINCINNATI, O., May IS. The Times st.
Joseph special Of this date says there are
three persons known TO have been killed py
the ST. Joseph explosion and others missing,
but it is not known who are the victims All
accounts vet received omit the names and are
otherwise vague.
Sr. JOSEPH. NO.. May Is. There were
twenty or thirty men in the coiored sa-
loon last night, at the explosion, ana inos'
of them escaped. The conclusions blew the
walls Of the buildings outward and sesefa,
wbo we're blown out with the walls found
themselves in the debris, from when tnev
we're rescued more or less bruised.
Charles Dunlay, bar tender, weighing $40
mounds. came near making his escape, but
his feet were caught under portions OF the
fallen roof, and he was burned to death, des-
perately struggling to tree himself, and ap-
pealing for help. which could not reach him.
His body was pulled out in charred con-
dirion. but lite was extinct. Billy Williams
was burned TO death. His body was recov-
cred. Several others who were rescued
within the first few mements after the explo-
sion. suppose to be dead, are living, and al
though more or less burned, may recover
This morning one body was taken out OF
the cellar. and probably others will be found
John Hicks and lad II years old are missing
An EXPLOSION Oh ultttH Vi 10"
forth. fluid in a cellar in this city, occurred
last evening. The floor above was occupied
az a saloon. and billiard hall by colored
man. and a number of colored men were
tl,ere at the time. all of whom lost their
lives. The number is estimated from fifteen
TO forty-fiye. Five bodies were recovered,
all burned beyond recognition. 1t Is said
one white woman was in the place at the
time. The building was totally demolished
instantly. The inmates were completely
buried in the debris, which was completely
enveloped by the fame of the burning fluid.
Water was freely used by the fire depart
ment, but it was of no avail. Several thou
excited people surrounded the scene. and
MANY women and children bewailed the loss
of husbands, fathers md friends. The con-
cussion shook buildings several blocks distant.
Just before the explosion took place, Alex.
Northcut, who has employed number OF
men and boys in training for minstrel com
panies, came into the saloon and got match
for the purpose of going down stairs to light
up for rehearsal. The basement was divided,
the front portion being used for storage
purposes for Danforth's fluid, and the other
for rehearsal room, where large crowds of
colored folks had gathered. 1t is presumed
when the match was struck the fluid ignited,
thus causing the explosion.
CHICAGO, ILL.,, May a. a special from
St. Joseph, gives meague particulars OF the
explosion of Danforth's fluid there last night.
There were 50 negroes gambling and drink
ing in the saloon over the cellar in which the
exploded fluid was stored. OF these Bill
Williams, Chas. Dunlap, John Green and
another name unknown, were caught in the
ruins of the building and were either killed
instantly or roasted to death before the
flames of burning building could be subdued
Fifteen others received injuries more of less
serious, and four or five negroes are missing
A carload of fluid was put in the cellar yes
terday and some think the explosion was the
result of spontaneous combustion; others
believe it was incendiary. The house was
a noisy place and was considered a common
nuisance. The loss to property was tritling