Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-07-25
TERRIFIC EXPLOSION.
Two Mexicans and Four Mules
Killed Accidentally, on
the Pecos River,
BY the Explosion of FOur Thou
sand seven Hundred
Pounds of Powder.
San Antonio Express, q.

Mr.. Henry Collman, of this city, re-
ceived the following dispatch from
Del Rio yesterday morning:
DEL Rio, July 20.-Henry Goldman;
See nv sister, Teresa Cuellsrs, and
break the news to her gently that |
will be in San Antonio this evening,
with the dead body of Antonio Men
chacs. who came to his death by an
accident. Please be at the depot
with a hearse JESUS CUELLAR.
The remains arrived last evening
about $50 o'clock, by the Sunset
road. =.
We called last night at the resi-
deuce of the unfortunate man, and
learned the following particulars OF
his sad death from Officer Jacobe
Coy:
Jesus Cuellar, the uncle Of Antonio
Menchsca, was engaged with his four
teams in removing a supply store from
Seminole Cave to the Peeos river, a
distance of ten miles. Two of the
wagons we're loaded with powder,
oue-hundred and eighty twenty five
pound kegs in each wagon, the other
wagons being loaded with provisions,
dry goods, etc.
Az the Pecos river the bluffs are
very steep, the wagon passage being
very narrow on both sides OF the river.
While two Of the wagons, one contain.
ina powder, were going down the bluff,
a wagon driven by an American was
seen coming from the opposite direc-
ton. 1t was impossible to pass each
other, SO all hands we're called down
to assist in getting the American s
wagon back far enough to give the
other wagons room enough to pass.
When this task was accomplished
Antonio Menchaca was told to unlock
the wheels of the first wagon. He
struck the chain with a rock when
the terrible explosion occurred, which
resulted in the death of Antonio
Menchaca, Clato Nunes and four
mules. 1t is supposed that one Of
tie powder kegs was 10 a leaky eOpdi-
finn, and that some of the powder was
falling upon the wheel. This being
granted, of course when the iron
chain was struck with a rock, the sad
accident resulted.
Clato Nunes was blown four hun
dred feet from the spot and lived
twenty four hours after, dying in great
agony. Antonio was found on the
same spot where he stood before the
catastrophe. but with his clothes. skin
aud hair blown entirely of his body.
He was a CHASTITY sight to behold, per-
fsctly blind. He only lived two and
a half hours. The force Of the explo-
sion went down and up, tearing q vast
hole in the solid rock, that has the
appearance of a email sized earth
quake. Two Of the mules we're killed
outright; the other two were aftersard
shot to relieve them OF their suffering
The wagon vas blown to atoms and
scattered to the four winds of heaven
The other three wagons we're about
Fifty yards behind. aud consequently
we're not damaged.
The explosion took place about IL
o'clock noon last Tuesday.
The body Of Antonio arrived here
last evening, on the Sunset, accom-
panied by the uncle, Jesus Cuellar.
The mother and two sisters are heart
broken with grief and almost distract
ed. AntOuoj is said, by those who knew
him. to have been one Of the most ex
emplary young hexicans ever raised 10
this city, we'll thought Of and respected
by all.
The funeral will take place at booE
to-day, from the San Fernando Cathe.
dral.