The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1882-02-24
HORRIBLE AFFAIR,
A Fireworks Factory ExpIOdes at
Chester. Pa, killing Sixteen and
WOunding Seventy Persons.

a GReWOEhS Factory EXpAOdeS AT
Chester. Pa, killing Sixteen and
WOunding Seventy Persons.
CHESTER, Pa, Feb. II.
This is the blacklist day in the history of our
fair city. Death in its most frightful shape
has laid low nearly score of our people, and
many more have been wounded. The entire
city is in mourning. Following close upon the
destruction of the military academy-a severe
loss of itself to our communicating
az alarm of fire from Jacksons fire.
works and magazine. This was in the old
Porter mansion, on Second street and the river
front. Prof. Jackson had occupied it for the
past five or six years. He employed eight or
ten hands, and was running the place to its
fullest capacity In order to supply his large
trade. At 1880 the alarm of fire was sounded.
In five minutes after the alarm, the fire depart
ment was throwing water on the building.
A terrific explosion shook the city, The
noise reverberated throughout the country as
far as the Jersey shore. mass of flame shot
high into the air, and the fragments Of the
building were hurled about. A quantity Of
guhpoWdef had exploded It was then felt
that the danger was over and the fremen ap-
preached the flames until within reaching dis
lance without apprehension. A large crowd of
citizens gathered. At the time when the citi-
Zeps were sure that tolerable control had been
secured and the danger was passed. another
explosion more fearful than the first gave a
terrific shock to the earth.
The scene was horrible and SO awful that it
is impossible to describe it. The crowd of
fremen were scattered in all directions
many of them with their bodies mang!ed
beyond recognition. Some were so badly
torn that it was impossible to tell what part
of the body the shreds of flesh were torn
from. On the spectators the effect was scarcely
less disastrous. Many of them were killed,
many were wounded. Those who were not
rushed through the city spreading the news.
Almost instantly thousands of people, stricken
with terror, poured from adjoining streets to
the scene of the disaster. The news was
quickly spread to the country, and hundreds of
people came from there. The cries of women
and children. who had lost husbands and faith
ers in the calamity and the wild inquiries of
others, added to the terrible effect of the
masses of bloody corpses and wounded. All
the physicians in the city and the priests and
pastors were on the spot in q short time 10
dispose of the dead and to assist the wounded.
The nearest house was about hundred Yards
away. Many of the sufferers were taken there,
and every other house in the vicinity was
thrown open, and kindly hands ministered to
the relief of the victims. Wagons were hastily
trauslOIulou lutO dlnUulduC66, anu everything
that could be done was done to mitigate the
horror In little time a rumor got abroad
that the now rapidly-spreading flames were APP
preaching another large quantity of dynamite,
and rush was made from the vicinity.
After the explosion the ground was covered
with victims, some killed. some seriously
wounded and some badly hurt Dead bodies
of men lay cooled on the ground While others
labored in the agonies OF death. A number.
writhing i'll their blood, moaned and groaned
piteously for help. Many lay insensfble
of their surroundings, and others,
bruised and bleeding, gioped their way from the
scene of the terrible accident. The scene beg
gars description. People prayed IN the open
palllpg. The fire was abandoned and every
body IN condition to do so turned attention to
alternating the distress. Houses in the vicinity
of the explosion were converted into hospitals
and the wounded removed thereto.