Hand County press. (Miller, Dakota [S.D.]) 1882-1893, 1882-02-22
FRfGHTFUL EXPLOSION.
Sfrteea People Killed and q Large Namoer
Ho"nded by the Espiosfoa Of Fireror,s'
Factory at Chester, Pa.

Ho"nded by the Espiosfoa Of Firc,corks
Factory at Chester, Pa.
CHEsrFR 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 scorsof our people, and
many more have been wounded. The entire
city is in mourning. Following close upon the
destruction Of the military scadeny--a severe
loss of itself to our community came
an alarm of fire from Jackson's fire.
works and magazine. This was In the old
Porter mansion. on Second strset and the river
front. Prof. Jackson had occupied il for the
pasl five or Six yearh He euployed eight or
| ten hands, and was running the place TO its
fullest capacity in order sxupply his large
trade, AZ 7S3Q the alaI.n = : Ne was sounded.
In i've minutes after the ais{.f 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 fame shot
high into the air, and the fragments Of tho
bu lding were hurled about. A quantity OF
gunpowder had exploded. II was then felt
that the danger was over, and the firemen ap-
| preached the flames until within reaching dis
| tsnce without apprehension. large crowd Of
citizens gathered. At the time when the citi-
Zers 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 70 awful that il
is impossible to describe it. The crowd Of
frenen were scattered In all directions,
many of them with their bodies mangled
beyond recognition. Some were so badly
torn that it was impossible to tell what part
of tho body the s6rcds 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 fccne 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 shor: time TO
dispose Of the dead aud to assist the wounded.
The nearest house was about hundred wards
away. Many Of the sufferers were taken there,
and every other house in the vicinity was
thrown open, and kindly hands ministerod to
the relief OF the victims. Wagons were hastily
transformed into ambulances, snd everything
that could be done was done 10 mitigate the
horror. In a little time a rumor got abroad
that the now rapidly-spresding flames were ap-
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 nell lay coiled on the ground while others
lsbored in tie agoni,s OF death. number,
wrlthing IN their blood, moaned and groancd
piteousiy for help Many lay insensiblc
OF their surroundings, aud others,
bruised and bleeding. 81 oped Their way from the
scene of the terrible accident. The scene beg
gars description. Poole prayed IN the open
streets, and the shIi, ks of the dying were ap-
pgllIg. The fire was abandoned. and every
body IN condition to do so turned attention to
alleylsting the distress. fiouses IN the vicinity
OF the explosion were converted into hospitals
and the wounded removed thereto