The daily gazette., 1882-07-13
A CHEMISTS SAD FATE
HOW VIM. II. CHADWICK LOST
HIS LIFE AT DUPONT'S.
COVERED WITH BURNING FLUIDS.
An Explosion That Might Have Proved
the Beginning of n Terrible Disaster
Full Details of the Affair.

William II. Chadwick, chemist at
DuPont's powder works, who was SO
seriously burned in his laboratory yesterday
morning, died about o'clock I'm the after
noon, after suffering intensely from his
injuries. He remained conscious until the
last minute, and was able to give an intelli-
gent account of the accident to those who
dressed his wounds and cared for him. He
said he was experimenting with some
benzine and alcohol In glass ret0rt when the
vessel broke or some of the material ran over
into the flame with which he was heating
the fluids. All at once an explosion oc-
ccurred and he found himself covered with
burning fluids and his clothes and hair on
fire. With great presence of mind he closed
his eyes for an instant and started for the
door, after taking one look to get his bear
ings. AS he emerged from the building he
was met by a number of men who heard the
explosion and ran to see what was the mat
ter. They Immediately seized him, exiting
uished his clothing, put him in carriage
and took him home.
DIR. Greenleaf was the first physician to
arrive, and together with DR.. Grimshaw and
others did all in their power to allay the suf-
ferings Of Mr.. Chadwick.
1t was soon evident that he could not live.
He continually asked what it was that so
oppressed his chest, and complained fre-
was brown from the end of his fingers to
his shoulders. His hair was completely
burned off and his breast roasted almost to
a crisp, while 1t was impossible to recognize
his features. His legs, arms and hands were
horribly scorched, but his feet and abdomen
seemed to escape the fire. His eyes were all
right and his voice strong and natural, but
his wife was not permitted to see him until
it was known he could not survive.
sxfk 4. IL. .s.A
evident that they were caused entirely by
the alcohol and benzine and not by powder,
although the unfortunate man stated that
there was pound flask of powder near by
where he was working.
When the explosion occurred his wife,
who was at home in their little house on
the hill, short distance above the works,
heard it and rushed to her mothers resi-
| dence, very near at hand, and said she
was certain her husband had been injured.
DIR. Chandler, who was there at the time,
was urged to go and see what 1t was, but
thinking the woman was only very nervous,
laughingly told her that her husband was
all right. In a short time, however, the
| poor woman had her worst fears realized.
The laboratory in which the explosion oc-
CURED is situated IN a stone building one
story high adjoining the refinery, which is u
large building perhaps so feet high, and
| directly opposite several of the powder mills.
The building is about 800 feet west OF the
south end of the iron bridge across the
| Rrxndywine in what Is ksioNzF - ~
| Yard and Immediately the laboratory was in
flames at the first expl osion, and explosion
after explosion occurred although they were
insignificant in their reports.
Streams of water were at once brought
into use from the fire plugs on the grounds
and the workmen from the tinshop on the
opposite side of the creek did what they
could to subdue the fames 1t was hard
| fight for nearly two hours, but the fire was
confined to the room in which it started and
which was to;ally gutted, everything being
| consumed.
For time It looked as If terrible catas-
| tfophs was imminent, and had the refinery
| building once gotten under way the flames
would have spread to the mills near by, and
the worst explosion ever had on the grounds
| might have been the result. 1t was serious
task and the men worked braycly not know
ing how soon they might be blown into
eternity.
The loss was considerable, although ii
was impossible even to get an estimate this
| morning.
William II. Chadwick was between %
and 30 years of age and had been with
the firm ever since he was a mere lad.
He was an orphan and taken in charge by
the Mes,rs. DUPONT, who took fancy &c
him and educated him to the business, with
which he was thoroughly conyersant
and his place will be difficult tc
fill. When he was married foul
years ago, to daughter of Robert
Leithead, the firm built him a substantial
home in which he has since lived. He wai
universally admired and respected by al
in the neighborhood and his death has cas-
gloom over the entire vicinity. He Leaves
wife and one child, who have the heartfelt
sympathy. of all. The poor woman is al
most frantic with grief