The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1883-11-07

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EDIToR HERALD.-!Sn Since the excite
ment occasioned by the explosion Of elev-
Ell hundred and fifty pounds of dynamite at
Brooks Tunnel, about four miles east of
this place on the BALTIC. and Ohio Railroad
on the morning of October 2Sth, has partly
subsided, and fuller and more reliable ac-
count of the fearful disaster can be given,
and in view of the fact that all the former
statements have been conflicting and lncor.
rect, it is no more than justice to the dead
and the living that correct statement be
published.
The building in which the dynamite was
stored was placed there during the summer,
and since the work for the widening and
arching of the tunnel for double-track has
been commenced. The building was con-
structed of pine lumber about an inch
thick, and stood within thirty feet of the
track, with side-track between il and the
main track, and about $50 feet from the
mouth of the tunnel. There was a stove in
the building. in which there was a fire at the
time of the explosion. 1t is claimed by
some that d lot OF black powder, fuse and
caps were stored in the same building and
an apparatus to discharge blasts by electrici-
ty, but how much of this is true, if any, is
not clearly known.
On the fatal morning the gravel train that
laws over here during the night was order
ed to go to Brooks tunnel to load stone
Aftert he train vas in position for the men
to work George W. Reynolds, the engineer
told his fireman, L. L. Neville, to remain
with the engine and shift the train, if re-
uuired. that he had to go aside, from natural
causes after which he thought he would
walk over to the tunnel and ascertain, if he
could. where train No. g. was. The engine
was at the west end of the train and conse-
quently nearest the powder house, and
about $50 yards away. The last that was
seen of Reynolds was from ten TO twelve
minutes after he left the engine and from
one to two minutes before the explosion, in
the vicinity of the powder house. He could
see through the tunnel from where he was
last seen. After Reynolds left the engine J.
B. Donaldson, the conductor. sent his flag
man. Charles Tissue, to flag train No. 81
which would soon be due, and the last that
was seen of him was when Reynolds was
last seen, standing at his post looking to-
wards the tunnel. The other three men that
are known TO have been killed are William
Dean, blacksmith at the tunnel, Fl. X.
Burchfield. blacksmith's helper, and Robert
Hammond, watchman at the tunnel. Just
where these men were at the time of the
explosion is not known.
The shock was the most violent ever ex-
perienced in this country. A brick building |
owned by Mrs. Hoblitzell standing on a
hill over half mile away was badly injur
ed, over sixty window lights. together with
a lot of dishes being broken, and the wall
fractured At the Silbaugh church six
miles distant. some of the window lights
were broken. The shock was felt at Hynd-
man and up among the hills of Maryland |
and West Virginia. for distance of forty
miles:
The wreck was complete A small build
ing that stood near the powder house was
blown to parts unknown. Other buildings,
and some OF the paching at the approach of
the tunnel, and the live timber close by was
crushed into small fragments, the fearful
stuff even digging deep down into mother
earth to find something upon which to
spend its force. Among the debris, scattered
around in wild confusion 7 for quite dis
tance, was found the small Bnd unrecogniza-
Bile pieces of the bodies of the unfortunate
victims. The smell Of the dynamite, min
gled with that OF the torn and partly roasted
flesh of the killed, made the scene as sicken-
picked up among the ruins were divided
inty five parts, according to the best judg-
ment of the finders, and named TO CORES
pond with the names of the dead, the only |
recognizable piece being portion of the
remains of Charles Tissue. All that has
been recovered of the five bodies is not equa
to one. The direct cause OF the explosion
is profound mystery, and will never be
revealed. As usual, number of theories |
have been set up even some of the officials |
of the company have their theory as to the
the cause, but all areali ke unfounded, death |
having set an impenetrable seal upon the
whole. Ii is not at all likely that the dead
are in any way responsible but there is a
responsibility somewhere, and the feeling
here is that it sholld be traced to its source
and fastened upon the guilty party, so that
the public map learn whether it is the willful
neglect or avarice of men that makes human
life cheap.
George w. Reynolds lived in this place
and had wife and two children. He was
well and favorably known on the road, and
a highly respected citizen. On the fatal
morning he told his wife that he was hearti
ly tired of This Sunday work, and that he
which he kissed his children, and left never
10 return.
Charles Tissue also lived in this place, and
had a wife and one child. He was not re-
Gently married. as stated in some papers.
He was yet quite young, being under q
years of age. The other three men were
from other parts of the country, and came
here TO work at the tunnel. Y.
Confluence, November 2, 1883
BARGAISs.-Special bargains in childrens
and ladies Coats, and Dolmans.
MRs. A. +. UHLs.
MARRIED.