Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1883-11-08
TWO DESTRUCTIVE UNDER
GROUND EXPLOSIONS IN
LONDON.
Many Railway Coaches Wrecked and
Forty Persons Severely Injured
The Criminals Unknown-Sus-
picion Pointing but one way.

LONDON, Oct. 31.-At S'clock last
evening terrible explosion occurred
near the Praed street Underground sta
ton of the Metropolitan Railway. On
the first alarm a strong Gordon of Police
was summoned to preserve order, to
keep the way clear and convey wounded
people to the hospitals. The passen-
gers on the train at the scene of the en-
plosion say there was suddenly loud
report, like that of cannon, then a
sudden darkness, the gaslights from the
front to the rear of the train being put
out. Glass was broken and splinters of
wood flew about the ears, cutting and
Woundlng many passengers. Above
the din were heard the shrieks of the
injured and panic-stricken people. All
this occurred in a moment and for a
while confusion reigned supreme.
The train which was crowded, prin-
cipally visitors returning from
the fisheries exhibition. After leaving
the station the train travelled steadily
ahead, although the conclusion smashed
nearly all the lamps in the Praed street
station and caused much damage to the
permanent way. When the train
ICiCIlCh bIlC Sldbloll3 ILuScWdlt
Road, the first effort was made to rescue
the wounded. Some were dreadfully
burned, but more Frustrated by fright
All the doctors, surgeons and dispensa-
ries in the neighborhood were called in
to requisition.
The two rear carriages were damaged
most. They are mere skeletons. The
first impression was that the explosion
of gas was the cause of the disaster, but
later inquiries show malice. Another
theory is that it was caused by foul gas
accommodating in the tunnel. This,
however, is untenable because no pre-
monitOry symptoms were observable.
The general opinion of the railway
officials and experts is that the disaster
was caused by some explosive material
which had been placed in the rearmost
carriage. Meanwhile a searching in
quiry is proceeding. 1t is believed that
about forty persons were injured, some
seriously.
Almost simultaneously with the
Praed street affair violent explosion
occurred on the underground railway
between Charing Cross and Westminis-
ter stations. The windows of the sig
Mailing stations in the tunnel were shat
tered, and at Charing Cross the glass
roof of the stations partly collapsed.
The report is described as being like that
of artillery. The effects were similar to
those at the Praed street explosion.
Carriage lamps, windows. etc., were
smashed. All traffic was suspended for
awhile. Although both explosions are
matters of the greatest mystery they
are generally thought to have been of
Fenian origin.
The shocks of both explosions are de-
scribed by the officials as very similar
to the shock of the explosion at the Lo-
cal Government Board offices in March
last in which DR.. Gallagher was inn
plicated. 1t is stated that four ma
chimes similar to rockets We're found in
the tunnel near the Praed street station.
Altogether six carriages were shattered
by the explosion near Praed street.
Although about forty were admitted to
the hospitals, many more were injured,
but sent directly to their own homes.
The Times states that since the disas-
trous explosion at the Local Govern
ment Board in March last nothing has
occurred to excite public alarm as the
explosions last night. 1t is evident that
the occurrence was not an accident.
The explosives were of most power
full nature. Suspicion points in one di-
rection only. 1t is hoped the authors
will be speedily brought tojustice.