The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-11-01
O'D0NOvAN'S WAR.
Frlghtfui Explosion Under a Train
In a London Tunnel
Nearly Forty Passengers Mere OF
Less Injured, But Nome Fatally
Believed to be the Work
of the DynamIters.

iible explosion occurred near the Praed street
underground station of the Metropolitan rail-
way. On the first alarm strong Gordon OF
police was summoned to preserve order, to
keep the way clear, and to convey the
wounded people to hospitals.
Passengers on the train at the scene of the
explosion say there was suddenly loud re.
port, like a cannon, and then sudden dark
ness, the gas lights from the front to the rear
of the train being put out. Glass was broken
and splinters of wood few about the cars, cut
ting and wounding many passengers. Above
the din were heard the shlfeks of the injured
and panie-stricken people. All this occurred
in a moment, and for while confusion
reigned supreme The train, which was
crowded, contained principally country Wis
itors 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 reached the next station,
on the Edgeware road, the first effort was
made to rescue the wounded. Some were
dreadfully burned, but more were Frustrated
by fright All the doctors, surgeons and dis
pensaries in the neighborhood were called
into aequisitioDss The first impression was
that an explosion of gas caused the disaster,
but later inquiries tend to show malice
Two rear carriages were damaged NEST
They are mere skeletons Another theory is
that the explosion was caused by foul gas ac
cumulating in the tunnel. This, however, is
untenable, because no premoLitory symptoms
were observable. The general opinion of
railway officials and experts is that
the disaster was caused by some ex-
plosive material which had been placed prob
ably in the rearmost carriage. Meanwhile
a searching inquiry is proceeding. 1t is be-
lieved about forty persons We're injured, some
dangerously
Almost simultaneously with the Praed
street affair, a violent explosion occurred in
the underground railway between Charing
Cross and Westminster stations Windows
land signaling stations in the tunnel were
shattered At Oharing Cross the glass ROOT
of the station partially collapsed. The report
is described as being like that of artillery
The effects were similar to those of the Praed
street explosion. Carriage lamps, windows
ETC., were smashed All traffic was suspended
fora while. Although both explosions arr
matters of the greatest mystery, they arr
generally thought to have been of Feniar
origin.
The shocks of both explosions arr
described by officials as very similar to the
shock at the local government board Office In
March last in which DIR. Gallagher was i'm
plicated. It is stated that four machines
t1rr- Ia. Al 4
near the Praed street station. Altogethel
six carriages were shattered by the explosion
near Praed street. Although about forty
persons were admitted to the hospitals, many
more were injured but were sent direc1ly [,
their own homes
The Times says that since the disastrous
events at the local government board, in
March last, nothing has occurred so calcu
lat ID to excite public alarm as The explosions
| 1t is evident the occurrences were not acci
dental. The explosives were of most pow
erful nature. Suspicion points in one direc
| ton only. 1t is hoped the authors will speed
| lily be brought to justice.
All the detectives of the metropolitan polio,
are searching for the perpetrators of the out
RACES, and the railway officers are assistin,
1 OLCLl AUG IOHNC uSht OAlshG ttu1 IOShCl CdEJ
ridges have been found near the scene of tn
explosions. No traces have been discovere,
of the nature of the explosives. It was ascer
tanned that the explosion could not have BEEF
caused bv coal gas. No clew to the person
| causing the explosions has been obtained
Maj Majendie, of the board of trade, is nov
making an examination Of the scene of tn
explosion at Charing Gross station. Train
are running as usual this morning.
| LATER.-Although the worl1men hav
been busily engaged all night removing tn
debris they have not yet finished their tash
nor has the damage been repaired. The tun
mel was not destroyed, but deep hole wa
| excavated in the road-bed. The brick wor
was blown out and the gas pipes and tele
graph lines broken. The refreshmen
saloon was wrecked and the window
of the other rooms of the station wer
smashed. The explosion occurred imme
diately under the passing train, forty yard
west of the station. All the persons injure
were in the last two carriages. Two of ther
were seriously hurt, but they passed favol
able night and were expected to recover
The others will be able to go to their home.
Both explosions occurred about $40 in til
evening.
THE LATEsT.-No explosive matter has "
been found at the Proed street station. tn
inspector from the home office viewed Il
scene of the explosion there, and afterwar
examined the damaged train. He express,
the opinion that cartridges made of the fir
order of explosives, such as gun-cotton, WEI
| used.
| The conductor of the train says that viii
looking out of the car window just after I'll
train left Proed street station he saw SON
sparks nearly underneath the carriage, an
Immediately afterward heard the explosioi
The explosive used at Charing Cross static
is not believed to be dynamite.