Morris tribune., 1883-10-27
FRIGHTFUL DETAILS.
Particulars of the Explosion at Kings
ton, Pennsylvania.
Shocking Disaster Which Has Put a
Whole Town i'm Mourning
Graphic Description OF
the Terrible Scene.

~-~~-
| town Of Kingston, two miles from here, wa
the scene of a terrible explosion, by whic
| eight young persons were terribly burned
Three have already died. The explosion too
placs at the Excelsior squib factory, whic
was completely wrecked. The factor
was situated in the western part o
the borough, and consisted of on
frame building about forty by thirty feet
About 2 o'clock the neighbors wer
startled by three loud reports in rapid sue
cession, which made the ground tremble anC
broke every window within circuit of 30t
yards The terrified women living in adja
cent houses rushed from their shaking tene
ments, dragging their children after them
The force of the explosion tore Off the roof
of the building, and blew out one side, while
the flames and smoke were issuing from every
portion of the wrecked structure.
Through the binding smoke the blazing
forms of the unfortunate victims were seen
to stagger, shrieking wieldly in their agony.
A small creek runs within ten yards of the
factory, and two girls We're seen to rush down
the bank and endeavor to extinguish their
clothing by plunging into the stream. They
were Hattie Norris and Lizzie Edwards, both
about 10 years old. They were terribly
burned, there being scarcely q portion of their
bodies not charred almost to crisp. Hattie
Norris died within an hour, and Lizzie
Edwards cannot live till morning. One boy,
John Evans about IS years old, was found
on the other side of the creek, where it is sup
posed he had been blown by the explosion
He died after removal to his home Matte
James, aged 20, the forewornan, was found a
blazing heap in a field twenty yards from the
factory. Her clothing was burned from her
bodyl and she was charred almost beyond
recognition. She was removed to her home,
but died about 4:30
James Steele and Albert James, two lads
about Is years old, were found near the build
ing half buried in the blazing ruins. They
were both fearfully burned, but James Steele
will probably recover, having no serious in
JuIIes except upon his legs and feet. Albert
James, a brother of Matte James, was burned
principally about the head and chest. and can
not survive. Mary Moss, aged Is, ran toward
the creek, but fell before she reached
1t. When picked up her clothing was blaz-
ing. She is terribly burned about the head
and body, and will probably die before morn
ing. Lizzie Quinn, aged 16, dragged herself,
all blazing, to a neighbor's fence She was
helped over and the flames soon extinguished,
but her injuries are very severe, and there is
lite hopes of her recovery
The names of the killed and injured are as
follows: Killed-Mattie James, body burned
% complete crisp and filled with powder;
Hattie Morris, flesh scarifed into mass of
cinder; John Evans, burned to a crisp. In
ured-Lizzis Edwards seriously burned, but
nay live; James Steele, terribly burned and
lR1th fbnICrbf tn ha
erribly burned but may recover: Mary
Ioss, feet burned, she was blown into a
;reek; will recover; Lizzie Quinn, burned to
crisp and will die
In the confusion of the moment it was re-
,orted that three or four more were within
he blazing building and scene of terrible
excitement ensued. chain was formed to
he creek, and pals of water were passed from
land to hand and their contents flung upon
he flames. Others sought to tear down the
'uiiding with poles and ladders, while many
# the women who had gathered round
ne spot tainted with the heat
nd excitement, and were carried off
y their friends. 1t was finally discovered
hat all the inmates had been rescued, and the
seless effort to Quench the flames was aban-
oned
All the injured persons resided iii the imme-
late vicinity, and were well known by nearly
verybody in Kingston. They are all of re-
pectable families, and the two young women
whose deaths are announced were daughters
f well-to-do parents.
How the explosion was caused cannot be ex-
city ascertained, but it is thought that a spark
ew out OF the store into some loose powder.
he squibs are made of powder and straw,
nd are used by the miners as slow matches |
] firing their blasts It is claimed by the |
wner OF the factory that there not was more |
han twenty pounds of powder in the build |
lg, but the terrible force of the explosion |
GEMS to indicate far more The factory had |
cen only working for about five months, |
1e process of manufacturing being one
eVvly invented by Mr.. Smith the proprietor. |
was by the purest accident that work was
arried on in that building. A larger one is
eiDg built, and had it not been for the sick
ess of man who was completing the in
'rnal fittings the factory would have been
,moyed two days ago.
LATER. more victims of the ex-
losion at the squib factory in Kingston,
[ary Quinn and Hattie Moss, are dead, |
ying in terrible agony. Lizzie Edwards
nd James Steel are praying for death to
'lieve them of fearful suffering.