The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-04-30
DYNAMITE'S DEADLY FORCE.
Ellettsville, Monroe County, the Scene
of a Disastrous Explosion.
One Man Instantly Killed, and Four More
Fatally ibiured-Eight Others Slight
ly WOunded-0ther Casualties.
A FRIGHTrUL ACCIDENT.
Explosion of Dynamite-Thirteen Persons
Killed and Wounded.

Explosion of Dynamite-Thirteen Persons
Killed and Wounded.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
ELLETTsvILLE, Ind, April 29-The most
horrible accident that ever occurred in this part
of the State took place this morning, one-half
mile north Of this place, at the extensive stone
. works of Matthews Bros At o'clock A. NJ.
the house on the hill west of the MILL occupied
by Fred Common, was discovered to be on fire,
and numerous persons about the works, and
some from town, rushed to the fire. which
had gained such headway that it could not be
stopped A number of persons turned their at
tention to pulling down the smoke house. Only
a-few aards had been torn off when an old pot
which contained eight rolls of giant powder and
several caps, and which was hanging on nail
inside the smoke-house, fell ard exploded. The
explosion was terrific and nearly all the per-
sons standing close to the house were terribly
mangled The powder broke the pot into small
fragments most of the bits being the size of bull
lets and smaller II was these iron bullets that
did the awful work. The powder had been
placed in the house several months ago, and for
gotten. William Williams received severe
wounds about the mouth and head, the left side
of the head being blown away. Several pieces
of the metal entered his body at various places,
and he died in twenty minutes after the acci-
dent
p. G. Matthews, senior member of the firm,
was literally cut to pieces, and is at this writing
in precarious condition, and not likely to sur
vive. There is /. very serious wound on each
breast. aud one under the right arm. and it is
feared the bits of iron passed through his body,
and legs are fearfully cut in dozen
places Some of the wounds penetrate through
the legs.
Alonzo Mattingly, an employe, received nu-
merous severe wounds in the back. and will
likely die
Ed c. Moberly, another of the victims, is Sc
liously wounded about the head but to just
what extent is not known He is very badly if
not fatally injured
Allie Wickens a lad of thirteen years, had
several frightful cuts about the head, and it is
likely he will die.
Thomas Freeman had the pointof his shoulder
blade torn eff and frightful cash cut in his
back. His wounds are not considered fatal
Fred. Matthews, junior member of the firm
received "a piece of iron in his right leg, which
made an ugly wound
Abe Spires, Willie Wampler, Barney Scully,
William Matson, Ed. Faulkner and Grant Gal
loway received ugly flesh wounds, but none of
them are serious.
Resident doctors dressed the wounded and at
A NJ several doctors arrived from
Bloomington. The house of George Matson,
near the scene OF the accident, and where sew
eral of the wounded are being cared for, resem-.
bles hospital, and the wounds are similar to
those made by bullets
AS an example of the force with which the bits
of the old pot were thrown, it is only necessary
to say that several of them were driven through
a two inch scantling Business is practically
suspended here and general gloom and sorrow
prevail