The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-12-12
A TERRIBLE EXPLOSION.
Several Men Buried In the Ruins of n MIL
mud n Number Killed aud Injured,


CHICAGO, Dec. 11.-Three men were
known to have been killed, one fatally
injured, and number OF people badly
bruised and shaken up early this morn
ing by an explosion of meal dust, which
completely wrecked the three.story
brick building on. North Halstead street,
occupied by Daniel Oliver US an oat
meal mill. Several adjoining buildings
were also badly shattered. The explos-
ion, which occurred shortly after two
o'clock, was q terrific one, the shock be-
ing felt mile away. The buildings in
the immediate vicinity were bombarded
with flying bricks and timbers and near
ly every pane Of window glass within a
radius OF six blocks was smashed.
Almost before the rumble of the explOs-
ion died away flames sprangup from the
wrecked mill, aud the whole place was
ablaze in few minutes. The fire spread
with Incredible rapidity, aud when the
first fire companies reached the scene
they found block OF roaring flames to
contend with.
a general alarm was at once turned
in, engines were stationed at every avail
able point around the blazing patch, and
buildings that did not take fire at the
outset were saved, after the hardest kild
OF work. Sparks that were carried
through the air by the wind ignited
buildings two blocks away aud for half
an hour the fremen had all they could
do to prevent half dozen serious con-
tlagrations. The streets were filled with
debris for block on every side OF the
burned patch, and this seriously OBJ.
structed the tircmen in their work.
They stumbled over boards aud timbers
and debris until their clothes were torn,
their hands and faces cut, and their
limbs so badly stiiFened that they could
scarcely walk. 1t was nearly two hours
before the flames were under control.
When the fire was ut its height, the
widest rumors prevailed regarding the
loss OF life. 1t was known that four
men had been ut work in the meal mill
and about twenty in the planning mill
next door. Besides these the neighbor-
ing houses contained many men, wo-
men and children. At one time it was
asserted that twenty people had perish
ed, but later this estimate was found to
be exaggerated. The men at work in the
planning mill all made their escape, a
few OF them badly hurt, but the major
ity only slightly injured. Hundreds OF
men searched anxiously for the. missing
millers and after some time one OF them,
John Holmes, was foundlyingin in healley
across the street from the mill, terribly
burned and lacetated. He was working
in the second story Of the mill when the
explosion occurred and was hurled
through window and across tho street.
lie cannot live. No trace could be found
OF the other three men, Charles Miller,
Charles Cooper and John Smith, and it
is believed that their bodies are buriedin
the debris.
The iiremen are hopeful that no more
lives were lost, but people living in the
vicinity Of the explosion are sure that
more bodies will be found when the de-
bris is explored. This cannot be done
thoroughly for several hours yet. Chas.
Murphy occupied rooms over the saloon
at the corner OF Fulton and Halstead
streets; with him were his family, con-
ssting OF his wife, two children and his
mother. They were all in bed when the
explosion occurred and were asleep. The
force Of the conclusion swayed the
house from side to side and all members
OF Murphy's family were thrown
violently from their beds, upon
the floor or against the walls.
Within an instant the house
was enveloped in flames and the cries Of
the dazed occupants reached the people
on the street. Chas. Pleu was among
the spectators, and upon clearing the
cries from Murphy's room rushed Into
the building at the risk OF his life and
carried out the women and children,
making three trips into the burning
house. Murphy was SO dazed that he
was almost unable to get out of the
house. All were rescued without serious
injury. Pleu was badly scorched and
bruised. The losses will aggregate
about Sl50,0O0. The loss on the mill is
about $4,000, the planning mill loses
about $4,000, and is estimated that the
other losses will be $4,000.