Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1888-06-01
A Droadfu. Explosion in Frederick.

The city of Frederick, Md, was
thrown into the widest state of excite
ment last Monday evening over ter
rible explosion that wrecked the
grocery store OF Charles Edward Eel
lers. caused the death of one person,
agonizing injuries TO dozen or more,
and more or less severe wounds TO
nearly hundred men. women and
children.
At about half-past 6 o'clock Mr.. Eel
lers sent young lad employed at the
store TO draw five gallons of gasoline
from a barrel in the cellar beneath
the rear of the house. 1t Is stated
that the lad. in endeavorlng to use
lantern in the work which he had
been sent to perform. accidentally
ienited some of the gasoline that had
leaked from the barrel. he llnlnedl-
rushed from the cellar and an alarm
of fire was given. Smoke Issued from
the windows of the cellar and soon
filled the store room and adjoining
houses The family of Mr.. Zellers
was promptly removed from the build
ing. The general alarm of fire which
had been sounded brought the mem
bers of the three fire companies TO the
scene Will tlltlI apparatus
The first stream of water had nafulV
been thrown upon the fire before
low. r,nnbling sound was heard, fol-
lowed bv an explosion. Combustible
stuff was stored in the cellar, and OF
the ten or fifteen barrels OF coal OIL,
gasoline and whisky in the cellar 1t Is
believed that all exploded but nVe or
six. The wall of the warehouse front
-. 4, r. NJ
into the street, the roof was thrown
into the yard and the entire lower
front of the building, consisting of
heavy plate-glass doors and windows,
was smashed into pieces and hurled
across Market street into the midst OF
a crowd of tiremen and spectators.
Scarcely had the noise and dust and
dirt of the explosion cleared away
than the air was filled with the cries
of frightened and weeping women
calling for their sons, husbands and
brothers. For the space OF fifteen
minutes the scene was one OF the Ut
most confusion and horror. Many OF
the brave men who had entered the
building to fight the flames emerged
from the ruins cut, bruised and with
broken limbs. while the groans Of
those caught in the debris could be
heard half "a square.
As soon as possible the work of res
cuing the injured and dying was be-
gun The houses of those residing
in the neighborhoodw were thrown open
to the unfortunates. As soon as the
physicians of the city could be sum
moned the work of caring for the
wounded began.
1t is quite certain that the quiet
people of Frederick never before wit
messed such an awful scene. Many OF
those who had been caught III the
debris were able TO help themselves.
The fear of another explosion Kept
many of those in the crowd from APP
preaching the scene. In very few
minutes the last body, that of young
Charles Poole, the only one so far
whose injuries have proved fatal, was
taken from beneath the pinions OF
wood and brick that held him down.
His face and form were mashed be-
yOnd recognition.
Pie news of the accident spread
over the entire city and crowds flocked
to the scene. Among the nurses were
the clergylnen of the various churches
and several priests from the novltlate
ready to render spiritual aid if neces-
sary. The building in which the fire
and explosion took place is one OF the
largest used for the purpose i'll the
city.
1t has been greatly improved and is
valued at about $4,000 What remains
of il will have to be torn down. The
stock in the store and warehouse was
valued at about $1,000, over half of
which will be a total loss. The build
ing and stock are partially insured i'll
the Frederick County Mutual lnsur-
Company.
Although but one death has yet
resulted from the accident, at least
ten OF those who We're injured are i'll
a critical condition and some of them
may die. They are being cared for i'll
the Offices of the physicians and at the
residences of the citizens.