Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-07-11
HnuSES TRnMRLBD.

the du Point Powder works Great
Excitement Occastoncd tn Thls
City-No Serious Aurt and Slignt
Damage taflicied.
At l0.l5 O'Clock Friday night the city was
startled by loud explosion coming from
the north west. This was followed in 5 or 6
seconds by another report, more startling,
accompanied by q distinct succession OF
trembling vibrations of the earth, come.
what similar to wave movement. IL did
not need much speculation for citizens 10
question the cause or location. An explo-
sion at the dupont mills had occurred.
From almost every residence along every
street occupants appeared at windows and
doorwais IN anxious contamination overthe
the possible extent OF the explosion. Az
every corner along Market St eet knots OF
citizens had gathered asking for news.
large crowd gathered In front OF the police
station, and others at various newspaper
ofaces. For the frst twenty minutes no
Information could be obtained. Taiephnne
bells were ringing in every direction, me
telephone exchange was overwhelmed
with inquiries, with the result that no news
could be gained.
The CONSERVATION IN town was extreme.
Il was feared that life had been lost. Cti-
mens enquited at the police station whether
the ambulance would b. sent out. we've
got no orders and We have no wagon" was
the reply.
easily obtain wagon" citizen replei.
The officers In charge, however, we're silent.
Nobody knew aud all feared at that moment
that unfortunate workmen lay mangled and
dying under ruins, and there vas no effort
TO make the venture OF aiding them.
reporter of the GAZETTE suggested
going around TO J. A. Wilson's and obtain.
Ing his ambulance and help In the ener-
Rency. Accompanied by s. II. Baynard
Mr.. Wilson's residence was reached. Be
was Tung up and on being told OF the ex.
plosion and possible mn mlng or death OF
workingmen he hnrriedly dressed himself
and rushing around to bis stables the big
new ambulance IN 10 minutes was IN route
to give help II such might be needed, He
drove to the powder works and did not re-
turn until he learned there was no need CT
his services.
Meanwhile the fremen OF the different
companies had rushed to the engins houses
and were standing at their doors ready for
orders. From the southern part OF the
city, where more open view OF he north
ern horizon was visible, parties returning
home were suddenly attracted by brill
liant light somewhat resembling an aurora
appearing In the north. II was fan-snaped
with a bright flame nucleus IN the centre,
eliminating about 10 degrees, the fare
stretching about three tunes that distance
along the horizon. Between the appearance
OF the fash and the sound OF the explosion
there was an interval Of about 10 seconds.
The report OF the explosion was entirely
different from that which generally follows
an explosion at these works. Instead Of the
low, dull, rambling sound, the detongtions
were clear, sharp and heavy. Houses we're
shaken and the ground tremeled. II was
the impression OF many that an explosion
OF boilers had occurred although every
body instinctively thought OF the powder
works. The weather was clear and the
moon shone brlgh iy, 50 that IN few min
utes those who had rushed 10 the windows
of upper stories and looked up the Brandy
wine saw the heavy clouds OK smoke that
clearly indicated the cause OF the commo.
ton. 1t was another explosion at the dupont
powder works, and then speculation was
rife as to the extent of the damage and the
loss Of life, II any.
GOING TO AND AT THE seRNE.
Immediately after the explosions were
heard here several reporters among tn N
and drove rapidly to the upper end OF tue
Hagley yard Of the powder works Of F.,
dupont, de Nsmours & Co. where, It was
suspected, the era, hes had occurred. Tn
Journey thither was exnuAiating, bu
when the yard was reached dilemma
arose. The reportorial party four Jour
nalists accompanied by two CLERKS, wa
upon the outside with an immense gaten nc
nigh fence between, How to secure OF
entrance was question for serious copsid
Grafton. Ihe gate was locked, the watch
man was not there OF he had been he woulC
have further impe1ei the progress Of tn
investigators) and the fence seemed DIM
cult to climO. A. this ilaeture youui
man OF the naighborhDod came that wa
and volunteered 10 show the party how
enter. ABOUT the same tins sewers
bieyclers came along and the entire party
preceded by the guide, clambsrsd over
rustic fence and, IN single file, crossed
nal "a i
and muddy path to another border Of IL
powder yard, where the boundary line wa
high pAling fence.
BY this Eime the explorers shoes wei
covered with mud and 70 secure L fnothol
on the palings was most tfIlcult Flnali
after several awk ard attempts the oArri,
was sutmcunted only 70 Had anothe
Just beyond u small stretch OF high era
was q bank oiyeil0w clay PROBABLY 10 ia
In height ana to descend 1t III the inteu
gloom caused by dense aud inter!gcll
foliage was perllous. The descent vi
made notwithstandlDg, but by sidln
scrambling and tumnlug. One young tus
covered the 81 tauce by a slide and some
sault and all were bruised and clay sole
Through the almost lmpEsne.hbls darkne
the party continued along q railP
stumbling over stones and obstacles until
ehsnty OF tie watch and there an pmplo
was fJund. HIS was amazed when the eros
entered the watch house and, after
curiosity as to how the strangers had got
there had bsen appeateC anu Ge rad ueen
formed as 10 whom his auditors wsre,
explained that twu rolling Mtlls III I
lower yard mad exploded, rhe mills, 81
he, had been wrecked but, tot'npatelyi I
body mad been seriously hurt H. e
mated the amount u powder Destroyed
about $50 pounds.
After receiving ibis Information I
explorers separated, the rep0rte. S3ue
the direction OF tho lower yard aal /
others going towards the upper gate
search Of man whose name as sis
sounded like Three hap4, who 1t E7as IA
would pass them uul. lac tepOJt
further journey lsi hiong q pH'd lSnI
not by a single ray and wtta rlsntlg d
roaring water unple4santlY near. O1stt0
strewed the oath and theQli f:e5 gpt ATE
when those ahead AaH 10 stop n let III
in the rear uvetthh tnbm 10 IrbY
becoming separated a4ata the irl
lists formed ID single h3 asa Gla
hold on each othets coat tRlls c
tinued the dteary marcn. I'd this man
the tin stop was pissed !Gst IL tdh hnnI
II was struck ana The lover gate o.
middle yard was Tearhai some miHt
later. TIE gate was lQgRed pul F4P ana
had to return 10 the It'd shop AIT aiG
the Watchnan tlele. H. %as loud \
difficulty aud saw The parry Ont Jts :
mate OF the pow ier destroyed w&I
pounds 10 eGcn MILL HgGll Aut GiAk
machinery had beea damaged much.
AT the lower yard 4 Wa leeruet nat
explosions had been mUel tuOtss yeret
ordinarily, During trGsut explosions
destruction 81 small quantity i puH
and the blowing Of Of tic rp1ti " tn. r
we're apout all the damage rustaiu"i
Friday night TWO mi!.s wtTs Isfery der
ished. Toe roFemnn Of one q tbe nv