New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-03-14
HAVOC MADE BY DYNAMITE.
TWO MEN KILLED AND HALE A DOZEN
INJURED.
VIOLENT EXPLOSION OF CARTRIDGES NEAL
ROCKVILLE CENTRE, L. 1.-TWO
MEN ARRESTED.
MEN ARRESTED

Rockville Centre, Baldwins and the country
for miles around Long Island were shaken
yesterday morning by dynamite eA ploslon that
Jared the ground like earthquake. The noise
was caused by the explosion of ninety-thrce dyna-
mite cartridges in one package on the ground
where a new reservoir of the Brooklyn Water.
works is to be built. The accident occurred
about half way between Rockville Centre and
Baldwin's. Foreman Marcella Stefano, age fifty
years, was blown to atoms, and Walter Smith.
age twenty-four years, of Baldwin's was Instantly
killed. Thomas Baldwin, young man, Of Bald
wins, had his legs broken. and he was otherwise
injured. Dallas Raynor, son Of DR.. John Raynor,
of Baldwin's, was also dangerously injured The
clothes were entirely stripped from Joseph East
man, William Harvey and several others, and all
were more less hurt. Several engineers and
surveyors had narrow escapes None OF the
wounded men employed at the work.
The explosion was caused, nearly can be
learned, by Marcella Stefano, the foreman, plac-
ing the dynamite cartridges around the lire to
dry. About 3C0 men, mostly Italians, are em-
poyed on the place known as the Powell farm
clearing off the woods. The dynamite is used for
blasting out the stumps. Luckily, when the ex-
plosion occurred but few of the were in that
part Of the field. When the smoke cleared away
aud it was realized what had occurred workmen
ran to the spot from all directions The wounded
were placed in wagons and taken to Rockville
Centre, where attempts were made to alleviate
their suferlngs.
Coroner w. p. Horton of Valley Stream, was
informed, and on hearing the facts of the eX-
poson Immediately issued warrants tor the arrest
Of Mr.. Kline, of Jamaica, the contractor in charge
Of the work, and his foreman, Nike Marie.
Kline processes only TO be su5-contractor and
says that the contractor is a man named FreeL
lie also says he knows nothing about the acci.
dent as be was at that time In house half
mile away. Marie says he Is only foreman Of
the trench-diggers and had nothing to do with
using dynamite.
Coroner Horton will hold an inquest in Lutz
Hall, Rockville Centre, at o'clock on saturday
afternoon. Inc jury empanelled is ALVIN 1.
Powell J. H. Story, George Spragg, John Kicker
Stacy Dawson, Samuel Baldwin, George Petteu
and Thomas NickeIson.
II is said that dynamite used at this place ID
carried in handsatchel in the cars OF the passer-
ger trains on the Long Island road. The suppo"
sition is that the disaster was caused by the ex.
ploson of some percussion caps by the heat OF
The fire made to dry the dynamite. hole about
ten feet square and four feet deep was MADE py
the explosion.
According to the statement Of Raynor one or
the wounded men, and others, several young men
we're standing around the fire watching Stefane
as he dried the cartridges, each Of which weigned
n pound Stefane became angry at the onlooKefs.
and with an oath threw a cartridge-cap INTO ina
fire il is supposed, to frighten the young men.
The explosion followed Immediately, ana every
one of the nnety-thr cartridges went on