St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-02-09
were cared for as well as possible anu
d.
THE EXPLOSION

ICAuONSus
THE EXPLOSION
shattered the glass in the Office build
ing, on Fifth, about thirty feet from the
building where it occurred, but did no
material damage to the contents of the
Office or to the machinery In a
portion of the Office structure.
Neighboring dwellings and several
stores for blocks around were badly
shaken up, windows being shattered
and articles thrown from shelves. For
some distance around the earth trem-
bled as if from an earthquake, while the
noise of the explos on could be heard all
over the business section of the city.
B. F. ElIiston, superintendent of the
gas company, was about the works last
evening. He said: 1.-The night shift
had just gone TO work when the explo-
sion occurred. 1t cannot be explained.
The machinery in the exhausting build
ing, where it occurred, is all new, and
it was the best section Of the plant, the
whole thing being new. Later investi-
CATION may show that there was some
thing wrong with or defect in some of
the machinery. Our loss will be $40. 900.
The work of repairing the damaged
section of the building will be begun at
once. The coal benches in there are
ruined and the machinery distorted or
twisted out of shape. The building be-
longed to the coal gas department of
our plant. 1t will not affect in the least
the
CITY GAS SUPPLY.
The water gas department of the
works, just below, on Fourth street, is
amply sufficient to furnish gas for our
customers consumption for some time
to come"
Deputy Coroner Gurney was busy
about the wreck, and said that an Off
cial inquiry would probably be- insti-
tuted. He ordered the body of Desmond
taken to Donnelly's morgue. A son Of
Desmond's reached the central station a
moment after his fathers death, and
was so overcome that friends had to re-
move him.
THE CAUSE OF THE EXPLOSION
is a mystery. 1t occurred at the ex-
treme western end of the plant. and re-
| mote from any fire or heat. That end
was occupied by the condensing appa-
ratus, where the gas is cleaned. purified
and piped to the holders. The newest
| and most improved machinery was in
| use, and had only recently been in
| spected and pronounced perfect. The
only surmise is that within few min
Utes of the explosion serious leak
| sprung, releasing the gas in large
quantity and producing the explosion.
| A. ID. Cressler, of Fort Wayne, Ind,
has been in the city for several days ex-
| amining the gas works of the company.
! He stated that at $50 o'clock he had
made tour of the buildings and found
everything in good working order. he
| was much pleased with the system in
| vogue here, and considered the works
excellent.
Morgan Brooks, secretary of the COM
pany, was early on the ground, and did
I all that was possible. He had heard Mr..
Cressler's repert, and had been much
| gratified tTHreat, so that the explosion
was a source of great mystery to him.
He wired a succinct account to Craw-
ford Livingstone, in New York,
and then discussed the situation.
The loss, he thought, would
not nearly reach Supt. Elliston'S
estimate, but all depended on the COLI
dition in which the valuable machinery
was found. The walls could be re-
$4,000 at most, but if the machinery
were injured. the loss would run much
| higher. "In the meantime" he said,
| ''the water-gaS plant is working we'll,
| and there is no fear Of scarcity of
gas"
CONDITION OF THE INJURED.
At 10 O'clock last night the injured
| men at st. JoSeph's were pronounced in
better condition thon was at first sup
posed upon their being brought in. All
are injured about the head and shoul-
ders. the most seriously of the number
being Connolly. The resident physician
, of the institution said that if serious re-
suits ould follow, he still had no
doubt ohall living throughout the night.
One of the stokers, McMahOn, who
was pronounced dead when removed
| from the ruins. was reported living late
last night, although probably fatally
burnt.
The Swede who was In the driveway
! at the time of the explosion, had long
! cut in the head. He was covered with
debris, but when taken out walked
away.
1t was rumored that woman passing
at the time was knocked down and in
| jured by the force of the explosion, but
her name could not he learned.
Daniel Desmond, who died on reach
ing the central station, came to st. Paul
from Virginia in June, 1856. and has
been in the employ of the gas company
continuously since that time. He was
| well known by old residents, and bore
| an excellent reputation for industry
and integrity. He was superintendent
of aifsstreet work. and knew the loea-
| tion Of all mains, and also was thor
! oughly familiar with the works. He