Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1890-10-16
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No Certainty that GREEN'S SOLDER
tng Iron Turned E4OOse DIsaster-
Oniy "a superintendent a Very
Careful mcchanlc--HestIIn0 Ife-
fore the Coroner.
The coroners inquest on the oause of
the death of the victims OF the du Point
powder mill explosion was continued Mon
day night OF til" coroner's office. Eight
witnesses testified, none OF which we're
Of work In the upper yard at the iineof
the explosion and all of which were ig-
norsnt OF the work that William Il. Green
was supposed to be engaged at when the
explosion took place. No one knew inst
how he did the work of soldering tine tin
covers on the cans OF prismatio powder,
nor did anyone know just where he was
OF work,
Foreman Peter A. Pagan did nearly all
of the questioning, and his line OF ques-
lions WAS directed toward obtaining in
formation about the boxes in which pris-
matio powder was packed, and the re-
pairing of boxes that had been used and
returned. In answer to tn. questions OF
Foreman Pagan, the following evidence
was given:
Charles Link said that he had worked
foreman of the Henry Olsy factory, the
keg factory. He snid that Wlllism Il.
Green was born mechanic, but that hs
he'd not seen him at the work he was
engaged ut when the explosion took place.
The cans were made at his factory. The
boxes were made Of tin, imported for hat
purpose. There was lap of half an
inch to the tin OF the top over the edge.
The tin was tho best in the market. Wit
nets did not think tn re waa the least
danger in Mir. Green's work to careful
man. Had never heard Mr.. Green sag it
was dangerous job, nor that no thought
OF leaving the company. Did not know
whether MIR. Green had done his work
inside or outside of the magazine or pack
ing house. Witness had rot tine least
idea what caused the explosion. Did MOI
think that it was caused by Mr.. Green's
careiessness.
Boxes that had been used were always
taken to the tin shop and resoldered.
They were as safe as new boxes. RuNed
boxes were not as safe al smooth boxes,
There might he hole Ind air would
damage the powder. Did not know The
value of box Not over a hundred of
these boxes are returned in year. New
lids are always made. Mr.. Link de-
sorioed tine toIes. They were OF inch
bOards lined with tin 30 al 10 be alright.
He did not know where Mr.. Green was
working the day OF the explosion. MIR.
Green's boss was Charles du Point or
Eugene du Point.
William Horty had worked for the
du Points for IA years, but had never seen
MIR. Green do the work that he WAS sup
posed TO be doing when the explosion
took place. Mr.. Green had done this
work for about three years. Naver WAS
in the packing house when these boxes
were being filed Mr.. Gfeen was q very
careful man and if box vas rusted at all
badly he threw it away. Witness did
not think drop Of hot solder would fire
powder. The rule of the ground was
that every man should stick to his own
post and mind his own business. Wit
ness was mile away from the magazine
that exploded.
Robert Pullen had worked for the
du Points two years. He worked in the
Henry CLAY yard. This witness knew
nothing about the work in the upper
yard or about repairing old boxes.
Major Cochran who had worked for
lI' l. uu uAl AZ wv lOE HFo years. le5ll-
fed that he was u general boss about the
keg shop. He had helped AIR. Green
line new boxes. Old boxes that were
slightly rusted were thrown out. Those
worth repairing were carefully gone over
and made good AZ new. Never helped
MIR. Green pair old boxes. Never heard |
Mr.. Green say that he was dissatisfied.
Never heard anyone say that Mr.. Gison's
work was more dangerous than any other.
john o. Dougherty had charge Of a
packing house in the upper yard. So
lid McOlniferiy who was hurt.
Harry Carter worked at the Henry |
Jlay fGotury. Had never worked with |
Mr. Green. This witness knew nothing |
about the old boxes, and very little about |
Mr.. Green's work. Had never seen |
oox flied or one Ffter il had bsen filled. |
This witness was mils and half from |
Inc explosion. MIR. Green had worked |
or three OF four years at this work.
Joseph Russell was employed about |
he keg mill also. He had heard MIR. |
Green ssy that the work he did was not
| very nice job. Witness would have |
ooked ut Mr.. Grsen at work If he had |
lad chance. He would consider work |
dangerous now, but did not before. |
Witness understood that Mr.. Green WAS
It work at the door of magazine.
William Il. Miller had worked for z.
!. DUPONT Il Co., for SO years. He ia
oremen Of the machine shops, mill
yrights and blacksmiths. This witness
lnew nothing about Mr.. Green's work or
he boxes.
John Oonley had worked for the du |
Points 25 years. He is q master mason.
Knew nothing about MIR. Green's work. I
Knew nothing about the cause of the ex-
,losion. No one did. No one who was in
be yard that dry could say what started
he fire. There were four magazines in
he upper yard. Two exploded, 1t is
IMPOSED that the magazine in which MIR.
lreen was working was the frat to ex-
,lode. Every one naturally connects the
oldering with the explosion.
After hearing the evidence of theabove
witnesses, the jury adjourned until yea
erdRy morning OF 0 O'Clock, when