The morning call., 1890-07-17
In AN INSTANT.
Frishtful Rapidly Of the Destruction Of
Kings POVder-MillS.

CINCINNATI. July 16.--Following is the
Kings Mills:
Mrs. JAMES DEACON.
HENRY REYNOLDS.
SAMUEL STEPHENS.
Mrs. JAMES Moss and child.
Mrs. FRED KELLER and child.
WILLIAM FRANEY, brakeman.
RALPH WILLIAMS.
BABY ELsTINE.
NICK SNYDER and an unknown man.
One dozen were injured, some of whom
will die.
Joseph Proctor, well-known resident of
Columbus, was an eyewitness to the terri
BILE affair. He gave very vivid account of
the explosion. The gentleman is still suf-
fering from the effects of his experience,
and tTembled viSibly when talking:
hardly know how can describe the awful
occurrence. am still dazed from the effects of
the shock: l was visiting friend near Kings
Mills and during the afternoon sauntered up
the road 70 the cartridge factory. When the
freight train came along 1 started toward my
friends house.
On reaching The top OF the hill turned
around, just as the freight train was making a
running switch to side-track. 1 saw brake
man on one OF the cars as they shot on 10 the
side track waving his hand 10 some one on the
train. As looked l saw two detached cars
uuiiip dediuSt Wudt Thought was an empty car
on the side-track. An instant later there was
rumbng noise, then the very ground beneath
me seemed TO open. saw pun of smoke, fol-
lowed a second later by another, and The cars
disappeared. The station and powder house and
dwelling seemed 10 follow and the work OF de-
struciion had only just commenced. / stood
rooted to the ground.
1 had an idea, OF course. OF what had occur
red, but l could not realize il. knew many
lives were going out, but was powerless TO lend
assistance. Then dense volumes OF flame and
smoke came pouring from the doors and WIN
dows OF The cartridge factory, and saw men,
women and children tearing at each other in
their frantic endeavofs TO escape. The explo-
sion and fire at the cartridge house seemed 10 be
simultaneous. The building did not catch on
fire in the ordinary way, but the flames seemed
To penetrate the doors and windows from all
sides.
i saw number OF women come out, but some
certainly pefished in the flames. The dwelling
house below the cartridge-hOuse was blown from
It's foundations and dashed 10 the ground. In
this building a mother and Child lost their
lives. How long l stood ! don't know, but
managed 10 make my way 10 the scene and
others In the neighbOrhood were also gathering
The scene was one of the awiulest ever wit
messed. he railroad track iron was twisted
and torn like so much paper, and the telegra phi
poles and wires were burned as much tiDder
We got TO work as soon as possible, and know
we got fully a dozen women and men from the
powder house.
There was not one but was injured or bruised
Ihey seemed TO be Oblslous TO their surround
ings and / don't think they realized what oc-
. Cured Some were burned aud othrrs were cut
or bruised by the force of The explosion. To add
to the terrible scene there was a constant snap
ping OF cartridges, and the reScuers were In dan
ger OF being killed al any time. l don't know
how many were killed, but am of the opinion
that ten at least lost their lives. The number Of
wounded VIII be double that number.