Evening journal., 1891-10-05
IRON RAIHED UPON THEM
Bystanders Killed by Terrific
Tug Explosion. Il
THE DEAD ARE EIGHT IN NUMBER.

The Boiler Of the Charles Parker Blows
Up In the Chicago River. wiping tho
Grew Out OF Existence and Destroying
the Lives OF Many onioOkora.
CHICAGO, Oct Eight persons were
almost instantly killed aud dozen others
injured in the afternoon by the explosion
Of the tug Charles Parker Ia the south
branch Of the river, near the Archer ave-
nue. bridge Three Of the dead belonged
to the crew OF the boat, while the others
were bystanders, who were killed by fly
ing debris The Parker. together with the
tugs Van Setback, Perry and Shields, had
been working all day endeavoring to free
the propeller II. s. Pickands, which had
grounded in the south draw Of the bridge.
Eight Were Dead.
They had pnffed and pulled away almost
incessantly long time, when, with com
paratively little noise, the boiler Of tho
Parker exploded Columns OF water were
thrown in the air, drenchIng and binding
the crews and bystanders A moment
later the debris showered upon the ground
on the other side OF the river. Pieces OF
iron fell upon the dock and the street.
Az the time Archer avenue near the
scene Of the accident, was crowded. The
noise Of the explosion and the falling wreck
caused a terrible panic. When the spec
tators partially recovered their senses IL
was discovered that eight persons were
dead while many more were injured some
Of them probably fatally The dead are.
A List Of the Killed.
S0l Archer avenue; head crushed by falling
debris Barbara Rice, eighteen mouths
old, daughter Of Mrs. Rice; head crushed.
Samuel Shaw, aged twenty-one switch
man for the Illinois Steel company. John
Bartholomew, aged ten years, Of 9, l29 Paul
ina street; struck on the head by an iron
bolt. Jones B. Carter, captain Of the tug;
married. John q. Moore, Of Highland
park, engineer OF the tug. Samuel Arm
strong, cook Of the tug. Unknown, killed
by piece Of the furnace door.
Rescued. but Parboiled.
As the air cleared Parker WIS seen roll
ing and settling in the water. A moment
later Joseph Cullen and Henry Bell were
seen struggling In the water. Life lines
were thrown them and they were helped
on board one Of the tugs. Cullen's flesh
was parboileds and in clinging TO the life
lines the skin was torn from hts hands.
| The explosion was a peculiar one. Many
| of the fatalities occurred some distance
from the tug and some in places where
the victims would seem TO have been IN
| perfect safety.
The injured are Joseph Cullen, 800 Max
well street, fireman Of the Parker; terribly
scaldedi will die. Henry Bell. linesman D
the farkeri badly lysoalded. Frank Wagner
! rs South Green street; arm broken. josh
Bomerazk, 500 South Ashland avenue
skull fractured; may die. Seven other
we're painfully hurt.
sad Fats OF Mother and child.
Before the explosion Mrs. Rice had beer
standing on the south side of Archer ave
nue., holding the baby higher arms. and
while endeavoring to escape when the
crash came her skull was crushed bv !
piece of iron. At the same moment he,
little daughter was struck on the head bv
piece OF the furnace door
Richard Powers aged ten, was STANDING
watching the tugs. He was struck on the
head by an iron bolt and fell to the ground.
His skull had been cut open. aud the
brains were oozing out when be wsx
picked up