Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-05-20
DYNAMITE Elk eLODHs.
Eishtson KiIIsd and Twenty Oiheri
More or Less Injursc.

IARRYTOwS, N. T., May J9.-AbOut
two tons OF dynamite on New York Cen
tral construction train exploded near here
at ll.30 this morning, killing IS men and
injuring about 20 others. The train cou-
sstiDg of locomotive and one Hat car was
demolished and the windows Of buildings
were broken for miles srouDd. The train,
which was in charge Of Conductor Conucr
and Engineer George Herrick, WAS stand
ing in cut about quarte- Of mile south
of Tsrrytown station. Twenty-Five boxes
Of dynamite cartridges were on the fiat cav,
to be used for blaseiug purposes along the
road.
About fifty Italian laborers were oD fat
car, and theY were just preparing TO nnload
dynamite when an explosion occurred. A
train in command Of William Brannigan,
passing on a side track at the time. Brani.
gan saw an Italian jump from the flat car.
The Italian evidently knew what was goins
to happen rs he made desperate plunge
and landed on the side track and is supposed
10 have been run over by derrick train and
killed. Ssw a curl of smoke, and heard
rumbling noise then terrific explosion.
The next instant the air was filed with
human forms ard the unfortunate Italian.
we're blown in every direction. Engineer
Herrick and Leonard Pan, fireman, were
both blown 20 feet, and badly hurt. Con-
ductor Connor, who got off the train before
the explosion occurred, was thrown about
10 feet and badly stunned. John Smith,
brakeman, was on the fiat car, and his body
was blown to pieces. Another man on the
fat car bad his body blown to pieces. John
Mccarthy, timekeeper, w&s killed. and his
body, badly muIilsted, was found alongside
the track. Thomas Finnegap, foreman Of
ihs gang constructing the iron bridge, was
within few yards of where the flat car
stood, and was badly hurt. His men
escaped without serious Injury.
After the smoke cleared away horrible
sight presented itself. Portions Of human
body lay scattered about in all direct lns.
The bodies Of some Of the victims were
blown into neishborng swamp. When
the water WAS drawn of they were found
sticking in the mud A few parsons who iiv.
near by say they saw number of bojl
blown into the Hudson river. along the
bank of which the railroad track ran.
The locomotive and fat car being blown TO
pitces, the only parts Of the engine left
being the trucks and tender. The cries
and aroans of the dying aud those lees in-
jured came from almost every direction
Some unfortunstes were suffering from
broken legs and arms, their faces horribly
Iscerated and covered with blood.
Many persons soon reschsd the place OF
the wreck and . score Of doctors who were
| telegrRphed for came from neisbboring
towns. The injured were conveyed to
Tsr-yicwn depot and laid on mattresses OBJ
tanned from hotels and private houses in the
| neighbOrhood. Engiueer Herrick was con
veyed to Trrytown Hospital, and fireman
Pan with FIVE wounded Italians were placed
! on special train and conveyed to Bellevue
Hospital. Time keeper John Mccarthy,
had record Of sli the Italians on the f.,
car.
1t is difficult to state at present how
| many Italians lost their lives, bu, as far a,
can be learned, lS men we're killed and
about 20 wounded. The Italians were
known by numbers and each carried brass
tag bearing bis number. Three Italians
died in the Isrrytown hospital after being
removed from the wreck. Ten bodies were
picked up aloog the track, and FIVE were
taken out of the water. These bodies, with
three victims who died in tha depot, were
| conveyed to Vsnterbilt's morgue in Tarry-
| town village. The recovery Of Engineer
Herrick is doubtful.
Different theories are advanced as to the
cause OF the explosion. One is = rope at.
tached to the II .s car caught FIRE from the
engine and ignised one of the boxes con-
tanning the dynamite Cartridges. Auoths =
| ia tba. the FIRE was communicated to the
dynamite cartridges by az Italian smokin z
pipe. Smoking in the cJ Mantle car was
| strictly prohibited and the railroad ofiiciais
| do not seem TO think tbs exp! p!osiou origins
ted in that wsy. The mnst plausible theory
| 10 that the dynamite exploded by conclusion
| in some nnsccouutAole way.
Abou. three mibu buies before the explosion
occurred. the Cbiesg) limited express, hsv-
log on beard many passengers. passed. The
! force OF the explosion was heard snd fell
| far down the river - YoDkers and SpuJ ten
Duyvil and up river - far as Peekskill.
| Windows were broken at 1rvington, Dsobs
Ferry. and villages surrounding Tsrryto~n
The force Of the explosion was felt across
| the river st NJ ack, where buildings wer.
shaken asd many clocks stopped. Ia the
| high school Of Tsrrytorn, portions OF the
| ceiling was knocked down and panic er-
sued among the pupils. The school build
ing was shaken violently and the scholars
and teachers thoushs IN earthqo cake had
occurred. Popiis began to run out Of the
CLASS room, and teacher with grest difficulty
prevented q stampede. The scene Of the
accident vss directly in front Of the house
Of Richard Hoe. the printing press inven-
tor. The house Of Elliot r. Shepard and
the residence Of Millionaire Rockefeller
are not far away.
| The Track was torn up 70 feet. sn1
trees on the east side Of the tracks na-
rooted. The train vas on its way up tie
Hudson river to deliver the dynamite !,
different points where the railroad compan,
vas excayAting and making improvements
The officials Of the road are invsssigasine