The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-06-05
DYNAMITE EXPLOSION IN TACOMA.
Teamster Instantly Killed and Sow
eral Other Peraons Iniured.


TACOMA, June 4. = Especial. - Thirty
pounds of dynamite exploded in Point
Defiance park this morning, instantly kill
ing L. S. Carr, teamster. and severely in
juring John Russell, another teamster,
and Michael Conant. Barney Rodsied, n.
Hallowell and Walter Hutchinson,
laborers. Carr was attempting to rescue
his team of big gray horses. Russell was
also trying to rescue his team. Both teams
were badly cut and bled freely from ears
and nose, one of Russell's horses being
fatally injured internally.
1t had been raining off and on during
the morning, and at 10:3O o'clock the men.
who were working short distance from
the park entrance, went into an improvised
blacksmith shop for shelter. The box of
dynamite was also taken into the shop and
placed about four yards from the anvil, at
which Smithy G. H. Austin was hammer
ing red-hot piece of iron. Presently
there was little jet Of flame discovered in
the dynamite box. All hands rushed out
of the shack at the sight of fire among the
explosive. Carr and Russell ran to get
their horses out of the shed adjoining the
shop, although they were warned of the
impending danger. The fire in the dyna-
mite box blazed higher and higher for a
minute, during which time the men
were ordered to bring water in
buckets. This order was given to the fore
man, c. L. Mead, the blaze having con-
tinued long enough to warrant the belief
that there would not be an explosion. All
agreed that spark from the iron on tine
anvil had started the blaze, and just as the
men recovered from their fright and got
ready to bring water, the dynamite ex-
ploded. nearly demolishing the shop and
shed, hurting timDers and stones in all di-
rections, and smashing the window-lights
in the mess house seventy yards away. A
hole was also gouged out of the ground
where the dynamite box stood.
Carr, who was aged 3S, sand leaves a
widow and two children, aged II and IA
years respectively, was horribly mangled
about the head and shoulders, those parts
being literally crushed. as if under heavy
timbers. His skull was crushed and the
bones forced into the brain. Carr came
here from the East three years ago.
Russell, besides comminuted fracture
of the left thigh, was injured internally
and cut about the head. Hutchinson, who
has had his hand and knee crushed during
tiie pdSt lew uIOHtHS Dy dCClueHtS, SuieIeu
a broken shoulder blade and a dangerous
cut under the left arm. He was fifty yards
distant when the dynamite exploded. A
sharp stick struck him. Rodsied's injur-
les resulted in concussion of the brain.
He was dazed by the shock and is still
sem-iconscious.
While it was considered careless to place
the dynamite so near the anvil, there will
be no inquest. as criminal negligence is
not charged.
At the undertakers it was found that
the force of the explosion blew off Carr's
face and peeled off the scalp. His heart
was also blown out, part of it being blown
away. Further investigation leads to the
suspicion of criminal negligence and an
inquest has been ordered for Monday.
Some loose powder was mixed with dyna-
mite cartridges.