davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-07-10

nese, and the explosion fairly crushed the
lie and spirit out Of the wretched coolies.
About dozen of them were induced To 60
to work rescuing carbOys of acid from a
burning shed, hut the greater number went
outon the swamp, as far as possible from the
works, and sat down there like the damned
ones IN DaDte's Inferno. Some of the
coolies had their clothes badly splashed
with acids torn and tattered by tie shock
others had been temporarily reduced TO an
idiotlc condition by the sudden loss OF their
livelihood. II did not appear to occur 10
the miserable coolies thatthe works would he
built and a livelihood brcome possible after
short time. They collapsed as utterly as
the sheds and frame houses had done
Some OF them stripped off their clothes.
walked around almost in puris naturalib
alter they haf washed their garments in the
muddy creek and patiently waited for the
orYlng process 10 be completed All the
sheds and novels IN which the Mongolians
had been living were leveled utterly and
lrrestoraby. Some Of the coolies drifted
almiessiy about like men In q dream, and il
was thus that three Of them ran against a
doctor, who had made trip 10 the works ''on
humanitarian principles" The doctor had
been looking at the crater; he was brayer
than many younger man, who turned back
before reaching the edge. well, John.
how do you feel?" said the doctor kindly
The coolie shook his head and made no
answer.
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-07-10

was stiff in front and the harness broke from
the shafts, but that was positively all the
damage sustained by either man, beast or
vehicle.
Considering the terrible force OF the last
three explosions, The disaster is considered
the most peculiarly fortunate one that has
ever taken place. That only five or six were
killed is deemed by those present at the
time as little short of marvellous. Tie hair
breadth escapes ara as numerous as there
we're men and women on and about the
premises.
Charles Judson, foreman of the chemical
works, aside from having his house CON-
pleiely demolished. is to-day almost deaf
man, and his head was badly though not
seriously hurt by falling timber that
barely missed killing him.
John Farley was working near the mixing
house when the first explosion came. He
was blown clear out in the bay. He swan
back TO dry land with no further damage
than q wet hide.
S. p. Jansen, who was in the packing
house, was blown through one of the
windows, but escaped without serious
injury.
Two women were in very dangerous posi-
tiOns. They are sisters-Miss Kate and
Miss Nj. Davis Both were in the cartridge
factory fixing CAPS on loaded shells when the
first explosion came. They left the build
Ing In time, though the third shock threw
KATE on her head dangerously near the
flames. She was rescued by the workmeD.
The saddest casualty in the village on the
premises was the accident that occurred 10
workman Boreber's little hoy. The lad was
struck on the head by flying debris and very
seriously injured. lie WAS taken TO Oak
land In wagon as soon as possible after
the occurrence, but hardly in time, il is
thought, to save his life.
Tom Higgins, one of the workmeD, was
passing the boiler-house when the explo-
sions occurred. he was blown Hat against
the wall by the first shock. but was not seri-
ously injured.
Patrick Denton had his head cut open by
a falling brickbat, and an animated fence
rail struck john Cervan's head, but both
men were on guard duty by evening.
One of tho Chinese was blown clear over
the engne-house and out in to the bag. He
feil near lliece of floating board, which he
hung on to till rescued by the men
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-07-10

works. another was coming up to maintain
the siege, aud the thing was getting mo-
nOtonnus. There were about half n dozen
deputies to 5000 besiegers. aud the block ade
runners were having quite a COED time
The deputies were aware of their RESPONSE
bility. but IL is hard thing for six men to
keep 6000 out of fortress with all the walls
down. Accordingly they caused to be cir
culated report that there were still 900
tons of unexpioded powder in the works
This rumor, which found its way even tn
San Francisco. soon cleared the Enclosure
OF all but the more nervy of the newspaper
men. aud there began to be a rapid exodus
across the swamp In the direction ef the
railroad station. The report did moro
effective service than a hundred deputies
could have done. and very soon Town
Marshal Smith and Sheriff Wolfndinger
obtained control of the situation for the first
time in the day.
Some ludicrous situations were presented
In the efforts or the incoming visitors and
those who stood not on the order of their
going" to make short cut across the
swamp. The little footbridge through which
access to the works is ordinarily obtained
had been broken down early in the day.
and scores who took off their shoes and
stockings to wade across stuck In the mud
up to their waists. and had to be dragged
out.
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-07-10

Berkeley, and, il being Saturday afternoon,
those who could were legion. or course the
Southern Pacific was not prepared to
handle the crowd. 1t never is.
After 12 o'clock earh boat was crowded.
There was no trouble getting the crowd
across the bay, but when it had been landed
on the mole then the fun began.
AT the Slght of the crowd the railroad
officials lost their heads. The regular
Berkeley train was backed down the mole
Even women rushed for the cars before
they stopped, and the woEder is that a
series OF casualties did not result.
The train. though unusually long. was
filled almost to the point of sutfoeation be-
fore more than half OF the crowd had been
accommodated. 1t was the same with every
train, and those who could not get aboard
had to wait on the mole whole hour.
Then at She'll Mound station there was
more fun. The regular Berkeley train
stopped here and returned 10 the mole for
another load. You then had the choice of
loungins about at the station-with no
seating accommodations at all-for fully an
hour or footing it out to West Berkeley.
three and half miles distant.
Most people footed il. only to be over
taken by The train when within quarter OF
mile of West Berkeley.
Arrived at this station there is still half a
niles walk To Highland station, for the
local line ends at West Berkeley.
However, a good many persons got out TO
Highland station In the course Of the after
noon, one way or another, and from Their
made cross-lots to the scene OF the hoo-
caust.
The size Of the crowd may be judged from
the TACT that several enterpTising takirs,
shell men, etc, did thriving business, and
only the absence of the circus lemonade man
distinguished the crowd from a huge holi-
day gathering.
Arrived at the scene of the exp losion the
crowd was baked in its further progress by
a force of Deputy Sheriffs who guarded
every approach TO the premises.
The latter were none too watchful. how
ever, though assuming great deal Of un-
necessary Importance behind their newly
acquired badges. Those who were sharp
easily euded the guards aud made their
way inside. The press representatives
were treated most shabbily. George Smith,
the Town Marshal. who claimed to be in
command. gruffly told the reporters they b ad
no business inside. 1t was private con-
cern about which the public had no curiosity
and no right to know more than that given
out by the firm.
The crowd jeered at Mr.. Smith for his
assumption and then he hid himself behind
the ruins Of the boiler-house.
Wolfndinger, thrifty saloon-keeper in
the peighborhood. who added to his weeks
income by acquiring deputv's badge. and
DICK Lloyd, patron of Wolindinger's bar,
who likewise paraded behind badge for
the nonce, were most brutal In their treat
ment OF the crowd. They did not use their
clubs. probably because they were afraid to,
but they did use threatening language and
were inclined to bully everybody.
Of course the reporters were not kept
OUT but the action OF Smith and his depu-
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-07-10

in two cracker boxes. The three bodies Of
the white men are not so badly disigured
as to be unrec0gniZable and were placed
on Ice by the Coroner. One of them is that
OF John GehnrtcZ German, 90 years old,
unmarried; the second is that # Waiter
Dickerson. a Canadian, 26 years, old un-
msrried: the third is that of John Bean, "a
years old. French Canadian, residing at
west Berkeley. Heleaves a widow Is years
Old, to whom he was married but two
months.
The company admits a loss of s6O COO
but $500, 600 is much nearer the mark. The
prop rty is said to have been insured for
$4,000. 'o'
In anticipation of heavy rush of sight
serls TO the works to-day special guards
VIII be posted at all the road crossings Lead
Ing TO them. and those who obtain admis-
sion, or are even allowed to pass the first
deed.
The Fire Breaks Out Again.
Late last night the fire, which had been
smoldering, broke out again, aud the
steamer SunOl, instead of returning to this
side OF the bay. remained at the wharf
pumping water for use in extinguishing the
flames.
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-07-10

or giycerine tanks, where, it is said, con-
Migration could not be detected by the
workmen till it was too late. Had the
names started anywhere else, it is said, the
workmen must have seen them and would
have had time to cut off the connections be-
tween the tanks and the mixing-house. or at
least TO have put themselves out of danger
but from the washhouses to the mixing
department was only very short distance,
50 snort IN fact, that. though the workmen
knew what 10 expect when the first tank
exploded, there was no possible chance of
keeping the flames in the connecting tube
from communicating with the magazines.
Ihe acid-house or chambers, which stood
on the eastern side of the premises at the
foot OF the hill are said to have comprised
the finest acid plant in the United States.
and cost fully $4,000.
As every house on the premises which was
not completely demolished was rendered
unsafe Tor habltatio u such household goods
as were not destroyed were removed yes
terday afternoon by the company's wagons,
and before night the homeless workmen
were safely housed ia Berkeley.
The Chinese house, or series of huts under
one roof, were leveled TO the ground. Still
considerable bedding and some of the cook
Ing utensils were saved. These were packed
on wagon and hauled to Oakland early in
the afternoon.
The Chinese. totally scared out of their
wits, declare that they are all going back to
China by the next steamer
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-07-10
AN EXPERTS OPINION.
TIE Faulty Construction of the Works Pro-
Yokes Criticism.

f"o FuHIJ CoHSUUCUOH OF tHe WORKS PrO-
vokes Criticism.
gentleman who las had experience
with the manufacture of dynamite in this
country and Europe in speaking of the ex-
plosion to CALL reporter last night said !:
zone can only conclude. after comparing
the various accounts Of the explosion,
that the planning of the works was faulty
In not allowing sufficiently for isolation in
case OF disaster TO any of the magazines or
mlxIng-houses. Owing to the occurrence of
hve or more explosions In quick succession
the disaster is unique IN the history of high
EXPLOSIVE factory wrecks. ANY chemist can
wen understand a cataStrOnhe in the nitro-
elyceflne house If the methods of mixing
are not as perfect as can be devised and the
pIecantlon OF vlgilant personal supervision
IS not ceaseless. II was at the pitr0-glvcp
flne mouse that the first explosion occurred
and me men who were there enplOyed are
all dead. so nobody knows what vert
wrong.
lie temperature, we must assume went
up TO the explosive point aud no means of
checking this rise were effective, either BY
drow Mug the mixture In water or by run
nlng 1t of into the sand. Nobody can tell
now all went wrong, but the manager should
De able 10 say before the Coroner how MANY
barrels OF nitric acid, sulphurlc acid and
glycerlne were turned into the mixing-tank
before the deadly climax came.
1t is clear, from the explosions which
iollowed In the magazines, tnat these were
not sufficiently separated by embankmrnts
and by distance from the nitro givcerine
mouse aud from its attendant separation
mouse, where the impurities Of the nitro
glycerine are SKINNED eff prior to mixino
the explosive with inert diatOmaceous
earth. Under proper conditions of LAYING
out the works the first explosion should
have produced no effects anywhere else.
Inc distances between the magazines or
the cartridge-iilling huts were much ton
short TO avoid rapid destruction in a very
dry climate. Fire alone is not. except
when the heat is very intense, sufficient to
cause an explosion of dynamite or of nitro
gelatne. The latter-a much more DOW
ef1ul subSta nce-is not, however produced
In California. One of the magazines is de-
seribed as containing 800 tons of giant
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-07-10
INSIDE THE WORKS.
A Scene Which Recalled the Doom of Jeru-
saiem

mot one stone left standing on another"
that was the too-iaithful prophetic picture
drawn in another and historic land centu-
ries ago. The first impression of the wreck
of the giant powder works yesterday was
even such. The most furious lombard
ment, continued for weeks and months.
could have produced no more utter ruin
lhet tudsOn-Shepard Chemical Works to
the left Of the entrance and within the inclo-
snre were represented by pile of shattered
tlmbers, piciuresquely corrugated roofs, an
assortment OF scrap iron bent and twisted in
to every conceivable shape, and long rlVulets
OF powerful acid riliing down TO the waters
OF San Pablo Bay. Not the most sanguine
and perseyerlng Of professional wreckers
would nave offered cent in adYancr of the
weight OF the scrap iron and tie value of
the lumber as kindling wood for what had
been short hour before two fine buildings
costing thousands of dollars. or the walls
not brick or plank was left standing.
For two or three blocks around the bare
and verdurelesS side of the hill was rent in
TO clefts and assures by the force Of the
conclusion. Even the rocks on the cliff
side were crumbled away by the shock.
Pursuing the path to the hilltop. lit up
with flames and swept by columns of
smoke, tlnged deep red by suffocating
Yapors of nitric peroxide. the view from the
crest WAS of a character TO cause the OBJ
server TO ask himself in wonder how any
human being within a radius of half a mile
could possibly have escaped alive. To sea-
ward there was a long line Of fire extending
far out to the wharf end. where the steamer
Sunol was fighting the fire with a full
stream OF hose, In the hope OF saving the
wharf Itself. The steamer was 10 wiDdNard
Of the burning sulphur, but the fumes
drifted in laniward in way to prevent
any person from going out on the wharf
All along the pathway at the top Of the
cliff the Chinese employees of the works who
could be induced to face the danger were
trotting along with heavy carboys of nitric
acid, rescued from a shed which was blazing
iercely, and in which carboy after carboy
went up In red smoke. The powerful acid
split from broken carboys ran along the
path. burning everything it touched and
filling the air with nOxIOuS vap0rs that irri-
tated the lungs and caused the eyes Of those
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-07-10

good people and their families will have no
roof over them for weeks but the vauls of
heaven. OF the four neat little two-story
frame cottages which they tenanted at sun
Iise yesterday there is only enough of the
semblance of houses remaining to show that
they were intended for sonnet thing more
than heaps of lath, plaster and kindling
wood. The roofs are gone and tie fronts
are out, the furniture is broken into hum
dreds of pieces, and the aspect of these hon.
est people dragging their little belongings
mattresses, trunks, etc.-out of the wreck at
the imminent risk of their lives was ex-
ceedingly painfully TO witness. Everything
will have TO come down, for there is not
enough left OF the four cottages TO rebuild
one. IL Is subject OF u1ceasing wonder TO
those who have seen these cottages how any
of the inmates escaped with their lives, but
it appears certain that the only person hurt
in or around them was Mr.. Borcher'S little
son. Willie.
nearer the entrance are the wrecks of what
were, a hours agr, the handsome residences
OF Superintendents Frank Roller and Judsun.
MI Roller Is somewhat of a mascot IN his
way. having been connected with factories
Tor the manufacture of explosives many
years, and has been on the ground, with
TWO exceptions, when explosions have 0c-
CURED, but in every instance he escaped
without injury. He was away at Clipper
tap when yesterdays catastrophe hap
fVhNNs Oh LIS ltNuIu lie Mtlltliu II Il DdfQ
matter indeed to recognize his own house.
The north wall has been entirely torn away
from the roof, and. If Ii has not already
fallen, viii assuredly dn so with the first
pun Of wind All the windows ale gone;
the sashes ana doors blown out; the chin
neys toppled over, and the entire structure
blown out OF plumb.
As an Illustration OF the eccentrlcities of
a dynamite explosion may be cited the fact
that the curtains In the windows were
crumpled up, torn in holes and tangled up
generally, as If half doZ n playful terriers
had been playing at rats" with them. The
sashes that remained we're bent and twisted
IN the most fantastic way. Mr.. Judson's
house. though slightly nearer the scene of
the explosion, did not suffer SO much, but
Is not In fabitable condition.
As considerable valuable property was
left in both Nr. Rollers and Mr.. Judson's
dwellings and the walls are in dangerous
state special watchman was placed over
each. Mr.. Judson sustained but slight in-
jury from the shock, though he was in the
nitrate house at the time. but he had a pain
ful fall from bis buggy later in the day.
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-07-10
Only Miracle Prevented a Wholesale Human
Slaughter.

Uniy miracle PFeYe1ted wholesale Human
Slaughter.
Engineer Williams had very narrow
escape. The engine-rOom is quite near the
glyeerine tanks that first exploded. and In
side the former. totally unconscious Of the
impending disaster. was the chief engineer
and his Chinese assistant.
The force OF the first explosion blew the
engineer and fireman over against the wall
near the exit. The serond EXPLOSION, which
came too hurricdly ID permit them TO escape,
knocked bOth men senseless. When they
regained consciousness they were outside on
the edge of the bluff, where the other work
men had pulled them.
Williams first thought was of his horse
and buggy that was hitehed outside under
the shed adjoining the engine-hOuse. lie
spoke If this to his friend Pauley. The latter
told him 10 90 home and leave the horse and
buggy in his care. As Williams Was pretty
badly stunned he followed this advice. and
had started down the road when the pow
der magazines went
He turned back. In the smoke and dust
he saw his team aud his friend Pauley high
In the air. When the last explosion was
over Williams found Pauley, horse, buggy
and some other debris all I'm a heap on the
beach at the foot of the bluffs.
Psuloy was scratched MP a little. the horse
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-07-10
A HiRR0W ESCAPE.

Judson's Dynamite Works Near By Come
Within an Ace of Destruction.
JudsOn's dynamite works, not more than
quarter OF mile from the scene of the
terrible explosion, escaped total destruc-
tion, 1t is said. by about ten minutes.
The foreman in charge was running off
his glycerine at the washhouse when the
explosions occurred. had the conclusion
happened before this work was fairly un-
der way, those who know about such things
say there would have been nothing left of
the big dynamite works but hole In the
ground.
1t was generally conceded bv the mep on
the devastated premises last evening that
one cause of the great explosion was in the
fact that the Westinghouse were too close
TO the mixing houses. The washing, mixing,
packing and dryiDg-houses were all con-
neeted by closed tubes through which the
unfinished product flowed from one to the
other department..
The flames started at the Westinghouse
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-07-10
THE Rush TO THE WORKS.
Trains and Ferry Boats Crowded with
ANXIOUS People.

Trains and Ferry Boats Crowded With
Anxious People.
The rush for the Oakland and Berkeley
ferry-b0ats at 1920 and ii A. N was some
thing terrible TO witness. Pale-faced women
and anxious men exchanged hopes and
Tears without the formality of an introduce
tlon. a number of girls living in West
berkeley, but following an occupation In
this city, gave up their work and hurried
across the bay. 1t gave them little consola-
ton to gaze across the waters at the tiny
peninsula, which had been the scene Of the
disaster, and which was now flaming and
smoking from half dozen points like Sinai
In the day of the Lord. The rapt, pinched
faces OF the women and knitted brows Of
the men were fearfully eloquent in their
way.
Arrived at the Oakland mole. the crowd
lost not moment in boarding the cars,
ana these were soon packed TO the plat
1orms. Five physicians from San Fran
cisco were on the IL o'clock train and when
the change to the West Berkeley train was
made at Shell Mound the sexagenariaps
were as active as the youngest in the rush
for seats. A flying special shot by, and
then the train with double-header and
several extra cars pulled out for West
Berkeley.
4bCiC wac OFcI iuliC VI Wdlhlup 10 g
works, from which huge columns Of dun
colored smoke were drifting over the hills,
impeled By a sea breeze which ever aud
anon famed the flames of the burning
buildings into fresh fury. The crowd mum
bered fully thousand, and looked like a
small army on the march. Right ahead on
the railroad track another procession, a
full thousand strong, was strung out for
nearly mile, and across the swamp to the
left third army was on the hop, skip and
jump. now fioundering in the mud, now
knee-deep in tules and long grass, now
pausing 10 get breath On the firm ground.
Arrived al the works these thousance en-
countered number of guards, who obsti-
nately declined TO recognize any ones right
TO admission. They drew ropes across the
entrances and repulsed even the press rep
fesentatiyes, credentials notwltbs tanding
In the ruughest kind of way. 1t was ar
amusing feature OF this bit of by-play that
while the officials were parleyi Ing harshly
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-07-10
RELlcS or THE CHINESE CAMP.

zines where the powder WAS stored. These
were of brick. Only high explosives were
manufactured, and there was always large
amount Of them on hand. The eoneussiOn
from an explosion of the main building
would be sufficient to blow up all the maga-
zines.
There have been many explosions IN the
past, which have always been attended by
great loss of life. About five years ago
the works blew up, and Oscar Frugofsky,
the foreman, was the sole survivor. At
that time windows were broken in Oakland.
Berkeley and San francisco