Los Angeles herald., 1892-07-10
THE WORK OF DESTRUCTION.


Fragments of Bodice strewn Aroun d.
Experiences OF Employees.
OAKLAND, July 9.--The body of a
Chinaman was found on the railroad
track half mile from the works. The
remains of boy, frightfully mangled,
were found near the scene.
Miss Kate Davis and Miss NJ. Davis
were rescued from the cartridge factory
uninjured. They describe the terrible
scene as follows:
"We were in the cartridge factory fix.
ing caps when we heard the first explo-
sion. Becoming alarmed we ran and
hid behind a box. An explosion fol-
lowed in quick succession from the
nitro-glycerine house. We had plenty
of time to get out, but were too ex-
cited"
The third explosion threw Miss Kate
on her head near the fire.
Willie Schmidt was on top of hill
near the works when the first explosion
occurred. His face was badly cut and
badly bruised. He tied his horse and
ran. His horse was killed at the second
explosion.
VIEW OF THE RUIN.
From the top of the hill, just above
the works, the scene, after the explo-
sions, beggared description. The west
ern slope was covered with scattered
timbers OF the giant powder house,
which was burning furiously. Little
yellow streams running down to the bay
showed where the contents OF the tanks
emptied themselves. All the mixing
and packing houses OF the black powder
department. are in ashes, as are also the
sulphur mills, which buildings were To-
Gated east OF the scene of the explosion
and on the opposite side of the hill.
The damage to the black powder works
alone is $75. 600.
The first explosion caused the giant
powder magazine to blow up. The
shock travelled in an easterly direction,
and the black powder mills lay directly
in the path of it, and burning brands
were heaped upon the already wrecked
buildings. Before the Chinese employed
there could all escape the powder in the
black powder mills exploded.
SOME OF THE VICTIMS.
Phil Hickinger was the fret wounded
man to be taken out through the Gordon
of guards which was established. He
was walking within fifty feet OF the
magazine when it exploded, and his
escape from instant death is considered
Charles Brown was the only man in
the mixing house where the first ex-
plosion occurred, and it is believed he
was blown to atoms. Brown was con-
sidered a very careful man and for that
reason was given the most responsible
position.
A man named Boies, who had charge
OF the tanks in the acid house, is be-
Nived to be among -ase KYIled.
The cause oil the explosion is said to
have been the upsetting of bottle OF
acid in the oIice, which set fire to that
building. The company declined TO give
OFT any particulars, and as most OF the
men employed were Chinese, their
names are not obtainable.
Two injured Cinnamon were taken out
OF the ruins at 1890, and number who
escaped with severe burns and bruises
were huddled near by, but were unable
to give an account of the explosion, as
they did not talk much.
The entire works are surrounded by
ropes and guards. No one but physi-
clans officers and relatives OF workmen
are allowed within the ropes. The
bridge across the slough on the east side
of the powder works has been cut to
prevent people from going in.
A special train with telegraph oper-
ators arrived near the scene at II 80
this afternoon. They tapped the wires
~, e \
communication with Oakland and San
francisco.
A Chinese boarding house near the
mixing house was blown to atoms.
There is tremendous crowd at the
scene and the guards are having great
difficulty in keeping the people out OF
danger.
ANOTHER MAGAZINE IN DANGER.
No one dares approach the magazine
which has not yet exploded, and which
is now surrounded by fire.
The damage is estimated at least at a
half million dollars.
Trains passing near the works are
compelled to slow up owing to the dam
age to the track.
AT l O'Clock this afternoon no one was
within mile of the magazine, and no
effort was being made to check the
flames. The five previous explosions
were each of less than 100 tons. Over
300 tons of giant powder are stored in
the large magazine. Everyone is get
ting as far away from 1t as possible.
A number of persons at the State uni
versity had narrow escapes from sh at.
tered glass this morning.