The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1893-03-24
BLOWN TO ATOMS.
Terrible Explosion of Flour Dust in
the Big Keeler Mills at Litch.
field, Ills.
One Killed and Many Injured-Over
Million Dollars Damage
Done.
The Explosion Heard for Twenty-Five
Miles, and Windows Broken
Ten Miles OF.

L1TCHFIELD, lllS., March S2.-At 3:5O
o'clock a. M. fire was discovered in the
big Keeler Touring mill in this place,
and despite the efforts of the exployes,
it quickly spread throughout the build
ing. In less than 20 minutes the flames
were beyond control. While the en-
-ployes and firemen were fighting the
flames a terrific explosion, caused by
-four dust occurred, and the immense
structure was blown to fragments.
John Cowie. the head millwright, liv-
ing at Waterloo, N. Y, was instantly
killed and several employees were badly
hurt.
Wrecked Business Houses.
The explosion wrecked nearly every
business place in the village. Many
persons were hurt by flying bricks and
falling timbers. The damage to the
mill alone will reach $1,0O0,OOO and
other property was damaged over
$3.50, 600. The shock was felt in the
adjoining villages of Clyde, Butler,
Gillespie and Hillsboro. In many of
these places the concussion was SO
great that plate glass windows were
broken.
When the fire started the citizens
Of this town were awakened by
the ringing of fire bells and before
many Of them could dress they were
stunned by the terrific shock of the ex-
plosion, and the next moment found the
walls of their homes falling upon them.
1t is not yet known how the fire Or
iginated.
Water Pipes Didt't Work.
The frewa discovered by the night
watchman in the bran room of the flour
mill. He ran to hydrant but the
water pipes did not work properly and
in an instant the flames spread to ad.
joining rooms. In less than two min
utes the flames reached the -four rolling
room. and an explosion of dust followed.
The night watchman was hurled through
a window and badly injured. Mill
wright John Cowie was stunned by the
shook and unable to escape. He was
burned to death. The building tottered
for second and fell in a
heap of blazing timbers. The flames
leaped across small passageway and
ignited two large grain elevators. In
the elevators were stored 10000 barrels
of -four and 2OO,OUU bushels of wheat.
The firemen were driven back by the
intense heat and in less than half an
hour the elevators and their contents
were a total loss Several small build
ings adjacent to the elevators were
burned. The shock of the explosion
was
Heard 25 Miles Away,
and window glass was broken and
chimneys blown down in towns 10
miles distant. Nearly every house in a
radius of two blocks from the mill was
badly wrecked. All the plate, glass in
the stores on Main street and State
street were blown out.
The -four mills and elevators were
owned by Kehlor Bros. of st. Louis,
and their loss is estimated at $80O 900.
This is partially covered byinsurance.
About forty small dwelling houses were
wrecked and many others slightly dam
aged. The Wabash railway tracks run
between the flour mill and elevators,
and are covered with debris for dis
tance of 800 feet. The company will
only suffer slight inconvenience, as they
will use the tracks OF other roads at this
point