The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-01-11
DIED BY DYNAMITE.
Long Island City Torn Up by 8
Terrific Explosion.
The Scene, Tunnel Shaft in a
Populous Block.

Aterrible explosion Of dynauits occurred
in L,nz Islari City, N. Y, at eight o clock
a few mornings ago. by which five parsons
lost their lives and soma twenty or thirty
persons ware Severely injured. TIE acci-
dent occurre in the WORKS OF the Long ISL
aud and New York Tunnel Company, at
Jackson aud Vernon avenues.
The workingmeu employe by this corpor-
alton have bean engaged there for con-
siderable time driving headings under the
surface an have usei great quantities OF
the powerful explosives in prosecuting their
work.
There have been several minor explosions
Of dynamite at the plaza. Buildings nave
been shaken AMI window glass shattered,
but no one until this occasion bscamsa VIC
tim to the accidents,
The pushing OF the headings has been
prosecuted with vigor recently and great
quantities Of dynamite have bsen kept nsar
the works in order to econo N q, time in the
blasting.
Residents of the nsighboraoo have pro-
tested against the apparent carelessness OF
the company, and have appealed to thu au-
thorities, but with no effect. There were
nearly hundred men who bad been en-
4. ployed in tbs tunnel about an hour when an
alarm came OF premature exDlo
There was q panic at once, but before
anyone had time to save himself the earth
shook with the explosion OF dynamite and
the surface Of the ground In the vicinity OF
the tunnel rose in the air. scattering the
fragments of the unfortunate persons near
and the debris Of the tunnel in every direc'
tion.
The flames from the explosion sat fire to
the larze four-story brick building adjoin
az, 4 cha ttarad avarv mana Oe
glass in houses for blocks about.
The dead were: Mary Graden, aged niue.
teen, Long Island City: Eiward Hopkins
Peter Rocco, Mrs. Peter Rocco. Henry
OBrien, aged thirty. three, clerk, Long
Island City.
When the explosion occurred all tho work
men were in tle tuunsl except Rocca who
was placed in charge Of the dynamite at the
head OF the tunnel. He was blown x
pieces. None of the men in the tunnel were
injured. The cupola OF st. Mary's Roman
Catholic Church on Vernon avenue anc
Fifth street was smashed into pieces by the
conclusion.
Work on the tunnel has been progressing
about two months. The city, it is said, ha'
been warned time and again OF the danger
attending the work, but no action was taken
for the protection Of tbs residents or the
neishborhoo1 against a disaster OF thl;
character.
The fire. which at first set the brick build
ing ablaze, soon extended to the adjoining
ones whose walls had been warped an?
cracked by the forca of the explosion, ant
thew are now In imminent danger OF falling
The tenants are supposed to have escapes
with safety.
In the building which was nearest the
tunnel was the postoalce. When the shock
occurred tons OF debris fell in this part OF
the structure aud completely buried the
mails. They were at once removed to No.
SO Borden avenue, where temporary othce
was established. ,s....,.
Hundreds Of people, attracted to the
place by the explosion, aidei ths fremsn in
rescuing the wounded. Wagons OF all kinds
were used in conveying the maimed people
to their homes an to st. Joan's Hospital.
All of the doctors in the city hasteaed to
the scene. KS