Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-07-04
ENSIGN E. E. CApRHART INJURED
In an Explosion of Gun Cotton In Gov
ernment Armory-He viii Recover.
Several Killed.

In an Explosion OF Gun Cotton In q Gov
ernment Armory-He viii Recover.
Several Killed.
NEWPORT, r. l., July 3.-About two
o'clock this afternooa smoke was seen
from this city Issuing from buildings
90 Goat Island occupied by the United
States government torpedo station.
The smoke increased rapidly and was
soon followed by tongues OF flames,
making IL evident that y conhagration
was in progress there.
There is no communication between
the island and the city, except by a
small government launch, which at the
time was at the island end Of the route.
1t was accordingly impossible TO sehd
help from the city department. and no
alarm was sent out. Harbor tug Aqni-
denock, which is provided with ire
apparatus, early steamed TO the scene.
The fire was in the gun cotton factory
situated on the site OF old Fort George,
on the west side of the island. 1t start
ed about 1:4O, not as an explosion, but
as fire pure and simple. Work was at
once began in removing the large guam
tity of gun cotton contained In the
building. Before the work was entirely
COMPLETED, however, fire reached part
of the gun cotton and an explosion fol-
lowed, killing two men and inturing
three others.
The killed: are Frank Laughlin and
Jeremiah Harrington, aged % and 81
years respectively. Both belong In
this city. The injured are: Michael
Reagan and John T. Harrington also OF
this city aud Ensign Z. e, Capehart, at
tached to the station. 1t Is thought
their Injuries are not serious.
At 3 o'clock the fire was practically
extiDguished and there was no danger
of It's spreading TO other parts OF the
station plant. The gun cotton factory
is a wreck. being level with the ground.
II was a long, narrow building nearly
200 feet in length, and was erected some
years since when the government began
its experiments with the manufacture
oil gun cotton at the station here.
One OF the wounded, Michael Regan
died tonight. No reliable estimate OF
the money value Of the plant Is yet
obtainsble. How the fire originated Is
still a mystery. Daniel Burns received
the worst injuries Of those alive, but he
will recover 1t is expected.
He was badly mGngled by the falling
timbers, while those killed were liter
ally blown 10 pieces. Burns has been
brought over to the city hospital. Sew
eral who received lesser injuries came
to town without reporting to the sta
tion surgeon, who was assisted by a
corps from the training station.
Ensign Capehart will do nicely, his
wounds being but an ugly tearing OF
the flesh by piece OF dying metal.
Many OF the others injured have their
eyes burned, but the question OF loss OF
eyesight has not yet been determined
Ensign T.. f. Capehart, referred to
above. is native OF Belmont county,
Ohio, having been appointed TO the An
napoiis Naval Academy from Martins
Ferry He is a son of DR.. Henry Cape
hart formerly OF Bridgeport, later OF Mar
tins Ferry, bat now living In Dakota.
Many Martins Ferry and Bridgeport peo-
pie will remember ed. Capenart' aud
will be glad 10 learn that his injuries are
not serious.