The Port Gibson reveille. [volume] (Port Gibson, Miss.) 1890-current, 1895-01-25
DISASTER AT BUTTE, COLORADO.
Powder Explodes and Many People
Are Killed and wounded--
Sixty Cerpses Found.

A fire broke out in the Montana
Central Railroad yards, at Butte. Col
orado, and soon several cars loaded
with powder caught fire. just as the
firemen were closing around the blaz-
ing cars an explosion occurred. killing
number of flfemeh and spectators.
and maiinifg many others. The fire.
men who had escaped Immediately raj
lied and began another attack, when a
second explosion, more violent than
the first, took place. The people in
the vicinity were moved down as with
a great scythe and the streets for half
a block around looked like great
battle field. Debris was thrown high
IN the air, coming down half mile
away. Many people on the streets in
the center of the city were thus injur-
ed. A few of the remaining firemen
were gathering themselves together
and attempting % get to place Of
sofety, when the third and last explo-
sion occurred. This killed and injured
many people. The whole heavens were
lighted and the city shook as if an
earthquake was in progress. Immedi-
ately after the first explosion, the en-
tire hopital corps and police force were
summoned and many of the detach-
ments of these companies are among
the killed and injured in the subse-
quent explosion. Fifteen dead bodies
have already been gathered togethered
and there is doubtless q great many
more IA parts Of the yards that no one
dares to approach. Every house for
blocks around has been turned into an
impromptu hospital Every member
of the fire department has either been |
killed or wounded.
Wagons took the dead bodies from
the scene Of the explosion to the vari-
Gus undertaking establishments and |
the wounded to their homes and hos
pitfalls.
The latter are al full. The List of
the dead viii possibly reach seventy
five, and the damage to property viii
be more than 81 900, 600. In all, three
carloads Of powder exploded, one Of
which was stored i'm the Butte Hard
ware Company's warehouse, which adj
joined the Benyon-Cornell warehouse.
Large pieces Of iron were thrown
for miles. Several bodies were hurled
a long distance and picked up in un-
masses of flesh.
1t is now estimated that the num-
Der of persons killed by Tuesday nights
terrible explosion of giant powder is
sixty. Nearly fifty are already known
10 have been killed. The city is in
and all flags are at half mast.
The relief committee, called by the
mayor, was largely attended, and com
nittees appointed for the collection OF
money for the relief Of afflicted fami-
les. The people are responding liber
llly and sufficient amount to relieve
distress is already guaranteed. A num-
Der Of bodies are mangled beyond
and never viii be identi-
led
Prof. Robbins, or Robinson, one Of
he dead, who is also known as 1.-TWO
Bear. " was famous hunter He had
pent all his life in the mountains, and !
vas making preparations to guide a
,arty through a practically unknown 1
portion of the Yellowstone Park. Sew /
raj visitors in the city are among the ]
lead. The ruins are still smouldering
nd it is believed that more bodies viii /
y found under the acres of debris I
nquiries are coming from all parts of /
Ne United States about relatives and 4
riends who reside in the city and who I
re- supposed TO have been here at the 4
Ime OF the explosion. 1t is admitted
bat this Il the most disastrous explo-
ION that has occurred anywhere in the a
ountry during recent years. y