Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-01-17

crowded around the burning structure
as close as they could get
The i1remen had arrived only a minute
or two before, and were almost in the
act OF turning on the first stream of
water when small explosion took
place.
This seemed to be sort of warning
of what was to follow, for no sooner had
the first puff occurred than the people
began to suspect the presence of u
greater quantity Of the explosive in
some other part of the structure, and
some Of them fell back. Before they
had reached a place of safety, however,
the first great explosion took place and
hundreds Of people were hurled right
and left, while many of them were
lnangled beyond recognition.
Bodies were thrown for hundreds of
yards in all directions. Some were
thrown against houses and smashed to a
pulp, while flying debris literally
Knocked the heads from others where
they stood. One body, it was reported,
was seen .=
FLYING THROUGH THE AIR
at height of 200 or 800 yards. Blood,
brains, arms, legs and other pieces of
bodies were lying around everywhere.
Many of the wounded were pitiable
sight. After the first explosion occurred
they were compelled by their helpless
ness to lie near the scene, and the heat
only intensified the pain they were suf-
fering.
They begged to be taken away, but
there was no means of conveying them
from the scene at the time. A hackman,
seeing the terrible state of affairs, drove
up and attempted to assist in the re-
moval, but while in the act, the second
explosion took place and killed him and
his horses and many of the wounded.
Many hours after the explosion the fire
was still burning and the
STENCIL OF CONSUMING BODIES
was terrible. Forty-four bodies have
been recovered and as many more, it is
feared, are still in the ruins.
Never before have such exciting
scenes been witnessed in Montana. The
people of Butte have not thought of
rest The explosions occurred before
many people had gone to bed, and
when the
fastened itself upon them they gave
their whole strength and the means
about them in aid Of the wounded and
in caring for the bodies of the dead. No
good estimate can be made of the num-
Der of wounded. They were cared for
by every conceivable method. Vehicles
of every description were pressed into
service and mangled men, women and
children were taken to hospitals, the
City Hall, drug stores, public buildings,
doctors offices and residences.
1t may be several days before the full
list can be published.
CANNOT BE IDENTIFIED.
Only about one-half of the dead
bodies SO far recovered have been iden-
titled. The undertakers' shops are full
of the identified bodies, and at the police
station are large number of the un-
identified ones. These bodies are fear
fully mangled and burned, and as the
faces Of most of them are unrecogniz-
able, the only means of Identification
will be by the clothing or other property
found on the person of the dead.
rs TO 100 ALREADY DEAD.
At9.35 o'clock this morning it was
estimated that rs to 100 persons are
already dead, but it is impossible to get
names on account of the mangled condi-
ton OF the remains. 1t is likely they
will never be identified.
OF INoENDIARY ORIGIN.
The fire is supposed to be of incen-
diary origin, as there was no fire so far
as known about the place.
One body was taken from the ruins
this morning and was identified as that
Of Chief Cameron OF the fire depart
ment. The head, arms and legs were
burned off.