The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1895-08-21

property. Five Of the injured will die,
All the killed aud injured were Hun.
gArians except James Harrison, the
foreman, Tho names have not yst been
obtained.
Tho explosion was duo to chang" in
the furnace, which was suddenly
lOO'eued and dropped into tho molten
metal below, generating an immense
quantity OF gas SO suddenly that it could
not escape by the ordinary means and
the explosion followed.
Tho terrible loss of lilo 10 due to u
peculiar cause. A few minute before
the explosion occurred one OF the top
filters dumped barrow OF material into
the hell Of the furnace. which no had
forgotten to raise. This cloEG0d tho ton
OF the furnace and prevouted the gases
escaping,
A gang OF sixteen men, in charge nj
James Harrison, waS cent at once to tho
topot the furnace 10 remove tho obItruc.
ton. All were closely crowded around
tho bell OF tho furnace removing tho
material which had bSen dumped on
it, when there was terrific explosion,
aud mOu, barrows, tooll and material
were hurled in all diIOCtinni. Flames,
deadly gases, smoke and dust came
from the furnace top and tho gang OF
men fell as II shot.
One man wai killed instantly. lie
was blown from the furnace top. along
tho metal roadway TO the elevator shalt,
down which no fell. and striking on n
CAT, was cut in two. ono half OF his
body falling on one side oil the car and
the other half on the other side.
Tho explosion was heard all over
Braddock, and n crowd suIhed to the
scene, but none expected to witness
such horror. 4 relief crow was quickly
organized. and went to the top OF the
furnace, where lay fiteen men, bleed.
ing, torn, burned and dying. The
flames aud smoke were still coming
from the furnace, and the work OF res
cue WAS dangerous IN the extreme, but,
covering their hands, faces aud heads
with cloths, the rcscuers went bravo.y
TO work. The injured mon werO all
burned from the waist up, a. they were
all leaning over the mouth Of the fur
naco when tho explosion occurred.
Three men died before they reached tho
bottom OF tho elevator shalt, aud the
others died between ) and o'clock this
morning. As fast as the injured men
we're taken from the furnace tor they
were removed TO m improvised hospital
in tho company's offices, and the com
pauy's staiI Of physicians and medical
aid from McKessport aud Pittsburgh
summoned. Five oil tho men were 80
badly burned and injured that the ply
sicians did not deem 1t necessary to re-.
move them to any hospital. as death
seemed inevitable in a few hours Gnd
no hospital could relieve their suffer.
ings. Two oithe men who we're on top
Of the furnace, whCn they reached the
ground, were revived and there being
some hopo for their recovery they were
taken to their homes. The contents OF
the furnace were blown out aud scatter.
ed for hundreds OF yards around tho
furnace, falIiug in all parts Of the yard,
| cutting and burning about ten mon who
were work ing below. but none OF them
were seriously injured.
OF the injured It is now thought five
will die. Their names are:
John WRrha, Inhaled tho flames mar
ried, two children.
John Skonda, married.
Mike Jnra, married.
Mike RapennJ, single.
Andrew Drohno, single.
These mon were irighttuily burned.
The following Were seriously injured
but will probably recover:
John Wagasky.
John Zbtoiay.
JRmo' Harrison,
Two unknown men.
A number OF others sustained slight
burns and cuts but they were nbo to 90
TO thOir homes and their names could
not be learned.
Tho Gnry shower fell on tho carpenter
shops OF this company, about hundred
yards from the furnace, and II was soon
In flames and was soon destroyed with
its contents. Tho bell OF the furnace
was shattered and scattered; tho roof Of
tho cast house was crushed is and
ruined; the contents Of tho furnace
wore scattorod abroad and tho bn,ci IL
that tho furnace is badly damaged and
may have to be rebuilt. II this should
DO tho case tho total damage will 10
$4,000.
The Braddock's fro department was
called out and prevented tho spread OF
tho flames, and the members also aidod
in tho work Of rescue aud did poiico
duty Tho scenes rs tho mon wore car.
ricd TO tho Office oil the Comphny's worc
intensely excited aud pathetic. Wo.
mon and children rnBhOd iNntiCaIly
from their houses, md tho largo force
Of police and guards wero powoross to
prevent thum from rushing into tho
impr0vizod hospital and tho dead
house IN tho search for gOmO molnberS
OF their family.
Tho homes Of tho killol aud injured
mon worn nnaf tho furnace, mud tho
streets Ia that vicinity wor0 IiIlod with
II mass Of weeping, frantic, hali.Ctazv
women mud children, and that part OF
lIraddock Is Indeed a house Of mourn.
| Ing.
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