Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-10-23
EXPLOSION THIS MORNING
I; Was Generally Heard, but Pew Were
Aware of the Cause
The Mystery Finally Solved-It was
Six Sticks of Dynamite MT
the Zoo.

All Washington. or at least that portion
wont to continue its slumbers several hours
after the rise of the sun, was rudely awak-
ened about 6:15 o'clock this morning by
terrific explosion, which frightened many
persons to degree that put all idea of
further sleep out of the question, and also
startled those who were astir at the time.
The subject was generally discussed
throughout the day, and the nature of the
explosion and it's location remained a mys-
terry to all but few.
surmises as to the Cause.
Hear the explosion? What was it?'
These questions were put to nearly every
one by early every one else, but the cor
rect answer was not forthcoming. One
blase man suggested that the noise might
have been an explosion IN society, the filing
of divorce suit or something of that sort,
but his theory received about rs much con-
sideration as one to the effect that the
breaking of the Columbia railway cable at
1th and K streets northwest caused the un-
usual vibrations of the atmosphere.
The police department. was unable to
throw any light or the matter, and Star
reporter was Informed that the only eA-
losion heard in that nefghborhood of late
occurred yesterday. whensJudse Miller sent
for Telephone Operator Maddux and the
latter failed to comply on the ground that
the District telephone office was of more
Importance than the Police Court.
An Earthquake Suggested.
An earthquake was an early sugges-
ton, and careful censle of'the weather.
bureau disclosed the fact ltfat every Of
fetal :-nt ,eh,ploys of the 6fice had heard
the noise but interviews with the delicate
Instruments kept for, the purpose showed
that no record had been made of an earth
quake. g,
Trouble at the powder magazine a short
distance down the Potomac was thought
whose home is but few hundred yards
from the magazine, reported everything
serene in that locality when he left for
this city at 1880 o'clock. The sentries at
Fort Myer plainly heard the noise and were
of the opinion that it originated in the
direction of the Washington barracks. The
mystery was deepened rather than cleared
up by a visit to the barracks. Uncle
Sans soldiers at the arsenal also heard
the disturbance and had 10 doubt that It
rolled across the flats from FIT. Myer.
Curiosity at the Soldiers' Home.
The folks out at Soldiers Home admitted
that they were a little curious to know
whence arose the unusually loud explo-
sion heard this morning, but could supply
no definite information as to its origin.
There was also rumor afioat that the
power house of the lexington and Soldiers
Home Railroad Company at lexington had
been blown into splinters, but it required
only call over the telephone to dispel
such wild assertion. Some one advanced
the opinion that large water main might
have burst, or an explosion of sewer gas
occurred, but the records at the District
building Were flank in that regard
The explosion was plainly heard in all
portions of the city and the county. with
the exception Of Capitol Hill, being par
ticularly violent in the northwest section.
1t also attracted the attention of persons
across the river in Virginia. Not a few
heads of families were rather pleased than
otheiwise at the occurrence, for, they
claim, the explosion successfully aroused
their servant girls and thereby demonstrat-
ed its superiority over an alarm clock.
1t Was Dynamite at the Zoo.
Finally the mystery was solved at the
Zoo. According to the superintendent, DR..
Frank Baker, six sticks Of dynamite ex-
ploded there at 6:15, and IL caused the
noise and resulting conjecture. Workmen
were kneading the dynamite in order to
put it into proper position for blasting in
connection with work on the Rock creek
intercepting sewer. 1t was resting near
the fire today when flames burned more
rapidly than was expected and the ex-
plcsion took place. No one was hurt,
which seems quite remarkable under the
circumstances. Beyond soaring the work.
men. blowing big hole in the ground and
smashing large number CT windows in
buildings at the Zoo and in that vicinity, no
damage was done.