The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-06-18
AN EXPLOSION ATA COMPRESS
ONE MAN KILLED AND ELEVEN
MEN AND 4 WOMAN INJURED.

The Dead Man the Manager of the
PresS-A hoy Standing by His side
BlOwn Into the street. Hut Miracu-
IousIy Escapes Uninjured The
Cause of the Explosion an Unex-
planned Mystery.
New Orleans. June IA frightful acci-
dent occurred this morning about 10
O'Clock at the Union cotton press. on South
Peters street. For several months past
the press has been idle. This morning at
O'Clock steam was gotten up for the pur-
pose of trying the machine. About 10
o'clock several gentlemen from Missis-
sippi who had decided to purchase the
machinery. came TO the press and the COM
press gang began work in their presence.
Four bales were pressed and a NTH one
was about to be made into a smaller bale
when one Of the boilers exploded with a
terrific detonation.
The building was totally wrecked and
bricks went flying IN all directions. A
portion OF the boiler was thrown some dis
tance across the yard. Another piece
passed through the wall and was thrown
across South Peters street. where It struck
the wall Of the Independent press and
knocked hole through II about ten feet
square.
There were fifteen men in the compress
gang at the time the accident occurred.
Besides these there were a number OF oth-
ers, including Clement b. Penrose. one OF
the owners OF the compress. and the pros
pective purchasers. Mr.. Penrose, s. j.
Johnson and n. B. Shelby, of Elhsville.
ar,H
Miss, were standing near the machinery
between the boiler and compress. Mr.. Pens
rose was leaning against the wall, while
the other gentlemen were standing in an
arch. To this fact they owe their lives.
While Mr. Penrose was almost instantly
killed tho others were blown some distance
and then crawled out OF the debris, Mr..
Turner was slightly hurt on the leg while
Mr.. Shelby received a slight scratch on the
left arm. Several OF the compress gang
were also hurt, but their injuries with one
or two exceptions are not serious. The
compress is some distance from the boiler.
Following is a correct list of the killed
and wounded:
ISnled-Clement b. Penrose. manager Of
the press.
Wounded-Albert Frankenbush, serious.
ly; Preston Kay. seriously; Henry Schnei-
der, internally; George Hynob. In the
back: John Schultz, IN the arm; George
In the back; George Lynn, arm and
head; John Lynn, eye and head; NJ. "A.
Turner, about the leg; Henry Hefiier. left
shoulders; Laura Jones, In the head and
shoulder
The cause OF the accident is a mystery.
The boiler which exploded was not an old
one, and was considered In good order
and. as usual, there is said to have been
plenty Of water in IL at the time Il burst
Mr.. Penrose was well known here and
was member OF the firm Of Penrose
Bros, press owners. He was also a school
director Of this city. He leaves a widow
and two children.
Illustrating the old story of narrow es-
capes. while Mr.. Penrose was instantly
killed wherelhe stood at the moment OF
the explosion boy. whose duty it was to
perform some slight work with each bale
of cotton, after II was pressed. and who
was right at the side of the unfortunate
Mr.. Penrose, escaped without scratch.
although he had a thrilling experience,
In being actually carried off his feet by
the velocity OF the wreck and flung clean
through a gap In the wall on to South
Peters street How the boy came out OF
the wreck with his life or a sound member
Of his body viii for all time remain o
mystery.