Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1895-08-28
The Dupont Po,cder Works.


to his children by Eleuhere Irenee du
Pont de Nemours, when, driven from
France by the Revolution, he came TO the
far-away State of Delaware and with skill
in chemistry acquired under the great
Lavoisier, set to work in 1902 making
gunpowder for America and the civilized
world, if world can be called civilized
that uses so much of it. Vast wealth he
prepared for his descendants, the family
fortune to day uniting into nearly hun
dred millions. But along with the riches
he left dreaded responsibility that press
es down relentessly upon every son and
grandson. "Thou shalt not rest thou
shalt not fear" is written upon the brow
of every Dupont child, and read in the
life of every Dupont man. If ever
family was brave, it is the Duponts; if
ever family had need of bravery it is
they.
The Duponts monopolize the gunpow-
der business of America, controlling
twenty eight of the thirty-two mills in the
country. They do this by confdipg to 10
one, not even to the archives of the Patent
Office, their secret methods of compost
lion, their specially devised machinery,
and all the lore of gunpowdermaking
that has come TO them through genera
tions. This inherited knowledge is the
family treasure, and to guard it invioate
the Duponts must be their own mechan-
les, chemists, superintendents and engi-
neers must spend hours every day in the
mills; must live with the menace of sud-
den and frightlul death always about
them.
Thus far no Dupont has ever been false
to his family law for bravery, while more
than one has given his life in obeying it.
One Saturday evening in the summer of
1857, Alexis |. Dupont son of Eleuthere,
was in one of the mixing-rooms with
some of his men, trying TO shift heavy
yellow pine box. As they slid the box
along the floor, the friction caused a spark
to strike, aud instantly the room was
ablaze Fortunately most of the gunpow-
der had been taken out, it being the end
OF the week but the walls and floor we're
sufficiently sprinkled with it to cause
sharp puff which set the mems clothes on
fire.
Alexis, realizing the danger instantly
and being himself in the flames, called TO
the men to follow him, and running out
Of the building threw himself into the
mill race. The others did likewise, and
thus for the moment, all were safe. But
Alexis, turning toward the mill as he
swan, saw that sparks from the burning
mixing-room were falling in showers upon
The roof Of the press and cutting mill,
which contained several tons of powder.
IL spite Of the appeal Of the men he rush
e 4 back to the point Of danger, calling
out as he ran, Now, boys, pass the buck
eis OF water.
Then he climbed fearlessly upon the
roof, which was now nearly burned
through-for in those days the roofs we're
made of pitch and cement-and began
fighting the flames as hest he could. In
.pired by his courage, the workmen raj
lied with a will at the bucket line; but
before they had fairly got started the ex-
ploss came, blowing Alexis Dupont with
fearful force against one Of the drying
stands, crushing his ribs into bis lungs,
and iniurng bin so that he died in great
agony few hours later.
The greatest explosion Of gunpowder
the world has ever known took place at
The Duponts' works on the 9TH Of October
1890 With their usual cautious policy
the Duponts have never stated just how
great a quantity of powder exploded at
that time, but it is certain that three
magazines and three mills in the upper
yard we're blown up. one after another,
and safe estimate will put the quantity
of powder exploded at $50 tons. In this
explosion thirteen men and one woman
we're Instantly killed, while twenty-five
men aud nine women we're injured, some
fatally.