The San Francisco call., 1896-04-28
Watchman Cota's Body Torn to
Pieces by the Force of
the Blast. q
TREES YARDS AWAY UPRooTED
Buildings Are Reduced to Debris and
Only Great Hole Marks
Their Site.

PORT TOWNSEND, WASH, April 81
The steamer Willapa arrived from Alaska
at O'Clock this evening and brings news
of the terrible explosion which occurred
on the night of April 16 at the Alaska
Treadwell Company's works on Douglas
Island. Four tons of dynamite was acci-
dentally discharged, and general havoc
was wrought in the vicinity of the explo-
sion.
Those of Juneau who had retired were
startled from their slumbers by blast
that shook the earth. The various amuse-
ment resorts were emptied, as if by magic,
of their thoroughly frightened jewellers.
To those who quickly recovered their
senses three sharp, short whistles from the
Mexican mill indicated that disaster had
occurred, and the presence of physicians
was needed.
Three doctors responded to the call, a
lone fisherman making a special trip to
convey them to the island. They were
met at the wharf by mine employees, who
excitedly exclaimed that the old magazine
had blown up, and with it one man
Watchman William Cota-of whom not
the slightest trace could be found.
Immediately after the explosion miners
hurried up the hill to the scene of the dis
aster, but nothing could be seen by the
dim rays of their lanterns except hole in
the ground and a mass of debris lying
around it. In the morning as soon it be-
came light, it was found that the hole was
twelve or fifteen feet deep, fifteen feet
wide and about twice as long.
The snow covering a space forty acres in
extent was strewn with small bits of wood,
not one piece of which could be found
larger than ones finger. The awful force
OF the powder was shown by the trees and
stumps in the vicinity being uprooted and
tossed down hill.
A huge bank of fog lying at the rear of
the house was showed up hill en- masse for
a distance of several feet and stump
some three feet in diameter situated a
short distance away was split in twain.
A most diligent search for the remains of
the unfortunate man resulted in the ind
ing of one eye, a piece of skull with skin
and hair attached about the size of a half
dollar and a piece of skin about half as
large as the palm of hand.
At the mill buildings, store and private
residences adjacent the force of the shock
made itself very apparent. The boarding
house looks as though a cyclone had
struck it, every door and window facing
the mill being blown out. Several eye-
witnesses to the frightfuI blast say they
heard the report and sim ultaneously saw
a huge volume of fire shoot up in an area
of several hundred feet.
By the light it made the air even at
distance appeared to be clouded with
debris. After the fash vast quantities of
smoke arose and in few moments OBJ
scured everything from view.
William Gotta hailed from Spring Valley,
Cal Several things connected with his
death make it particularly sad one. Un-
til about three weeks ago he had been en-
ployed in the Treadwell Mill.
At that time he received word OF the
probable fatal illness oil his father and also
of brother having his leg broken. This
weighed on his mind, and he seemed to
have presentiment of impending danger
He finally gave up his position and re-
turned to Juneau, occupying a cabin at
the rear of the hospital. Three weeks
rolled by, and he concluded to return to
work, accepting the post at which he met
his death. He was 80 years old, sober and
of good moral character and a member of
the Masonic fraternity.