The evening times., 1898-10-22
FOUND A NEW EXPLOSIVE
Professor Fay Badly Burned
While Experimenting.
NAY LOSE HIS SIGHT
Red Powdered Phosphorous and
Liquid Gas, when Mixed, Explode
with Terrific Nofse-Windoyys
Broken and Students Panfc-strick-
entire Department Called Out.

New York Oct. 22.-IrVing w. Fay, pro-
fessor of chemistry in the Brooklyn Pol
ytechnic Institute, was experimenting
with red powdered phosphorus before a
class yesterday, and a violent explosion
occurred, in which he was terribly burn
ed, and which may have totally de-
stroyed his eyesght Lincoln Burrows,
a student, was also seriously burned.
Panic in the classroom resulted. Glass
IN the windows was shattered and smoke
rolling out led 10 the summoning of the
fire engines and police reserves.
No cause for the explosion can yet be
assigned. Ii was the first time so far
as could be learned, that the particular
experiment had been made.
Prof Fay, who is a scientist OF wide
experience, and long connected with the
institute, lectured TO the senior class in
chemistry yesterday afternoon on the ele-
ment Of phosphorus. He said he would
experiment 10 find the effect of LIQUID
air on red powdered phosphorus The lat
ter differs from the ordiary sort in than
lt Is what is called much more ''indiffer-
ent, Is supposed to be much safer 10
handle, Is Interchangeable in ordinary at
does, neeessitating its being handled and
kept under water
Froi ray flled glass half fun Of the
reo powdered phosphorus. poured LIQUID
air upon 1t and intently watched for re-
suits. The students were interested and
pressed about him to See. There was lit
ne change apparent except that the phos-
phorus grew 10 be lighter red. The
liquid was soon evaporated leaving the
substance much < NH.
glass
This the professor turned out of The
glass on pine topped table coated with
parafiine and commenced to stir il with A
glass rod. Burrows stood meanwhile at
his elbow, and the other members of the
class nearby.
There was a sudden binding flash from
me red powder, terrific report and
names leaped up in the professors face
The hair on the front Of his head was
singed 10 the scalp, his eyebrows and
mustache We're burned off and his face
eyes and hands We're terribly burned
BURROWS head and face were bIistered
The shock threw Prof. Fay backward
on the hoor where he lay with his hands
covering his eyes.
The explosion burst out every pane of
glass, and it fell to the sidewalk. The
room was filled with a dense white smoke
which poured from the broken windows
Those in the class who were unhurt
were panic-stricken and fed from The
scene. Some, however, returned. and lift
ing Prof Fay carried him 10 the room of
the president, David Cochrane. while a
call was sent 10 the Long Island College
Hospital for an ambulance and a messen
ger for a physician.
Meanwhile there was wild confusion OUT
side the building. The report of the ex-
plosion was plainly heard, and the falling
glass and smoke attracted the attention
oi a policeman TWO blocks away. He rang
a flre alarm and sent for the reserves
OF the Adams Street police station. Fire
engines and policemen came dashing IIp.
but there was no need OF either.
Dr. Mcleod, 0f the Long Island College
Hospital arrived promptly. and. with DIR.
Arthur Matthewson. an eye specialist.
worked over the injured man. who had
become insensible, for an hour and a half
They found, they said afterward. that the
corner OF the right eye was almost burn
ed through and that Of the other was
scared. Apparently much of the phos-
phorus had blown directly into his eyes
Prof. Fay was restored to consciousness
and though suffering terribly asked to he
sent home.