The San Francisco call., 1898-04-27
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S
 SANTA CRUZ. April 26.-At 5:15 this evening a portion of the Califor- mia Powder Works blew up. There was a series of terrific explosions and at once the nature of the catastrophe dashed across every mind. People rushed into the streets. and a few mo- ments later were on the way to the scene of the catastrophe, fearful that something awful had occurred, and yet conscious that at any instant there might be an added calamity.
 Hardly had the throng started for the scene when the sky was lighted by a burst of flame, and a dull roar startled the senses of those already intensely wrought up by the dread possibility of what had occurred. Many turned back, and were spared a sight which description could hardly portray. There had been destruction and death.
 The ] wder mill canyon was one sea of fire. Amid the binding timbers and rapidly licking flames there did not seem to be a vestige of the Cali fornia Powder Works remaining. Scraps from gun cotton were falling
 
 neared the scene of the explosion, shingles, pieces of timber and gal vanized iron were strewn about in confusion.
 A half hour before this had been one of the busiest spots in California. Every man and boy who could work in the mills were engaged. and car penters. masons and builders were en- larging the works.
 Eight bodies have been taken from the debris, nearly all charred beyond recognition.
 Those dead are: James Miller (the foreman), Ernest Marshall. Luther Marshall, Ernest Jennings, Charles MIL Ter and Guy Fagen All of these were employed in the smokeless plant.
 Charles Cole, a carpenter, working a hundred yards from the building, first reported missing, is dead. Ed Gilman, Q stonemason, on his way home from the works, was struck by falling rock and was found dead.
 Among the wounded are: Mike Noon. who received a cut on the head; Dr.. Congdon, who went to attend the wounded and was struck on the back by a flying rock; William Burge, struck by a piece of falling rock and horribly cut on the face; Bert Req, working outside, struck by a rock on the back of the head and knocked senseless. In falling he struck his elbow. which was fractured. George Sutton. wounded by falling timber; J. w. Nelson, carpenter, cut on forehead and right hand frac- tured
 So great is the confusion that even now there is a conflict as to the num- Der and identity of the victims.
 The fire spread all over the canyon. and the falling timbers were as fire brands, which ignited the brush in all directions. The men were soon at work The powder mills village is about a quarter of a mile down the creek from the scene of the explosion. Here, nes- tied in a canyon, in a lovely spot. is village of about twenty houses and a schoolhouse. This is the place of resi- dence of many of the employees of the works. The entire village was in flames, fire destroying what escaped the shock The escapes of the women and children from falling timbers were miraculous.
 The home of MT Johnson is in ruins Mrs Johnson and the children just es- caping from the falling roof. The boarding house was also knocked to pieces Mrs. Margaret Worden tba boarding house keeper. was struck bv a piece of flying glass while running out of her house, and was cut severely on the top of her head and had her left ear nearly severed. The two lodging houses were soon in flames, while inc residences of c. H. Bennett, J. ooney. Mir Maners, MT. Welch and others on the fiat were in ashes in a few minutes