The record-union., 1898-04-27
FRICHTFUL
DISASTER AT
SANTA CRUZ.
Three Explosions at the
Powder Works.
The Gun Cotton Plant Re-
duCed to Ruins.
Nine Persons Killed and -Four Others
Seriously Injured.
Plants Used in Making Powder for the Gov
eminent Escape lnury-The
Disaster Due TO an
Accident.
Nine Persons Killed and -Four Others
Seriously Injured.

SANTA CRUZ, April 26.-Three ex-
plosions about 5:15 this afternoon at
the California Powder Works caused
greater loss of life than any Of the
previous accidents in the history of
those works. Widest rumOrs are prev
alent regarding the number of killed
and injured, the exact number of which
cannot be ascertained before morning.
1t is known that nine were killed and
four seriously injured, as follows:
Ernest Marshall. Luther Marshall, c.
A Cole, H. C. Butler, c. Miller, j.
Miller E. Jennings, E. Gilleran, Guy
Pagan.
Injured: J. Nelson, William Burge,
G. Hannah, NJ. Nunsen.
The first heavy shock from the eX-
plosion was felt for many miles around,
and was quickly followed by two light
er shocks. The smoke from the works
arose in such dense. volume that it was
impossible for a time to perceive the
extent of the damage that had been
caused by the explosion. 1t was re-
ported that the fire was spreading, and
that the main magazine was in i'm
minent danger The bugle call was &C
cordingly sounded for members Of the
California Naval Reserve, who respond
ed promptly. hurrying to the mills and
assisting the corps of fire fighters al
ready on the grounds.
AS nearly as can be learned the pri-
mary cause of the disaster was the ex-
plosion of the gun-cOtton plant. The
igniting Of this plant caused the fire to
spread to the adjoining brush and
small buildings, and was then COM
municated to the powder mill flat
where are located the houses of the
employees of the works. The employees
and Naval Reserve boys worked hero
ically to prevent the fire from spreading
to the smokeless powder plant.
The scarcity of water in the creek re-
tarded the work of the volunteer bri-
gade Shovels and other tools were used
instead Of water in fighting the flames
No doubt is entertained among the
officials of the works that the explosion
was due to an accident. Extraordinary
precautions had been taken to prevent
treachery, and no well-informed man
entertains the opinion that the accident
was the work of a Spanish spy, as was
at first suggested.
1t is not thought that the explosion
will interfere With the manufacture OF
snokeless powder for the Government
The fire is now under control, and al
Immediate danger is passed. None OF
the plants used in making powder tol
the fulfllment of the Government con-
tracts are injured.
In addition to the gun-cotton plant
most of the cottages occupied by the
employees were burned, this comprising
the property loss, financial estimate OF
which cannot be made tonight.
A large force of men is now engages
in throwing dirt on the fire to prevent
its spreading. All the shovels in town
have been purchased for this work
Some narrow escapes from serious in
jury are reported DR.. Congdon, who
was in Powder Mill Flat when the eX-
plosion occurred, was struck by piect
of flying wood, but not seriously in
jured.
All the windows in Colonel B. Pey.
tens residence were broken. the Colone