The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-03-27

rettlDR Ine property IN 6eINice.
One Of the noet fortunate employees o.
the company is A. r. sharpe Of 1870 Mag
nolia street, whozc position was being held
last night by Freeman. Sharpe had been
enjoying short leave of absence, and was
to have gone 10 work last night. He dc
layed for some reason and consequently
escaped probable death. AS soon as tnc
explosion was reported he went to the
power house and rendered the injured ell
the assistance he could.
General Manager William II. Chapman,
who came here from Boston about month
, ago to take charge OF the plant. mad Just
seated himself al a table In the dining
! room OF the Hutchns house and given his
order for supper when he was informed Of
the catastrophe. He immediately procured
carriagesa and drove to the scene, where
ne took charge OF operations. He was seen
shortly after O'Clock by a reporter for
Tho Post and stated that as far as he had
| been able to learn there was but 100 pounds
pressure on Mt the time of tbs explosion,
ana that there was every evidence TO show
! that tho boilers We're provided with plenty
J of water.
"Ihe affair is complete mystery ia
me" he said, Shortly after the property
| passed Into the hands OF Receiver Dupree
| the machinery, including the boilers was
tested by an expert and pronounced to be-
| IN good condition. On this recomlnendatio ion
tho property was Insured with the Hartford
company Some slight repairs were sug-
gested by the engineer who made the eN-
animation, but they were nothing more
than the replacing OF q few rivcts, and
We're ! think, finished day or two ago.
am utterly at a loss 10 arrive at any
conclusion as to the cause of the explosion
IL must simply have been a tearing apart
of the plates. The boiler which went TO
pieces has been IN use ! understand, for
some nine years"
Mr. Chapman stated further that work
on the wreck would be commenced this
morning and pushed to completion as
speedily as possible. He was unable to
say how long 1t would be before operations
could be resumed, as the large engine
which fed the city lights was badly dam
aged. An effort would be made, he said
10 secure power from other sources, but he
did not know what could b. done IN the
premises.
After doing all he could MI Chapman
ie entered his carriage and accompanied
by Post reporter was driven TO ne police
station. where he arranged with Chief
scene of the wreck this morning in order
10 keep curiosity seekers ut distance and
thus facilitate the work of clearing away
the debria.
1t was impossible last night to ascertain
even approximately the extent Of the
damage done on account OF the darkness
and the people who we're attracted by the
nolse OF the explosion were unable to
satisfy their curiosity for the same rea-
sen Tho Wires, machinery, portions OF the
rollers. bricks and parts Of the roof and
walls We're thrown together In such
manner MS to make the work OF ascertain
ing exactly what had happened matter
OF great difficulty.
A torn and battered black felt hat ana a
glove were found on the bayou bank some
distance from the scene of the explosion,
but so far the identity of their owner Is n
mystery. Until Ward was found alive ana
wen thoy were supposed to belong TO him.
Andrew McWhite. the dead negro, lived
MT No. Sii Andrews street. He was married
and had one child He had been in the
employ OF the company for some time past
ard was regarded us careful and ehi-
cient nan.
Carl Holman, the oier, whose fate was
ouch terrible one. lived with his parents
IN the Second ward He was n faithful ma
capable boy aud was very popular am,ng
those who knew him His remains viii b.
Inferred this afternoon at o'clock in
Glenw0od. The funeral viii take place
from The residence OF his father, Charles
Honmann, No, no Spruce street
sidney Freeman's injuries consist OF a
broken left arm and number OF ugly
bruises on his head and body He lives nj
NO. $50 German street with his family
which consists of a wife and one child
Thomas Tobn, the bridge tender, is an
elderly, unmarried man who has hesn In
tho employ OF the Galveston, Houston and
Henderson for some time He lives at the
boarding house of VI, schiller. In the Second
ward
Chief Ravell and the fire department re-
sponded to the call from the powsr house
last night with their usual alacri,y. and in
thirty seconds after their arrival had sey.
erai lines OF hose laid. There was little or
no need for water, and the hremen to-
gether with a squad OF policemen mad
Night serseant OF Police Smith. guarded
the property.