Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1898-09-22
TEN DIE IN FLAMES.
FOURTEEN OTHERS BADLY INJURED
IN A BLAZE AT TOLEDO.

spontaneous Combustion of Dust Causes
Terrible Confiasration In Grain Ele-
vator-Property aud Grain an Entire
Loss and Will Reach Over Half Million.
TOLEDO, O., Sept. 21.-Ten people Gre
mated and fourteen seriously injured is
the record OF the most disastrous fire
that ever occurred in Toledo. The spon.
taneous combustion of dust in the grain
elevator owned by Paddock, Hodge &
Co., at 9 O'Clock last night caused this
terrible destruction of life and none of
those who are now alive will survive
the burns. The dead:
SAMUEL ALEXANDER.
BERT WAINWRIGHT.
FRED GARRETT
HAROLD PARKS.
JOHN SMITH.
GRACE PARKS.
FRANK VAN HoUsEN.
JOHN CARR
SUPT. WILLIAM PARKS.
UNKNOWN MAN.
The injured:
David d. Kemp, Barney WEIGH, Charles
keifer, Fred Pardigiiiis, Elliott,
Charles Brookseeker, Everett Smith
Hamilton Parks. w. c. Jordan, Peter
Haas, Al Baldie, three others, names I'M
known
William j. Parks, the superintendent,
after being blown through the window
OF the lower story, was conscious for
moment and said that about $50 O'Clock
terrible explosion occurred on the
south side Of the elevator and that he
knew there We're about 20 men at work
on the seven floors of the enormous
building. None of those who are now
alive will survive the burns and bruises
with which they are covered. Besides
those regularly employed at the elevator
the three children of Superintendent
Parks We're visiting him at the time.
One of these may recover from his
burns, but Grace, a 17-year-old girl is
burned almost beyond recognition and
Harold, the third child, has not been
found, being either blown to atoms or
cremated. Superintendent Parks dieli
early this morning Of his injuries.
At $50 O'Clock last evening the people
all over Toledo We're startled by ter-e
rife explosion which caused panic all
over the neighborhood Houses were
shaken as if by an earthquake and
windows were shattered for blocks
around. Those in the vicinity of the
Union elevator soon noticed flames
bursting from all sides of the building
1t was but a few minutes until the fire
department of the city began the work
OF rescue, which was rendered difficult
by the terrific heat of the fire. The
river cut off escape on one side and
there the flames seemed to be less fierce.
The families of dozen men who were
known to be at work within rushed to
the scene and women calling for their
imprisoned husbands, brothers and
fathers made scene understandable.
1t was learned that the force of 20
men expected to load $4,000 bushels of
grain during the night. Not one of the
entire number could be seen in any
part of the building and it was impos.
sible to reach them in any way, Will.
liam Parks was found first. He was 20
feet from the building, frightfully
burned and his clothes almost entirely
torn off. He had been hurled from his
place in the main floor through win
dow and his agonizing cries were most
pitiful. Another employee, John Carr,
was hurled from the fifth floor of the
building and was found bleeding and
burned, with many bones broken. He
did not long survive. Fireman David
Kemp and Charles Keifer, the engineer,
We're found at their places in the engine
rooms. They were wounded by falling
timbers and their faces were charred to
a crisp by the flames.