The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-02-12
SIX ARE DEAD.
Awful Result of an Explosion at q
Fire I'm Pittsburgh.


Pittsburgh. Pa, Feb. 10.-A fire OF
mysterious origin was discovered at
about eight o'clock Wednesday evening
In the large six-story cold storage plant
of the Chautauqua Lake Ice company,
and the entire building was de-
stroyed. together with about S1,775,-
900 worth of merchandise Of all kinds
stored within it's walls. The building
occupies the block from Twelfth 10
Thirteenth streets, between Pike and
Mulberry alley. IL is n six-story brick
with three heavy fire walls, making in
reality four buildings. The ice com
pany has its icemaking plant and stor-
age warehouses on the lower floors, and
the Union Storage company occupies
the balance of the building with mer-
chandse of all descriptions, the prop
erty of innumerable merchants and
householders of the city. One of the
compartments is used as the govern
mert bonded warehouse and contains
about 400 barrels Of whisky and alcohol.
At l1:15 p. m. an explosion of whisky
occurred which blew out the Mulberry
alley wall with terrible results. At the
time the alley was full OF firemen, po-
licemen, newspaper men and others.
Many were caught by the falling wall.
There are six bodies now al the
morgue. Those first identified were
tho remains of Police Lieut.. A, j. Berry,
who was acting captain, and William
Scott, Jr., aged 20, son Of william Scott,
president Of the Chautauqua lee com
pany Ills brother John, aged rs, is
missing and is supposed to be buried
under the ruins. Later three Of the
victims were identified MS Mrs. Sife,
aged so years; Stanley Sfe, aged -
years, and David Loveless, aged 80
years.
Many people were injured by flying
bricks and beams and all the ambu-
lances and patrol wagons Of the city
were in constant service. Until the fall
ing walls have been cleared away there
can be no certainty as to the number Of
victims.
The telegraph, telephone and electric
lights at the corner of Thirteenth and
Penn fell shortly after the explosion
and killed nm unknown man.
Some of the injured whose names
have been secured are: Charles Simon,
travelling salesman from Cincinnati,
badly cut on head; William Fleming
squeezed by falling rafter, may die;
Daniel Maloney. carried through to the
cellar. but dug his way out, hurt inter-
nally; Charles Wilson, bridge builder,
badly cut and hurt internally; William
Desmuke, puddler, head and shout
ders badly cut; Mary Desmuke, his wife
hurt internally; Davis Stewart, badly
cut on head; Capt. j. A. Brown, build
ing Inspector, both legs broken.
The following is the best list of losses
obtainable:
Hoveler Storage company. build
ing and Observation-Disclosures CO0,0O0
ChautauGua Ice company 10000
Union Storage company............ 100000
Penn avenue houscs................. 25.OOO
Total. ...............sf,77 RS. OcO
Some Of the heaviest individual losers,
who had consignments in the ware
house, are:
The Economy Dlstlling company, 5000
barrels OF whisky. s75O.0o0
Monongahela Textile company. wool
dealers. $4,000 pounds OF wool.
Collins Cigar company, rs carloads OF to-
bacco.
w II. Williams, commission merchant.
20 carloads OF sugar
just after the explosion the large
warehouse Of w A. IIoeveler d Co., sit
uated on Pike street, directly opposite
the Chautauqua company's building.
was ablaze, and in short time was be-
yond hope of saving. The two large