The Penn's Grove record., 1899-05-05

SATURDAY evening.
The explosion occurred on the fatal
| 3O.caliber line in building No. 40,
which had been recently fitted up with
presses to force gun cotton into hollow
steel torpedo shells to be fired from
mortars, such as are on the V%esuvius.
The shells are about d feet long and Il
inches in diameter. Into this space Is
pressed $50 pounds of gun cotton with
a pressure OF. about 1atons.
One shell had been loaded in the
morning. About 10 pounds of gun
cotton had been put into the second
shell and while putting more in the eX-
plosion occurred, making "a shower of
iron that carried death to six and des-
truction to the machinery and building.
The south end of the building was COM
| pletely wrecked while the north side
aud gable end stood upright.
AS SOON rs it became known in town
there wa an explosion the streets were
lined with men, women and children,
with fear and CONSERVATION. As work
men hurried Oh bicycles and Il foot from
the works scraps of news were picked
up from some while others knew little
and told less. Many went to the gates
but extra guards were put out who
would not even let workmen III who
were off duty and tried TO suppress all
news. AS the fatalities became known
sorrow came to five homes and many
relatives, as all but Capt. Stewart were
residents OF Penn's Grove and were
raised in this region.
Drs. ID. Garrison and N. IL. Barnart
were sent for by Messrs. Dupont and
they hurried to the Mills and gave wha
relief they could to Messrs. Stewar
and Putfle. Coroner 7. j. Torton view
ed the four bodies and Undertaken Tor
ton took charge OF them and prepared
them for burial.
Isaac Friant's body was blown almost
to pieces and the right side of the face
and neck were burned and torn. The
head and chest were whole and lecog-
nizable. He was buried Tuesday morn
ing, services being held in Emmanue
Church, burial in Emmanuel Cemetery.
Amos Morris, Jr., worked in an adj
joining building and had just stepped
l., .,I.n,, tin ,Inprnp IF iron pnf hiC hClv
badly and his face beyond recognition.
His funeral took place Tuesday after
noon, services in St. Paul Church, bur
ial in Riverview cemetery.
Joseph &. Yeager was cut and burn
ed badly ON the right side of the face
and body, partly recognizable. The
funeral took place Wednesday morning
IN the Bethel M, p. Church. Inter
ment in Riverview Cemetery.
VIM. Puzzle, son of Mrs. VIM. Hut
Crimson, was cut badly on the left side
of the face. The upper lip and nose
being torn away and left arm mangled.
His body was brought from Whining
ton on Monday and buried Wednesday
afternoon. Services in Emmanuel
Church, interment in Emmanuel Gene
terry.
Harvey Smiths body vas cut in two
by a flying rod, and hung together by a
few shreds. His face and hands were
not blemished. The funeral services
took place at the residence of his grand
mother, Mrs, Margaret Hartranft, with
whom he lived, as his father and moth
er died some years ago. The remains
were taken to GreenmOunt Cemetery,
Philadelphia, and buried along side of
his mother, on Thursday morning. His
uncle and guardian, Henry Hartranft,
of Camden, had charge of the affair,
Capt. Stewart was badly cut about
the head and leg torn at groin. lie
lived at Rockland, outside of Whining.
ton, and leaves a wife and three chill
dren. The funeral services took place
on Wednesday morning at Christ Epis-
copal Church, near Wilmington and
his body was taken to West Point for
burial. He graduated at West Point
in 1881 and was a graduate of the Ar.
| tillery School at Fortress Monroe. Be.
fore being promoted to ordnance officer
he was a lieutenant in the second artil-
lery. He came to DuPont's in 1896 to
inspect powder, Previous to that time
he was stationed at Bethlehem Iron
Works to inspect all the shells and
plates made for the government.
The Mills shutdown this week until
Thursday to allow the workmen to at.
tend the funeral.
Edward Dancer was the only other
mar in the building and he escaped he
knows not how with a slight scratch on
the leg. lie was between Smith and
Stewart running a press. Edward
Munyan, who worked in the building
had just stepped out to get a drink.
Francis l. Dupont and Superint end