Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-09-02

VICTIMS OF THE ACCIDENT
ROASTED IN THE FIRE THAT
FOLLOWED.
PITTsBURG. Pa, September la
boiler explosion at the Republic iron
works, on South Twenty-f0urth street.
shortly before daylight to-day, killed
five men and seriously injured seven
others. A fire which broke out follow
ing the explosion added TO the horror.
The mill was partly wrecked and the
entire plant was compelled to close
down.
The list of killed and injured is as
follows:
Killed:
DAVID MATHEWS, a heater, married.
THOMAS BEAvENS, a heater, mar
ried
EIR. THOMAS, a heater, married.
JOHN WARMUISKI, a heater.
UNKNOWN MAN, crushed almost be.
yond recognition.
Injured:
Malachi Donahoe. IS years old, pud-
dler. badly burned; not expected to re-
cover.
Mel Donahoe, his son. IS years old,
burned about the head and breast; will
die
Fred Herb, helper, as years old,
skull fractured and burned all over the
body; will die.
Stephen Milocaski. laborer, bruised
and cut win recover
Gregory Sanders, puddIer, not seri-
ously.
Peter Schnitzer, helper not serious.
Unknown man. cut about head; left
the hospital without giving his name.
The explosion occurred just as the
night force was leaving and the day
force was coming on duty, SO that there
were only few men in the mill at the
time. II it had happened half hour
later the list of dead ard Injuries Would
have been appalling. II occurred in the
fourteen-inch department. and the con-
cussion was terrific. buildings were
shaken a mile away and the dust Oiled
the air for two or three blocks. i
entered open windows and nearly suf-
located persons who we're aroused by
the roar and the shock.
Immediately following the explosion
the wreckage took fire and this added
to the difficulties encountered in rescue
ing the burned and mutilated victims.
A fire alarm was quickly sounded and
in a short time the flames were under
control, after which the flremen were
employed in searching the ruins for
the dead and injured.
The first two bodies taken out were
identified as those OF Beavens and
Mathews. The bodies were lying
against their wrecked furnace. The
men had been knocked down by the
flying bricks and were roasted to death
by the heat Of their own furnace. The
others were found soon after and sent
to the morgue. The injured were re-
moved to the South Side hospital. where
they received prompt attention.
When the boiler burst section Of 1t
weighing four tons was blown through
the roof and crashed into the side Of
the house OF Gregory Sanders. on
Wright's alley. about 200 yards dis
tant. The building. which was Of
frame. was wrecked. but the occu-
pants escaped with bad fright.
This flying portion Of the boiler tore
down the central supports 81 the roof
which fell In. and buried some Of thoss
injured. The collapsed roof and iron
and scattered pieces Of machinery and
masonry formed mass Of wreekage il
which the work Of searching for the
additional bodies supposed 70 be hid
den by IL was slow and tedious work
The bar mill in which the accident oc-
Cured. Is a part of what Is known az
the old wharton mill. and the present
owner, the Republic iron works, - >
department Of the National tube works,
recently merged In the tube combine.
The cause Of the explosion has not
yet been determined. The damage 20
the plant was heavy. but the firm can
not estimate it at this time.
NINE VERSIONS DROWNED.