Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-07-11
AN EXPLOSION
Two Large Steel Rollers Were
Partially Wrecked.
omcors of tho Suffolk Clay Company Say
tho Explosion Was Mystcry Small
Firo In Planning aIilI-New orsanist
From Norfolk.

Suffolk. Va. July 1o.-There was
to-day an explosion at the plant
J of the Suffolk Clay Company.
whose engine mystifies EMPLOYEES and
officers. Two large steel rollers. which
are part of the disintegrator, and
which General Manager Jacobs says
will weigh nearly n ton each, were par
TALLY wrecked. The noise could be
heard considerable distance.
N. X. Withcrs, the company's sec
rotary does not know why the wreck
happened. but he has suggested that
The disturbance was brought about by
the explosion of powder in u bomb
smell Embedded in the caly breastworks
from which the raw meaterial is tnken
GENERAL PECN'S DEFENSE.
In 1868 Federal General Peck was in
possession of Suffolk, and he had a
line OF earth defense thrown I'D near
Lake Kiiby and not far from the SUI
pnro called Boston; Since the clay
plant has been in operation nu-
!merous relics of the civil strife
have been brought UP from the
northumberland bullets. pieces
of shell md the like. That what
suggests to the minds of some
may have been responsible for to-day's
shaking up.
DON'T MIND ROCKS.
The great rollers have crushed rocks
as though they had been partridge
eggs without suspending business Il
minute. and when the machine is par
allied as 1t was to-day the paralysis
cannot easily be accounted for. The
noise was loud. but the theory cannot
be verified, as no pieces OF shell have
been seen. The rollers revolved at
the rate of 500 minute
The money lost by the explosion is
perhaps not much over $780, The plant
has other ways of working clay. and
operations were only suspended for n
short time.
The machine may have been broken
by bolts coming loose. That is the
theory OF those who do not believe
about the bomb
FIRE WAS ENfINGUISHED.
Fire broke out this afternoon in n
planning mill of the Camp Manufac-
turing Company at Franklin, but was
put out before serious damage was
done. The company has an excellent
system of their own for fighting bazcs.
and besides there is high brick wall
between the planning mill and the main
lumber mill.
The blaze was discovered about 8
O'Clock near one OF the boilers. The
alarm whistles were blown and for n
time there was uneasiness among the
citizens. The plant is one OF the larg-
eat lumber places in Virginia. and is
II source of much revenue to the town
of Franklin.
The damage at to-day's fire was trl-
fling.
A NEW ORGANIST.
Mr.. George Scott. of Norfolk. has
been engaged as organist at the Main
Street Methodist Church in place of
Miss easier, who Is having n vacation.
He is expected to report for duty about
August !.
FREE STREET CONCERTS.
The people OF Suffolk are to enjoy n
series of free summer concerts in open
air. Lumber was to-day placed for
the erection of a band stand on Main
street between Washington and the
City Hall. The expenses do not come
from the treasury of Suffolk, but are
10 be met by popular subscription
Those who wish to contribute can see
Mr. John b. Pinner who is helping to
engineer the scheme. or any member
of the music committee.
The music will be made by the Phoe-
nix Military Band, and IL will be very
apt to please. The stand will probabl
be completed this week.
1t is proposed to have n concert
every Thursday evening during warm
Mellher.
AND TIE WATCH CAME BACK.
l.. L..