The Indianapolis journal., 1900-10-30
TOLD BY A PREACHER.
Rev. Martin Luther's Account OF the
Explosion and Stampede.

NEW YORK, Oct. 29.-The Rev. Martin
Luther, of the Wilson Memorial Chapel.
who was within a block OF the scene of
the accident when the explosion occurred.
had remarkable escape. He was on his
way from the Franklin-street ferry TO
attend the noon meeting at the John-street
Methodist Church. He was suffering from
a wound in the head as a result of trying
to hold horse which had been knocked
down by truck. He was kicked in the
head
MY experience" he said. "was one
which 1 will never forget. came UP
Franklin street from the ferry and turned
down Washington street 10 Warren.
had just turned the corner into Warren
street when the first explosion occurred.
When the second, and terrific crash came.
I was in the middle Of the block between
Greenwich and Washington streets. / was
on the south side of the street looking at
the building Just before the great ex-
plosion had been direetly opposite
the burning building looking at the fire
and the people escaping down the fire lad
ders. Had 1 remained in that position
few moments longer I would have been
killed / consider my escape an act or
Providence.
when / first arrived on the scene there
was a dense black smoke pouring out OF
the windows of the burning building. As
/ looked men and women were being as
sisted out by the fireInen and were coming
down the ladders Then there was noise
from the interior of the structure and n
white smoke began TO pour out. just be-
fore that 1 left the front of the building
and went down the block. Everyone on
the escape seemed TO have been rescued,
and so far as i could see there was no
one on the escape when the explosion oc-
currd.
"As I looked one man appeared at one
of the upper windows. His face expressed
great agony and fear. The smoke almost
shut him out from the view OF those an
the street Go up &c the ROOF. for S2a 2s
man left the window 1 don't believe he
ever left the room where he was, for IL
was but a few moments later that the
big explosion took place. It seemed 20
me that the whole building was carried
up into the air only 10 break into thou
sand pieces and come down on the people
and houses. bringing death and destruc-
tion There was a slight sound before the
explosion, and then with a fash and noise
that shook the ground the building went
.'I was standing near a building. There
was a break In the crowd, and / dashed
through and got just under the shelter of
the doors when the glass OF the building
crashed IN and glass fell all about me-
The crowd stampeded down the street.
Men and women fell over each other and
10 add 20 the excitement OF the scene ln1
truck horses stampeded There were a
great number of trucks in the vicinity. and
as IL was the noon hour many horses had
their food bags over their heads. Az
Greenwich street they blocked the street.
Those that had fallen were kicked and
run down by the others trying 10 get past
tried 10 get 10 one OF the horses which
was not injured. but which had fallen
made an effort TO get him on his feet.
but was kicked in the head.
w. Fl. Sergeant, who occupies an Office
Oh the twenty-second foos OF the Syndi-
cate building. the tallest sky-scrapper In
this city. watched the fire ano subsequent
explosions from the window OF his ONCE
He gave the following account OF his i'm
pressions: Il had been watching the fire
for six or seven minutes when the first
explosion occurred. This was weak COM
pared TO those that followed. In all there
were three explosions. The third one which
was the strongest. fairly took us OF our
feet. and after IL was over left Us all in a
shiver. IL seemed 10 sweep into the Of
flee through the open window and then oUr
again. From here IL looked like a huge
black mass rising into the air. Then IL
broke and for several minutes the debris
was flying In the air a. far yez8ey
street. That black mass. wnen II DrOn<.
discharged perfect shower OF twisted
beams, lumber. PARIS Of tin roofing and
other objects. AS long as fifteen minutes
after II occurred pieces OF wrapping popos
kept coming down.