The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-02-17

the explosion it is found that the iron
rods are still intact, and that the strips /
gave away at the ends.
From these facts it is shown that the
reservoir was entirely too large for the
strength of the material used, and that
1t was unsafely put together One man
said that in his estimation, the reser-
volr as 1t was built, was not capable or
holding compressed air at the pressure
OF so pounds to the square inch
The force of the compressed air as 1t
rushed out of the narrow confines OF the
boiler was terrific. Scarcely an idea
can be formed of the immense power
with which it tore itself loose and came
forth to deal death and destruction to
all that happened to be in its path. Only
the after effects remain to show how
well it accomplished it's dreadful err
rand.
STEEL RIvETS CUT IN TWO.
The ease with which it cut off the
heavy pieces of steel, and the many rlv-
cts in the boiler tell the tale of the ter
rible force which was exerted. The lift
ing of heavy pieces of iron, and steel
and the hurting of them through two
inch oak plank roof, covered with slate,
and at least 20 feet from the boiler, goes
to show the irresistibleness of the force
That part of the roundhouse where
the Midget stood, is torn to pieces.
| Tools, material, work benches, pieces of
iron, rocks from the wall of the round
house, and such things as happened to
be near the locomotive when IT explod-
eu were lIlIOWI II mere anu L4icIc5 anu SN-
erything is in a state of confusion.
The % large windows in the south and
west wall of the roundhouse We're all
blown out, and the pieces of glass and
window frames are scattered on the
| ground outside of the building.
The roof above where the locomotive
| stood, comprising a section about 30
feet by SO feet, made of two inch oak
! tlmbers placed two inches apart, and
| covered with slate shingles, was raised
1 up nearly a foot entirely clear of the
/ side walls and the ewes of the roof
| Through this part of the roof are sew
eraI large holes where parts of the To-
! connective were blown.
| WINDOWS DESTROYED AND ROOF
DAMAGED
Directly in front of the locomotive is
! the large hole u feet wide and 20 feet
high which was torn in the side of the
wall of the round house. 1t is thought
| that this hole was made by the end of
the boiler striking the wall, but some
say that it was the result of the force
of the air as it rushed out of the boiler
The large doors opening into the
| center space of the round house, where
| the tErn-table is located, were more or
! less damaged. These doors are massive
| structures, and the bottom part is solid
| wood, while the top part contains sew
erai small windows, to let in the light.
Many of the windows in these doors
| were blown out, and several of the large
wooden braces which were used to hold
| the doors shut were broken in two by
| the force of the explosion.
A door at the west end of the round
| house 125 feet away and connecting
with that section of the house on the
west, was badly shattered and splin-
tered. This door was closed at the
time Of the explosion and the force of
the air split the panels of the door and
forced off the bottom part so that it
hangs only by a small piece of wood.
AFRAID OF DAMAGE SUITS.
The officials of the Santa Fe mechan-
zeal department are today engaged in
an investigation to determine, if pos
sible, the cause of the fatal boiler ex-
plosior of yesterday afternoon. The
investigation is being conducted by SUI
perintendent of Machinery John Player.
Meanwhile the wrecked boiler lies
where it was thrown by the force of the
explosion with both ends boarded up
and covered with tarpaulin. The open
ing in the wall of the round house, and
the broken windows have likewise been
!, boarded. No persons are allowed in
that part of the building but en-
pIoyes, and watch is kept that no one
attempts to examine the wrecked
boiler
This carefulness on the part of the
company officials is characteristic of all
railroad accidents where there is any
possibility of the company being liable
While the mangled remains of the two
men who met instant death through the
explosion were still lying in the midst
!, of the debris workmen started to Gloss
up the ends of the boiler with plankS
At the investigation today every mar
: who worked on the boiler since it's con
struction was started several weeks
: ago was examined. Tests will later BIZ
: made of the various parts of the
wrecked machinery.
) MIR. Player refuses to make any state
nent concerning the probable reason o.
the explosion. He says he will be IN
l able 20 say anything until after a com
plete investigation is made.