Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-04-14

A large crowd of people soon gath
cred at the scene of the accident and
aid was literally extended to the inJur-
ed workmen. Drs. ]. A. Alley and ].
w. Mcdonald were at once summoned
and the victims were carried to the
company's store nearby for treatment.
After receiving the necessary medical
aid the victims were either removed to
different hospitals or to their respec-
time homes. Hile and Spindler, who
were in serious condition, having re-
ceived serious burns from the hoS
steam and water, were removed in the
city ambulance to the City Hospital,
and two of the other injured men were
carried on stretchers to the Emergency
Hospital for treatment. Later these
two men were sent to their respective
homes. Richard Satterfeld, who was
scalded from head to foot, suffered ex-
cruciating pain after the accident, but
was able to talk. He is employed as
water tender in the boiler house OF the
steel plant He stated that he noticed
that something was wrong with the
steam issuing from the blast furnace
boilers and was about to call the FUR
mace officials attention to the apparent
defect in the battery when the explo-
sion occurred.
A Polander, whose name Is not
known, who was nearest the boilers,
when the explosion occurred. is said to
have been blown distance OF 90 or
90 feet across the railroad tracks OPP
posite the furnace He was picked up
in an unconscious condition and after
being given needed medical assistance
was taken to his home in Benwood.
He seemed to suffer intense pain and
it was the opinion Of those who at
tended him that he was hurt inter-
nally and might not recover.
One of the employees, who was en-
gagged in his work at the stone bin,
which is located about one hundred
feet from the furnace, gives a descrip-
ton of the scene following the explo-
sion and how it impressed him. He
SAYS that he heard a loud report and
on looking up saw timbers and bricks
whirling around in the air Before
he could realize just what had hap
pened he turned around in time to see
Polander, whom he did not know,
fall to the ground near where he
was standing.
The boiler, which was thrown north,
struck violently against battery OF
boilers in the west end of the steel
plant boiler house, causing them to be
torn loose from their foundation. 1t
was not long until large force OF
laborers were put to work to clear
away the wreckage.
About half-past ten o'clock the
South Wheeling firemen were called
to the plant, as there seemed to be
danger of the debris catching FIRE. 1t
was at first feared that some of the
workmenE were beneath the mass OF
debris. but all the men who were
known to work in these de-
partments were soon accounted
for. Quite large number
of men are employed in this part of
the mill and many had narrow escapes
from being injured.
J.. D. Culbertson, an official of the
plant, speaking of the accident last
evening, stated that the cause of the
explosion is not known and that ne
was unable to estimate the loss to
the National Tube Company, which
controls the works. However, he said
that it would not be so heavy as was
at first thought. 1t is generally esti-
mated by those not connected with the
mill that the damages amount to about
$25 600
The necessary repairs are rapidly
being made to the boilers and engine
of the steel plant and this depart
ment may be ready for work in day
or two. 1t is not known just when
things will be gotten into shape for a
resumption of operators in the blast
furnace.
Several of the employees of the fur
ance of persons as sureties who are
those mentioned in the list of victims,
were more or less injured, but not so
as to require medical attention. Late
last night it was learned that all the
injured men were resting as comfort
ably as possible.
Kings Daughters of Fourth Street
Church will sell good things to eat at
store of Thos. Hughes Co. to-day. They
will treat you nicely. Be sure to call
on them.