Crittenden press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1879-1907, 1900-11-01
All Available Physician. Called.

Every available physician and am
bulance surgeon who could be reached
was called into service, and the va
rious stores which were not damaged
by the explosions were turned into
temporary hospitals for the care OF
| the wounded.
Elevated Railway Damaged.
1t was anly an instant after the
first of the explosions occurred when
the elevated railway structure caught
fire. Fortunately there was no train
in the immediate vicinity at the mo-
ment. The structure was in a blaze
for a distance of half block IN less
time than it takes to tell it.
Supt. Slitt of the Manhattan Rail-
way Co., hearing of the trouble, hur-
ried to the scene in person, and with
q gang of employees directed them in
an effort to save as much of the
structure as possible. The damage
was so great to the roadway that
traffic can not be resumed for some
time to come.
John Wiegnnt's Experience.
John Wiegand, who keeps store at
rs Park place, three blocks from the
scene of the explosions and fire, said
that his windows were not only blown
in, but that he was lifted clear from
the ground by the force of cCncus-
sion.
manageable Crowds.
The crowds which gathered about
the scene were so great that the po-
lice were for time powerless to
keep them in order. Several lines were
established, but the people appeared
to be so beside themselves that they
swamped the police. All the available
reserves from neighboring station
houses were called out, and even the
crowds appeared for 4 time to get the
better of them. Reserves were then
ordered from half dozen or more
stations.
streets Strewn with Debris.
The streets for several blocks were
strewn with broken glass and other
debris, and blood was spattered in
every direction, showing that there
must have been many persons in the
vicinity at the time who were injured
by falling glass.
Where the Fire started.
From an official source it was said |
that the fire started on the third |
floor of the building which was n !
four-story structure. Immediately a
column of white smoke shot up |
through the roof. This column of |
smoke was followed by an explosion,
which shook the entire building, lift
ing the roof completely off and tear
ing away part of the front wall. No
body up to this time has been found
who saw any of the employees leave
the building.
Shook TO Their Foundations.
The force of the explosions shook
the very foundations of the buildings
in the vicinity and was felt clear
down to Wall street, where il was
thought that another earthquake had
occurred.
The first alarm Of fire was carried
into an engine house close to the
where it started. Fire Cap
tain Devanney, who was in command,
and his men, hurried out and coupled
their hose TO the hydrant under the
elevated structure and alongside the
building which was on fire.
lie Saw the Danger.
The minute he saw what sort of a
ire it was he turned in second
harm. Then came the explosion. The
iremen saw the building coming
Town and fled for their lives. Four
we're injured. The engineer, Rock
berry, was seriously hurt. So was
apt. Devanney. Both were taken to
hospital. Firemen Brown and Dillon
ware also injured. The engine had to
De abandoned.
Third and Fourth Alarms.
Capt. Devanney's successors sent in
| third alarm, and then a fourth and
general call for ambulances. The
ngines and ambulances were blocked
~ the immense crowds which gath
red by thousands.
An Employees story.
Joseph Beck, an employee of Tar
ant q Co., was seen after the eXplo-
ion. His head was swathed in
,andages and his right arm hung
imp. He said that there were about
90 girls in the building. Many of
hem escaped on the fire escapes.
there were at least Is, he said, that
ould not possibly have gotten away.
he girls were all eating their I
unch at the time the fire started, he
aid.
He said Tarrant & Co. carried
arge stock. There was also a guam
ity of alcohol and other explosive '
liquids stored IN the building.
Used hs Storage Warehouse.
The building was also used as a {
forage warehouse by II. w. Phair d
o., who manufacture a paten medi-
inc, as well as w. j. Breitenbach IL
o., also manufacturers of medicines.
j. Donnison, the cashier of the Irv-
lg bank, was bruised and cut. II. c.
lecklin, of East Orange, and S.
Ombs of Brooklyn, were also i'm
lred.
The employees in the elevated rail-
Dad station got out before the ex-
losion occurred.