The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1901-03-13
EXPLOSION KILLS MANY
Horrible Catastrophe Occurs
In Chicago.

Boller Exploded aud wrecked Buildin-,
the Debris Immediately Catching Fire.
FL. n Bodies Have Been Recovered
aud Several Are Missing, While Many
Are Fatally Injured.
CHICAGO, March 12.-By the ex
plosion of the boiler in the Doremu'
laundry, i5S West Madison street, yes
terday, eight people were instantly
KILLED. 20 were injured and several art
missing.
The cause Of the explosion has moi
been determined with accuracy "
yet, and it will probably require an oil
cial investigation to settle the matter
1t is known that the boiler was old,
secondhand affair, and there is no recort
in the Office Of the city boiler inspector
OF any inspection having been made
within the last year.
Pending the verdict of the coroner's
jury, \. l.. Doremus, the proprietor OF
tie laundry is held in custody by the
Police and il i the intention of the au'
thOrities to institute criminal procee /
mgs against him should the facts
bcught ont at the investigation war
rant such action
Reports OF tla number Of dead in Tie
ruins run all the way from six to 20
IL is known that 80 employees Of the
laundry had entered the place before
81 ns an.
tomato timcAocrcl found in the ruins
which was nOl damaged, showed that
number of registered arrivals. Two OI
three were entering at the moment OF
the explosion making an approximate
total OF 40 employees in and around the
Building.
The list Of injured includes, however
several people residing in the adjoining
buildings, ne.p,y all of winch were
badly damaged. The most conservative
estimate by the police comedies that ut
least three, dead or alive, are still in the
ruins, yet the search for bodies in the
ruins came 10 sudden end early in
the afternoon and the work Of rescue
was entirely abandoned.
The cause of the cessation of the
search was dispute between the fire
men and police as TO who was respon-
sible for the recovery of any bodies
The fremen said they had performed
their whole lu,y and, gathering up their
hose. retired from the scene. The pO-
lice said it was not their work to dig
tuI bodies ana nobody else volunteered
to do the work.
While the nreiuen and police were ar
guing aud explaining their respective
sides in the matter, the city building
department stepped in. Building In
spcctor Kiolbassa sent deputy to the
scene of the catastrophe and a notice
was sent to jackson Brothers agents
for the property, to Immediately begin
the work of pulling down the walls and
clearing away the debris. Jackson
Brothers were given two hours to
comply with the order their failure to
do 50 to result in the building depart
ment performing the task. The real es.
tate firm soon had a number of wreckers
at the ruins and the work of pulling
down the walls was Immediately be-
gun. This operation made it impossible
to continue the search for bodies.
While the police and fire departments
were arguing another clash occurred in
the county morgue. Captain John
Rehm of the Desplanes street police sta
tion asking Deputy Coroner Buckley to
hold Mr.. Doremus in bonds until after
the inquest has been held.
The deputy coroner, however, re-
fused to comply with the request. He
replied that it was up to" the police TO
hold Doremus if they so desired, but
that the coroner's office would not in
terfere. The controversy resulted in the
police declaring they would keep Dore-
mus under sur, eillance until the inquest.