New-York tribune., 1901-04-27
A SOLDIER TORN INTO BITS
TRIED TO BREAK A STICK OF DYNAMITE
WITH A STONE.
TWO COMPANIONS AT FORT SCHUYLER
HURT AND THE ENTIRE POST SHAKEN
BY AN EXPLOSION.

John Armstrong Ralph, member of artil-
lery company stationed at Fort Schuyler,
torn to pieces at the fort yesterday afternoon
by the explosion of box of fifty pounds of
dynamite. Peter Haley. a member of Ralph's
COMPANY was made unconscious by the force Of
the explosion, and Philip Lewinsky. of No. Il
Columbia-st., Brooklyn. knocked down and
sustained slight injury to his chin.
Last fall government officials condemned sixty
old smOothbore ROdman guns stored at the fort
soon afterward they removed to a place
about seventy-five feet from the shore of the
East River, and their places were taken by
seif-dlSappearing guns. Bids We're then adver-
tised for. and the guns sold to Lewinsky,
who is dealer in old guns and metals.
Lewinsky set about to break up the guns. and
for this purpose took to the fort many pounds
of dynamite Lewinsky succeeded in breaking
many Of the old guns in such a way that the
pieces did not scatter.
Yesterday he was assisted by Ralph and
Haley. Lewnsky had a box containing fifty
pounds Of dynamite brought to the place where
the guns stationed. Ralph soon followed,
carrying a pail of hot water which he had OBJ
tained at the fort The work of demolishing the
old guns had begun. and Ralph had softened a
sti2k of the dynamite in the water and try
ing to break it in two when Lewinsky saw him.
The latter was at the time standing about
seventy-five feet away with Haley. Failing to
break the stick Of powder with his hands. Ralph
endeavored to sever :, with a stone.
Look OUT shouted Lewinsky. Don't do
that"
The next instant there a terrific explosion
that was heard for miles around. The soldiers
in the fort were startled. Every one left the
buildings, and, with the officers. started for
the scene Lewinsky was found lying on the
ground unconscious and with lacerated chin.
Near by lay Haley. He was unconscious. Ralph
could not be seen.
Lewinsky and Haley were carried 10 the fort
hospital and the soldiers then returned to find
Ralph. 1t was found that the explosion Of the
stick had set off the entire box of dynamite
The earth about the place had been eXcdNdted
TO a depth of three or four feet by the eXploSlon
and bore the shape of a saucer about elshI
feet in diameter. =
4 systematic search was at once begun tor
the missing soldier In a circle OF about Two
hundred wards from the place where the eX-
plosion took place were found many pieces oI
the mans body varying in size from Two 10
five pounds. After searching more tnan iouI
hours the officers reported that only apout slAty
pounds of the flesh had been recovered ! iNd-pI
weighted about 100 pounds The fragments
were gathered together and carried 10 the Iorl
by Ralphs comrades. h
The fort physicians attended Haley, anu ne ne
coon revived Iewinskys wound was rounu 10
he slight hut he remained UNCONSCIOUS TOT seN .
eraI hours He remained under treatment at
the hospital -. .hir+v Eve
Years old He enlisted in Boston on May Io;
ISGo The fragments uf his body Will be ouIieu
IN the National Cemetery at cypress AIMS ' 'iiiS
afternoon.