The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-08-22
FIVE MORE KILLED.
Additional Victims Claimed by C1eve-
lands Water Works Tunnel.

CLEVELAND. o.. Aug. 21.-As a result
OF an explosion OF gas in the new water
works tunnel under Lake Erie last night
FIVE more lives were added TO the already
long list OF casualties recorded since work
first began on the great artificial water
way. The dead:
RAY TREADSHAW.
JAMES WILLIAMS
DANIEL HIGGINS.
JAMES DALLINCOURT
JOHN BERT.
Crib No. 3, five miles from shore and two
miles beyond crib No. . where nearly a
dozen lives were lost week ago. was the
scene Of the latest accident. The work of
sinking the big intake shaft at this point
was completed yesterday and five work.
men were engaged in digging tunnel in
the direction of No. 2 crib when the fatal
explosion occurred. The heavy casing of
the shaft was shattered by the terrific
force of the explo sion and the water from
the lake rushed in upon the unfortunate
workmen at the bottom Two men who
were at work on staging at the top of the
shaft were blown high into the air but
alighted on the crib and beyond being
stunned were not seriously injured.
The accident occurred early last night
but nothing was known of IL on shore until
to-day. For some reason no boats are kept
crib when the explosion took place spent
the night vainly signaling for assistance.
IL was long after daylight before a tug
digging struck vein of gas which was
ignited by a spark made by a workman S
pick. Heavy IRON girders and machinery
weighing more than hundred tons were
forced out of the shaft by the explosion.
The crib was wrecked. Death must have
tunnel for their comrades above heard no
outcry. So great was the destruction
wrought by the explosion that It probably
will be weeks before the damage can be
repaired and the bodies of the unfortunate te
workmen recovered.
James Williams. who lost his life in last
so heroicaliy entered the tunnel after the
accident OF last week at crib No. 2 in
search OF victims of that disaster. Plum
mer Jones. who at that time descended in
TO the shaft witl Williams. was overcome
with gas and died in the tunnel.
Mayor Johnson visited the scene of the
accident early to-day and on his return or
dered all construction work on the tunnel
stepped until every safeguard shall be pro-
vided for the protection of the men. The
mayor said that in his opinion the city
was now justified in taking the work out
OF the hands of the contractors and that
II possible this would be done. Subse-
quently Mayor Johnson decided not 10 in
terfere and operations will at once be re-
sumed. The crib. will. however, be sup
piled with boats. life preservers and rock
cts To be used signals Experts will
also be employed 10 detect the presence OF
gas In the tQnIei ana IN other look
after the safety of the workmen
AS TO the cause Of the explosion the most
plausible theory yet advanced is that in
lowering a heavy steel rib 10 the bottom of
the shaft an electric light wire was cut
causing spark which ignited the gas in
the tunnel
Mayor Johnson has sent to Milwaukee for
a civil engineer TO come and take charge OF
further work OF construction of the tunnel
Judge Defenbaugh. of the Common Pleas
Court. has summoned the grand jury to
meet tomorrow 10 inquire into the disaster
and place the responsibility.