Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1902-12-05
TERRIBLE EXPLOSION
Thirteen Persons Killed and a Number
Seriously Injured.
BOILERS HURLED THROUGH ROOF.
Swift & Co.'S Establishment Ia Chicago Wreck.
ed-Adjoinlng Structures Torn and Twisted
by the Force of the ExpIoslou-The EN-.
pIoyee Whose CareIessness Caused the
Disaster Also Perished.

Chicago (SpeciaD .-With a deafen-
ing report a boiler in Swift & Co. S
plant exploded shortly after 10 O'Clock
a. m. Thirteen lives were sacrificed
and scores OF employees, visitors and
others were injured. Huge boilers were
sent through the roof of the structure
and hurled hundreds OF feet. Nobody
within the boiler-room survived to tell
the story OF the accident, and it may
never be known what caused the explo-
sion. A careful investigation, how
ever, convinced the experts that the
explosion was the result OF carelessness
en- the part OF an employe, whose own
life also was sacrificed.
Five minutes after the explosion
nothing OF the building but pile OF
twisted iron, bricks and mortar re-
NAMED.
Sheets OF flame sprang from the
ruins, and the spectators realized that
it would be impossible to save the lives
OF those who were caught in the wreck.
The explosion was Of such force that
adjoining buildings were wrecked, torn
and twisted like toys. Men, women and
boys at work in adjoining departments
were hurled through windows to the
ground below. Many OF them escaped
with but slight bruises, but most OF the
victims were hurt to such an extent
that it was necessary to remove them
to hospitals. Others were taken to
their homes.
1t was rnmored that from so to 100
persons had been caught i'll the wreck
ed building This report caused great
excitement, and repeated calls were
sent for police and ambulances. A
dozen patrol wagons and as many am
balances were sent from all parts OF
the city. Extra calls for fire engines
followed and soon the flames were be-
ing fought from every side. While the
fire was still burning police, firemen
and employees OF the packing firm be-
gan digging in the ruins. Soon the
mangled remains OF man were discov-
cred. AT the same time other reScuers
were digging with desperation to res
cue several victims who were still alive.
Bodies torn, bruised or mangled were
taken from the ruins and sent to the
morgues. A boy, scalded from head to
foot and bleeding from cuts and bruises,
staggered toward the office OF General
Superintendent c. o. Young. He was
Mr.. Youngs personal messenger The
lad, however, had been so badly dis
figured that Mr.. Young did not r?cog-
nize him.
Many theories were advanced as to
the responsibility for the disaster. One
Inspector declared that the explosion
had been caused by cold water injected
into the boiler. but majority OF the
investigators held the oplion that the
catastrophe had been caused by low
water. Nothing definite was learned,
however, and as all the men in the boil
er room were killed. it is not likely
the cause OF the accident will ever be
known.
1t is not thought that the loss to
Swift & Co. will amount to more than
$4,000 Officers OF the company de-
clare that this will cover the damage
as nearly as they are capable to. esti-
mate it at the present time. The build
ing in which the boilers were located
was the only structure to be entirely
destroyed, and it was a small brick
building. one story high. The store
house, which stood close TO the boiler
house. was badly damaged, portion OF
its walls being torn down, but it is only
two stories high With the exception
OF the demolished boilerhouse there is
no damage that cannot be repaired
within 10 days.