The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-25
Blind Bathhouse Manager md One Of
the Proprietors of the PooIroom
Among the Victims.
EXPLOSION WAS TERRIFIC
AND THE BUILDING LOOKED as III A
TORNADO HAD STRUCK 1T.
Upper Floor and Back Walls Fell ON
the Bettors-S55,OOO I'm Money
Scattered, hut Part Recovered.

HOT SPRINGS. Ark. Dec A-By an
explosion of gasoline this afternoon in the
cellar of the Turf Exchange. a clubhouse
and poolroom. operated by Chambers *
Walker, the building was badly wrecked
and thirty people were injured. sixteen OF
whom are in serious condition. The most
seriously injured are:
r. c. CHAMBERS, one of the proprie-
tors, both legs and wrists broken.
WILLIAM HELwIG, a blind bathhouse
manager. both legs broken; will die.
]. S. MEEKS, Hot Springs. badly bruised
and cut.
JOSEPH KINNEY, Hot Springs. legs
broken.
JOSEPH PACE, hotel keeper. Hot
Springs, legs broken.
- FINNEGAN. plumber, Hot Springs.
both legs broken.
JAMES COwEN, Hot Springs, both legs
broken.
WILLIAM METER. boy. Hot SPRING.
legs broken and skull fractured; Will die.
JAMES CoUGHLIN. plumber. Hot
Springs, leg broken.
c. G. PARKER, Milwaukee. Wis. both
legs broken.
ALLEN HoTCHKIss. Hot Springs. knee
fractured
T OZIER, engineer. Hot Springs. both
legs broken.
H. GEORGE, New York. leg broken.
p: CRANFIELD. Cincinnati. legs
broken, ribs crushed
WALTER POWERS, ST. Louis. Mo-. arm
broken.
EUGENE DAILY, Hot Springs. both legs
broken.
THOMAS PHELAN. telegraph operator.
Hot Springs, badly cut.
J. c. BURCH. Chicago. leg broken: not
expected to live.
w. s. MINERY, Louisville, KY, internal
injuries; probably will die.
HENRY LINDLEY, New York. injured
about lower limbs.
]. c. CRAWFORD. Cincinnati. leg and
wrist broken.
c. R. DoNNELLY. Chicago. forearm and
knee broken; will die.
Twelve others suffered bruises and slight
injuries.
About o'clock this afternoon the pool
room was crowded with more than one
hundred persons. Just as a race at New
Orleans was being called by the operator
the floor of the building seemed TO rise. and
in an instant a report that shook the entire
block rang out. The upper floor and back
walls of the building fell on the mass or
struggling men. who were wildly excited in
an endeavor to escape to the street. The
entire house looked as if tornado had
plOWeQ through lls CeilcI. Inc Atohl
windows were broken and both sides Of the
structure were shattered by the concus-
sion, which resembled the report OF a
twelve-pounder.
The news of the accident spread rapidly
and soon Central avenue was jammed with
people Reports were current that several
persons had been killed. The police and
firemen took charge of the place and the
work OF rescue began. Men were pulled
from under the debris in terribly injured
condition One of the most pitiful sights
was when BILLY Helwig. the blind mama
ger of the Lamar bathhouse was taken
from the ruins. Helwig is widely known to
the thousands of visitors who come to Hot
Springs annually.
r. c. Chambers. one of the proprietors OF
the Turf Exchange, is also a lessee OF the
Fort Erie, Ont race track and Is one OF
the best known sporting men in the coun-
try. His condition is serious.
The injured were taken in charge by the
local physicians and everything possible is
being done to alleviate their sufferings.
1t was thought at first the explosion was
caused by gas which had escaped in the
cellar Of the building and had been ignited
in some manner, causing the terrible acci-
dent. The police however. after full in
vestigation held Benjamin Murray. driver
OF a gasoline wagon, who was filling a tank
in the cellar. He is alleged 10 be response
bic for the disaster In careless handling OF
the high combustible.
The bank roll OF the pooroom consisted
of $4,000 and was blown away in the ex-
plosion. but the greater part of IT has been
recovered.