The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-11-18


 other section just before the explosion. The engines of the two trains were used to haul the cars away and had 1t not been for them 1t is probable the cars and con- tents would have been destroyed.
 Flames Hurled High in Air.
 When the explosion came the flames were hurled hundreds of feet in the air and presented a sight which the people say outrvaled any fireworks display they | ever witnessed. For several seconds after l the explosion burning timbers were fall ing on the buildings, the people and the surrounding country. The burning wood fell on the new hotel, which is 100 yards from the depot. and set 1t on fire but this was extinguished at once. Several other buildings were on fire in few min utes, but all were put out and no damage l was done.
 Although the skies were practically | clear when the explosion came, within few minutes 1t was raining hard and continued to do so for several hours. The clouds formed rapidly and many think the explosion had something to do with their formation. The rain added to the confusion but served to prevent any l spread of the fire. The people who were | uninjured commenced at once making the injured more comfortable and ascer- taining the extent of their injuries. Phy- sicians were sent for from all the sur rounding places and -he following came: Dr. Brown Riverside; H. G. Crump, Pell | City; J. G. Wilkinson Pell City, and Drs James Turner and J. l.. Gray. The injured were carried to their homes and their wounds were dressed as rapidly as 1 possible. Many were slightly bruised from the concussion and were able to aid in the work. Nearly every one who was anywhere near the depot was knocked down, and this probably saved many 1ives as the timbers flew over their heads and fell harmless on the open ground
 Large Hole in the Ground.
 Where the depot once stood is nothing but a large hole in the ground filled with water several feet deep. The force Of the explosion seems to have gone down and to the north of the track where most or the stores and residences are situated. The worst effect of the explosion Is shown at the new hotel belonging to H. A. Cornett It was just completed and l the furniture was new. There is not | window, door or piece of glass in the building and the furniture is piled in the center of the floor in all the rooms The l window sills and door frames were torn from their places and the ceiling, walls and floors are out of plumb. In some ] cases the explosion moved a wall or par l tition as much as two feet from its for- mer place, and the entire building will have so he pulled down and rebuilt. The furniture is all broken or ruined, as well ss the dishes and glassware. Hung at every window was a shade and pair or l curtains All of these were torn from their places and in some cases they were found some distance from the house.
 The row of new stores and the brick hotel which is about 200 feet east of the l other hotel were only partially injured, though all the glass window panes were broken out The walls of some of the buildings are out of plum and will have to be repaired. In the courthouse all the windows are broken, the sills sprung I from place and the doors are torn from their frames. The clustering Is also dam aged in all the buildings in the city. For tunately the new mills were too far away to suffer any damage from the explosion, and they will be opened on February 20, as was intended.
 Last night Dr. B. G. Copeland of Bir- mingham went to Pell City and attend ed to the injuries of all wno desired him to- He advised that Judge Spears and Mr. Fite be carried to Birmingham, and they were sent there on the train | which should have arrived at 9:55 o'clock, but was two hours late. They were taken to Copeland & Berry's hospital
 MT. Pratts Presence of Mind. It is probable the presence or mind of c. w. Pratt who lives with his family in the front rooms of the hotel which l was destroyed, saved number of people from being fatally injured if not killed outright. His wife woke just as the fire started and called him. He knew of the | dynamite and fearing an explosion he awakened every one in the house and made them all get out of the building. | Three persons, however, returned, and they are numbered among the injured. MT. Pratt, as soon as his wife and chil- dren were safe, went to the depot and warned the people to stand back, and many needed the warning and were saved. Others took the advice of MT. Hall and were injured.
 The explosion was heard in Talladega, which is fifteen miles from Pell City, and people from all directions came to the city to see what was the matter A negro reported that his wife was thrown out of bed by the explosion, although his house Is at least mile from the depot Others stated their windows were rattled and that they thought 1t was an earthquake.
 One of the strangest features of the ex- plosion is that only forty-five of the fifty one cases of dynamite exploded They were all on the platform together, but six of the cases were not injured at all and are lying on the ground short distance from the depot
 The force of the explosion Is probably best shown bx the distance 1t carried a mail bag post, which weighs about 40o pounds. This was torn from its place in the ground and hurled across the railroad tracks and about 100 feet into the field near the hotel. The post is made or Iron and was securely fastened so as to pre- vent the jarring of the bag when taken from 1t by moving train.
 1 IA. n.>~p- naoerjr4Inn
 M. c. Roop, who discovered the Ire gives the following account of 1t:
 T noticed light and thinking 1t was from an engine coming into the city went out to investigate and found the de- pot on fire. The flames seemed to be coming from the roof near the center of the building and were burning rap idly I ran to the crew of train No. 80. which was on the siding, and requested