The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-07-31

Lowell, Mass, July 29-Two small
sun powder magazines, situated in the
very midst of the humble residences of
a frightful conclusion and the result
ant wave of death cut off the lives of
mora than a score of human beings and
injured nearly fifty others. Half a
dozen men who were loading kegs of
powder from one of the magazine We're
blown to pieces; four boys two hundred
yards away were killed by the force
of the explosion, and fourteen frame
houses within a radius OF four hundred
yards went down as if they had been
built of cards. Seven of these houses
Immediately caught fire, caused by the
kitchen stoves, and were completely
consumed. At least three persons were
caught in the ruins and burned to
death, while seven or eight others, who
were rescued, died subsequently of
their injuries.
1t is estimated that seventy separat te
pieces of property, including those al
ready mentioned, were destroyed, while
the force of the explosion wrecked win
dows, for five or six miles around, and
it's thunder could be heard distinctly
more than fifty miles away.
The following is the list Of those
known to be killed:
L INIo. I
E. Richards, James L. Grady, James B.
| Sullivan, Charles Moore. Jean Roleau
| Gilbert McGermott, 10 years; Michael
| McDermott. L years; Thomas Holigan
II years: Jos. Holigan, 10 years; Will
| liam Galloway, Robert Galloway, Rob-
ert Gallow, Jr.. Albert Lebrun, Mrs
Catherine Riggs, Eddie Rogers, George
a. McDermott, four years; Josephine
/ Perusse, II years; Mrs. Hickey Perusse
| The nine last named were killed by the
fall of their homes or burned to death
| Unknown man.
Four persons are missing, two car
penters, names unknown, John Riggs
| and Patrick Spencer.
Those fatally injured: Amadee Boula-
ger, Is years; Clarendon Goodwin. &C
years, both employees of the Cartridge
company. Mrs. Howard Burkett, Miss
| McDermott, Eliza Galloway, Clara
Superna.
The magazines were the property OF
the United States Cartridge Company
of this city, but fortunately were stu
ated more than a mile away from the
factory itself. They were constructed
some thirty years in what was then a
| broad open field on the banks OF the
Concord river. During the last decade
small wooden dwelling houses have
gradually sprung up in the vicinity
| crowding nearer ana nearer with
| fancied security to the two innocent
looking little buildings until they al
most completely surrounded them ex-
| cept on the river side the nearest
| house being scarcely fifty feet away.
| Both magazines ordinarily contained
| two or three tons of gun powder in tir
kegs. The company HIS for some time
been desirous of strengthening the f1ool
of the magazine nearest the street anC
this morning. eight men, three of then
employees of the company, three ex
preSsmen and two carpenters wer
sent there with three large expires
trains to take out the powder and men'
| the moor. Two Oh the teams ndQ Deel
loaded and the other was almost ful
when at six minutets past nine o'clocI
the explosion occurred.
| 1t vas thought 1T first that ever
cause OF the explosion could be ascer
| taiued.
1t was thought aat fist thata ever
one within a radius of a hundred fee
| Of the magazine had been killed. bu
later it was found that Clarendo
Goodwin, the foreman OF the men VIII
were loading the powder on the team.
had survived. together with one of nj
assistants. Amadee FCuanger. and thi
afternoon the latter Was seen in tn
hospital.
He said that the mon Went down ;
the magazine nearest The street to f
the floor. and after the teams ha
been loaded with the powder that Nc
in the magazine, il was discovered thl
a can OF nitro glycerire which W.
stored in the magazine was leakin
: Mr. Goodwin picked up what :
! thought was a jug of water and bega
. to pour il on the nitro glycerine w:
) the idea Of diluting Il and washing
up. As soon as the fluid from the j.