The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-30
OVER A SCORE DEAD.
CONCLUDED FROM FIRST PACED

CONCLUDED FROM FIRST PACED
on TO the nitroglycerin with the idea or
diluting il and washing IL up. As soon as
the fluid from the jug struck the floor he
found that il was nitric acid The floor at
once began TO smoke and when the men
saw it they rushed from the building, but
had not gone ten feet when the explosion
occurred. The explosion OF TINS magazine
was followed Immediately by the gunpowder
on the wagons and several seconds later by
the second magazine.
The entire catastrophe occupied the space
of scarcely five seconds, but in that time
the surrounding property was swept as If
a small volcano had broke forth Every
house within 200 yards collapsed Trees
were blown down, the grass within nun
dred yards was moved as III by lawn
mower, while bricks from the two maga-
zines were hurled far across the river and
all over the neighboihood. For several MR.
utes afterward the air was filled with smoke
and dust, illuminated by the glare from the
already burning debris.
THE WORK OF RECUE.
The work Of rescue began at once but in
many cases the flames had already gained
full sway over the crumbled ruins and sew
eral persons were burned to death before
the wreckage which covered them could
be removed. The property is situated just
over the Lowell line in Tewksbury, but the
Lowell fire department aided in caring for
the wounded. Before a stream OF water
was started from the engines the hose
from all the wagons was taken out ana
the bodies OF the wounded were placed IN
the wagons and hurried 10 the hospltal;
Ambulances soon appeared and assls'eu
the firemen, and all sorts OF vehicles were
pressed into service. Nearly forty persons
were taken TO the two hospitals within hail
an hour, while many more, whose injuries
were slight. had their wounds dressed ana
remained TO assist in caring for tne iess
fortunate. -
The explosion shook Lowell. and within
half an hour there were at least 500 pei
sons on the scene of the atasirophf nc
crowd 60 hindered the work o. caring lot
the wounded that the mayor sent OUT
militia call. Three npanieS reSpohusr,
and three hours later had thrown a ceIussn
OF men around the district and cleared -
place of every one except those immediate
ly engaged in quenching the flames anu
searching for victims. -,
Two hundred yards farther down TIE
river from the second magazine The IL
men came acros the bodies of four boys
who had been about TO have swim a
fifth boy was in the river when the "a
plosion occurred and escaped injury.
Apparently the force of this second mas
azine was expended north and south "a
the north IL demolished the house or VIZ
liam Riggs, about fifty yards away, a.
most burying Mrs. Riggs and severely n
juring her son. Mrs. Riggs died
On the other side the magazine was .
grove of trees. through which the eNplosloa
tore path nifty feet wide Tor Nlnln.i-
of nearly three hundred yards The -.
boys were caught in the center OF 1als
path and three were instantly killed 80
body OF one OF them was multilateo, no
head being blown off. The fourth oid Ho'
long survive.
Most of the property destroyed oonsisied
Of small buildings, constructed OF Noo.'
and the property loss will not be heaN..
The selectmen of the town OF TewksouIs
believe that $4,000 will cover the entire 49,,
The conclusion was felt in Boston, lyit !,
miles away. and at Exeter. y. II. which =
a greater distance from Lowell. Al nials
points a score OF miles distant windo" $50
was shattered and other damage done. IL
some cases there were reports IN circuiaIlen
that there had been an earthqueke, 80
city was thrown into a panic, and II -
CURED every effort of the authorities -
establish and maintain anything Ike orosE'