The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-07-29

Lowell, Mass, July 29.-Without warn
ing probably upwards of score of per-
sons, and possibly more, were blown to
death this forenoon by the explosion of
the United States Cartridge company's
magazine ,on the banks of the Concord
river, in South Lowell, three miles from
the center of the city. The number of
injured is thirty altho others We're
slightly cut by glass and burned. At 2
p. m. the list of dead stood at thirteen,
with nine missing.
The conclusion was felt in Boston. for
ty miles away and at Exeter, N. H., which
is a greater distance from Lowell. At
many points a score of miles distant win
dow glass was shattered and other damage
done. In some places reports were in cir
culation that there had been an earth
quake.
The city was thrown into a panic and it
required every effort of the authorities to
establish and maintain anything like or
der. It became necessary to summon four
companies of the state militia. Alarming
reports to the effect that over 100 persons
spread confusion.
The explosion is thought to have been
caused by the Earring of dynamite stored
in the magazine by workmen who were
laying new floor.
The dynamite set off the powder stored
in one chamber and that explosion was
followed by another in a second chamber.
The plant Of the United States Cartridge
company is located in a district known as
Riverside park, in TeWksbury, just out
side Of Lowell. ~
Houses Were LeveIed.
The building in which the explosion oc-
CURED was a stone structure about one
and a half miles distant from the works
| of the cartridge company. Within dis
lance of fifty yards are located half a
dozen houses Within a hundred yards
| there are tewnty houses, more, and be-
You'd that the buildings are close together.
Every structure within a quarter of a
mile was torn within and without
Men and women and children who were
Inside the houses sustained cuts, bruises
and broken bones, If they escaped with
their lives.
Men who lived in streets not far away
and hwo were fortunate enough to escape
tserious injuries, Immediately gave them
selves over to the work of removing wo-
mon and children to places of safety fol
/ almost simultaneously with the explosion
! came flashes from severa buildings. Inte
the flames and debris scores Of men were
soon plunging in efforts to save life anG
property. The wreck was so complete
| however, that the work was harroWfnglJ
slow. The patrol wagons Of the police an6
teams Of all descriptions were brought into
use to supplement the hospital ambul.
Iances.
Estimate Of Dead.
It was nearly noon before anything like
an accurate estimate Of the number killed
could be obtained. Previous reports hac
said that the dead would number IS, but
at 11:45 a canvas Of the hospitals and in
quiry at the police station resulted in &
conservative estimate Of twenty-five killed
and IS injured.
| Sixteen Victims most seriously hurt
were taken to St. Johns hospital where a.
noon it was said that four would die ant
that as many more were desperately hurt
The crowds increased momentarily and i
seemed as II all Lowell had suspended
business and was att the scene of the
catastrophe.
i On the way to the fire numerous car
riages were met that bore bleeding bodies
of victims.
! Bodies were taken from the ruins and
laid on the grass. Some were mangled be-
yond recognition. Men and women
tainted at what they saw.
Asked Physicians to XIII Him.
Several were badly MANNED and burned