The Van Buren press., 1903-08-01
CAUSED GENERAL WRECK.
Explosion of the Magazine of the
United States Cartridge Co. in
Tewskbury, Mass.
OVER A SCORE OF PERSONS KILLED.
Fifty Others Injured and Large
Number of Buildings In the Vi
cinity Wrecked or Burnrd-The
Concussion Felt In boston, Forty
Miles Distant.

Lowell, July 30.-An explosion de-
stroyed the magazine of the United
States Cartridge Co., located in Tewks-
bury Wednesday, caused the death
Of probably 25 persons and injury to
more than 50 others, set fire to a num-
Der Of buildings in the vicinity and
caused a general wreck OF houses
within radius of half mile.
The concussion was felt in Boston.
40 miles away. and at Exeter, n. H.,
which is a greater distance from
Lowell. At many points a score OF
miles distant window glass was shat
tered and other damage done.
In some cases there were reports
that there had been an earthquake.
The city was thrown into a panic
and it required every effort OF the au-
thorities TO establish and maintain
anything like order 1t became nee.
essary to summon four companies of
the state militia. Alarming reports
to the effect that over 100 persons
had been killed and injured caused
widespread confusion. The explosion
Is said TO have been caused by the
jnrrng of dynamite stored in the
magazine by workmen who were lay
ing new floor The dynamite set of
the powder stored in one chamber
and that explosion was followed by
another in second chamber.
The plant Of the United States
Cartridge Co. Is located In a district
known as Riverside Park, just outside
Of Lowell
The building in which the explosion
occurred was a stone structure about
one and a half miles distant from the
works OF the cartridge company.
Within distance OF so yards are To-
Gated half dozen houses. Within 100
yards there are 20 houses more, and
beyond that the buildings are very
close together. Every structure with
| In n quarter of mile was torn within
| and without. Persons inside the
houses sustained injuries, II they es-
capped with their lives. Men who lived
Nv streets not far away who were for
tunate enough to escape serious in
juries Immediately gave themselves
over 10 removing women and children
TO places OF safety. Into the flames
scores of men were soon plunging in
efforts to save life and property. The
wreck was so complete, however, that
the work was harrowingy slow. The
patrol wagons and teams of oil de-
scripton were brought into use to
supplement the ambulances. II was
nearly noon before anything like an
accurate estimate Of the number
! killed could be obtained. Previous re-
ports had said that the dead would
number Is, but at ll:ij q canvass OF
the hospitals and police station re-
suited in q conservative cstimte OF 2j
killed and 55 injured.
Sixteen victims most seriously hurt
were taken to st, Johns hospital
where at noon IL was said that four
would die and that as many more
were desperately hurt
On the way TO the fire numerous
carriage, were met that bore bleed
ing bodies OF victims
| Bodies were taken from the ruins
and laid on the grass. Some were
mangcd beyond recognition. Men and
women tainted at what they saw.
Houses, barns and outbulldngs lay In
n ruined state, some half demolished,
others hardly more than heap OF
broken timbcrs, still others were
smoking from the recent fire.
The financial loss was placed AT
$4,000, only part OF which Is covered
by insurance.