New-York tribune., 1903-07-30
KILLS OVER TWENTY.
Continued from first page.


in that time the surrounding property was swept
as If a small volcano had broken forth in it's
midst. Every house within two hundred yards
collapsed. Trees were blown down, the grass
within a hundred yards moved If by a
lawn mower. while bricks from the two maga-
zines were hurled far across the river and all
over the neghborhood.
AIR FILLED WITH SMOKE AND DUST
For several minutes afterward the air
completely filed with smoke and dust, illumi-
mated by the glare from the already burning
houses, Those who survived dragged themselves
to what seemed place of safety only to be re-
called by the shrieks of those less fortunate.
The work of rescue at once began but in many
cases the flames had already gained full sway
over the crumbled ruins. and despite the ener-
getic efforts of those who were not seriously
hurt. persons were burned to death before the
debris which covered them could be removed.
The property is situated just over the Lowell
line in Tewksbury, but the Lowell Fire De-
partment at once responded and did noble work
in caring for the wounded Before stream of
water was started from the engines, the hose
from all the wagons flung to the ground,
and the bleeding bodies of the wounded were
placed tenderly in the wagons and hurried to
the hospital AmbUlances soon appeared on the
scene and assisted the fremen, and all sorts Of
vehicles were pressed into the service. Nearly
two score Of persons were conveyed to the two
hospitals within half hour, while many more
who suffered merely from slight cuts by flying
glass had their wounds bound UP and remained
on the scene. where they also assisted in caring
for the less fortunate.
MILITIA COMPANIES SENT OUT.
The explosion shook the city. and within half
hour there were at least five thousand peo-
pie on the scene Of the catastrophe. badly hin
dering the work of caring for the wounded. so
that the acting Mayor of Lowell sent out call
for the militia to assist the local police, Two
OF the 9th Regiment and one Of the 9th Regt-
ment companies responded, and three hours later
had thrown a Gordon of men around the district
and cleared the place Of every one except those
immediately engaged in quenching the flames
and searching for victims of the explosion
Two hundred yards further down the river
from the second magazine the fremen suddenly
came across the bodies of four little boys JUST
about to have a swim. A fifth member of the
little party was. fortunately. In the river when
the explosion occurred, and escaped without In
jury.
Apparently the force Of the explosion of the
second magazine was expended in two directions
north and south. On the north il completely
demolished the house Of William Riggs about
fifty yards away. almost burying Mrs. Riggs,
and badly injuring her little Mrs. Riggs
was subsequently removed. but died before be-
ing taken to the hospital
On the other side of the magazine grove
OF trees through which the explosion tore path
fifty feet wide for a distance Of nearly three
hundred yards. The four little boys were caught
in the centre Of this path, and three were in
stantly killed The body of one Of them was
frightfully nutilated, the head being completely
blown off. The fourth alive when he was
discovered by the police and hremen. but he did
not long survive his injuries.
Most Of the property destroyed consisted Of
small buildings constructed Of wood. and at q
comparatively small cost The property loss
therefore, Will be rather small The selectmen
of the town of Tewkesbury. in which the ex-
plosion occurred. stated this afternoon that
they thought that $4,000 would cover the en-
tire less.
CARTRIDGE COMPANY's STATEMENT.
The United States Cartridge Company this
evening gave out a statement, part Of which
follows:
The land on which the powder magaaz7inesg were
Fletcher estate and one-half by the United states
We understand That the American Powder Com
pa b was g5o ths and pf5 Feeh 9a Pe Gner
agreement we do not know. In that part Of the
and recently we discovered that some of the nitro
glycerine had leaked out of the dynamite boxes
and visible in streak on the hoor under the
open partition between the two sections OF the
magazine.
of the Thompson Hardware Company. assuming al
ferred to the American Powder Company. to whom
we Immediately explained the situation. and the
danger that ii might involve. We asked that II be
remedied at once and they concluded to relay the
floor and later they made arrangements with the
Cartridge company to furnish for the work
and men and teams for removal of the powder
at the expense of the powder company. They were
to remove their dynamite at the same time, and
were to furnish their own teams for that:
AS to the immediate cause Of the explosion we
hay M k0OVVledge