The Indianapolis journal., 1903-11-02
Buildings Shattered by Concussion,
Two Men Fatally Hurt and Hun
dreds of Women Frustrated.
FULLY $50 CARS DESTROYED
WRECKS ARE BURNING, MAKING A
MAGNIFICENT DISPLAY.
All Buildings Dcnuded of Glaxs-En-
gines Half n Mile Away DeraiIed
by the Concussion.

CRESTLINE, o.. Nov. 1-Crestlne and
vicinity was thrown into a panic tonight
by a terrible explosion at o'clock. Many
buildings were shaken and in some in
stances the walls fell Church congregations
were thrown into screaming masses of hu-
manity. People who were at home were
terrified by the fearful roar that was
heard.
Two cars OF dynamite, which exploded IN
tho Pennsylvania yards were the cause of
the excitement. The destruction is so COM
plete and great that 1t is impossible to
say anything of the property damage or
whether there is any life loss tonight.
Yardmaster Courtier and Clerk Geisingcr,
who were at work in the yard Office, half a
mile away. We're seriously and possibly
fatally hurt by the destruction of the build
ing in which they were working Hundreds
of Pennsylvania employees are at work
searching the ruins for the dead or in
jured. The entire west yards of the road
are complete wrecks. officials of the rail-
road have said that there are not less than
$50 cars smashed.
Where the explosion occurred a hole
twenty feet wide, twice as long and fifteen
feet deep has been torn into the ground.
Engines at work mile away were thrown
from the track.
In the downtown portion of the city there
is not a building that has not suffered con-
siderable damage, Many persons who were
on the streets were cut and otherwise hurt
by flying glass and hundreds OF women are
in a serious condition from shock and con-
cussion. All the physicians of the city are
at the scene of the wreck to assist those
who may be found injured. The streets are
filled with people who do not wish to go
home. The sidewalks and road are Uttered
with the glass from the shattered panes.
The mayor has sworn in many extra po-
licemen to guard the property.
All the churches were holding services
when the explosion occurred Doors were
blown off and windows smashed in many
of the buildings. The full extent of the loss
to property will not be known for many
days. And it cannot be told until daylight
whether there has been loss of life.
The disaster Is one of the worst that
Crestline has ever experienced. The
wrecked cars are burning and the spectacu-
lar effects are magnificent. The explosion
was plainly heard fifty miles away. Trains
on the Pennsylvania road will be delayed
for at least one day. kilograms have been
sent to Cleveland and Pittsburg for an
unlimited supply of glass.
All the switching crews of the Pennsyl-
vania yard have been accounted for. Mans
field heard the report of the explosion and
sent fire apparatus by special train shortly
after the report came of the great fire that
was raging.
Inere ave Inlrty tracks III tne CreStllne
yards. all of which have been more or less
damaged. The main tracks are piled ten
feet high with dirt, bent rails, car trucks
and other railroad machinery.
William II. Caulter, yard master, was
standing in his Office quarter of a mile
away from the scene of the explosion. The
crashing glass of the windows flew in his
eyes binding him and his hearing has also
probably been destroyed as is also that of
Operator Redman, who was in the office
with Coulter. Yard Clerk Geisinger was
severely cut and bruised and others re-
ceived injuries. 1t is thought that when
daylight dawns il will be found that lives
were lost The business thoroughfares are
covered with broken glass, windows were
shattered and plastering fell from walls
and ceilings of nearly every business place
and residence.
At some places great damage was done.
The two banks are practically without win
dows. The Pennsylvania and Big Four
depots present an appearance as though
tornado had passed over them. Many per-
sons within doors and on the streets were
knocked from their feet and others were
thrown from chairs and beds.
The houses of Abraham Koontz and Lon
Frownfelter, and the Metz. Smith and
Gowenstine houses, located within a short
distance of the explosion, were demolished
and the inmates hurt.
A steel rail was blown about half a mile
north of the yards and into the side of a
dwelling on the Bucyrus road.
Reports reached here that windows in
business places at Gallon, Bucyrus, Mans
field and other cities within a radius of
twenty miles were broken and the shock
was felt as far as fifty miles or more.
People who were attending church serv-
ices became frantic from fright and panics
were narrowly averted by the presence of
mind of some of the male members, who
succeeded in quieting the women, many of
whom had dropped to their knees in prayer.